Mothers' Union Diocese of Chelmsford

Mothers’ Union in the Diocese of Chelmsford works in the heart of rural and urban communities. As a church charity working with and in our local parishes and communities, we work with young families and the older generation who find loneliness such a struggle.

Enjoying the enriching experience of working where we see a need, we try to bring hope and fun too. Our ‘fun events’ – belly dancing and pamper evenings - reach out to the wider community, showing how diverse we are. Members support the central overseas and relief funds plus specific appeals from head office. Our 1,460+ members come from three episcopal areas – Barking (seven deaneries with 29 branches), Bradwell (eight deaneries with 24 branches) and Colchester (six deaneries with 18 branches).

Diocesan projects:

• English for Women
• AFIA holidays
• Two contact centres
• 450+ jars of pickled onion for Diocesan Bishop’s initiative in 2017 (one for every parish in the Diocese)

Members involved in:

• Giving child baptism Bibles
• Attending baptisms
• Leading Messy Church
• Wedding fairs 
• Catering for wedding dinners
• Foodbank recipe cards
• Baby and toddler groups
• RideLondon
• Knitting teddies for baptisms, sheep for travelling nativities
• Prison volunteers
• Visiting and coffee in care homes.

Many members hold positions of high responsibility in their parish churches.

In the Chelmsford Diocese there is a network of 70+ branches with members of all ages, married or single, separated and divorced and we have a couple of branches led by men.

Membership is open to anyone, male and female, single or married, of any faith or none and we welcome all who wish to support us; there being three alternative ways of doing this - Branch membership, Diocesan membership, for those who don't wish to or cannot be part of a branch, and Friend for those who wish to support our work. Whichever way you choose you will be part of the Mothers' Union family and able to share in our work.

We invite anyone to get in touch with us to find out more; no pressure, no commitment, but we’d love to explain our wonderful work and what we do.