Mothers' Union

What a privilege as the branch leader to be able to write this for our website, imagine being part of a worldwide organisation of women and men who can trace their roots back to one woman! What vision our founder Mary Sumner had, in a time when women did not have a voice or a vote, she showed immense courage to not only spread the Gospel but to support women of all backgrounds in raising their families and address subjects not normally discussed in Victorian society. In 1876 she was the wife of a Rector in a small Hampshire village. Her small group of likeminded women were the catalyst for the organisation to grow and flourish and in 1885 she addressed the Portsmouth Church Congress and bravely stated to I’m sure a male dominated audience “those that rock the cradle rule the world”! 

By the time Mary died in 1921, the organisation had spread overseas, had Royal patronage and seen women be given the vote.

So, in 2026 we are 150 years old, please explore the website to learn more here.

Our branch is 123 years old, quite an achievement! In many ways family life has changed from what Mary Sumner would recognise but still many families face challenges that must on occasions seem insurmountable, indeed they are met with adversity. For example, the struggle to provide for the family never goes away or domestic abuse is a constant threat, the list goes on both in this country and abroad. We continue to raise funds to support Mothers’ Union projects both in this country and in many areas of the world. We are especially supportive of our AFIA (Away from it all) caravan and our local women’s refuge and are proud recipients of a Bronze Rise Up Certificate, learn more about this on the Mothers’ Union website.

We now have three ‘pillars’ to support our mission – Ending Poverty, Ending Injustice and Ending Violence.

We’ve crafted and collected and to fulfil our promise in our Parish Profile that Father Richard often reminds us of, we do make very good cakes!

We do meet monthly, we worship together, we have speakers, we join together for meals, we laugh and sometimes cry and we’re there for each other. Importantly we make it work for us as individuals. Could that be you? 

Please see link here from The Mothers Union Blackburn Dioceses facebook page

 A branch of the global Christian charity.  Meets in church on the first Tuesday each month at 7.30pm.  Visitors (including men!) are very welcome.
Contact Jane Cairns: 01772 672316