Waltham Abbey Church - Mothers' Union

Registered Charity Number (Chelmsford Diocese Mothers' Union): 249736

Welcome to the Waltham Abbey branch of Mothers' Union in 2023.

Mothers’ Union (MU) is a Christian organisation supporting families worldwide for over 140 years. Founded by Mary Sumner in 1876, MU has grown into an international charity with over 4 million members in 84 countries. As a Christian membership charity, we demonstrate our faith in action. This happens as we work towards stopping poverty, inequality and injustice. Our members work at grassroots level around the world bringing hope and practical support to millions of people every year through parenting, literacy and community development programmes. Our Waltham Abbey branch has 24 members and can trace its history back to 1892.

We aim to:

encourage parents in their role to develop the faith of their children;
maintain a worldwide fellowship of Christians united in prayer, worship and service;
promote conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the protection of children;
help those whose family life has met with adversity;
promote and support married life.

Our theme in 2023 is TRANSFORMATION – now!

Our evolving response to the effects of a global pandemic combined with the start of a new triennium presented an opportunity to look to the future with fresh vision as we adapt and learn to thrive in these changing times. Mothers' Union members have showed amazing resilience, responsiveness and adaptability. In 2023 we will build on this experience to:

Transform ourselves, personally and spiritually, to live out our faith.
Transform the churches and communities we work with and of which we are a part to reflect Christ's kingdom.
Transform Mothers' Union to be relevant for 21st century life.

Membership

There are three types of membership open to all:

As a branch member;
As a Diocesan Member (someone who can't or doesn't want to be part of a branch);
As a Friend (for those who have not been baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity or who do not wish to be a full member).

A vital part of our prayer links is the Indoor Members' Prayer Circle consisting of branch members who cannot attend meetings.

Projects and Fundraising

Locally, we support the work with children in our parish by giving age related bibles to children who are baptized. Since the branch began donating bibles, we have donated over £3,700 to cover the cost and are very grateful for the donations which we receive every month. We always look forward to welcoming baptism families back to the church when possible.

In the Diocese, our projects are:

English for Women
AFIA (Away from it All): AFIA provides days out and holidays for single people or families under stress.

Our Link dioceses in the world are Jamaica & Cayman Islands in the West Indies, Rejav in the Sudan, Doko and Owo in Nigeria and the Military Episcopate in Kenya.

Through donations and fundraising, our members support our diocesan projects and central MU projects in Britain and Northern Ireland. We are able to help abroad, by helping communities find the resources needed to build their own toilets and improve sanitation, teaching parents and grandparents how to care for their families and enabling women to set up their own businesses so they can support their families. We also support our central funds to enable the MU to provide the required workers when a disaster occurs in an overseas diocese where we already have a presence.

During 2022 we were able to donate £1004 to good causes with the support of our members, church congregations and friends:

In the Diocese

English for Women – £300.00.

Nationally

Mary Sumner House central funds – £200.00.

Internationally

Mothers’ Union Enterprises Ethical gifts – £504.00.

Thank you to everyone who supported our work during the year.

Meetings

We meet roughly every other month at 7.30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month in the Abbey Church or the Abbey Church Centre and have a full programme of events with speakers, outings, fundraising events and services.

2023 Programme

January 3rd: AGM chaired by Revd. Peter Smith followed by Snowman Drive. Bring and Buy: J A N.
February 7th: Maxine Paul, Chelmsford Diocese MU President. Bring and Buy: F E B.
February 18th: Pancake Lunch – 11.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. in the Abbey Church Centre. Open to all. Bring and Buy: Anything!
March 7th: Lent service led by Judith Meaden.
March 19th: Mothering Sunday. We will be giving bookmarks to members of the congregation.
April 9th: Easter Sunday.
May 2nd: Father Tim Yeager. Bring and Buy: M A Y.
July 4th: Summer service and Social led by Revd. Trevor Scott.
August 22nd: Order cards from MU catalogue. 2.00 to 4.00 p.m. in the Abbey Church Centre gardens.
September 5th: Jonathan Lilley. 2.00 p.m. in the church. Bring and Buy: S E P.
October 28th: Coffee and Bacon Rolls plus raffle. 11.30 a.m. to-2.00 p.m. in the Abbey Church Centre. Bring and Buy: Anything!
November 21st: Craft evening led by Sarah Hannan. Bring and Buy: Christmas.
December 12th: Christmas service led by Revd. Jane Begley.

All events in church unless stated otherwise.

Contact us

If you wish to know more about our work, please contact the Parish Office.

The Abbey Church,
Waltham Abbey