Mothers’ Union Hosts General Synod Fringe Event for Solace and Grace

On 11 February, Mothers’ Union was delighted to host a General Synod Fringe Event at Mary Sumner House, welcoming Solace and Grace, Survivors’ Voices and Survivors in Transition to share their vital and inspiring work.

Held in the chapel at Mary Sumner House, a sacred and peaceful space, the event offered Synod members an opportunity to learn more about the development of resources to create safe spaces for survivors of abuse within church communities.

At the heart of the event was United in Solace and Grace, a series of reflective church services reaching out to survivors of abuse of all kinds, as well as their families, supporters and professionals. The service was developed with great care and prayerful attention to ensure that people who attend feel safe, heard and respected, particularly in spaces that may, for some, have previously felt unsafe.

Attendees were given an example of the service and heard how service participants described feeling a renewed sense of safety and welcome within a worship setting. The time together was deeply moving, demonstrating the importance of intentional, survivor-informed liturgy and pastoral care.

The initiative began as a one-off reflective service and has since grown into a wider movement. United in Solace and Grace was developed by The Revd Jenny Seggar, a Church of England rural parish priest, Jane Chevous of Survivors’ Voices and Emma Corbett of Survivors in Transition (Ipswich).

Partners Survivors’ Voices and Survivors in Transition also shared their mission and the collaborative work they are undertaking to support survivors and advocate for meaningful change within church and society.

Mothers’ Union is proud to support this incredibly special and important work, and we are grateful to Mothers’ Union Diocesan President and General Synod member Jeanette Appleton for organising this event. Through our Rise Up campaign that forms part of our wider Domestic Abuse Programme of work in Britain and Ireland, we continue to raise awareness in churches and communities about domestic abuse and gender-based violence, advocating for justice, compassion and practical support.

The gathering at Mary Sumner House was a powerful reminder that the Church must be a place of refuge, healing and hope. By listening to survivors and creating spaces shaped by their experience, we take meaningful steps toward ensuring that all can worship in safety and dignity.

 

 

Want to find out more?

Find out more about Solace and Grace and access their resources here.

Survivors in Transition provides specialist support for survivors in Suffolk.

Survivors’ Voices works to amplify the voices of survivors, including through its Faith and Abuse Group.

Focus on Survivors – in 2015, the Focus on Survivors survey provided vital insights into the experiences, needs and priorities of adult survivors of childhood sexual violence and abuse. The findings influenced service design, policy and survivor-led initiatives across the sector.

Now ten years on, they want to see what’s changed for survivors – if this includes you, please do consider taking part in the short anonymous survey (please note this will take you away from the MU website). Please note this closes on 13 February 2026.