Mothers’ Union

Mothers’ Union is a praying organisation, not a political organisation. We aim to keep a never-sleeping chain of prayer alive right round the world.

But we are not afraid to speak out on matters that affect the stability of family life.

The movement was begun by Mary Sumner in 1876 near Winchester.  Mary was the wife of the vicar at Alresford, Hampshire, and when her eldest daughter was bringing up her first baby,  Mary organised a meeting of mothers in the parish to support each other practically, and raise their families in the Christian tradition.   The meetings were very popular locally and  ten years later became an official movement in the Diocese of Winchester.  By the early 20th century it had over 250,000 members including branches in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Burma and China, with Mary Sumner as Worldwide President until 1909. It has now grown into a truly international organisation with four million members around the world, and is particularly strong in African countries.

It was in 1914 as Europe was preparing for war, that a group of over sixty ladies at Melbourne Parish Church decided to start a branch which was inaugurated on Lady Day by the vicar at the time, the Revd L. Robin.  Their menfolk would have been called up later in that year, and the women would have found strength and support from each other as they struggled through the next four horrendous years of the Great War.  Seventy years later in 1984 Melbourne Branch still had over fifty members and again celebrated its birthday  on Lady Day. 

As in the beginning, Mothers’ Union continues to promote Christian family life, and to do so in the context of life today. It is involved, particularly in third world countries, in projects that help women and children to play a more complete part in the lives of their communities.

For example, the movement runs literacy projects to teach people basic skills of reading and writing and, through the Overseas and Emergency Funds, sends aid to areas where it is needed, when it is needed, and delivered through MU workers to make sure it is not diverted.

Men as well as women can become members. You don’t need to be married, or to have children. Divorced people are not turned away. It is not necessary to become a member of a branch: BUT it is necessary to support the Aim and Objects of the organisation.

We meet at 2 pm on the first Tuesday of the month in Church House, unless announced otherwise, and we come together in the church at 9.15 am for Corporate Communion on the first Thursday of the month.

For more information, contact Ros Bell on 01332 863139

The movement was begun by Mary Sumner in 1876 near Winchester.  Mary was the wife of the vicar at Alresford, Hampshire, and when her eldest daughter was bringing up her first baby,  Mary organised a meeting of mothers in the parish to support each other practically, and raise their families in the Christian tradition. The meetings were very popular locally and ten years later became an official movement in the Diocese of Winchester.  

By the early 20th century it had over 250,000 members including branches in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Burma and China, with Mary Sumner as Worldwide President until 1909. It has now grown into a truly international organisation with four million members around the world, and is particularly strong in African countries.