Mothers’ Union celebrates 150 years at Manchester Cathedral

Members and supporters of Mothers’ Union from across our diocese gathered at Manchester Cathedral on 9 August, Mary Sumner Day, to celebrate 150 years of Mothers’ Union. The service formed part of a year of commemorations marking the organisation’s 150th anniversary.

The special service took place during Evensong and included the commissioning of two new Mothers’ Union trustees by the Rt Revd Mark Davies, Bishop of Middleton. The preacher was the Revd Kenson Li.

Prayers were led by Mothers’ Union chaplains, the Revd Canon Kirsty Screeton and the Revd Karen Owen, reflecting the prayer, fellowship and practical action that lie at the heart of Mothers’ Union.

A colourful display of illustrated jigsaw pieces provided a striking visual reminder of the many ways local branches contribute to the life and mission of Mothers’ Union. Each branch created a piece representing its own work, and together they formed a powerful image of a movement built from many individual contributions.

Speaking on the theme, Where Does Your Piece Fit?, Canon Rosemary Taylor encouraged those present to reflect on how their own gifts, prayers and acts of service help shape the wider work of Mothers’ Union.

She said: “Our strapline for this year is ‘Join Us, Join In’, and we wanted to create something that every branch could contribute to and that would grow into something much bigger. A jigsaw seemed a perfect way of showing what Mothers’ Union is all about.

“Every piece is different. Some may seem insignificant when viewed on their own, but every piece has a place. Every piece matters, and without it the picture is incomplete.

“We are all pieces of the Mothers’ Union jigsaw. We have different gifts, experiences and stories. We belong to different branches and communities, yet together we form one worldwide movement.

“One prayer. One conversation. One visit. One helping hand. One act of kindness.

“One piece joins another, and then another, until something much bigger begins to take shape.”

The service also included the lighting of candles representing each of the 12 dioceses in the Province of York, alongside candles celebrating Mothers’ Union’s worldwide links and the Indoor Members Prayer Circle. Together they symbolised a movement united by prayer, faith and a shared commitment to supporting families and communities.

The anniversary celebration was a joyful opportunity to give thanks for 150 years of prayer and service, celebrate the work taking place today, and look to the future with hope and confidence. It also continued a year of celebrations taking place across the Diocese of Manchester and around the world to mark Mothers’ Union’s 150th anniversary.