A History of the Mothers’ Union
Title Details

316 Pages

23.4 x 15.6 cm

8 b/w illus.

Series: Studies in Modern British Religious History

Series Vol. Number: 20

Imprint: Boydell Press

A History of the Mothers' Union

Women, Anglicanism and Globalisation, 1876-2008

by Cordelia Moyse

  • Description
  • Contents
  • Reviews
One of the most significant works on Anglican and Women's history to be published in recent years. Includes a foreword by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

This book tells the story of how a parish women's meeting started in 1876 by a Victorian vicar's wife is now the most authentic and powerful organization of women in the new global Christianity. Its cross-disciplinary approach examines how religious faith and shifting ideologies of womanhood and motherhood in the imperial and post colonial worlds acted as a source of empowerment for conservative women in their homes, communities and churches. In contrast to much of feminist history, A History of the Mothers' Union 1876-2008: Women, Anglicanism and Globalisation shows how the beliefs of ordinary women led them to become advocates and activists long before women had the vote or could be ordained priests.

Having survived an identity crisis over social and theological liberalism in the 1960s, the Mothers' Union provides a model of unity and reconciled diversity for a divided world wide church. Today it is hailed by the Archbishop of Canterbury and international development practitioners as an outstanding example of global Christian engagement with poverty and social transformation issues at the grass roots.

Thematerial is arranged both thematically and chronologically. Case studies of Australia, Ghana and South Africa trace how the Mothers' Union arrived with white British women but evolved into indigenous organizations.

CORDELIA MOYSE is Adjunct Professor of Church History at Lancaster Theological Seminary, Lancaster, PA, USA.
Foreword by the Archbishop of Canterbury and Jane Williams
Part I, 1876-1909
Launching the Mothers' Union
Identity and Spirituality
Marriage and Family Life
Membership and Worldwide Work
Part II, 1910-1944
Identity and Spirituality
Marriage and Family Life
Membership and Worldwide Work
Part III, 1945-1974
Identity and Spirituality
Marriage and Family Life
Membership and Worldwide Work
Part IV, 1975-2008
Mission and Spirituality in a Global Age
Conclusion
Appendices
Bibliography
"A fine contribution to British women's and British religious history." JOURNAL OF BRITISH STUDIES
"Will engage and stimulate historians of both religion and gender." ENGLISH HISTORICAL REVIEW
"There are issues here that will engage and stimulate historians of both religion and gender." ENGLISH HISTORICAL REVIEW
"Recommended for seminary and university libraries." ANGLICAN AND EPISCOPAL HISTORY
"It is difficult to imagine how this book could have been improved. It is an outstanding example of a balanced, clear and contextually sensitive account. Specialists and generalists will find it enormously rewarding." THEOLOGY
"Consider that until Cordelia Moyse's A History of the Mothers' Union, this organization has been ignored by academic historians of any discipline. This situation alone would make Moyse's book worth reading. However, her carefully chosen scope and cautious use of sources make her work mandatory reading." ANGLICAN THEOLOGICAL REVIEW
"At last a careful study of the Mothers' Union based on the wonderful archives created at Mary Sumner House and now in the Lambeth Palace Library. [...] A thoughtful and carefully prepared book." THE MAGAZINE OF MU AUSTRALIA
"This important book is in some sense an untold history of the Anglican Communion itself, charting the globalization and development of Anglican faith and cultures." LIVING CHURCH

Hardcover

9781843835134

November 2009

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9781843836063

February 2011

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Ebook (EPDF)

9781846157356

November 2009

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Title Details

316 Pages

2.34 x 1.56 cm

8 b/w illus.

Series: Studies in Modern British Religious History

Series Vol. Number: 20

Imprint: Boydell Press