Overview of this year’s themeJesus was very clear that faithful relationships are the model and structure for living together in harmony as: families, friends, neighbours, communities, nations and internationally.
He was also very clear that faithful relationships are equally important in the development and nurture of our individual and collective faith journey.
Throughout the Bible God loves that which he has made and one of the main ways God expresses this love is through constant fidelity to his creation. We see this in God’s acts:
• in his fidelity to Israel at all times
• in his making of a covenant
• in his fidelity to individuals and families throughout their lives
• in his sending leaders and prophets to preach the Kingdom of God and its values
• in the sending of his only Son to die, rise and save us.
Through and in all these different faithful relationships, we have both an identity and a purpose. As Christians these are entirely defined by our values as given to us by God, through the Bible, in the history and traditions of our churches and in the societies in which we live daily. Through and in all these different relationships we learn how to recognise and experience God’s faithful presence – right now, every moment, wherever we are. We believe that God is always present and faithful in our lives, whether or not we can see him. We also believe that God’s presence is a positive good even if we do not always understand how or why, especially when life presents us with many difficulties and tragedies.
Faithful Relationship is the Mothers’ Union theme for 2011, and there is a wealth of material for small groups to use. To see what might be useful for your personal reflections, church, small group or Mothers’ Union event, see Mothers’ Union web site.
A. Faithful Relationship 2011 – Theme Rationale
B. Qualities of Faithfulness – a chart and prayer guide to help you assess the quality of your relationship with God and others
C. Faithful_Relationship_Prayers
D. Reflections on “The Rock” – Bible Study ideas and prayers
E. Faithful Relationship – Scripture Texts
F. Peter Bible Study – from faithless to faithful
G. Mary Magdalene Bible Study – faithful follower of Christ
H. Mary Magdalene in Art – a study focusing on pictures by Titian and Sandys
I. The rainbow – a symbol of faithful relationship includes ideas for craft, prayer and spiritual reflection and an Indian Legend
J. Symbol of the Rock – reflection with symbolic act
K. Symbol of Bread and Wine – eucharistic reflections and inspiration for creative worship
M. Faithful Men and Women of the Bible with Bible references
N.Eucharistic Service In word text.