The Wave of Prayer

Each Diocese in the Anglican Communion is linked with several other dioceses around the world. Specific days in the year are allocated to each group of link dioceses, when prayers of the members world wide focus on their needs. Prayers are made throughout the world at midday, which means that MU prayers never cease.

Diocesan Links

Swansea and Brecon is linked with 5 dioceses across the world for mutual prayerful support. Our link dioceses are:

• Nairobi, Mombasa, Machakos and Kitui in KENYA
• Bunbury and Perth in Western AUSTRALIA

On 21 to 25 August each year members throughout the world pray for the needs of these dioceses and these dioceses pray for each other:

The Diocese of Perth

75% of the population lives around the city of Perth, of whom many are migrants and refugees from other countries who are seeking a better life there. The M.U. has been in the Diocese for 106 years, supporting families in need and sharing prayer and Bible studies. They support women's Refuges and centres at women's prisons. There is desperate need, of rain although some crops have been sown.

Pray for all who work for the M.U. in the Diocese.

The Diocese of Bunbury

The Diocese is a mixture of urban and remote rural areas. The M.U. promotes Literacy and Development Programme. Like many areas the state is nearing drought conditions.

Pray for all who work for the M. U. in the Diocese.

The Diocese of Kitui

A large undeveloped area of Kenya with HIV/ AIDS resulting in many widows and orphans who need support. There are huge food shortages, and money that would normally be used for schools now has to be spent on food because of the cost of food in the shortage.

Pray for the end of the drought and for drugs to be available for the victims of HIV /AIDS.

The Diocese of Machakos

As in Kitui, the Diocese is experiencing difficult conditions and many are affected by drought. HIV/ AIDS victims are numerous.

Pray for those in difficulty and for the M.U. sponsored hostel for University Students.

The Diocese of Mombasa

There are 60 M.U. Branches in the Diocese with weekly Bible Study and Prayer Groups for which people have to walk many miles. The M.U. Is ac­tive in providing Nursery Schools. The Diocese is also suffering in the drought.

Pray not only for rain, but practical help to overcome their problems.

The Diocese of Nairobi

The Diocese has the state capital of Nairobi the administrative and cultural centre of the Diocese and also the centre of a large tourist industry. Many overpopulated areas, with poverty, poor housing and high crime rate. HIV/ AIDS like other parts is a problem with a large number of widows and or­phans being cared for by the churches and the M.U.

Pray for those situa­tions and for the aid that may be available from the west.

The Diocese of Swansea and Brecon

Around 60 Branches are involved in Answering God's Call. The Start Up Project is ongoing. The Diocese supports the crèche in Swansea Prison, the Women's Refuges, and our work with underprivileged families, providing holidays and time out.

Pray that these projects may continue, and that we shall continue to help our Link Dioceses in Australia and Kenya.

Mrs Ann Ikucha, the MU worker from Kitui, on a visit to the Diocese pictured with Mrs Ruby Hayden, Diocesan President.

Overseas Awareness Evening

Last year the MU in Swansea and Brecon held two Overseas Evenings to raise members’ awareness of our Link dioceses.

Pictured are members of Caereithen Branch in African Dress.

Branch links

Many of our branches in Swansea and Brecon have personal links with branches in our link dioceses. St Mary’s Brecon MU has a link with St. Brendan’s, Warnbro in the Diocese of Perth W. Australia and a correspondence has been maintained between the two Branches.

In the autumn of 2004, the Vicar of St. Brendan’s, Revd. Bob Hosken and his wife Kristin visited Brecon for a weekend and were entertained by Branch members. They were accompanied by teddy bear “Father Ted” who has a miniature wardrobe of ecclesiastical garments suitable for every occasion. He came into being when, instead of a service of blessing the animals it was decided to have one where children of all ages brought their teddy bears. After this the M. U. made Father Ted a set of vestments in liturgical colours.

In January 2006, a return visit was made to Warnbro by Brecon Branch leader, Joyce and her husband Peter where they were given a very warm welcome by Mothers’ Union members together with Revd. Bob, Kristin and Father Ted. They were treated to a shared lunch at the church together with husbands of members. As a matter of interest, St Brendan’s correspondent. Ann Halsey was born in Llandaff and so has a special interest in Wales. She was born on the afternoon before Llandaff Cathedral was bombed.

St. Brendan’s is a new church and the Mothers’ Union was formed relatively recently and offers friendship to those who have moved into this developing area of Perth Diocese.

The photograph shows members beside the banners that they have made that now stand in the church.