St. John the Evangelist

The Mothers' Union (MU) is an organization of over 3.6 million women and men living in 77 countries who believe in the importance of families. As well as encouraging and supporting families and marriage, members work to reach out as God's family to those who are isolated, in trouble, or in need of help, Through fellowship, programmes, policy and prayer MU members around the world change lives and bring Christ's hope.

Here at St. John's, in addition to the advertised programme, we actively support the baptism and marriage preparation in the parish, facilitate a Parent Support Group, are involved as volunteers in local community projects and play a key role in lobbying local and national government on issues and concerns affecting family life.

Please come along to any of our events - you will be most welcome!

Our Open Group supports families by organizing family-orientated social events and hosting special events for women. In addition the group organizes nearly-new clothes and toys sales in October and March which raise funds for the church and local charities. As the name suggests our events are open to anyone who would like to attend and we do hope you will come and bring your friends and family too! Open Group also assists at Pram Service.

Pram Service is held on the third Tuesday each month (except August) at 9.45 a.m. for 10.00 a.m. start in St. John's Church. It is a very informal service for mothers, fathers, grandparents or other carers and their pre-school children and babies. This is a lovely gentle introduction to church for you and your little ones. We have a lot of fun with stories, activities, action choruses and prayers and birthdays are celebrated with gusto!

And after the short service there is time to chat or play over tea, coffee, squash and biscuits.

Just come along or ring if you want to find out more first.

St. John's branch was 50 years old when the new church was 40. This shows part of the Mothers' Union display at the Ruby Festival in 2001.

We have two or three meetings each month:

• Communion Service on the first Tuesday in the month at 9:45 a.m. in the Old Church followed by coffee in the Coombes Room
• Afternoon Meeting on the second Tuesday in the month at 2 p.m. in the Old Church
• Occasional Evening Meeting on the second Wednesday in the month at various addresses

We also have various annual or occasional events including:

• Pic-Nic Lunch - this has replaced the Baptism Garden Party to welcome newly baptized children.
• Cheese and Wine Summer Social
• Visits to places of interest
• Founders' Day Lunch

Our outreach includes:

• Flowers for Mothers at Baptism
• Gentle Folk's Summer Garden Party
• Christmas Nativity tea
• Refreshments at Marriage Preparation
• Supporting National Marriage Week

Our programme is planned to balance service to the community with learning, worship and recreation - a mixture of faith, fun and fellowship.

What is the Mothers' Union?

It is a world-wide Anglican organization whose Purpose it is to be concerned with all aspects of Christian family life.

Why was the Mothers Union founded?

The Mothers Union was founded in 1876 by Mary Sumner, an Englishwoman. When her first child was born she was overwhelmed by what she saw as the awesome responsibility of parents, not only in caring for the children's physical well-being, but also for their spiritual nurture and growth.

What is the Aim and what are the Objects of the Mothers Union?

The Aim is the advancement of the Christian religion in the sphere of marriage and family life. In order to carry this out there are five Objects.

• To uphold Christ's teaching on the nature of marriage and to promote its wider understanding
  Members hold conferences and training sessions, including marriage preparation, in their branches and dioceses. The Society offers spiritual support and development to all.
• To encourage parents to bring up their children in the faith and life of the Church
  In many ways the members give practical support to young families both within the Church and the wider community: e.g. running crèches, mother and the toddler groups and parenting courses.
• To maintain a world-wide fellowship of Christians, united in prayer, worship and service
  Members not only give very generously to fund workers and projects in many parts of the Anglican Communion but they pray daily through a wave of prayer for fellow members around the world.
• To promote conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the protection of children
  Any proposed legislation affecting the family is discussed and comments are passed to the relevant Government committee. There is active monitoring of all forms of the media.
• To help those whose family life has met with adversity
  Many branches are involved in offering practical support: e.g. running prison crèches and tea bars, debt counselling, providing holidays for those needing a break and child contact centres so that separated families can spend time together.

• "A Church without a Mothers' Union is not alive." an African Bishop
• "If someone says it cannot be done - they will probably be interrupted by the Mothers' Union doing it." a parish priest
• "The Mothers' Union gave me an opportunity to develop spiritually." MU member