We see ourselves as practical as well as prayerful........get to know us better locally in these pages, and at the national and worldwide level here.
We have branches throughout the diocese, and you're always welcome to join us.
Branches in our diocese: Bishop's Castle, Bodenham, Bucknell, Church Stretton, Cleobury Mortimer, Colwall, Cradley, Mathon & Storridge, Cusop, Hereford St Nicholas, LAPH, Ledbury, Leominster, Marden, Moccas & Preston on Wye, Much Wenlock, Arrowvale (formerly called Pembridge), Pontesbury, Ross-on-Wye, Sutton St Nicholas, Yockleton
Coronavirus - Unfortunately due to restrictions we are unable to hold midday prayers or any other events at this time. The Mothers' Union website offers resources and online services that you can access from the safety of your home. Please do get in touch if you want any additional information.
Contact and Useful Information
We are based at The Palace in Hereford where we have an office.
We have a Facebook page do visit, like and follow us on social media
Union Membership and Links
If you'd like to join us (and with over 4 million members worldwide, you'll be in good company!)
We pay membership subscriptions to support our local and international charitable work, as well as fundraising. Our annual subscription for 2021 is £30.00 for branch members, £20.00 for indoor members, and £30 for diocesan members - enquire to see which option would be most suitable for you - 01432 373306 or via the Mother's Union email Download a Membership Form here.
Our Projects
As part of our plan, we have established three local projects which look to help those whose family life has met with adversity. Read more about each project and how you can help:
We offer breaks and treats to families experiencing stress. Families are referred via various agencies, and we attempt to find (and fund) a break or treat that will give them a chance to get “away from it all”.
We need:
- money to fund the breaks and treats
- volunteers to serve on the AFIA Committee
- referrals from clergy, teachers, social workers etc for those who might benefit
Please contact the office by telephone on 01432 373306 or e.mail to receive further information and the application forms.
A new start in a new home is a lot more difficult if you have nothing to equip it with. We support a number of local agencies with goods and funds to help people get back on their feet again.
We need:
- good quality, clean kitchen equipment
- small household goods including bedding and linen
- baby equipment
If you arrive in hospital as an emergency, say after a road accident, a fall in the street or having been suddenly taken ill at work, you haven’t had a chance to pack a bag. We provide the hospital with wash bags and toiletries for such people.
We need:
- simple wash bags containing toothbrush, toothpaste, small unscented soap, flannel, small shampoo, comb, small packet of tissues
- money to buy supplies
We also support a number of other smaller projects:
We also offer clergy officiating at church weddings the chance to present the happy couple with a card to accompany a candle as a souvenir of their day. We hope they’ll light their candle again on their anniversaries.
We need:
- money to buy ribbon and cards
- requests from parishes for supplies of the cards for their wedding couples
And we have this leaflet available for keeping wedding costs down.
Download – wedding ideas leaflet
Recently, we sent all our Indoor Members a small cross – it’s such a useful pattern, we thought we’d keep it here for you!
Download: cross in my pocket instructions
We also encourage our members to support their local food banks and get involved in their parishes and communities. Here are some more ideas for getting involved On Your Patch.
Download On Your Patch leaflet
Prayers
Our faith is at the heart of what we do and we host a variety of prayer events and days.
Every day, our members join in a worldwide Wave of Prayer at Midday. Every month on the second Thursday we hold a service in the Audley Chapel of Hereford Cathedral.
Midday Prayers at the Cathedral – do join us if you are in town!
Dates for when we are able to resume meeting
- January 14th
- February 11th
- March 11th
- April 8th
- May 13th
- June10th
- July 8th
- August 12th
- September 9th
- October 14th
- November 11th
- December 9th
Midday prayers resources leaflet
Members receive a copy of our prayer diary – Twice a year – to help us in our intercessions. If you would like a copy, please ask – we may have some spare.
All dioceses with a Mothers’ Union have links with other dioceses throughout the world. Our special links are with:
Yambio, South Sudan
Garissa, Kenya
Mbamili, Nigeria
Willochra, Australia
Thailand
And our turn (with them) in the Wave of Prayer is 8th – 10th June every year – when all our sisters and brothers throughout the world are praying especially for us, just as we pray for them in turn.
Our Worldwide Co-ordinator, Kalyani Menon endeavours to stay in touch with our own link dioceses, and reports at our twice-yearly Council meetings on any communications she has had with them.
Lady Day – the Feast of the Annunciation, usually on 25th March – has traditionally been a special day for us, and we mark it with services where we gather together around the diocese.
We regret that due to the Corona Virus the Lady Day Services are cancelled, if we are able to set up virtual meetings/events we will let you know.
Mothering Sunday is, as you might expect, also a special day for us, and resources and ideas are available for services and other activities.
We also raise funds for our worldwide projects with the Make a Mother’s Day campaign – please take a look at the virtual gifts available, and support our work for women and families everywhere.
We organise Quiet Days and other events for our members to gather together in prayer, and for meditation and bible study. Details of each event will be added here. All are welcome to join us.
These will be confirmed nearer to the time.
Our Diocesan Chaplain is the Revd Penny Littlewood, who is always willing to support us in spiritual matters – please ask!
Mother's Union News
There are always lots of events and activities happening. To find out more do get in touch.
We will update our website with details of meetings and events when it is safe to resume so.
If you require any further information please contact the office on Mondays – telephone 01432 373306
Council Meetings
We meet several times a year, please do join us at a meeting.
- June Mon 21st Council, Kimbolton Village Hall
- October Mon 11th Council, Kimbolton Village Hall