150th Celebrations at St Paul's and Emmanuel Centre

The celebration in London of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of Mothers’ Union was every bit as joyful as it had promised to be. Those of us who were able to travel there by coach or by train had a memorable time.

St Paul’s Cathedral was a wonderful venue for the service on the Wednesday evening. There was a large congregation, with several bishops and even archbishops present, as well as many clergy. People came not only from all over the country but also from overseas, a reminder that Mothers’ Union is strong worldwide.

The Archbishop of Canterbury pointed us in her sermon to the strengths of our movement: the readiness to step up to the plate and to serve; the building up of family life and the support of victims of domestic abuse and other kinds of violence; compassion for those who are on the margins of society and for their families. The Union founded by Mary Sumner continues to make a big difference to people’s lives.

The following day was encouraging too as we heard inspiring stories of the work of Mothers’ Union. It was good to visit Mary Sumner House and to see the lovely, restored portrait of our founder. I think it’s true to say that we were a happy band of pilgrims and that we had a lovely time together!

Chaplain Richard

Resources for the 150th Celebrations

**Resources for 150 Celebrations**

**There are more downloads on the Resource Hub here**

**or contact me if there is something specific you require**
Sponsor Sheet for your events	Download HERE- opens in new window
Invitation to MSDay Picnic -4 to a sheet	Download here
Invitation to an Event- Be My Guest	Download here
Picnic Checklist for Your event	Download here
Risk Assessment	Download here
Sunday Takeover Talk	Download here
Outline Service for Takeover Sunday	Download Here
Annual Gathering Programme June 11th	Download Here
National programmes flier- A5	Download Here

The Provincial Baton visited Sheffield Diocese.

Sunday 21 March	The baton was collected from Southwell and Nottingham Diocese during a short service at St John's Worksop.

Sunday Evening	The Baton travelled to Rotherham Deanery where a service was held at Bramley St Francis.

On Monday the Baton then moved on to DASH Deanery where a service was held at Doncadter Minster.

It then went to Wath Deanery and visited Harley first and then moved on by bike- ridden by Wath MU member Geoff Fellows

It then went to Barnburgh MU

And finally to Wath All Saints for a Sevice but this time the baton was transported on a Tractor!

On Wednesday Evening it went to Tankerslety Deanery where they were having a Lent Lunch followed by a reflection at St Mary's Worsborough. The Baton arrived in time for cake!


On Thursday the baton travelled to Trustees at Sheffield Cathedral

The Baton had a tour round the Cathedral before going on to Ecclesfield Deaneryon Friday.

The baton went on to Ecclesfield Deanery on Friday where it travelled round the branches. First tio Grenoside St Marks

And then on to High Green

On Saturday the baton was handed on to Ecc& Att Deanery at Millhouses St Oswald's

Ecc & Att Deanery :Leader tookthe baton round all the branches in her deanery using public transport

She took it to Abbeydale St John's first.

It then travelled to St Catherine of Siena via Sheffield Markets.

From St Catherine of Siena to Woodhouse St James- a small branch of only 6 members.

Finally the baton went to St Paul's Norton Lees where there was cake.This branch has closed and they meet as Sheffield IMPC members,

Sunday 29th: the Baton travelled to All Saint's Glossop where it was handed over to Chester Diocese to continue on its journey around York Province

Provincial Service in Manchester Cathedral

On 14 March 2026 several of our attended the Provincial Service at Manchester Cathedral to celebrate 150 years of Mothers' Union. It ws a lovely moving service and good to be among fellow members.


Geoff Fellows carried the Diocesan Banner with President Jo-Anne following in the procession.

The Bishop of Middleton Rt Revd Mark Davies welcomed and led the service and President Jo did a reading.


Each member will receive a Candle and the Provincial Prayer

Candles and flags representing the Dioceses and their link Dioceses

Zonal Trustee, Deb Lee will be taking the Provincial Capsule to St Paul's Cathedral, she will be accompanied by Geoff Fellows from Sheffield Diocese.

CEO Bev Jullien with Provincial President, Christine Sharpe	Sheffield Banner in the display

150th Anniversary Prayers

Chaplain Richared has written a Sheffield Diocese Prayer for inclusion in the Time Capsule along with the York Provincial 150 prayer. Our prayer will form part of all we do, and say as it progresses round branches and places in its journey.

The prayer can also be used in our groups / gatherings and meetings in branches,

Download a copy of the Prayer here

Sheffield MU 150^th Anniversary Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We thank you for this joyful time of celebration, as we draw inspiration from our founder, Mary Sumner.

As we meet in your name, we pray for the vision, guidance and strength of your Holy Spirit, that we may be empowered to serve. Especially we offer you our prayers for all the families of our Diocese and for all who are affected by violence or any particular kind of need.

Stir up, we pray, the gifts of all our members in the Diocese of Sheffield.

Help us to commit ourselves afresh to serve the people who most need our care, and to work for an increase in numbers and in faith.

Together with our sisters and brothers in this land and throughout the world, may we glorify your name, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

York Provincial 150^th Anniversary Prayer

Lord of all life,

we give you thanks for the 150^th anniversary of the Mothers’ Union.

We bless you for the vision of Mary Sumner

to share the love of Jesus in support of family life.

We praise you for the mission and service of the Mother’s Union across the world.

As we continue in the vision of our founder in this land,

we especially offer to you our work of outreach in prisons

and campaigns against domestic abuse, gender-based violence and modern slavery.

We pray that you will pour out your Spirit upon us,

to bless, renew and refresh the work of the Mothers’ Union in the Province of York.

Together and dispersed, may we bring glory to Jesus and hope to our communities.

We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

150th Celebrations

This year 2026, we celebrate 150 years since Mothers’ Union was founded in the small parish church of Old Alresford, Hampshire, by Mary Sumner, a vicar’s wife with a bold vision. She believed that women, regardless of class or status, could come together in faith to support one another and strengthen family life within the Church.

From that single spark of an idea, a global movement was born – and Mothers’ Union has grown to 4 million members across 84 countries. As we look to the future our members continue working to improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities around the world. At the heart of everything we do remains our unwavering belief that faith and compassion can transform lives.

We invite you to be part of it. Whether you’re passionate about social justice, prayer, community outreach, or simply want to connect with people who care, there will be a way for you to join us and join in.

Join Us, Join In!

Sheffield MU plans for the 150th Celebrations

What we are planning in Sheffield for the 150th Celebrations :

Sat 14 March – York Province Service Manchester Cathedral 2.30pm-

22-29^th March: The Capsule travels around Diocese to Deaneries-

25^th April: Spring Council – we will launch the 150^th Celebration Raffle

2^nd June- 10^th June Wath All Saints MU member, Geoff Fellows will be accompanying our Zonal Trustee, Deb Lee to do a sponsored cycle ride from York to St Paul’s Cathedral-350 miles.

June 10 & 11^th: 30 Sheffield MU members are attending the MU National Celebratory Service at St Pauls’ Cathedral and 26 are attending the MU Annual Gathering at the Emmanuel Centre next door to Mary Sumner House

13 June: Bishops Garden Party at Bishops Croft- we will be promoting Mothers’ Union- do join us.

12 July Branches are asked to take over their church service to promote the work of MU.

25 July Deaneries are holding Picnics and spreading the word about MU.

Sunday 9 August: We are holding a Mary Sumner Day Eucharist Service at Sheffield Cathedral at 2pm followed by a Diocesan Picnic outside the Cathedral with fun and games Please spread the word and invite family and friends to come along ! #JoinUsJoinIn York Provincial Prayer Hour -Sheffield 7-8pm members are asked to light a Candle as part of the bigger ‘Lighting the way for future Generations’

Sheffield Diocese Fundraiser: Saturday 12 December 7pm Friends In Harmony Concert at Bramley Church

See Calendar for more events…

Day 1: The Provincial Capsule was handed over by Yprk President, Barbara and Deb and geoff cycled to Leeds Minster and then on to Stanley in Wakefield Diocese -46miles

Geoff Fellows, a member of Wath All Saint's MU is accompanying our Zonal Trustee, Deb Lee on a sponsored cycle ride. They are travelling from York to St Paul's in London for the 150th Celebration Service of Mothers' Union and will be taking with them the provincial prayer capsule that has been travelling around all the diocese in York Province. Deb will be travelling on an electric bike, Geoff on a pushbike!!

They arrived at Mary Sumner House on Wednesday 10 June and received a welcome from Kathleen Snow.