Mothers' Union reveals ground-breaking secrets

THE secret's out! "Love, in action, with passion!"

That was how the work of Mothers' Union was described to the men and women who gathered at St John's Church, Leytonstone on a Sunday afternoon in March to learn more about this global organisation, which has been described as the best kept secret in the Anglican Church.

But it is no longer a secret in Waltham Forest - members and non-members alike came from all
corners of the borough to celebrate with the Revd Clinton McGhie, Vicar of All Saints Church, Highams Park and chaplain to the Mothers' Union in Waltham Forest.

Mr McGhie concluded by saying: "No church should be without a Mothers' Union branch!"

Catherine Elliott, vice-president, Mothers' Union in the Diocese of Chelmsford, said: "Many people know of the welcoming, tea-making side of Mothers' Union, but few people are aware of its ground-breaking charitable activities in 78 countries.

"The exhibition at St John's highlighted the wide range of work being done, including Waltham Forest, where there is a contact centre where absentee parents can spend qualittime with their children, a holiday scheme for disadvantaged families in need of some time away, and support for volunteers who staff the children's play area in the prisons at Chelmsford and Bullwood Hall.

"Working with the support of local church leaders, Mothers' Union is a caring organisation which has been committed to the encouragement, strengthening and support of family life for more than 130 years, well before it was politically fashionable to do so. But that's not all!

"The Mothers' Union knows from its own members all about the huge demands made upon parents today, and can offer many resources and even personal prayerful support through the internet for those who have no time to join a local branch."

The Waltham Forest Mothers' Union is looking to email newsletters and perhaps also set up a locale-community. Contact celliott@fish.co.uk if you are interested. To find out more about Mothers' Union, visit www.themothersunion.org

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