A History of the Mothers' Union: Women, Anglicanism and Globalisation, 1876-2008 (Studies in Modern British Religious History, 20) - Hardcover

Moyse, Cordelia

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1843835134 ISBN 13: 9781843835134

Publisher: Boydell Press, 2009

Synopsis

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. The material 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.

About this title

About the Author:

CORDELIA MOYSE is Adjunct Professor of Church History at Lancaster Theological Seminary, Lancaster, PA, USA.

Review:

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 REVIEWBR> 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

About this edition

• Publisher: Boydell Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1843835134
• ISBN 13: 9781843835134
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 316