ABOUT mwi
Who we are
The Methodist Women in Ireland is open to all women in every Society of the Methodist Church in Ireland.
We share fellowship with each other through local branches, District gatherings and Connexional events.
Following on from the wonderful work started by the Women’s Department and continued by the Methodist Women’s Association and the Young Women’s Association, the Methodist Women in Ireland was launched in 2003.
We are a full member of the World Federation of Methodist & Uniting Church Women (WFM & UCW).
Latest news
Read the latest news updates from MWI
Upcoming events
AIMS
To enable members through fellowship with each other to deepen their personal commitment to Jesus Christ.
To relate the teaching of Jesus Christ to life in the home, the church, the community and the world.
To share in the mission of the world church.
To provide a link with the women of other churches in Ireland and throughout the world.
‘FAITH OVER FEAR’
The President of MWI, Olive Rowe, has chosen the theme of ‘Faith Over Fear’ for her term in office. She writes a monthly letter associated with this theme, which is published in the Methodist Newsletter and can also be downloaded below.
Some recent copies of the Past President’s Newsletter articles can be downloaded from the Archive section below.
Archive
Our partners
MWI has always had a close relationship with the mission departments of the Methodist Churches in Ireland and Britain; our World Mission Secretary serves on the World Mission Partnership (WMP) of MCI.
Our President is a member of the Safeguarding Working Party of MCI.
We also have representatives to Women’s Link, the National Women’s Council of Ireland, Women’s Forum and Women in Faith.
Structures
The General Executive is the decision-making body of MWI. The Central Forum enables District Officers and representatives to other organisations to share news and information. The World Federation Committee focuses on news and issues specific to the WFM&UCW. For more information on how we work download the guidelines below.
“To know Christ and to make him known”
Mission and Social Outreach Projects
MWI, formerly known as MWA, was born as a fellowship group under the banner of the “Women’s Department” and in response to requests for prayer from ‘Methodist missionaries’ serving overseas. By the early1920’s, coordination of Mission Box collections was well established and continues today along with Easter Offerings.
Sharing the Good News is at the heart of what it means to be followers of Jesus. In 2025, your donations to World Mission Partners (WMP) through MWI collections totalled £44,000. Some of the numerous evangelism projects supported included:
• £11,500 (€13,500) to equip ministers and lay preachers in Tanzania with motorbikes and bicycles, enabling them to reach rural communities.
• £6,850 (€7,997) to purchase Bibles for the Methodist Church Upper Myanmar, to be distributed in their “Mission Fields”.
• £5,000 (€5,838) to SAT-7, a Christian media network broadcasting to more than 500 million people across the Middle East and North Africa.
In 2026/7, your donations continue to support people serving in mission, including Irish Methodists serving overseas as Mission Partners, and indigenous leaders serving faithfully in churches and communities around the world. In Ecuador, Melissa Newell is helping young people to learn English and become disciples of Jesus. In Uganda, Grace Ayaa is helping the Methodist Church to plan and deliver their key strategic priorities. In Tanzania, Charles is an evangelist travelling long distances to share the Good News in rural areas. This is the kind of work you’re supporting through MWI donations.
Separately, MWI gave £3000 towards the rebuild of a Methodist Church in Sri Lanka.
THE PRESIDENTS PROJECT- Addressing Homelessness 2024/27
East Belfast Mission
Dublin Central Mission
North West Mission - Clarendon Shelter for women & children.
The current total is over £11,000 and with your fundraising efforts perhaps we can boost this and make an even difference to those in need.
Tanzania - Pastor Phares, who used to walk over 40km to reach his station, received a motorbike to aid his ministry
Tanzania - students Nzalia and Emmanuel receiving theological education
Myanmar - Bibles being received and prayed over before distribution
SAT-7 - Evening Gatherings - a North African devotional programme filmed in Tunisia Algeria and Morocco
SAT-7 - Programme Being Recorded
Tanzania - Charles
Uganda - Grace Ayaa
Prayer
“Prayer is the powerhouse that generates results.”
(Alison Judd, PRESIDENT EMERITA, World Federation of Methodist & Uniting Church Women)
We produce an annual Prayer Diary suggesting people within MWI and MCI for whom we might pray on each day of the week.
MWI Prayer
Almighty God, Lord of power and love,
Saviour who died for our sins and rose again,
Living Holy Spirit.
Thank you for the gift of life,
Thank you for the offer of salvation,
Thank you for surrounding us with love
And promising your power.
Help us as Methodist Women in Ireland
To honour you in our lives,
To rejoice in our salvation,
To share your love with others
And to go forward in your power
To fulfil your will daily.
Help us to encourage one another,
To pray for one another,
And together to reach out to others
Both here in Ireland and throughout the world.
In the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen
Meet the TEAM
General Executive
Alexa Brown - MWI All Ireland President 2024-2026
Olive Rowe – Past President
Claire McKeown - North Western District Vice President
Alison Humphreys - Past North Western District Vice President
Wanda Hogan - World Federation Area President Europe UK & Ireland & Vice President Southern District
Maureen Young - All Ireland Finance Liaison Officer
Amanda Stewart - North Eastern District Secretary
Cathie McIlroy - North Western District Secretary
Barbara Fennell – Southern District Secretary
Carmel Irwin - Media Secretary
Heather Christie - MWI All Ireland Mission Secretary & Southern Mission Secretary
Heidi Hogan - WF Unit Correspondent
Hope Graham - Helen Kim Memorial Scholar representing Ireland and Europe
District Officers
Rosemary Rainey - Treasurer, North Eastern District
Laverne Millar - Treasurer, North Western District
Barbara Bryan – Joint Treasurer, Southern District
Heather Gandola – Joint Treasurer, Southern District
Hazel Johnston - Mission Secretary, North Western District
Other Officers
Sue Maxwell – Representative to National Women’s Council of Ireland
Louise Wilson - World President WFM&UCW
Contact us
If you’d like to get in touch, please contact us via email using the button below. We have also listed some useful links and resources for your reference.