Mothers’ Union looks beyond anniversary celebrations towards invitation, community, service and hope for the future.

Members of the Mothers’ Union in the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough have been encouraged to look to the future with hope, strengthen their communities and continue celebrating the gifts of a movement now marking its 150th anniversary.

Branches from across the dioceses gathered at Christ Church, Teach Naithí, on Sunday 20 September for their annual Festival Service, marking the beginning of a new Mothers’ Union season.

The Songs of Praise service celebrated the legacy of Mothers’ Union founder Mary Sumner and the worldwide organisation’s 150 years of ministry.

Archbishop Michael Jackson presided and commissioned the new diocesan officers. The service was celebrated by the Revd Colin McConaghie, diocesan Mothers’ Union chaplain and Rector of Castleknock and Mulhuddart with Clonsilla.

The preacher was the All Ireland Mothers’ Union Chaplain, the Revd Alistair Doyle, Rector of Arklow, Inch and Kilbride.

Drawing on Philippians 4:5 — “Rejoice, let your gentleness be known to all. The Lord is here” — Mr Doyle described the gathering as a “Holy Electric Picnic”, emphasising celebration and joy in God’s presence.

He reflected on Mothers’ Union’s continuing work in supporting families, empowering women and confronting injustice and violence, and offered members four words for the organisation’s future: Commitment, Call, Community and Celebration.

That future, he suggested, involves more than sustaining existing branches. Reflecting this year’s worldwide Mothers’ Union theme, “Join Us, Join In”, he encouraged members to develop a culture of invitation.

Community also featured strongly in his address. At a time when loneliness and social isolation are increasingly recognised as significant challenges, churches and organisations such as Mothers’ Union continue to offer places of belonging, friendship and human contact.

Another anniversary approaches

The festival comes as Mothers’ Union prepares for another significant anniversary closer to home.

In 2027, the organisation will mark 140 years in Ireland, with Dublin and Glendalough having a particular connection to the beginnings of the movement on the island.

The first Mothers’ Union branch in Ireland was established at Ráth Eanaigh (Raheny) by Annabella Hayes.

Diocesan President Ada Lawson told members following the service that an all-island art competition would form part of the 140th anniversary celebrations, with further details to be circulated to branches.

The approaching anniversary offers Mothers’ Union an opportunity to do more than look backwards.

For an organisation whose history stretches across profound changes in family life, the place of women in church and society, and the shape of Anglican life itself, the question is also what its distinctive gifts might look like for another generation.

The answer emerging from the Teach Naithí gathering was not simply preservation.

Commitment, call, community and celebration point instead towards a movement conscious of its history but still seeking new people, new relationships and new opportunities for service.

After 150 years, Mothers’ Union is being invited not merely to remember where it has been, but to consider where it goes next.

Source: United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough, Commitment, Call, Community and Celebration at Mothers’ Union Festival Service.