Parish Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, Greencourt Road, Petts Wood, Kent BR5 1QW
Parish Church of St Francis of Assisi Church of England Petts Wood
The Mothers’ Union was founded in 1876 by Mary Sumner in the village of Old Alresford in Hampshire, where her husband, George Sumner was Rector. From this small beginning, the Mothers’ Union has grown into an organisation with 3.6 million members in 76 countries throughout the world, with its headquarters at Mary Sumner house, 24 Tufton Street, London SW1 3RB.
The aim of the MU is to strengthen and preserve marriage and family life by our Christian faith and through practical action. Our objectives are to:

uphold Christian teaching on the nature of marriage and to promote its wider understanding.
encourage parents to bring up their children in the faith and life of the Church
maintain a worldwide fellowship of Christians, united in prayer, worship and service.
promote conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the protection of children.
help those whose family life has met with adversity.
The objectives are carried out in the many Mothers’ Union projects and activities in this country and throughout the world; upheld by monetary support and prayer.

The Overseas Fund among many other projects, supports the salaries of over 300 MU workers, provides literacy programmes and gives grants for vehicles to enable our workers to reach remote areas, where most overseas members live.
The Relief Fund is used specifically for emergencies and disasters, such as war, famine and flood.
Away from It All (AFIA) provides holidays for needy families.
The CWISY Fund (Canterbury, Wales, Ireland, Scotland and York) promotes the well-being of families in the UK and Ireland, by resourcing practical projects both locally & nationally.
The Diocesan General Fund (Young Families) undertakes projects to support and strengthen marriage and family life around the world eg marriage preparation and parenting groups.
The Prison Project - MU members visit prisons, provide clothing if necessary, run tea bars, donate Christmas presents for prisoners’ children and form MU branches in prison.
The Thames Gateway Project - In 1997 the Bishop of Rochester gave the MU in Rochester the idea that we should try to work in partnership with women of other faiths and cultures. The challenge was accepted and the Project has become a successful and thriving reality. It is a partnership of woman of diverse faith and culture, working together to support family life and to influence development in Kent Thameside for the good of communities and individuals.

 Who can join the Mothers Union?
If you have been baptised, believe in the importance of family life and agree with our aims and objectives - men and women, married or unmarried, parent or not - can and do join.