Mothers’ Union
Be part of a world-wide Christian organisation in which four million members in eighty-four countries share one heartfelt vision - “to bring about a world where God’s love is shown through loving, respectful and flourishing relationships”.
An organisation which is a Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC).
An organisation founded 145 years ago by Mary Sumner which is as relevant today as when she first identified and acted on the need to nurture children and support family life.
What is the Mothers’ Union?
The Mothers’ Union was founded by Mary Sumner in 1876. The wife of a rector in Hampshire, she believed passionately that the care and nurturing of children was the prime responsibility of parents and society and felt that support should be provided, especially for those struggling in any way, to be able to fulfil this in a supportive Christian environment. In an age which pre-dated the telecommunications we enjoy today, branches were set up with incredible speed in countries throughout the world.
In 84 countries, four million members share one heartfelt vision - “to bring about a world where God’s love is shown through loving, respectful and flourishing relationships”.
As a worldwide fellowship, Mothers’ Union members are well placed to deliver a global expression of Christian care for families right where it matters - in the heart of local communities.
The fact that this organisation was called the Mothers’ Union reflects the enormous industrial and social changes taking place at that time. It is easy to think of the movement as somehow “cosy” but it was, in its way, revolutionary. The work undertaken by members across the world still reflects that ethos, with social injustices tackled, through aid, education and campaigning. Working with some of the most marginalised communities in the world our volunteers and trainers help people lift themselves out of poverty, improve health and hygiene and family relationships.
In keeping with this tradition of social activism, our members lobby Parliament through participating in national Mothers’ Union letter-writing campaigns, most recently asking that our MP support the amendments proposed to the Domestic Abuse Bill which was under consideration. An amendment to allow a migrant victim of domestic abuse to apply for temporary leave to remain in the UK has since been passed by the House of Lords.
Each year, we participate in events which mark 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an international campaign which starts each year on 25th November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) and ends on 10th December (International Human Rights Day). The Mothers’ Union joins with around 6,000 organisations from approximately 187 countries to raise awareness of, and call for an end to, gender-based violence in all its forms and in all societies. This is an extension of the day-to-day grass-roots work of the Mothers’ Union every day of the year.
The Mothers’ Union is a Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC). It can submit statements in advance of key meetings and can register as observers at major events - in our case, the UN Commission for the Status of Women. Up to 20 members can be registered for UNCSW. The Mothers’ Union has worked with the UNCSW since 2010 in overcoming inequality and eliminating violence against women.
About Mothers’ Union locally.
We are fortunate to have a flourishing and active Mothers’ Union. The Branch was formed in 1936 and has some 70 members. During “normal” times, we meet in the St Catherine’s Church Hall at 2.00 pm on the first and third Tuesday of each month and our Evening Mothers’ Union (the EMUs) meets at 7.00 pm on the last Thursday of the month.
On a Branch and personal level, we so missed our regular meetings and being able to see each other face-to-face during the pandemic restrictions. However, members kept in touch by various means - telephone, email, Zoom, MU News (you name it, we did it!). We also celebrated some things together, although physically apart, including our Christmas service and tea - not quite the same as the lavish spread we normally enjoy in the Hall, but it prepared us for the Christmas season, nonetheless.
It was wonderful, therefore, to meet up again face-to-face and to start the Autumn season with our customary Eucharist service. Despite the truly atrocious weather, members turned out in force - nothing was going to deter us from coming together at last! For now, we are holding our meetings in St Catherine’s Church on one afternoon per month but are looking forward to being able to resume our “normal” pattern of meetings before too long.
Prayer is at the heart of the Mothers’ Union - every meeting starts with a service - and members worldwide are united each day by a 24 hour Wave of Prayer. Conducting our service at the allocated time within this yearly cycle is a very special experience and a tangible link with our prayer partners throughout the world. This year, we were unable to meet, but our observance was filmed and incorporated into the on-line morning service - our first appearance on YouTube!
Mothers’ Union doesn’t stop because of difficult circumstances - that is when it is most needed. Despite all the restrictions and difficulties, we continue to be the Mothers’ Union here in the Parish, bound by a common purpose and friendship. We are as strong as ever - perhaps even stronger!
Our Branch meets every 1st and 3rd Tuesday afternoon at 2.00pm in the Church Hall and our EMU’s (Evening Mothers’ Union) meets on the last Thursday of the month at 7.00pm, also in the Church Hall.
Mothers’ Union Projects
Mary Sumner House, in London, is the world-wide headquarters of the Mothers’ Union, and this central work is supported through annual membership subscriptions and responses to special appeals. As a Branch, and individual members, we responded to an early appeal at the start of the pandemic, to enable the organisation to continue to function and to provide co-ordination and support where it is most needed, both at home and abroad.
The Mothers’ Union is very active at a Diocesan level and has been particularly productive during the pandemic, ensuring that we continue to maintain our commitment to all the Diocesan projects - here are just some of them:
Wakisa Ministries.
Using knitting needles and wool our members are sharing God’s love one stitch at a time with young mothers-to-be in Uganda. We have been sending out colourful knitted squares to Wakisa Ministries as a result of meeting the Director, Vivian Kityo, when she visited Wales in 2014. Vivian spoke passionately about the Crisis Pregnancy Centre she runs in Kampala, Uganda, to support teenage girls with early pregnancies, many as a result of rape or incest, and with little or no family support. Her work is recognised by the Parliament of Uganda as a leading ministry, offering safe shelter and appropriate services to marginalised teenage girls who have been rejected by their families. Many have been victims of domestic abuse and are HIV positive.
The emphasis of the Centre is to provide a temporary shelter in a Christian home for the girls, with pre and post-natal care. Bible study classes and the Alpha course are held regularly. Life skills and vocational classes give the girls an opportunity to support themselves and their child when they leave the Centre.
We have been sending several 2Kg parcels of knitted squares every year and our members are also very generous in making donations to meet the considerable cost of postage. The girls choose the colours they like and make their own baby blanket in readiness for the birth of their baby. It is now part of the culture at Wakisa and a start of the bonding process. Some squares are also used to make colourful bed blankets for the dormitories.
AFIA
AFIA (‘Away From It All’), offers local families in desperate need of a break the use of a caravan in Trecco Bay. Sadly, it has not been safe to offer these holidays during the past year.
Safe Houses.
We contribute to the four Safe Houses in the Diocese, which provided refuge for the vulnerable from violence and domestic abuse, and food parcels are delivered regularly. Additional funding was provided this year to deal with the additional strain on their services.
Faith in Families.
Faith in Families,which has a number of Family Centres in the Swansea area, is making a real difference to the lives of some of the most needy and vulnerable children and families. These amazing Centres offer a range of services from affordable childcare to lunch clubs.
During the pandemic, they quickly adapted to respond to the challenges faced by the families they support, providing food parcels, keeping in touch by telephone and conducting on-line sessions, including cookery sessions.
Faith in Families is actively supported by the Mothers’ Union and, this year, we responded to a special appeal to provide craft materials which were delivered to the homes of children unable to visit the Centres and take part in the activities which they normally enjoy, and which contribute so much to their development and well-being.
Baby Basics.
Members have supported Baby Basics for many years and have continued to do so this year. In December, four new mattresses were provided for the Moses baskets which hold the Starter Sets given to young mums who are in need of support. Members have also donated toiletries needed by both mothers and new babies.
The Moses baskets offer a safe bed to sleep and are packed full of toiletries such as nappies, wipes, maternity pads, as well as blankets, towels and baby clothes. For some these are the only items they have for their child. Many of our clients don’t benefit from having a supportive family around them, so they appreciate the love that goes into hand-made items.
Llys Awen.
This a a relatively new centre, located quite close to St Catherine’s Church, which provides accommodation for young people who have recently left the care system. In a supportive environment, they are given an opportunity to acquire life skills for independent living. Our members regularly donate non-perishable foods and toiletries which are delivered to Llys Awen for their communal store-cupboard of “emergency” supplies. A gift and card are given to each resident at Christmas and Easter. This continued throughout the pandemic and a lovely message was received from the staff: “Without community we would not have been able, as successfully as we have been, to show these young people that people care and actually want to help.” They go on to say that our donations have had an impact on these young people’s lives, “showing that community is at the heart of Gorseinon”. The staff have used some of our donated food to give cookery sessions to the young people, using the Easy Eats recipe books which we supplied at Christmas. The photographs they included show some very tempting results!
Zac’s Place.
The EMU group initiated contact with this centre, which supports the homeless in Swansea. For a number of years we have supplied items, focussing on identified requirements for the winter, which have included coats, thermal clothing, toiletries and sleeping bags.
Refugee Donation Centre.
The refugee donation centre in Gorseinon, to which members regularly donate clothes and other necessities, has not been able to continue during the pandemic, but we were able to obtain free parcel delivery to the refugee camp in Lesvos, Greece. Many members were able to donate items needed in the camp and three boxes were sent out in November.