Mothers Union

Mothers Union at All Saints Stand -

The Branch meets on the first Thursday of each month at 2pm in theChurch Hall. We enjoy friendship and fun, together with activities andspeakers. There is always Tea, Coffee, Cake and Conversation.

Everyone welcome.

We raise funds in support of the projects of Mothers Union Manchester Diocese including :- AFIA -Away from it all Holidays (for those who need a break) – Prison support at Forest Bank and Manchester Prison.

Mothers’ Union began in 1876. Mary Sumner, the wife of a rector in Hampshire, formed a group to support mothers from all backgrounds in bringing up their children. After delivering a speech in 1885 to the Portsmouth Church Congress, she inspired many women present to go back to their parishes and set up similar groups.

Our founder, Mary Sumner.

Over time, the groups that met as Mothers’ Union became embedded in theircommunities. They forged strong links with local people and the Anglican Church.They worked to support one another and give a voice to disadvantaged womenwhile addressing wider societal issues. Driven by Mary Sumner’s passion for the role of women in bringing about a better society, the groups proved very popular. By 1892, membership had reached 60,000 in 28 dioceses, which was to grow to169,000 members by the turn of the century. In 1893, annual general meetings were organised, and, in 1896, Mothers’ Union Central Council was formed. Read more about our history in the timeline below.

Timeline

With 150 years of history

Family moved to Herefordshire in 1832
Her father was a Banker and Historian
Her mother was a woman of faith, charm and sympathy, qualities Mary inherited
Educated at home, spoke three foreign languages, learnt to sing well
Whilst finishing her musical education in Rome she met George Sumner
Mary and George fell in love and were married at St James Colwall on July 26 th1848, 18 months after his ordination
Mary moved to Old Alresford with her husband and they had two girls, Margaret and Louise
Later the family added a boy, Heywood
In 1876, concerned to strengthen and support Christian family life Mary called a meeting
Being very nervous she was unable to speak and her husband stood in. Inviting the ladies back the next week, this was the inaugural meeting of Mothers’ Union
1885 Mary delivers her first speech and calls for a ‘Mothers’ Union’ founded on prayer
1886 First overseas branch formed in New Zealand
1889 Branch formed in Canada
1889 Branch formed in India
1898 Queen Victoria becomes President
1909 Membership 316,000, Britain's largest voluntary women’s organisation
1912 Overseas committee formed
1918 MU celebrates the right to vote for women over 30
1921 Mary Sumner dies and August 9th becomes Mary Sumner Day
1925 Mary Sumner House opened in Westminster
1929 Campaign to raise minimum legal age of marriage
1930 First Worldwide Council held
1942 Worked alongside the National Council of Women and the WI contributing to the Wartime Design of Dwellings committee
1945 following lobbying Family Allowance introduced
1952 The Queen grants Royal Patronage
1965 ‘Away from it All’ Holiday Scheme launched
1996 125 members become priests following Synods approval of the ordination of women
2000 MU given consultative status within the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations
2000 – Launch of The Literacy & Development programme
2003 Invited to PEGI Advisory committee advising on the appropriateness of video games
2003 Involved in petitioning and lobbying regarding Domestic Abuse Bill
2005 Joins Make Poverty History Campaign
2006 Led longstanding campaign for the right to flexible arrangements for all parents
2010 Research into the inappropriate commercialisation and sexualisation of children supported by the government
2010 Bye Buy Childhood Campaign
2014 Contributed to the broader policy environment Children’s and Families Act 2014
2016 MU attend the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
2017 - MU Listens Observes and Acts campaign
2020 Raised over £1 million for an emergency appeal during Covid
2024 HRH Duchess of Edinburgh becomes Royal Patron
2026 Celebrating 150 years