Mary Sumner House Appeal

May 2, 2020

Hello Mothers’ Union Canada!

The Canadian Council agreed that we should let all our members know what this Worldwide Mothers’ Union Mary Sumner House (MSH) “COVID-19 Crisis Appeal” means to us in Canada.

We need to prayerfully remind ourselves that Mothers’ Union Canada is part of a global movement that has its work created, developed, coordinated and implemented by a group of people who work at Mary Sumner House in England. Even though this has been labelled the MSH Appeal, it represents all that is involved in making the Mothers’ Union Mission happen around the world!

You have all been updated with the April 14, 2020 letter from Kathleen Snow, our own Zone B Trustee, and Sheran Harper, our Worldwide President, which states:

  • 1 million + pounds will be lost this year.
  • Monies that support the work of Mothers’ Union Worldwide come from four (4) major sources:
  1. fundraising campaigns and appeals (e.g. Make a Mother’s Day) and dues remitted by members in the UK,
  2. rental of conference rooms and offices in the Mary Sumner House building,
  3. income from MU Enterprises Ltd. (MUe) online shop
  4. income from MU members around the world through their Provinces and Dioceses.
  • Unfortunately, the pandemic has drastically diminished any of these revenue streams from happening.

The Canadian Mothers’ Union sends money from our dues and Lady Day offerings to MSH. The Lady Day Offerings are designated to the Overseas Fund, which supports all Development projects worldwide at the grassroots level. We recently sent these monies to England and made a donation to the appeal from the Canadian Council.

We should note that our Canadian Council received money from MSH to help with expenses for MULOA both in Barbados and New Brunswick in 2017 and 2018 and just recently, with the Parenting Facilitator Training Course that took place in Northern Ontario in January. How things have turned around!

How can Mothers’ Union Members of Canada help?

We know that during this difficult time there will be many areas that will need help. Perhaps we can consider donating to the MSH Appeal instead of using our personal funds for:

  • Mother’s Day gifts
  • Birthday gifts
  • Vacations we cannot now take.

Canadian Council has given the details on how to donate previously, and just last week we added e- Transfer.

  • Now you can add Mothers’ Union Canada as a recipient in your bank account. Use the email address for the treasurer Elaine Robichaud (eedashner@gmail.com). The money will be transferred with no password required, as the account has been set up for deposit only. Elaine Robichaud will receive an email regarding your donation and send you a tax receipt.
  • You can go to the web site (https://canadianmothersunion.ca/) and hit the Canada Helps button. "Mary Sumner House Appeal” should be the default to make your donation.
  • If you prefer to send your payment by post, send a cheque made out to “The Canadian Mothers’ Union” with a note saying it is for the “MSH Appeal” and mail it to Elaine Robichaud, 40 Bartlett Ave., Hampton, NB, E5N 5J1. Elaine Robichaud will respond to you with an income tax receipt

Canadian Council is asking our members to contribute as they can (whatever that looks like, whatever the amount) to the work of the Worldwide Mothers’ Union, which God has ordained.

Luke 6:38 encourages us to: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”


Let us all remember to pray for all those affected by the pandemic as we join together across our world, especially during our Midday Prayers. Please, keep praying! Stay safe!

We received a video that our Worldwide President has created that is very much to the point. Please take a moment to watch Sheran and pray over its content.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnrQZSws4vw

In Christ, the Author of our Faith,
The Mothers’ Union Canadian Council

Tuesday 14th April 2020

WORLDWIDE EMERGENCY APPEAL – Protecting our future

Dear Zone B Provincial Presidents, Diocesan Presidents, Branch Leaders and precious Members,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your members at this unprecedented and challenging time. We remember the words of our Lord from Isaiah 41:10: ‘So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.’

This is a letter we had hoped never to have to write, but the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic leave us with no choice. Mothers’ Union Central Charity (Mary Sumner House) is facing a significant shortfall in income, from fundraising, from events and from our shop. We expect to lose over £1million+ this year alone.

To put it simply, COVID-19 is threatening the very existence of Mothers’ Union and we urgently need to raise £1million+ to help protect our future.

At Mary Sumner House, we have already cut costs. Firstly, our most senior staff have immediately taken a 20% salary reduction and we have suspended any other costs where we can.

But for Mothers’ Union to still be here at the end of 2020, even substantial cost cutting like this and the other steps we are taking won’t be able to save us and protect our future.

Without your help now, we will not be able to meet the costs of keeping Mothers’ Union at Mary Sumner House in service. This includes our governance, staffing, safeguarding, fundraising and development. This will mean COVID-19 has torn the heart of Mothers’ Union out and for the people we serve, during and beyond this crisis - that will be a tragedy.

Even when the worst of the crisis is over, there will be the desperate need for healing and rebuilding within families and communities worldwide. Mothers’ Union, through our trustees, friends, staff and exceptional members, has always been one of the best-positioned charities to give support to those in such need globally.

We urgently need your support now to help us to continue supporting you, serving God and doing His work.

As a global movement, we are asking each and every person across the world to contribute whatever they can and unite with us like never before to ensure Mothers’ Union, and the spiritual, practical and emotional support we have given for almost 150 years, can continue. If we can stay strong through this crisis, we know that we can rebuild our income again at the first opportunity.

These are extraordinary times and we appreciate this is an unprecedented ask. Please forward any funds in the manner you have submitted to Mary Sumner House in the past, whether through your Diocesan President/Treasurer or through your Provincial President/Treasurer.

If you have any questions regarding submission of funds, please contact Zone B Trustee Kathleen Snow at Kathleen.Snow@mothersunion.org .

Thank you, and we wish you, your communities and loved ones every blessing at this very challenging time.

Yours in Christian love,

Sheran Harper
Worldwide President

Kathleen Snow
Zone B Trustee