In September Worldwide President of the Mothers’ Union, Lynne Tembey, and Mothers’ Union Chief Executive, Beverley Jullien, were honoured to meet with the Archbishop of Canterbury and Mrs Welby at Lambeth Palace.
During the meeting, the Archbishop was very appreciative of the work of Mothers’ Union members worldwide, and they explored areas where they could work even more closely with the Church in the future.
The Archbishop was delighted that Mothers’ Union members are keen to provide support to refugees in the current crisis, and encouraged members to work with dioceses and other agencies at local level to deliver effective relief.
The Mothers’ Union in Halifax has been doing just that:
Working with the St Augustine’s Centre – a community centre for anyone who needs help or support regardless of faith, ethnicity or background – the Mothers’ Union have been running a friendship group there since 2009. Fifteen or so Mothers’ Union volunteers ensure three of them are there every week and they have an ongoing commitment to refugee women and their families in particular - a commitment that can only become more vital in the current refugee crisis. The centre is busier than ever.
The St Augustine’s Centre works with the most marginalised in our society. People are helped with whatever they need; hot meals, employment or immigration advice. Mothers’ Union tries to meet the needs of people where they are and six years ago, Mothers’ Union in Calderdale were asked to run a weekly Friendship Group for women and their children who are asylum seekers or refugees.
The group runs every Thursday at the St. Augustine’s Centre. The volunteers provide lunch followed by a time for chatting and sharing craft skills. They also play with the young children to give mums a break. This project is a success because those who attend value the friendship offered and in some cases, regard members as their family. We are reliable and resourceful and welcome all, whatever their background or faith.
Elaine Swinhoe, soon to be Mothers’ Union Area president for Huddersfield and part of the group of volunteers at the Friendship group commented:
“I really enjoy the group. Recently we had a woman from Eritrea, desperate to learn English and just singing songs along with the children, helped her learn a bit more. I feel privileged to meet people from different backgrounds and countries.
“Part of our objectives as Mothers’ Union is to support families, particularly through tough times, and this is a simple, practical way to make a difference.”
At the meeting in London, Archbishop Welby was also pleased that Mothers’ Union has taken a lead in addressing issues of commercialisation of childhood – and encouraged members to consider further how this work might be developed in other countries.
Lynne Tembey and Beverley Jullien took part in Morning Prayer in Lambeth Chapel before the meeting. They look forward to identifying further ways to support the work of the Church going forward, particularly the Archbishop’s priorities of Prayer, Reconciliation and Mission, which resonate so well with the Mothers’ Union.
The Mothers’ Union webpages are currently under construction but if you would like to find out more about the Mother’s Union in your area – contact Jo Sarkar, Mothers' Union Diocesan Secretary on 0113 295 0617.