What is the Mothers' Union?
Mothers' Union is an international Christian charity that seeks to support families worldwide. It has over 4 million members in 81 countries.
What is the Aim and Purpose of MU?
To demonstrate the Christian faith in action by the transformation of communities worldwide through the nurture of the family in its many forms.
See Our Vision: Purpose, Aim and Objectives on the MU website.
Who can join MU?
Men and women, married or unmarried, parent or not – all can and do join. Membership is open to all who have been baptised in the name of the Holy Trinity and who declare their support for the Aim and Purpose of MU.
What happens in Knowle?
The lively Knowle branch of MU has around 90 members who meet regularly on the 2nd Thursday of each month in the St. John's Hall at 1.45pm. The meeting usually starts with a short service, followed by a talk with a Christian theme from a visiting speaker. The speaker normally finishes in time for members to collect children from school. The afternoon concludes with time for a chat and a cup of tea. The programme for 2011 can be viewed here.
Other events include: Occasional evening meetings, Pancake Party, Strawberry Tea, Harvest Fun, and Lent and Advent lunches. Funds raised support UK and overseas projects. Anyone is always welcome to attend any of our meetings, which are advertised on the notice board in the foyer of St John's Hall, and on the weekly church notice sheet.
Currently our members are involved in:
Solihull Hospital Sunday Service Friendship Club
Sunflower Street Rainbow Tots
Hobby Club Creches for Primary school services held in church
Supporting asylum seekers in Solihull and Birmingham
Making clothes and cot blankets for premature babies
Sewing grieving gowns for stillborn babies (used in Birmingham hospitals' maternity units)
Members are also encouraged to meet for prayer on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 1.30pm, 8 Beausale Drive, Knowle.
What's my next step?
If you would like to know more, or wish to join MU, please contact the Knowle Branch Chairman, Joy Crumpler, 776708 or alandjoy@talktalk.net
What does MU do further afield?
MU cares about families. It is committed to providing support and resources to establish projects that help families, particularly in UK inner cities. The `Away From It All' project enables families experiencing financial hardship or stress to take a much needed break.
Worldwide, MU has set up and encouraged flourishing educational and self-help groups with financial support from the Overseas Fund. These include literacy programmes, leadership training and initiatives such as livestock holdings and craft co-operatives.
Our magazine, ‘Families First’, shows how varied the work is. Visit the Families First website.
Also, visit the Mothers' Union website and the Birmingham Diocese site.
How did MU start?
Mary Sumner was a vicar's wife and mother of three in a village in Hampshire. She was all too aware of the burdens and responsibilities of parenting; of the feelings of inadequacy that could swamp young mothers. When her daughter, Margaret, had her first child in 1876, Mary took the initial steps in founding a society for the support of women in their role as mothers. Mary recognised that good parenting was more than providing for the physical needs of the child. She believed that the primary responsibility was to raise children in the love of God, because the solution to many of society's problems lay in the nurturing of the next generation. She invited mothers from all backgrounds to meet together. Prayer and practical action were at the group's heart. By the 1890's it had developed into an international body with new branches throughout the British Empire. More details of MU history.