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Theme for 2025-27 ~ Join us and Join in!
Mothers' Union is an international Christian charity that seeks to support families of all faiths and none through practical outreach, prayer and advocating family friendly policies within both government and public life.
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, but are single, married, parents, grandparents or young adults who are just beginning to express their social conscience.
For all 4.1 million members in 83 countries 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 grassroots level in programmes that meet local needs.
Shopping online?
A quick reminder that Amazon
will donate 0.5% to Mothers’ Union if you shop through
smile.amazon.co.uk and select Mothers’ Union
as your preferred charity to support.
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/ch/240531-0
A quick reminder that Amazon
will donate 0.5% to Mothers’ Union if you shop through
smile.amazon.co.uk and select Mothers’ Union
as your preferred charity to support.
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/ch/240531-0
If you don’t shop at Amazon but shop at M & S, Argos, and Next etc.,
you can also support Mothers’ Union on your next shop. https://www.giveasyoulive.com/join/mothersunion
The brilliant Axel Scheffler has produced a book about Covid-19 Coronavirus just for children
https://nosycrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Coronavirus_INS.pdf
https://nosycrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Coronavirus_INS.pdf
Do you know of somebody who is cocooning or caring for someone vulnerable, Age Action and the Irish Red Cross are giving grants to people in the Republic of Ireland to help ease the problems faced by those who have to social distance. Spread the word
https://www.ageaction.ie/how-we-can-help/age-action-and-irish-red-cross-covid-19-hardship-fund
https://www.ageaction.ie/how-we-can-help/age-action-and-irish-red-cross-covid-19-hardship-fund
The Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland has put together a super comprehensive booklet providing advice for people who have experienced a bereavement during the COVID-19 pandemic period.
Two other booklets are also available in this series – one dealing with practicalities and the other a children’s story helping children to cope with the death of a loved one.
These excellent resources can be downloaded at https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/covid-19-bereavement-resources
Click on the symbol below to access our BLOG.
This contains all our latest news.
Click on the link below to view a video of
Mothers' Union in Ireland
Newly Elected Worldwide President
Kathleen Snow
Accepting the role of Worldwide President of Mothers' Union, Kathleen commented “This is humbling, and a great honour. I look forward to working with members and staff to continue to build God’s Kingdom through Mothers’ Union. I am particularly excited that, as we carry forward the torch in January, we will be building on the firm foundations of our transformational programme work.
Just this week we are starting a new campaign, speaking up to right the injustice which means that, still today, 765 million adults cannot read or write, 2/3rds of them women, meaning they are unable to read medicine bottles, register the birth of a child, vote or ensure they get the correct change in the market.
We are calling for women’s literacy to be a priority. Being literate empowers women to be part of society and take ownership of their lives.
I look forward, in fellowship with members around the world, to continuing to do God’s work by serving the most disadvantaged in our communities, remembering that, with God, all things are possible”
Newly Elected All Ireland President
Kay Clarke
All Ireland Mothers’ Union announce the election of Mrs Kay Clarke (Diocese of Derry and Raphoe) as Provincial President. Mrs Clarke will succeed the current President, Mrs June Butler, in January 2025. She is the wife of The Revd Canon Robert Clarke, rector of the parishes of Edenderry and Clanabogan. They have two married daughters and two grandsons. Mrs Clarke recently retired from teaching IT. She has been very involved in Mothers’ Union for over 35 years and is currently the All Ireland Faith and Policy Unit Coordinator. In this capacity, she was instrumental in introducing ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ to Mothers’ Union members throughout Ireland earlier this year. Mrs Clarke is also a member of the Church of Ireland Marriage Council and is part of the diocesan Safeguarding team. She has been a great advocate in raising awareness of domestic abuse through the 16 Days and Rise-Up campaigns.
Speaking of her appointment, Mrs Clarke said that she was honoured and humbled to be elected to the post of Provincial President. She acknowledged the work and commitment of the whole All Ireland Trustee Board and said that she looked forward to working with this team, serving Mothers’ Union members and communities at home and worldwide. While exploring new approaches, she plans to remain true to Mothers’ Union’s strong legacy of Christian care for families and uphold everything in prayer.
Zonal Trustee ~ Zone I ~ All Ireland
June Butler
June Butler has been elected to serve as Zonal Trustee in Zone I for 2025-2027 to succeed Iris Suitor, the current Zonal Trustee.
June comes to this role with a wealth of experience in Mothers' Union as she is just about to complete her second term as All Ireland President and has also served three years previously as a Zonal Trustee for All Ireland.
June is a parishioner of Saintfield Parish in Down Diocese and has held many different roles in Mothers' Union in the Diocese as well as being actively involved in church organisations and committees.
Within Mothers’ Union, June is particularly engaged with matters of policy and has attended the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women on many occasions as part of the MU delegation.
As All Ireland President June has also served on many different committees in Mary Sumner House.
Congratulations to all of the new Trustees that have been elected to serve on the Worldwide Board of Mothers' Union.
CONTACT DETAILS:
The Administrative OfficerThe Mothers' Union OfficeSt. Michan's ChurchChurch StreetDublin 7Tel: +353 87 337 4090 / 087 3374090Website: www.mothersunion.ieFacebook:
Public GroupYouTube:
FOOD is a basic necessity for all of us and during current times we all want to do our best to ensure we provide for our families.
Unfortunately, not all families can afford to stock up in case of emergency, in fact for 1000's of families across Ireland, north and south, daily food poverty is a harsh reality.
Breakfast clubs and free school meals, where they are available, are a lifeline for many of these families.
Sadly, with the continuing cost of living crisis many families continue to struggle to feed their family.. They need our help now more than ever!
How can you help? ~ Keep donating to community food banks; help local initiatives in your area to distribute food packages to those in need or if you can’t find such an initiative in your area maybe consider starting one!
When we all find ourselves facing the unknown, the smallest act of kindness can mean the world to someone in despair.
Prayer for January 2025
Prayer is not powerful because of who is praying but because of who is listening. – M. Pilavachi.
We thank you Lord for the year that is past, for the privilege and opportunity to serve you in practical ways through our Mothers’ Union membership.
Lord, guide us as we go forward joyfully into this New Year. We pray for all who serve you in MSH, Worldwide, and especially those taking up leadership roles in the Mothers’ Union. Be their inspiration and guide, providing them with wisdom for their various tasks. Bless them and all members with strength and energy as we continue to share your love in our service to your Church and the families in our Communities.
We pray for Governments and all in leadership in the nations of our world. Grant healing and comfort to the victims of war and violence, abuse, the homeless, refugees, all in distress and need. Those whom we have forgotten, we ask you Lord, to remember.
May the God of hope and love fill us with Joy and Peace in the power of the Holy Spirit as we trust Him in this New Year and for evermore. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER ROTA 2025
CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD
Letter from Kay ~ All-Ireland President ~ January 2025
I am writing this first letter as your All Ireland President on the evening of Epiphany – the light is beginning to fail, and soft snowflakes are gently floating past my kitchen window. I trust you are well and warm and had a blessed Christmas with those you love. I know that for some, Christmas was a challenging time of sickness and bereavement, but on this special evening may we look forward into the New Year with all its yet untold stories, with hope and faith in a God who protects, guides and will be with us every step of every day. Will you, with me, actively seek to carry into 2025 the Light of Christ which filled our hearts and homes over the Christmas season?
I am greatly humbled to have been elected as your new President for this triennial. I count it an honour and a privilege to serve both God and you in this role. Mothers’ Union is a great organisation and is as relevant today as when it was established in 1876 by Mary Sumner. She focused on strengthening marriages, helping families in need, and building faith, and so it is with us. With this in mind, I ask you to pray for me and the Trustees at All Ireland as well as those in your own diocese, as we seek to further the work of Mothers’ Union. Pray that we will adopt those aspects which are fruitful, adapt to the changing needs of families in our churches and communities, and improve in our work for the Kingdom.
Today as I reflect on the attentiveness of the Magi – I acknowledge how they were open to the signs and prompting of God, and more than that, they were willing to act on these, and embark on that long journey that brought them to the Christ child. It is my prayer that I will follow Jesus today and each day in the triennial ahead and that you will do the same. Let us follow Jesus with a commitment that takes us to other people and places outside our experience and possibly comfort zone, as we seek to fulfil our mission in Mothers’ Union, showing our Christian faith through the transformation of communities by supporting strong relationships within the family and promoting reconciliation at all levels. I look forward to that exciting journey with you. Please contact me at any time, I am here for you.
Kay
Finally, I would like to close with a beautiful prayer that sums up my hopes and dreams at the start of this triennial. It was written by Clare Stewart our All Ireland Faith and Policy Unit Coordinator:
as we enter the season of Epiphany,we remember how the wise men from the Eastwent searching for the newborn King Jesus,and we think now of those who are searching for meaning in their lives:those who live amongst us,those who do not know you,those who are searching for peace, contentment and fulfilment,but who are looking in all the wrong places.We give thanks for the privilege we have in Mothers’ Unionof reaching out in love to those in need, and so we pray:Father,Give us a new vision of how you can use us,the members of Mothers’ Union,to reach out to those who are searching.Show us new ways to demonstrate the reality of your lovethrough deed and word.New ways to share the Gospel, the good news of salvation.Show us, when the time is right, to speak of our faith.Enable us to speak for you with gentleness and respect,and so might we lead others to want to know you for themselves,the true source of lasting peace, contentment and fulfilment.This we ask in Jesus’ Name.Amen.
Click on the image below to view a video created for
The Annual Gathering 2023 in York
Click on the link above to view the video recorded to celebrate
Annabella Hayes Day 2024
Click on the image to download a new leaflet produced by
Mary Sumner House
Loneliness Leaflet
Click on the image below to download a copy of
The Loneliness Leaflet
RESOURCES
For lots of Resources on the main website click on the link below
Cost of Living Leaflets
Scan this Qcode to bring you to a Go Fund Me Page for
Mothers' Union Changing the Story
Click on the image below to access the members Update from
Mary Sumner House
Click on the image below to access a PowerPoint Presentation
for Mothers' Union Worldwide
"Sweet Treats" Armchair Quiz
Thank you to everyone who purchased our Quiz Book in aid of "Mums in May" 2024.
Thank you to all those who completed the "Sweet Treats" Armchair Quiz in the Centre of the publication. The winners were drawn at All Ireland Council in Christ Church and their prizes were awarded when Bev Jullien visited Ireland on Saturday 2nd November.
Congratulations to our three winners:
- Liane Armstrong
- Jackie Higgins
- Noelle Grothier
Click on the image of the Quiz Book to see the answers.
Click on the image above to
read all about the Getaway weekend 2024
Annabella Hayes Prayer
Written by
Eleanor Orr, Leader of Loughgall and Grange Mothers' Union in the Diocese of Armagh.
Dear Lord, we thank you for the life and service of our Mothers’ Union founder in Ireland, Annabella Hayes.
As she showed her willingness to serve, may we serve.
As she devoted herself to helping others, might we do the same.
As she used her faith to overcome her tragedies, help us to trust in you.
As she set an example of love and gratitude, may we emulate these qualities.
As she cared for all families, may we follow her example.
Just as she lived her life for you, may we always do the same. Amen
Eleanor Orr ~ Winner of the Annabella Hayes
Prayer Competition
being presented with her prize by Debbie Davidson
Diocesan President of Armagh Diocese M.U.
Mothers' Union
Showing Solidarity with the people of Ukraine
We are asked to stop at 7pm each evening and pray for the situation and the people in the Ukraine.
The following prayer in a time of war in the Ukraine has been provided by the Church of Ireland’s Liturgical Advisory Committee for use in parishes.
O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world:
We commend to your merciful care the people and government of Ukraine
that, being guided by your providence, they may dwell secure in your peace.
Grant to their leaders and all in authority,
wisdom and strength to know and to do your will.
Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness,
and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve their people;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
All Ireland Holy Communion Services
2025
Mothers’ Union Holy Communion Service
February 2025
Holy Communion Service in
The Diocese of Kilmore, Elphin & Ardagh
6th February @ 11.a.m.
in
St. John's Church
Longford
The Irish Hospice Foundation Bereavement Support Line is a national freephone service
1800 80 70 77
It is available from 10am to 1pm, Monday to Friday.
Many people have experienced and will experience the death of someone they love during the COVID-19 pandemic. It may have been a COVID-related death or a death from other causes. People may also be finding a previous bereavement more difficult at this time. While we may be seeing reductions in the number of deaths connected to COVID-19, we know that people’s pain and grief does not diminish as quickly. In the face of such loss and trauma, the Irish Hospice Foundation Bereavement Support Line, in partnership with the HSE, has been launched to provide connection, comfort and support in these exceptional times. COVID-19 restrictions have changed the traditional ways we mark our grief. For the moment, it is not possible to come together as we did traditionally, resulting in additional challenges for those who are bereaved.
Click on the images to download a poster and information sheet & leaflet:
The Mothers’ Union Prayer
Loving Lord,
We thank you for your love so freely given to us all.
We pray for families around the world.
Bless the work of the Mothers' Union
as we seek to share your love
through the encouragement, strengthening and support of marriage and family life.
Empowered by your Spirit, may we be united in prayer and worship,
and in love and service reach out as your hands across the world.
In Jesus' name.
Amen
We thank you for your love so freely given to us all.
We pray for families around the world.
Bless the work of the Mothers' Union
as we seek to share your love
through the encouragement, strengthening and support of marriage and family life.
Empowered by your Spirit, may we be united in prayer and worship,
and in love and service reach out as your hands across the world.
In Jesus' name.
Amen
Portrait of
Mary Sumner
Reference and administrative information
Republic of Ireland:
Mothers’ Union in Ireland is recognised as a Charity by the Revenue commissioners, 5161.
Registered charity number- 20007331 (Charities Regulatory Authority).
Republic of Ireland:
Mothers’ Union in Ireland is recognised as a Charity by the Revenue commissioners, 5161.
Registered charity number- 20007331 (Charities Regulatory Authority).
Northern Ireland:
Not registered with The Charity Commission NI as a single entity.
Instead individual diocese have been registered separately.