The Mothers’ Union is an international Anglican society. Its mission is the advancement of the Christian religion in the sphere of marriage and family life. Membership is open to all who have been baptised in the name of the Holy Trinity and declare their support of the aim and objects of the society.

This year is the 150th Anniversary of the Mothers’ Union which was started in 1876 by Mary Sumner a clergyman’s wife who realised that young mums needed help with their children and today it is a worldwide organisation with over 4m members. Mothers’ Union was first established in the Diocese of Bristol in 1898; there has been a MU branch in Corsham since 1899 and we are going to celebrate on Sunday 5 July at the 10am service to which all are invited. It will be Holy Communion during which you will have the opportunity to renew your marriage vows and there will be special prayers for those who have lost their partner and those who have met with adversity. There will be a special peal of the church bells and there will be refreshments after the service. To add to the occasion you are invited to dress in Victorian costume if you wish.

Corsham Mothers’ Union is party of the Bristol Diocese and meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 2pm in Church House, 3 Church Street, Corsham (unles otherwise notified).  New members (women and men) are always welcome.  Contact Branch Leader Cathy Reynolds on 07765 038183 or email: reycath75@gmail.com.

Future meetings are:

7 October – Talk on “My love of Hedgehogs” by Elizabeth Burton-Phillips.
4 November – Craft
2 December Deanery Advent Service – 2pm in Church

More information from Cathy Reynolds (reycath75@gmail.com or 07765
038183).

Projects

Members support our diocesan projects either by volunteering or by raising funds and giving donations.
• Mothers’ Union members started the Friends for Parents scheme at Bristol Children’s Hospital more than 30 years ago, providing a friendly face, supplies of tea and coffee and practical help for parents who arrive from all over the country.
• We are also the welcoming face for visitors to Ashfield Prison, providing a hot drink, biscuits and a listening ear.
• In the summer we send coaches with families to Weston-super-Mare for the day, under the Away From It All (AFIA) scheme.
• We have recently gone into partnership with Gympanzees helping to fund transport to pop ups to enable transport for all.
• Every Christmas we purchase over three thousand Christmas Story books from the Bible Society and distribute them in pre-school play groups, primary schools and children’s centres, reaching out to the families who have little knowledge of the real message of Christmas.
• We are in partnership with the Clewer Initiative, raising awareness across the Diocese of the plight of modern day slaves, those who are ‘Hidden in Plain Sight’. We also participated in the 16 Days highlighting Domestic Abuse.
• We currently support Refugees and Asylum Seekers, as they try to establish themselves in our country.
• We value our link with Bristol Cathedral and the Mothers’ Union prayers are part of the 12.30 pm Eucharist in the Cathedral on the first Thursday of every month.
• Mothers’ Union RISE UP Challenge against Domestic Abuse.
• Supporting the ‘Blonde Angels Street Team’ working to bring homeless people into accommodation.
• Supporting Community Projects in Kingswood and in Chippenham