150th Membership Challenge

We are inviting every diocese to welcome 150 brand new members in 2026.

That is 150 new voices, new hearts, and new hands, joining the movement in every part of Britain and Ireland. As Members (or Friends), they will be joining our wonderful movement for the first time.

It is time to reach out to new people and invite them to Join Us and Join In. Welcome them to meetings, events or to volunteer in MU projects and programmes. When they know what we do, they will join!

Membership Challenge 2026 – FAQs

 

1. What is the Membership Challenge 2026?

The Membership Challenge is part of our 150th anniversary celebrations. Throughout 2026, we’re inviting every diocese across Britain and Ireland to help grow our movement by welcoming 150 Brand New Members — new voices, new hearts, and new hands to join Mothers’ Union in putting faith into action.

2. Does my diocese have to reach 150 new members?

No, 150 is an aspirational target, not a requirement. Every new member is a gift. We understand that some dioceses are smaller, more rural, or have limited populations. In those cases, we encourage you to set a realistic, proportional target that reflects your local context. Every sign-up matters.

3. Who can join as part of the challenge?

Anyone who supports the mission and values of Mothers’ Union is welcome to join — whether as a Member or a Friend. They might be new to MU entirely, or people who have connected with your events, projects, or community activities but haven’t yet taken the step to join.

4. How do we encourage people to join?

Invite people to:

• Attend your meetings or events, especially ones celebrating our 150th year

• Volunteer in your MU projects or programmes

• Learn more about the real impact MU has locally and globally

Once people see what MU does, they often want to be part of it.

5. Will there be support or resources for dioceses?

Absolutely, you won’t be doing this alone and the central staff team at MSH are here to help. Every diocese will receive:

• Resource packs and materials designed to help you talk about MU confidently

• Practical tools to support sign-ups and engagement

• Access to quarterly support surgeries, held in both daytime and evening sessions, where you can ask questions, share ideas, and get guidance at any stage of the year

6. How can new members sign up?

We strongly encourage Direct Debit sign-ups, as they are simple, secure, and ensure uninterrupted membership.

7. How do we track our progress throughout the year?

A new digital tracking tool will be available to help dioceses monitor registrations across 2026. You’ll be able to see your progress grow month by month.

If you prefer, you can also email the Membership Team directly with updates to log them for you.

8. What if we have questions during the challenge?

You can:

• Attend one of the quarterly support surgeries

• Email the Membership Team at any time

• Use the resources provided to guide conversations in your parishes and branches

We are here to help you succeed.

9. Why is this challenge important?

For 150 years, Mothers’ Union has stood beside women and families facing poverty, violence, and injustice. Today, many communities are still hurting. Growing our movement ensures we can continue to be a source of hope, strength, and change where it is needed most — in 2026 and beyond.