TO celebrate The Year of the Child in 2009, the Swansea and Brecon Mothers’ Union has presented Bibles within its diocese. Representatives of Evenjobb MU, Kit Beaton and Christine Gould, presented Bibles to Gladestry Primary School and Radnor Valley School.

Mary Sumner set up the Mothers’ Union in 1876. Born at Swinton, near Manchester, her father was a banker and a scholarly man. Her mother’s family owned land in two counties and Mary grew up in the beautiful surroundings of Hope End, Herefordshire. She married George Sumner, the youngest son of Charles Sumner, Bishop of Winchester, at St James’ Church, Colwall, and they enjoyed 61 years together.

Mary believed that women from every class should understand that motherhood was a profession and that they needed to be equipped to perform it. At a time of low moral standards in the country, the power for change, she believed, lay in the hands of mothers. If women united in prayer and committed themselves to a Christian life, the nation could be transformed.

The Mothers’ Union aims to promote and encourage Christian family life. A diverse range of programmes is in place to meet the needs of individuals and families. The MU challenges root causes of injustice and there are currently 3.6 million members around the world working in 78 countries.

Call Kit Beaton on 01544 350342 or log on to the Mothers’ Union website, themothersunion.org for further information.