Happy Mary Sumner Day!

How often do we suddenly become inundated with raspberries, apples and vegetables from our gardens? This was evident during the lockdowns from Covid-19, when people lovingly left items on their garden walls for others or gave items to food banks to be shared out amongst others less fortunate. Maybe you see food in the markets and know that it is a good price, so you buy in order to transform it into something different.

There are endless stories in the Bible which give an account of lives transformed: the tax collectors, the sex workers, the fishermen, the lady at the well, the lady who touched the cloak of Jesus, the blind who see.

Like harvesting fruit, Mothers’ Union has harvested millions of members, and each person in their own way has been transformed.

In 1876, Mary Sumner had the courage to stand up and implore women from all walks of life to get together and to support each other. In 1885, she gave a passionate address at the Portsmouth Church Congress. How daunting that must have been. The concept of Mothers’ Union spread rapidly across neighbouring dioceses and then throughout the UK. Mothers’ Union was formed; and even given a royal stamp of approval in 1887 by Queen Victoria.  

Fast-forward nearly 150 years later, Mothers’ Union branches are present in over 84 different countries. Membership includes men and women, married, unmarried and those without a family of their own - all are welcome to join our movement. 

At Mothers’ Union, we work to transform the lives of others. From supporting families and communities across the world by influencing and speaking out on critical social injustices, to volunteering in prisons, knniting for premature babies, and fundraising for families to have a break through AFIA (Away From It All) breaks. 

Which led me to thinking, how can we continue to transform our lives in a similar way? Is there a new way we can use our skills to help others? There is much more that we can do to support the future of Mothers’ Union, to continue Mary Sumner's vision and be a positive voice in our changing society and changing Church.

Let’s be thankful for the opportunities we have each and every day to be a part of this remarkable movement and to consider we we might continue to be agents of transformation - today on Mary Sumner Day and always. 

Written by Julia Tum

Mothers' Union Huddersfield Episcopal Area President