Mothers Union
Click here to find out the latest news and projects of 2021
Click here for our 2020 news and projects
Click here to find out about our 2019 projects and events
Click here to find out about the projects we were involved with in 2018
Who are we?
The Founder of the Mothers’ Union, Mary Sumner, was a clergyman’s wife and in the summer of 1876 held the first Mothers’ Union meeting at her home, the Rectory in Old Aylesbury, Winchester for a small group of local mothers. Now over 140 years later the Mothers’ Union has grown from strength to strength into a worldwide organisation with over 4million members living in 83 countries and continues to provide Christian Care and Support for Families.
What do we stand for?
- Support for marriage and strong family relationships.
- To encourage good parenting and active faith.
- All of this underpinned by prayer.
Some of what we do:
Globally:
The Mothers’ Union work across the world promoting gender equality and greater stability for family life. You can find out more by visiting the national Mothers' Union website.
In East Sussex:
Run and fund a contact centre in Eastbourne where estranged parents can meet their children.
Maintain two seaside caravans offering free holiday accommodation in Winchelsea and Selsey to families under stress.
Provide bathroom packs for hospitals.
Work in two prisons providing care for children during visits.
Facilitate parenting groups.
Offer support to detainees at Gatwick airport.
Attend Citizenship ceremonies serving tea and biscuits to those attending.
In Heathfield:
Our St Richard's branch which has members from all three Benefice churches meet regularly to keep up to date with the Mothers’ Union work both globally and at home through information provided nationally on their website, discussion papers, magazines and a prayer diary.
- We support, through prayer, members who have trained as Parenting Facilitators and Contact Centre Volunteers.
- We support our Vicar with Baptism preparation across our three Churches in the Benefice; provide Baptism cards; a colourfully illustrated Toddlers Bible for children and maintain links for the first five years by sending Baptism Anniversary cards.
- We support our church in working with the Toddler Group and Sunday Club.
- Promote awareness of the diverse work of the Mothers’ Union.
- We are involved with projects including making cushions for the pew benches and play bags for the increasing number of children coming into our Churches.
- We co-ordinate the children’s food for our new Families @ 4 Services.
- We organise fundraising events such as a Fashion Show for the Mothers’ Union charities locally.
How can you become involved?
There are many ways you can become involved, and anyone can join it isn’t just for Mothers! So if you think you might be interested a warm welcome awaits you:
- Join us for coffee and/or meeting after our Corporate Communion on the third Wednesday of each month.
- Ask for a free copy of Families Worldwide incorporating our daily Prayer Diary.
- Ask for a copy of our Programme of Activities.
- Consider joining our organisation that offers so much for families in our area and beyond.
- Help us spread the word of the work of the Mothers’ Union.
- Bring new ideas and projects for our group to support our local community