The Mothers’ Union
All Saints branch of the Mothers’ Union (founded 1876) was established by Canon Arthur Drummond in 1899, it is a world-wide Christian organisation with over a million members, and with concern for families in 65 countries. Originally a meeting place for Christian mothers, it now welcomes anyone who has been baptised in the Christian faith.
March 2018
All Saints branch of the Mothers’ Union met for the last time as the the group officially closed at the 2018 AGM.
There were many reasons for this and members have wished to continue meeting and have formed a new group, now "Senior Saints" - information can be found here.
Please see below for Fr. Jeremy's notes of the Celebration service that took place to give thanks for the Life of the Mothers’ Union at All Saints
Mission Statement
The Mothers’ Union is a Christian organisation which promotes the well-being of families world-wide. We achieve this by:
- Developing prayer and spiritual growth in families
- Studying and reflecting on family life and marriage and their place in society
- Resourcing our members to take practical action to improve conditions for families, both nationally and in the communities in which they live
Meetings
Our branch meets at 2.30pm every 2nd Wednesday in the month in the Parish Centre.
Visit The Mothers’ Union Web Site
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
Celebration service to give thanks for the Life of the Mothers’ Union at All Saints
On Wednesday 7th March at 2.30pm members of the All Saints Mothers’ Union gathered for the final time as a group when they met for the AGM at the parish centre.
The afternoon began with a service prepared by Jeanette Lock which included prayers, Bible readings and 2 favourite hymns including ‘How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds’ and ‘Lord of All Hopefulness, Lord of All Joy’.
Despite the sadness of the occasion we did reflect with joy on the wonderful ministry of the Mothers’ Union World Wide and indeed locally in Maidenhead. We thought about the ministry of Mary Sumner who in 1876 began the organisation that has now grown to over 4,200,000 members World Wide. The Mothers’ Union demonstrate the Christian faith in action in 83 countries around the World promoting stable marriage, family life and the protection of children as well as offering practical support in so many ways.
Alongside Alison Bennett of the Oxford Diocese representing the Mothers’ union we thought about how the organisation continues to support individuals at home as well as large group in far- away countries. I was fortunate to witness the love people have for the Mothers’ Union in 2013 in the Diocese of Taita-Taveta in Kenya.
Within our own community I reflected on my time with the Mothers’ Union with the leadership of Ena Jones and Margaret Hill supported in secretarial duties by Wendy Channon. The group has always aimed to support the pastoral needs of its members. Both Ena and Margaret have updated us on the news and welfare of people and then prayed for them. Equally our leadership through these two ladies has offered us spiritual sustenance.
In the tradition of the Mothers’ Union we gave thanks for the ministry of the Mothers’ Union to young people and families in Boyne Hill. The Tiny Saints which frequently has 40 people or more attending on Fridays has members from the MU welcoming and offering the food and drinks. This group continues to nurture young families and is a vital part of ministry at All Saints.
Another area of the life of the church at All Saints which has borne fruit with the support of the MU has been Baptism preparation. We have an excellent Baptism preparation team who encourage families to attend Tiny Saints but also help nurture parents in prayer. One of the most successful ways this has happened is through the prayer cards designed by the Oxford diocese. The praying through the day cards have prayers for morning. evening and meal times. They also use the ‘Arrow Prayer’ style to help children to see God’s creation and give thanks for the wonderful things of the world.
When thinking of the Mothers’ Union at All Saints we could never forget the Christmas parties in the parish centre with Oscar nominees Ena Jones, Ella Titchener, Gwen Burkitt, Wendy and her late husband Arthur alongside many others performing wonderful Christmas plays.
Thanks to Wendy the group has always had excellent speakers sharing a variety of interesting and challenging talks.
We concluded at the service by noticing the text from John’s gospel when Jesus on the cross asked his mother Mary and his beloved disciple to support one another in community. We shared the words of 2 Corinthians ch1:3-7 showing the love and support of God in the challenging times of life.
Alison Bennett asked the Mothers’ union to pray about continuing as an individual member which enables people to still pray for the needs of the MU and to receive the support of the Diocese. It is our prayer that people will take up this kind invitation.
I will conclude with two prayers that were used during the service;
Ever- loving father, we thank you for the work and witness of the Maidenhead branch of the Mothers’ Union: for all by which it is remembered, for all that it meant to those who belonged to it, for those who were helped by its members, and for everything in it’s life which reflected mercy and love.
We pray for the members who have departed this life, and for those who have moved away. We recall the happy times in the past. Amen.
The Mothers’ Union Prayer
Loving God, 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.
Thank you to everyone of the Mothers Union at Maidenhead for the wonderful service offered over many years.
With my prayers,
Fr Jeremy