Origin: Founded by vicar's wife Mary Sumner in 1876 to promote marriage and Christian family life. Members must have been baptised, but there are no bars as to sex or even sexuality. All branches must have the support of their vicar.
Members: 140,000 in this country, one million worldwide, with a particularly strong presence in Africa.
The stereotype: Holier-than-thou handmaidens to the vicar who spend their time bickering over the church flower arrangements.
Who they actually are: Active, committed Christians, often highly radical. In Uganda they were the only organisation to defy Amin and survive. The Mothers Union insisted on meeting and even walked through Kampala saying that if Amin chose to shoot them he would be shooting the mothers of the nation. In this country they are more likely to be found running prison creches or campaigning for debt relief for the developing world than handing round teacups at the vicarage, They've debated whether to legalise prostitution and one branch was shut down by the vicar (the Revd. Pratt) when members rallied round a mother who'd written an article about coming to terms with her son's homosexuality.
Fathers are welcomed as members and the organisations chief executive, Reg Bailey is male. "We've always been radical" says trustee Marlene Armitage. She also denies that Mothers' Union is inherently conservative. "Of course in an ideal world, children would be brought up in a nuclear family and marriage should be for life. But we don't live in an ideal world and single mothers are very much at the forefront of our caring".
Most likely to say: "Who's going to volunteer for the literacy programme for the homeless? Let's pray for guidance in our debate on gay adoption".
Least likely to say: "More tea Vicar?"
How to join: St. Nicholas, Halewood Mothers' Union meet at 2.OOpm on the first Thursday of most months at the Parish Centre. You are welcome to look them over!
Meet a member
Rosemary Cutbush, 52, is a member of Mothers' Union in Sussex and does voluntary work at the local prison through the organisation. "When I heard that volunteers were needed to staff the creche at the local prison, it seemed a way that I could put one of the tenets of the Mothers' Union - to help families who have fallen into adversity - into practice. People are usually quite surprised when I tell them I do this work through the Mothers' Union. We have such a stuffy image, but we're interested in everything that affects family life".
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Click image to visit the Mothers' Union website
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Mothers' Union Purpose
The purpose of the Mothers' Union is
to be specially concerned with all that strengthens and preserves marriage
and Christian family life. Membership is open to all those who have
been baptised in the name of the Holy Trinity and intend to support and
work for the Aim, Purpose and Objects of the society. Members are
united in prayer and service to show forth the glory of God and to help
forward the work of the church.
Mothers' Union Objectives
The Mothers' Union is a world-wide society
and its objects are:
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To uphold Christ's teaching on the nature
of marriage and to promote its wider understanding;
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To encourage parents to bring up their
children in the faith and life of the church;
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To maintain a world-wide fellowship
of Christians united in prayer, worship and service;
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To promote conditions in society favourable
to stable family life and the protection of children;
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To help those whose family life has
met adversity.
Mothers' Union Prayer
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who
gave marriage to be a source of blessing, we thank you for family life,
with all its joys and sorrows. May we know your presence and peace
in our homes, fill them with your love and use them to your glory. Bless
all who are married and every parent and child. Pour out upon us
your Holy Spirit, that we may truly love and serve you. Bless the
members of the Mothers' Union throughout the world, unite us in prayer
and worship, in love and service, that, strengthened by your grace, we
may seek to do your will; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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