The Diocese of Winchester is privileged to have close links with the Mothers’ Union. Mary Sumner, the woman who founded the Mothers’ Union in 1876, started what was then a local ‘Union of Mothers’ in Old Alresford, in the centre of our diocese. And in the period around Mary Sumner Day, on 9 August, St Mary’s Church, in Old Alresford, have been sharing this connection to Mary Sumner with the wider community.
On loan from the diocese, St Mary’s have recently put on display Mary Sumner’s Bible, as well as a portrait of her, in a special dedicated area within the church. This can be found next to a stained-glass window dedicated to the Mothers’ Union, and is a truly special place. A rose in the churchyard named after Mary Sumner can also be seen through the window dedicated to her.
The church is open daily 9am-5pm for visitors, so the Bible, previously on display in the chapel at Old Alresford Place, is far more accessible than it previously has been, and all are invited to visit the church to learn more about Mary Sumner and the Mothers’ Union.
Since the beginnings of the Mothers’ Union, Old Alresford Place and St Mary’s Church have been places of pilgrimage for members from across the world. Mary Sumner’s grave in Winchester Cathedral Paradise is also a place of pilgrimage to MU members.
Last year, the Worldwide President of the Mothers’ Union, Sheran Harper, visited Old Alresford on Mary Sumner Day and spoke movingly at a service in St Mary’s Church about the current work of the movement.
This year, a Mary Sumner Day service was held at St Mary’s Church on 9 August at 2pm. While the service was particularly dedicated to Mary Sumner, the service was open to all, with tea and cake in the village hall afterwards.
The History of the Mothers’ Union
The Mothers’ Union is still an active part in our diocese, but how did it all begin? We’ve heard from Stella Roberts, Winchester Diocese Mothers’ Union Trustee, and Christine Clode, Winchester Diocese Mothers’ Union Archivist, who explore the origins of the Mothers’ Union in more detail…
Stella Roberts says…
“The Mothers’ Union was started by Mary Sumner, the wife of the Rector of Old Alresford Revd George Sumner, in 1876. She gathered a group of local women together to help them understand the need to bring up their children in a Christian family surrounded by prayer.
“When George became an Archdeacon in 1885, he and Mary moved to 1 The Close Winchester. It was here that Mary introduced Mothers’ Union to the Bishop’s wives who became members and promoted the Mothers’ Union membership to other dioceses. The movement continued to grow – the present membership in the Diocese of Winchester is 470 women and men. Membership is open to all who are baptised in the Christian faith, both women and men. At the membership service, members commit to pray for marriage and family life, and to maintain a worldwide fellowship of Christians united in prayer, worship, and service.”
“From humble beginnings in Old Alresford, the Society has grown to approximately four million members in 84 countries worldwide.
“More locally, MU members in the Diocese of Winchester take part in countless projects. These include organising a Child Contact Centre at Popley, Basingstoke, supporting the Winchester Prison Angel Project, and getting involved in the “Rise Up” Campaign Against Domestic Violence. As well as these diocesan projects, members are involved in projects in their own parishes too, including Messy Church; Parent and Toddler Groups; Dementia Café; Parish lunches and Prayer Groups.”
Christine Clode says…
“Mary Sumner was born in 1828 and her early years shaped her life and her future. She was a very privileged young woman, well versed in the arts and it was on the “Grand Tour” that she met her future husband George, who was to become Rector of St Mary’s Old Alresford.
“And so the Mary we know was the wife of a vicar, living in comfort and she was already a grandmother when she became passionate about transforming the home lives of Parish families by helping the women to support one another in raising their children. With the help of influential women in the area, meetings began in parishes in the Diocese of Winchester, and so the Mothers’ Union was formed! The organisation spread worldwide, mainly through the colonies and particularly Africa, and today groups and branches exist across the world.
“For me, being part of the Mothers’ Union means the Empowerment of women and Christian Fellowship around the World.”
Christine Clode, Winchester Diocese Mothers’ Union Archivist
What about the Mothers’ Union today? What have they ever done for the world?! Well, among other things…
- Support to families
- Advocacy against gender-based violence
- Campaigning against child marriage
- Nursery schools
- Orphan care
- Health and sanitation
- HIV/AIDS education and care
- Malaria prevention
- Savings and credit groups
- Sewing projects
- Literacy projects
- Visiting the sick and elderly
- Bereavement counselling
You can find out more about Mary Sumner and the Mothers’ Union by visiting the Mothers’ Union website.
