Mothers' Union Ireland

The Worldwide President

Lynne Tembey

Lynne Tembey is the current Worldwide President of Mothers' Union, elected for a second term from 2016 - 2018. Lynne has been a member of Mothers' Union for 35 years.

All-Ireland President

Phyllis Grothier

The current All-Ireland President is Phyllis Grothier who hails from Fenagh, in our own Diocese. Phyllis is a wonderful advocate for Mothers' Union with the time, commitment and energy she puts into her role as All-Ireland President.

Mrs Sheran Harper

Congratulations to Mrs Sheran Harper who has been elected to succeed Lynne Tembey as Worldwide President of Mothers' Union. Sheran has made history by being the first person outside Great Britain to be elected Worldwide President

A record number of Mothers’ Union leaders from across the globe voted for Mrs Sheran Harper, who hails from Guyana, to represent and lead the 142 year old movement’s four million members in 84 countries.

“I am delighted to accept the role of Worldwide President for the new triennium. I feel very excited and privileged and I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our members who voted to make this dream a reality,” says Mrs Harper, who will take up her new position in January 2019.

June Butler MBE

Congratulations to June Butler MBE who has been elected to succeed Phyllis Grothier as All-Ireland President of Mothers’ Union and we wish her every blessing as she takes up this new role in January.

June, who is a parishioner of Saintfield Parish, has been the MU Down and Dromore Diocesan President since January 2016. June is a member of both Down and Dromore Diocesan Council and General Synod.

June had the following to say about her election:

“Mothers’ Union is a member–led organisation and I feel both humbled and privileged to have been elected by members throughout Ireland as their next President. For the three years beginning in January 2019 I will try my best, with God’s guidance and with support from all my talented colleagues, to lead Mothers’ Union in Ireland in a way that will encourage all our members to make a difference in their parishes and in their communities, as well as supporting projects worldwide. As ever, we will focus on the MU aims and objectives which are essentially to support family life in every context.”

What is Mothers'Union?

Mothers' Union is a global Christian membership charity that has been providing a support network for families since 1876. Working through our 4 million-strong membership we campaign for policies which strengthen family life. Our focus on ending gender-based violence is promoted not only through advocacy, but through working sensitively with communities for increased gender equality. Our focus on improving the lives of children is a combination of lobbying for political change on issues such as commercialisation of childhood, and on practical outreach in the provision of parenting groups. Our members work with families who are going through times of stress and hardship bringing spiritual and practical support.

Working as ambassadors for Christ our goal is to see all people enjoy loving, respectful and flourishing relationships.

Mothers' Union

Caring for Children & Families

around the World

Mothers' Union

Vision: Our vision is of a world where God's love is shown through loving, respectful, and flourishing relationships.

Mission: To demonstrate the Christian faith in action by the transformation of communities worldwide through the nurture of the family in its many forms.

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

Values: Mothers' Union is firmly rooted in a voluntary ethos. Its governance, leadership, and programmes are driven by and undertaken through members around the world as they respond to God's call to faith and action.

Beliefs: We believe in the value of each individual and their unique qualities We believe in the value of relationships. Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself.believe in the value of the family in its many forms as a source of love and support for individuals and the basis for a caring community

Links to useful Websites

http://www.mothersunion.ie/ ~ Mothers' Union Ireland

http://www.cashel.anglican.org/ ~ The Diocese of Cashel, Ferns, Ossory Website

https://www.facebook.com/Diocese-of-Cashel-Ferns-and-Ossory-298015193659304/ ~ Cashel, Ferns, Ossory Facebook

www.mothersunion.org ~ Mothers' Union Head Office

https://www.ireland.anglican.org/ ~ Church of Ireland Website

Mary Sumner

In 1876 Mary Sumner, a clergyman’s wife living in nearby Old Alresford, became concerned about how local mothers related their Christian faith to family life. Wanting to encourage them she founded a small group called the Mothers’ Union. She lived to see it become a worldwide organisation, now with millions of members. She is buried outside Winchester Cathedral.

Lynne Tembey laying Flowers on the grave of Mary Sumner ~ 2016

Mothers' Union Prayer

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

Mary Sumner’s Personal Prayer

All this day, O Lord,
let me touch as many lives as possible for thee;
and every life I touch, do thou by thy spirit quicken,
whether through the word I speak,
the prayer I breathe,
or the life I live.

Amen.

A prayer from ‘Dear Lord’ for this season of Indoor Members’ Parties

Some things are ageless…..

God of my yesterdays and of my tomorrows you have used my past to shape me into the person I am today.

Now, as I look forward, give me courage and an open mind; help me trust that you will share with me whatever my future brings.

Then may I remember with wonder The way that you have met my need.

(Pam Snowman, Burley in Wharfdale MU, UK)

All-Ireland Dates

Theme for 2018: “In Mary Sumner’s Footsteps”

Calendar for October - December 2018

OCTOBER

27 October

AFIA Sharing Day
10.30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Springfield Hotel, Lexlip, Co. Kildare

NOVEMBER

1 November

Mothers’ Union All-Ireland Holy
Communion Service 11.15 a.m.
Christ Church Cathedral All Welcome
Cashel, Ferns & Ossory with Connor

3 November

All-Ireland Council 10.30 a.m.
Springfield Hotel, Leixlip, Co. Kildare

25 November to 10 December

16 Days of Activism All-Ireland Prayer Vigil 2018

Saturday 24 November

Armagh: Armagh City Hotel; 16 Days Breakfast; 9.30-12 noon
Cashel, Ferns and Ossory:

Ferns Cathedral time 3pm

Cashel Cathedral time TBC
Leighlin Cathedral time TBC

Wednesday 28 November

Clogher: Derryvullan North Parish Church, Irvinestown; 8pm
St. Patrick’s Chruch, Monaghan

Monday 26 November

Connor: Civic Reception in Belfast City Hall 5-6.30pm

Sunday 25 November

Cork, Cloyne & Ross:
Vigil at St. Anne’s church, Shandon, Cork city - 3pm
Speaker is Mary Crilly director of Sexual Violence Centre in Cork.
Vigil at Kilgariffe Church, Clonakilty, Co. Cork- 3pm
Speaker is Marie Mulholland of West Cork Women Against Violence project.

Saturday 24 November

Derry & Raphoe: 16 Days Breakfast, White Horse Hotel, Londonderry 9.30 – 11.30am; Speaker: Donna Marie
Logue, La Dolce Vita Project and Souls of Our Shoes Exhibition

Saturday November 24 to Wednesday November 28

Souls of Our Shoes Exhibition: St. Columb’s Cathedral, Londonderry;

Thursday 29 and Friday 30 November

Souls of Our Shoes Exhibition: St. Eunan’s Cathedral, Raphoe

Saturday 24 November

Down and Dromore: Millbrook Lodge Hotel 10am-12 noon, 16 Days Breakfast Speaker: Jan Melia, Chief
executive of women’s Aid Federation NI

Dublin & Glendalough: 16 Days Vigil; Taney Parish Church; 11.30am – 12.30pm

Kilmore, Elphin & Ardagh: St. John’s Church, Longford 3pm – 5pm

Meath & Kildare: Tullamore, (Venue TBC) 11 am

Saturday 11 November

Limerick & Killaloe: Richmond Terrace, Henry Street, Limerick; 3pm. Speaker: Deirdre Barrett, Adapt House.

Thursday 29 November

Tuam, Kilalla & Achonry: Holy Trinity Church, Ballisodare, 8pm. Church open all day for prayer.

DECEMBER

6 December

Al Mothers’ Union All-Ireland Holy
Communion Service 11.15 a.m.
Christ Church Cathedral All Welcome

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The Service of Thanksgiving ~ Photographs

Service of Thanksgiving

A Service of Thanksgiving for Mothers’ Union was held on 6th October 2018 in Christ Church Cathedral to mark the end of the current triennium. Mothers’ Union is deeply grateful to Very Reverend Dermot Dunne, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral for his invitation to the Cathedral. This was an opportunity to join together and to give thanks to God for all that He enabled Mothers' Union to achieve over the past triennium. The service was very special indeed and it is hoped that it is something that can be continued into the future. It is a feature of Mothers’ Union in York Province and the Trustees of Mothers’ Union hope that it is something that can be continued into the future in Ireland. The very foundation of Mothers’ Union is the love and presence of God in our hearts.

Many members from around the Diocese travelled to Dublin for the service and also some members joined the choir for this special occasion. The piece of stained glass to commemorate 130 years of Mothers’ Union in Ireland was also dedicated at this service.

This beautiful piece of stained glass was commissioned to celebrate 130 years of Mothers’ Union in Ireland ~ 1887 - 2017.

The piece was created by Irene McBride of Discovery Glass

It is placed on the communion table in the Laurence O'Toole/Mothers' Union Chapel in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin

What Does Mothers' Union Do?

Marriage & Family Life:

Promote Christian marriage; Marriage preparation: Encourage parents and carers through Mothers' Union Parenting Groups: Running Parent and Toddler Groups; Volunteering in Child Contact Centres: Helping children and families feel welcome in Church.

Practical Care in Tough Times:

Caring for families in need; Working in partnership to support victims of domestic abuse, refugees, asylum, seekers and the homeless, etc; Offering holidays to needy families; Befriending families of those in Prison.

Activities Worldwide:

Training Mothers' Union Workers in their local communities; Promoting Parenting and Literacy and Development; Initiating Family Life Programmes; Supporting Mothers’ Union Overseas and Relief Funds.

Campaigning for a Just Society:

Drawing attention to social concern issues; Supporting gender equality; Lobbying Governments; Contributing to programmes at the United Nations; Promoting Fair Trade.

Prayer:

Prayer is at the heart of everything we do in the Mothers' Union. Members in Ireland are linked with members around the world through the Wave of Prayer and from time to time visits are exchanged. Within Ireland members enjoy fellowship through the development of North/South links between Dioceses and individual Branches.

Wave of Prayer 15th October to 4th November 2018

15 - 17 October ~ South Sudan: Terekeke: Christina & Nora; Kenya: Nairobi: Tabitha; Nigeria: Maiduguri: Sarah; Nigeria: Osun North: Oloaye; Scotland: Edinburgh: Helen; India: Calcutta

19 - 21 October ~ South Africa: High Veld: Thandi; Kenya: Nambale: Mary; Nigeria: Niger-Delta: Umaro & Ibifiri; Guinea: Charlotte & Balley; England: Blackburn: Enid; India: Bhopal

22 - 24 October ~ South Africa: Kimberley and Kuruman: Evelyn; Kenya: Kitui: Margaret & Rosemary; Nigeria: Kano: Sarah; Nigeria: Kwara: Grace; Australia: Armidale: Sharon; Myanmar: Myitkyina: Ja, Rebecca & Elizabeth

26 - 28 October ~ South Sudan: Malakal: Rebecca & Rebecca; Kenya: All Saints Cathedral: Esther; Nigeria: Kontagora: Rebeccah; Nigeria: Osun North East: Theresa; Scotland: Glasgow & Galloway: Ann; India: Pune

29 - 31 October ~ Zambia: Luapula: Agnes; Kenya: Nakuru: Mary; Uganda: South Rwenzori: Ida; Nigeria: Ibadan-North: Juliet; All Ireland: Connor: Valerie; South Korea: Pusan: Jungsoon

2 - 4 November ~ Mozambique: Lebombo: Joana; Kenya: Makueni: Josephine; Tanzania: Newala; Nigeria: Niger-Delta-North: Beatrice; Australia: Riverina: Marcia; India: North East India: Purely