Mothers' Union

 MOTHERS’ UNION

The Mothers' Union (often abbreviated MU) is a worldwide movement of Anglican women, founded by Mary Sumner in 1876, and calculates its membership to be about 4 million in 81 countries.  The aim of the MU is to strengthen and preserve marriage and family life through Christianity.  In order to carry out this aim, the MU's objectives are:

• to uphold Christ's teaching on the nature of marriage and promote its wider understanding;
• to encourage parents to bring up their children in the faith and life of the Church;
• to maintain a worldwide fellowship of Christians united in prayer, worship and service;
• to promote conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the protection of children;
• to help those whose family life has met with adversity.

The Mothers' Union Prayer: Loving Lord, we thank you for your love so freely given to us all.  We pray for families around the world.  Bless the work of the Mothers' Union as we seek to share your love through the encouragement, strengthening and support of marriage and family life. Empowered by your Spirit, may we be united in prayer and worship, and in love and service reach out as your hands across the world.  In Jesus' name. Amen. ©The Mothers' Union.

The MU is a worldwide campaigning charity, particularly concerned with the plight of women; its projects include literacy and healthcare education and campaigning against violence and trafficking.  It empha-sises the importance of prayer and each year organises a Wave of Prayer. On a set day we all pray together at a specific time to give members a sense of unity in prayer as the wave moves from branch to branch and from diocese to diocese internationally.  The Wave of Prayer this year was on 13 March, when two new members, Iris Clarke and Anne Herod were enrolled into St Mark's MU.  Badges were presented by Margaret Swallow, the Mottram Deanery Leader. 

From L to R: The Revd Alison Cox, Barbara Smart, MU Branch Secretary, Iris Clarke, Anne Herod & Margaret Swallow.

Countries prayed for were: Province of South Africa - Table Bay;  False Bay;  Saldanha Bay; Namibia.  Mbaise (Nigeria); Kondoa (Tanzania);  Ho (Ghana).  Province of Melanesia. Glasgow and Galloway.  Chester (York).

Our trip on Thursday 19 May to the Diocesan Festival at Chester Cathedral was a success and, even though only 12 people went, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. 

In June, 13 people from our Mother's Union, along with husbands and friends (pictured above), were blessed with a sunny day when they set off to visit the Cheshire Workshops Candle Factory at Burdwardsley near Chester. They had a wonderful day out together - some actually making their own candles - which was great fun.

St Mark’s MU was formed in the 1920s and meets at 7:30 pm in the Church Hall on the first Wednesday of each month, except for August: membership is open to anyone both male and female.  We now have 19 members built up from 6 at the reforming of St Mark's Branch in September 2007.  Joan Potts is the nineteenth member and was originally a member of St. Mark's MU before the joint benefice happened.  Because she is already a member she didn't need to be enrolled.

The meetings cover a variety of topics such as professional people showing their expertise, and speakers on subjects of interest.  

The MU organises outings by coach from St Mark’s (open to anyone) and the next trip is planned for Thursday 15 September to Ripon and Murgatroyds Fish and Chip Shop, Yeadon.

Our MU supports WISH (Women in Sheltered Housing) in Hyde by collecting over a period of two months every year toiletries, clothes, DVDs etc which can be used by the young women who are resident in this Home.  We responded to an appeal for stationery for Africa last June. 

Our members visit the sick and call on families who have had their children baptised at St Mark’s to deliver their baptism certificates and show we care for their welfare.  We also help with the Praise and Play Group and Messy Church.

Church of England parishes are grouped into areas, known as Deaneries, which are then grouped into Diocese.   St Mark’s is in the Mottram Deanery, in the Diocese of Chester.  In March, branches from the Deanery MU arrived for the Lady Day Service at St Mark’s when we received the Deanery Banner.  We visited Chester Cathedral in May 2010 for the Diocesan Festival where the banners from the Diocese are presented.

For more information on the Mothers' Union nationally or in the Diocese of Chester, go to the following web pages:

www.themothersunion.org

 www.mothersunionchester.co.uk