Mothers Union
Mama Esther Timothy
What is Mothers’ Union?
The Mothers’ Union is a worldwide society or organization of Christian women in the Anglican Communion or Churches in communion who consent to accept the office under the patronage of the Archbishop, Bishop or priest. The organization was founded by Mrs. Elizabeth Mary Sumner in 1876 in the Church of England where her husband Rev. George Sumner ministered as a priest. Elizabeth Mary Sumner was a woman of prayer; she loved reading and meditating upon God’s word. Like Timothy, in 2Tim 1:5 “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” , Mrs. Sumner reflected on the importance of motherhood. She envisaged calling women of all social classes to support one another morally and spiritually. Mary Sumner’s mother was a woman of personal piety who held mothers meetings old and young in her home in Herefordshire, England. Her mother’s faith inspired Mary Sumner and later she began the Mothers’ Union which grew from parish to diocesan level.
How Mother’s Union Came to Kenya.
This organization was introduced in Africa by the Church Missionary Society (C.M.S) during the colonial era in 1918 with its membership comprising of the European ladies only. The Mothers’ Union was introduced to African woman in 1955 through the encouragement of Mrs. Gladys Beecher wife of Bishop Beecher of the former Mombasa Diocese and the Archbishop of East Africa. Under the leadership of Mrs. Gladys Beecher and the daughter of Canon Leakey the first African women were trained and enrolled as the Mother’s Union members in March 1955 at A.C.K Muongoya Church in Kiambu the present Diocese of Mt. Kenya South. The training focused on Christian faith in action aiming at transforming communities through the nature of the family in its many forms.
Mothers’ Union Aim
The aim of the Mothers’ Union is advancement of the Christian religion in the spheres of marriage and family life.
Purpose of the Mothers’ Union
Its purpose is strengthening and preserving marriage and Christian family life.
How does the Mothers’ Union achieve its aim and purpose?
Before each member is enrolled she should learn all that is concerned with this fellowship. The new member should know:
What Mothers’ Union is?
Who started it?
Where was it started?
How it came to Kenya?
The aim and purpose of having such women Organization in the Anglican Communion.
Their daily usefulness in life.
Enrollment issues.
How is the service conducted?
By who?
Mothers’ Union Objectives.
What are the five objectives of the Mothers’ Union?
To uphold Christ teaching on the nature of marriage and promote its wide understanding.
To encourage parents to bring up their children in Christian faith and life of the Church.
To maintain a worldwide fellowship of Christians united in prayer, worship and service.
To promote conditions in the society favourable to stable family life and the protection of Children.
To help those whose family life has met adversity.
Mothers’ Union Pledges.
To confess the faith of Christ crucified and continue to be His faithful soldiers and servants to one’s life.
To uphold and support the objectives of the Mothers’ Union by word and action.
To live a life which includes worship in church, prayer and bible teachings.
The Mothers’ Union should train their members how to manage stress and how to face challenges in life knowing that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
