Mothers' Union is an international Christian charity that seeks to support families and communites worldwide. Its mission has five strands:-
1. Supporting and promoting marriage.
2. Encouraging parents in their role to develop the faith of their children.
3. Maintaining a worldwide fellowship of Christians united in prayer, worship and service.
4. Promoting conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the protection of children.
5. Helping those whose family life has met with adversity.
The Mothers Union is a separate and distinct organisation founded within the Anglican Communion and each diocese is a registered charity in its own right. Its relationship with the Parish church is symbiotic rather than subservient or independent. It exists to serve the church and the people in ways which are in keeping with its mission. Its members are not all mothers, or even all women: single, married, parents, grandparents, or young adults are all welcome to be members and share the vision of bringing about a world where God's love is shown through loving and respectful relationships.
Saint Martin's has a branch of the Mothers' Union which officially came into being on 30th January 2011. It now has 24 members and they meet regularly on the third Wednesday of each month - usually in the hall between 1pm and 3pm. Occasional visits may mean they meet elsewhere as, for example, they met at Chethams Scool of Music for their March 2011 meeting enjoying the lunchtime "Chets" concert and followed by a guided tour with refreshments. Their programme for the year is varied and interesting with visiting speakers, fun days, strawberry teas as well as fundraising for Mothers' Union projects throughout the world.