Welcome to Mothers' Union.

Mothers' Union is an international Christian charity that seeks to support families worldwide.

Mothers' Union in our parish

Mothers' Union in Christ Church with St Mary’s is 100 years old.  We had a celebration recently with cake. Everyone, is welcome at our meetings – just turn up or contact the Branch Leader.  You will see that we have some men in our branch.

We have two groups: our afternoon group meets regularly most months for fellowship, tea and an interesting speaker – see the programme for details. Our evening group meets less frequently as we are all busy doing God’s work in other ways.  Both groups get together for an annual supper in the Bishop of Swindon’s house (about one year in five the weather allows us in the garden!)! 

Our members have started two parent and toddlergroups recently and we hope to interest these parents in Mothers' Union.

Mothers' Union in Bristol Diocese

The Mothers’ Union in the Bristol Diocese runs a number of very good projects.  We get together twice a year to discuss these and other MU matters.

Each Branch helps to provide tea and coffee for the Friends for Parents room at the Bristol Children’s Hospital; several MU members volunteer as Friends.  We also support the Hartcliffe and Withywood teenage parents project in Bristol.  Until recently we supported the Green Hut drop-in centre in Swindon, which was started in the green hut in Christ Church vicarage garden!  But it closed in January for a variety of reasons.  Now we support the Developing Health and Independence initiative for recovering drug users based in Maxwell Street  in Swindon; one of our Christ Church members teaches cooking there.  We also support the Away From It All holidays for families who would not otherwise have a holiday, and three families from Christ Church have been to the caravan in Burnham on Sea in recent years; two of the teenage lads subsequently read the lesson at our next Harvest Service.

In the Swindon Deanery branches are at Lydiard, Purton, Highworth and Blunsdon and St Philip’s Upper Stratton as well as at Christ Church with St Mary’s.  Unfortunately three more central branches have closed recently – St Augustine’s, Stratton St Margaret and New Town.

Mothers' Union internationally

In 83 countries, our members share one heartfelt vision - to bring about a world where God's love is shown through loving, respectful and flourishing relationships. This is not a vague hope, but a goal we actively pursue through prayer, programmes, policy work and community relationships. By supporting marriage and family life, especially through times of adversity, we tackle the most urgent needs challenging relationships and communities.

Our members are not all mothers, or even all women. Single, married, parents, grandparents, or young adults just beginning to express their social conscience. For all 4 million members what Mothers' Union provides is a network through which they can serve Christ in their own community - through prayer, financial support and actively working at the grassroots level in programmes that meet local needs. We lobby local and national governments on issues affecting family life and campaign to challenge legislation that neglects the vulnerable and marginalised. We are also represented at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

Mothers' Union also employs paid workers around the world. These are women drawn from local dioceses, providing vital leadership and support and running training seminars for the local community. Mothers' Union is also involved in campaigning and lobbying on a number of worldwide family issues. Read about all our campaigns and policy work on our website  www.themothersunion.org

Membership is open to anyone, male or female, single or married, providing you have been baptised as a Christian and support our aims and objectives.

Everyone has different demands on their time, so Mothers’ Union offers three types of membership. Central Membership allows members to support MU and be kept up-to-date on the latest work and campaigns.  Diocesan Membership also allows members to be involved in the work of their diocese.  Branch membership is described above.

Caroline Pitt

Branch Leader, Christ Church with St Mary’s Mothers’ Union

July 2012