Local Initiatives

Owing to vast distances between branches, Canadian Mothers’ Union has few national projects but numerous local diocesan activities. Five dioceses have Diocesan Councils, Nova Scotia/PEI, Fredericton, Niagara, Rupert’s Land and British Columbia, which meet three or four times a year and hold joint meetings, rallies or retreats twice a year. In the four dioceses with only one or two branches, there is a Diocesan Representative instead of a Diocesan President.

Most branches hold fundraisers to support the NCFF, the Travel Fund, the Overseas & Development Fund and the Primates World Relief & Development Fund. Several dioceses participate in the White Ribbon Campaign in November to end violence against women & girls. The Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island assists the Missions to Seafarers with monthly lunches and Christmas shoeboxes, Phoenix House Youth Home with donations of food and clothing, food banks and Blankets for Canada. Niagara Diocese is partnering with Halton Voices for Change to draw attention to poverty in their area. The Diocese of Rupert’s Land uses recycled material to make layettes for newborns and financially supports the building of a clinic in Uganda. The Diocese of BC members volunteer at foot clinics for street people, Moms & Tots mornings and Citizenship Court receptions, donate items for shipment overseas and give financial support to Camp Columbia Children’s Camp and Threshold Association.

At the parish level many branches are involved in activities relating to children and families. These include preparing candidates for baptism, holding receptions for baptismal families, presenting Bibles to candidates, making baptismal banners, supporting nurseries and Sunday School events, serving Simnel cake and distributing flowers on Mothering Sunday, making children’s Christmas stockings and quiet bags for use in church. In addition to this, branches assist in church fundraisers, soup kitchens, book sales, bake sales, Newcomers Luncheons, teas for Senior Homes, Christmas hampers and Love Baskets, Christmas shoeboxes for the homeless and virtually everything that goes on in the church. If they see a need they try to fill it. Individuals and small groups knit squares for afghan blankets and make prayer shawls to donate to the needy.