The purpose of the Mothers’ Union is to be especially concerned with all that strengthens and preserves marriage and Christian family life

Its Aim is the advancement of Christian religion in the sphere of marriage and family life. Have a look at the Mothers' Union, Australia, website http://www.mu.org.au/ .

Its Five Objects are;

1. To uphold Christ’s teaching on the nature of marriage and to promote its wider understanding.

2. To encourage parents to bring up their children in the faith and life of the Church

3. To maintain a World Wide Fellowship of Christians united in prayer, worship and service.

4. To promote conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the protection of children.

5. To help those whose family life has met with adversity.

We meet the fourth Thursday of each month. The meeting follows a 9.30am Eucharist. New and existing members most welcome.

Contact Person: Barbara Wicks

Contact by: person (on the day) or leave a message on the Parish Phone: 07 4779 2434.

To help fulfil two of the above aims of MU (2 & 4), we want to be able to offer the newly named Parenting Encouragement Programme (PEP) at a future date.  http://www.mu.org.au/pep.htm. 

The Parenting Encouragement Program

The aim of PEP is to encourage and support parents in their important role through education and discussion of family issues in a relaxed and friendly environment. The program is run by trained facilitators and has been designed for today's families in our Australian context. Course evaluations have shown that everyone attending has appreciated the course and gone away with enhanced parenting skills. PEP is run in many localities throughout Australia subject to need and facilitator's availability.

The program looks at the following topics:

Parenting Styles in which participants discuss how they were parented and explore four different parenting styles.

Childhood Development&Children’s Self Esteem in which participants look at the parental challenges and what children need at different stages of childhood development and explores how parents can nurture the three dimensions of self -esteem in their child/children.

Relationship Building- through the key areas of listening and encouragement and the 5 different love languages.

Discipline Strategies– reviews seven different discipline strategies, with an emphasis on choice and natural consequences.

Family Growth- through celebrations and spiritual development- discusses how important family celebrations and spiritual development are to family growth.

Format- The course takes into account how adults learn best and how groups operate to their maximum potential. With these two issues in mind, the program consists of discussion times, small group work, multi-media presentation, personal reflection time and various activities. This is presented in an atmosphere of learning together.

Cost- $50 per individual/couple to cover the cost of a manual.  This fee does not cover the cost of operating the program. However, MU Australia subsidises PEP so that it is accessible to as many parents as possible, without cost being an issue. We strongly encourage families where there are two parents present to do the course together. This enables both parties to hear the information and be involved in the course which will benefit the family greatly. It also helps send a message that parenting isn’t just the mother’s job- a view that is still widely held.

This course is an initiative of Mothers’ Union Australia, which is part of a worldwide organisation within the Anglican Church. Its motivation for initiating PEP is to help fulfil the mission statement, “Sharing Christ’s love through encouraging, strengthening and supporting marriage and family life”. MU commissioned Ian and Kate Pearse who are qualified adult educators and group facilitators, having trained both here and in England, to compile the course. Kate is a teacher and counsellor and Ian and Kate have coordinated a family ministry within their local church. This course is uniquely Australian but has the benefit of information and skills that are recognised worldwide within parenting organisations.

Any enquiries relating to this Program can be directed to the current National Coordinator Mrs Kaye Healy This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You may also contact the Diocesan President of MU Mrs Penny Douglas This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it who along with Mrs Nancie Irvin, the Reverend Simon Hattrell (Rector of the Church of the Ascension).

If you are interested in participating in this course, please contact the Ascension Church Office on 4779 2434.