Mothers' Union column with Julia Tum: Mothers’ Union celebrates its 150th anniversary
Happy birthday! Is it your birthday today? Hands up if it is, or perhaps just during this week.
It will be mine soon and I must admit that despite my age, I do get very excited. Anniversaries are equally momentous and well worth celebrating. Some of these special days may bring wonderful memories of years gone by, and some may bring a tinge of sadness as we remember those who are no longer with us, or it may be a painful anniversary of sad occasions.
Recently, I celebrated my 50th column in the Brighouse Echo about the Mothers’ Union - wow!
This year it is 150 years since Mary Sumner founded the Mothers’ Union. She started off with just a small group of grandparents in a church in Winchester. She was encouraging them to get together in small groups, regardless of age and circumstances in order to help others and young mums cope with the busyness of everyday life when bringing up young children.
The idea grew and grew and so did the ideals of the movement. And now instead of there just being a few small groups in the south of England there are over two million members in over 84 different countries. Mary Sumner would be overjoyed to see how her small but essential plea has changed and supported millions of people around the corner and around the world.
Our hope is to see a world where everyone prospers and we seek to bring about justice, challenge prejudice, and advocate change.
Whatever the need in their communities, no matter how big or small, Mothers’ Union members are there to help, providing support and love, free of judgment.
To celebrate this gigantic anniversary and output of love and support we had two very unique days in London. On Wednesday, June 10 there was a special service in St Paul’s Cathedral. One and a half thousand Members swarmed into the cathedral. It was a service which was both very inspiring and challenging at the same time and it was a joy to be together in this iconic building, giving thanks for Mary Sumner and all that has occurred since.
The following day saw members fill the Emmanuel Centre to hear about the changes that have occurred over the 150 years. It was heart-warming to celebrate our founder and trace the organisation’s growth, from a small parish initiative to a worldwide movement.
The afternoon turned its focus to the work taking place today. Members heard about programmes supporting domestic abuse awareness; safeguarding; the need to be more and more aware of modern-day slavery; the AFIA (Away From It All) holiday programme, prison ministry, hospital support and work with people experiencing homelessness.
We were reminded that while Mothers’ Union serves local communities, it is strengthened by friendships and by being part of one global family working together across provinces and continents. We recognise the extent of the work and outreach that takes place overseas and the benefits of different organisations working together and strengthening each other.
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