The Diocese of Leeds Mothers’ Union will be celebrating the end of this triennium on Saturday, November 23, with a service at Bradford Cathedral.
The service will take place at the cathedral at 11am, and will be a chance to raise awareness about the ‘16 Days of Action against Gender Based Violence’ campaign and the Mothers’ Union’s ‘Rise Up’ campaign, both which seeks to raise awareness of domestic violence against women.
Elaine Swinhoe, President of the Mothers’ Union in the diocese, said: “It is a time to give thanks to God for all that has been achieved both here and across the world as we aim to support families by prayer and in many different practical ways.
“Recently our focus has been on the plight of women who suffer any kind of violence and we will have a display to highlight the ‘16 Days of Action against Gender Based Violence’ campaign and also the Mothers’ Union ‘Rise Up’ campaign, which seeks to raise awareness of domestic violence in this country.
“The 16 days runs from Monday, November 25, to Tuesday, December 10.
“Mothers' Union lends its voice with other organisations, including UN Women, as we seek to highlight this issue not just for 16 days but for the whole year."
The ‘Rise Up’ campaign stands for Respond, Inform, Support, Empower, Unite and Pray, and has been supported by Her Majesty the Queen.
A service was held at Halifax Minster on Monday, November 18, to raise more awareness of issues of domestic violence.
The service used a performance of the Story of the Silks to highlight how negative and positive comments affect others, with verbal abuse sometimes as powerful as physical abuse.
Silk scarves were placed on a woman as negative comments are read, and then removed as positive comments are read out, leading to a positive outcome.
Attending the service was Angela Everson, the CEO of the local Women's Centre, who informed MU members and others of their work.
MU and the Women’s Centre are decorating one of the Christmas trees at the annual tree festival at the Minster, with domestic abuse awareness as the theme.