The Diocese of St Asaph Mothers’ Union has celebrated 150 years of the organisation at a special service in St Asaph Cathedral (25 March).

The service which was attended by the Bishop of St Asaph and the Provincial President, Sue Rivers, also saw St Asaph Mothers’ Union admitted into the Community of the Cross of Nails. Inspired by Coventry Cathedral, the Community is a worldwide network of some 260 churches, charities, chaplaincies, peacebuilding and retreat centres, schools and other educational and training organisations, active in reconciliation.

The President of St Asaph Mothers’ Union, Joan Barker said: “I am so delighted Mothers’ Union in our Diocese is to have membership of the Cross of Nails especially in our 150th Anniversary year. The Cross of Nails is a powerful and inspirational symbol of worldwide peace and forgiveness.”

The cross was presented during the service yesterday by Canon Kate Massey from Coventry Cathedral. It will be placed in the Lady Chapel of the Cathedral but will be taken to different churches in the diocese when requested.

The Bishop of St Asaph, the Rt Revd Gregory Cameron is the Patron of St Asaph Mothers’ Union and preached at the service. He said: “The Mothers’ Union has been a tremendous force for good across the globe for over eight generations. It empowers not just mothers but women globally, and those men who are prepared to join. It is a special thing that the Mothers’ Union has chosen to join Coventry Cathedral’s Community of Reconciliation as their commitment to peace in the future.”

Today, you can visit 83 countries worldwide and find Mothers’ Union in action with four million members. Its first focus is prayer, and with daily mid-day prayers, it runs an international 24-hour wave of prayer around the world.

The service of celebration for 150 years of Mothers Union took place on Wednesday 25 March at St Asaph Cathedral. It was a full-house with members, past, present and future attending.