16 - Spirituality:issue 1 27/8/08 15:42 Page 14
Faith
Exploring spirituality
Marilyn Oulds reviews ‘Exploring the Spirituality
of the Mothers’ Union’ a new resource produced
by the Faith & Policy Unit at Mary Sumner House
S
pirituality is very much part of daily
life, whether you are a practicing
Christian or not. In this paper
spirituality is being considered from a
Christian viewpoint. In particular it
shows how Mothers' Union’s spirituality
General trustee
is a distinctive part of our identity as a
Marilyn Oulds
charity where our work is underpinned by
prayer.
little trickle show? Do we need to be like the
The fascination for me is the medium that is
farmers who dig bore holes to bring the
used: water. What a terrific medium to use.
water to the surface so that it can be used
Water has a life of its own. It can be a trickle
purposefully for the good of many? Our
or a torrent. It flows where it wills. Some in
faith does need to be exercised. When water
the UK have experienced great floods and in
stands still it becomes stagnant, full of
parts of the world it can be non-existent for
creepy-crawlies and unhealthy organisms.
many years. Is this like our faith? I recall the
We must not let our faith become like that.
wonder on the face of young children in
Also human beings cannot continue to just
parts of Australia when it rained for the first
run and run like batteries. There is a need to
time in their lives – the joy and amazement
pause, be still with God, become filled with
as they could splash in puddles, make mud
the Holy Spirit and learn to share what has
pies and just stand as it poured over them.
been given to us by God.
Is this like our faith?
This excellent paper is a tool that can be
Water, like faith, can overcome all manner of
used by all -- members and non-members
hurdles. We might think of the small trickle
alike. Please do read it and make use of it.
that is seen above ground, but under the
May God bless you as you do this.
surface the water can literally be hurtling
along in a great torrent. Are we sometimes
like that? Is there nervousness about
To receive a copy, contact the Faith &
showing what is under our surface, in our
Policy Unit on 020 7222 5533 or email
hearts? Instead of proclaiming like that
faithandpolicy@themothersunion.org.
heaving torrent of water, do we let just a
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www.themothersunion.org
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