Parishes of Brewood and Bishops Wood

  A Short History of the Mothers’ Union 

The Mothers’ Union was started in 1876 by Mary Sumner, the wife of an Anglican clergyman.  She was a mother of three and was well aware of the burdens and responsibilities of parenting and of the feelings of inadequacy that can sometimes swamp young and inexperienced mothers. When her own daughter became a mother she took the initial steps to found a society that would support women in their role of mothers. This society today has over three million members worldwide.

It was in 1885 that Mary was invited to speak in Portsmouth where she was enthusiastically received. Soon after this the Bishop of Winchester decided to make the M.U. a part of every parish in his Diocese.  By 1889 there were branches in all parts of the United Kingdom and so the idea spread to New Zealand, Canada, Hong Kong, India and Madagascar and then worldwide.

In the 1960s and 70s new initiatives were set up to modernise but still remain faithful to the original aims. Faith and Policy, Action and Outreach and Marketing, Away from it All Holidays

Today the range of work of Mothers’ Union far exceeds the original vision of Mary Sumner but it still holds fast to her vision of a circle of prayer with our Wave of Prayer Day.

 Meetings 2009

All MU meetings are held in Church House at 2:00 pm unless otherwise stated. Please come along as a visitor.

16th February - Jane Pickering, Women in the bible

16th March - Megan Hartley & Mary Stuart, "Kill of Cure!!"

20th April - Service in Church

18th May - Open Meeting in church, "Riders for Health".    This charity sends small motor bikes out to Africa for nurses and doctors to use to cover much larger areas than could be covered on foot. The also send out mechanics to train the locals to repair and keep the machines in running order. Open meeting and men also welcomed.

15th June - Lunch Out

20th July - Songs of Praise and Strawberry Tea

21st September - Service in Church

19th October - B Metcalf, MU & Family Life

16th November - A.G.M.

7th December - Carols and Mince Pies

Contacts

Branch Leader - Mrs Janet Morton, 01902 850643

Branch Secretary - Mrs J Wakeham, 01902 850321

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