IN 1831, Mary Elizabeth Heywood moved with her family to Hope End, Colwall. She was confirmed at St Michael and All Angels, Ledbury; and married the Reverend George Henry Sumner at St James the Great, Colwall on July 26, 1848.
In 1876, she founded the Mothers' Union at Old Alresford in Winchester diocese.
As Mothers' Union celebrates its 140th anniversary, we in Hereford Diocese celebrated our special link with our founder, Mary Sumner, and marked the occasion with a Diocesan Festival Eucharist at Hereford Cathedral on July 14.
Their royal patron, HM the Queen was represented at the service by the Lord-Lieutenant of Herefordshire, the Countess Darnley. Also present was several former Diocesan Presidents, and many members of the society, some with long years of service to their credit.
Mothers' Union is now an international charity with over four million members worldwide. It offers Christian care for families via local projects, and working with governments and the United Nations.
For more information about the work of Mothers' Union in Hereford Diocese, please see hereford.anglican.org/churchgoers/mothers_union/index.aspx or contact Linda Ross on 01746 860286 or Liz Chave on 01432 373306.
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