Walking in Mary’s footsteps

Diocesan President Rosie Stiven says:

“In the Mothers’ Union calendar, Monday 9 August is Mary Sumner Day, the day specifically dedicated to our foundress. And as this is our 145th Anniversary year, our worldwide membership will be especially united in prayer on that day. Mary Sumner died in 1921, 100 years ago. It was Mary ’s personal faith, her vision and her service which began our movement.

“I invite you to join our members in our special Service to mark Mary Sumner Day. Revd Joanna Naish, Diocesan MU Chaplain, will lead a virtual Service on Monday 9 August at 11am. All are welcome and if you would like to join us, please email r.stiven.mu@gmail.com for the link to the Service.

“Wherever Mothers’ Union exists in the world we will express our Christian faith in the transformation of families and communities worldwide. Working as ambassadors for Christ our goal is to see all people enjoy loving, respectful, and flourishing relationships.

“As ‘The Walking Madonna’ purposefully strides out of the Cathedral Close towards Salisbury and into the wider world, so the members of Mothers’ Union go forward, strong in faith, and work to bring the love of Christ to all.

“We know that Mary Sumner lived a prayerful life. She was deeply grounded in her faith. Whilst at prayer, she was frequently overheard saying ‘Lord, teach me what to do and make me do it’.

As we walk together in her footsteps, let us use her own prayer to inspire and inform our work in the days and years to come.

All this day, O Lord, let me touch as many lives as possible for thee; and every life I touch, do thou by Thy spirit quicken, whether through the word I speak, the prayer I breathe, or the life I live. Amen.