Mothers' Union is the largest international Christian organisation with over 4 million members in 83 countries across the world.
Within this worldwide organisation we are part of the Anglican Province of Canterbury and based in the South West of England above Bristol, bordered by Wales in the West and the Cotswold Hills to the East.
Led by our Diocesan President, Doreen McLellan for the triennial 2025-2027 we have 26 branches across 8 deaneries and about 600 members working towards the Mothers' Union vision to strengthen and preserve family life and marriage, by our Christian faith through practical action.
This practical action can be seen through the giving of self, in prayer, in voluntary work, and in helping those less fortunate than ourselves in whatever ways we can.
Following the links, please take the time to discover how we respond to our Mothers' Union vision of a world where God's love is shown through loving, respectful, and flourishing relationships.
Are you a Facebook user? If so, please join the Mothers' Union Diocese of Gloucester facebook page.(Search in Facebook groups for MOTHERS' UNION GLOUCESTER DIOCESE)
Every day, the prayers from our Prayer Diary are published, together with the Wave of Prayer. Also any items of interest to Mothers' Union members which appear on the Church of England social media sites.
The national Mothers' Union website is a source of information about the worldwide organisation, national projects, monthly prayers and resources for members.
http://www.mothersunion.orgMidday Prayers are live on their Facebook page at 12:00 noon daily.
https://www.facebook.com/MothersUnion
Doreen was formally commissioned as our Diocesan President at the Lady day service in 2022 in Gloucester cathedral , alongside the Trustees and Speakers. Revd. Liz Palin was also commisioned as our chaplain.
Dear Fellow Members
Philip and I have recently returned from a lovely holiday and, while we were away, Kathleen Snow, our new Worldwide President, was commissioned. The commissioning was in St Martin's in the Fields in London and I may have considered going if I had been in the UK but that was not possible. However, I was able to see the commissioning and take part remotelyas it was streamed on-line so joined many other people from the UK and round the world to welcome Kathleen as our new President. Technology is wonderful (when it works!) and, on this occasion, all went well. I know that it is not easy for everyone but for those of you who can do so I would encourage you to join - any links we are sent are forwarded from the office.
Whike she was in the UK Kathleen visited various clusters to hear about the work which is being undertaken in the Dioceses and you can read about her visit to the South West cluster in the May Roundabout. I was unable to attend (I was still on holiday as it was only a week after the commissioning) but we were ably represented by Margaret Edwards and Olga Gibbons. I hope to meet Kathleen at an event in June, when she will be visiting the UK again.
I am writing this at the start of Holy Week but by the time you read it Easter will seem long past and we will be almost into summer but there are still things to look forward to. The commissioning service for myself and the trustees of Gloucester Diocese by Bishop Rachel will be held in the Lady chapel of the Cathedral on June 20th and we hope that many of you will be able to join us. If you are unable to attend the service please continue to pray for the trustee board as we meet regularly to deal with the running of the Diocese. Unlike Kathleen's commissioning however we will not be able to stream the service online.
W will also gather to celebrate Mary Sumner Day in August, when we will draw our Diocesan raffle.
With love and prayers
Doreen