Parents' responsibilities are the most important in the world. The Mothers' Union is committed to being specially concerned with Christian families worldwide. It was founded in 1874 by Mary Sumner, the wife of the Rector of Old Alresford in Hampshire, to help young parents to nurture their children within the life of the church. It has spread worldwide since those days and now boasts at least a million members throughout the Anglican Communion. It was in 1889 that a branch was formed here in Gillingham.

The Mothers' Union lays great emphasis on marriage and stable family life and the Christian upbringing of children, while at the same time embracing those whose home life has met with difficulty. All the work of the Mothers' Union is underpinned by prayer and fellowship.

It often seems that membership is confined to those who are older; this is certainly not the case - young mothers are as welcome as grandmothers! In addition to afternoon meetings, the Gillingham branch looks forward to realising its potential in involvement in local outgoing projects.

St. Mary's Mothers' Union meets on the first Tuesday afternoon of the month for prayer and fellowship, usually at 2.30pm in the Vicarage Schoolroom. Check the events page for more details.

We would welcome new members and your enquiries. If you are interested, please contact Mrs Barbara Powell through the Parish Office.

Stoles for the

In 2008 some members of St. Mary's Mothers' Union made stoles to be used in the Sudan - read about it and see pictures here.

2008 A.G.M.

Chaired by the Rector, our Annual General Meeting was held on Tuesday 12^th February in the Vicarage Schoolroom.

The Treasurer’s and Prayer Group reports were given by Connie Goddard and the Branch Report by Barbara Powell. Three members, Liz Frayne, Barbara Powell and Marian Suttle were retiring from the Committee, having served the maximum of six years in office. Connie Goddard hoped to hand over the work of the Treasurer but would continue in this post until a replacement is found. Although Doreen Watson was resigning from the committee, she was happy to continue organising the monthly book sales.

The future of the branch was discussed and as no-one offered to take on the leadership or fill the vacancies on committee, it was decided that the Mothers’ Union would continue but on an informal basis and be known as the “Prayer and Friendship” group. We shall meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 2.30pm in the Vicarage Schoolroom and the meeting will be based around the already established Prayer Group, followed by time together for discussions, readings or whatever ‘homemade’ activity is decided upon by the members. The idea behind these groups is to be free of the formality of having a leader, committee, AGMs and paperwork. It is important to emphasise that we are still the Mothers’ Union and we hope that all our regular members and any newly interested persons will come along and support this exciting new phase as we venture forward together.