MU rally celebrates 150 years

The annual Mothers’ Union rally at St. Mary and St. Bartholomew church in Saint John April 25 began as all MU rallies do — with a banner parade into the sanctuary. 

Worldwide MU president Kathleen Snow, a member of the Cathedral branch, brought greetings to the 61 members in attendance. The service was led by the Rev. Ann Fairweather and the Rev. Caleb Twinamatsiko, diocesan MU chaplain. 

The gospel reading was from John 10. It says, “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber... his sheep follow him because they know his voice.”

In his homily, Caleb told of his own experience with thieves and robbers at while he was headmaster at Bishop McAllister College in Uganda.

“One of my many responsibilities was to always know where everyone was,” he said. “I had to make sure the students and staff followed the schedule — every day, every week, every month, every year. I was the last one going to sleep every night and the first one out each morning.”

But on this particular night, after a long day and a long evening meeting, Caleb sat on his bed, planning to get up in a minute and go check on everyone. But soon, without intending to, he was sound asleep. 

He was awakened at 2 a.m. by a knock at the door and the news that a dead body had been found. 

“We found another on in my office tied with someone who was still alive,” he recounted.

In all, three watchmen died that night defending the school from ‘thieves and robbers’ who were “trying to steal money that wasn’t there,” he said.

His heart pounding, he was most fearful for the children, so he told the teachers to gather the students for a headcount.

“I wondered how many children are already killed. I prayed a short prayer, ‘Lord, take me through this.’

“The children were in shock. When they saw me coming, there was relief on their faces,” he said. “I recall how the children looked at me.”

Jesus, the good shepherd, was willing to give his life for us, and someone who doesn’t love you is not going to sacrifice their life, he said.

“The voices of the strangers are more and more today,” he said. “This — Jesus — is the voice we need to respond to.”

In closing, Caleb said he is always happy to spend time with Mothers’ Union.

“I will stay until you fire me!” he said.

The service also included mention of departed MU members whose names appear in the Book of Remembrance.

ORIGINS OF MOTHERS’ UNION
On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Mothers’ Union, 11 Cathedral branch members presented a short play on the origins of MU. Susan Watson fashioned the skit with help from AI. Hymns were sung throughout the scenes.

The play began in the home of founder Mary Sumner, and her husband, the Rev. George Sumner.

“Mary believed strong families began with strong mothers,” said the narrator. “She believed change could begin within families and communities.”

From the dialogue, it was clear that George was a strong supporter of his wife’s plans. When she asked, ‘what if people think my ideas are foolish?’ he quipped, ‘When God gives someone a calling, He also gives the courage to follow it. God provides.’

“Change cannot happen if we wait for others,” said Mary. “There is no greater inspiration in the world than a mother who cares about her family and community.”

“From that humble day, Mothers’ Union began to grow, across towns, across generations,” said the narrator. “From that first small meeting of mothers, a movement has grown to four million members in over 80 countries.

"It all began with one member who believed when mothers stand together, they can change the world.”

Cast of characters:
Narrator – Bonnie Greenwood
Mary Sumner – Diane Radford
The Rev. George Sumner – John Dosantos
Village Mother – Joanne Barfitt
Young Boy – Rosa MacAuley
Young Girl – Isabelle Cutler
Lady 1 – Susan Watson
Lady 2 – Lilian Ketch
Lady 3 – Susan Black
Mother 1 – Kathleen Snow
Maid: Michelle LeBlanc
Organist: Diane Nas

Lunch was a delicious assortment of soups, plus make-your-own sandwiches with a variety of fillings. The dessert was homemade sweets and an anniversary cake.

SESSIONS
Two sessions formed the agenda for the afternoon. The Rev. Jasmine Chandra spoke on the power and authority of women, even in eras and societies where women are seemingly powerless. 

The Industrial Revolution in the UK sent men into factories, leaving the wives to run the household, she said.

“You might think women had no authority on spiritual matters, but that is not so,” she said. “Women were the spiritual centre of the family and household. They were the priests of the home.”

Jasmine noted a book written by Marion Taylor, called Let Her Speak For Herself, which researched the works of women who had interpreted the bible in the 19th century.

“Women couldn’t teach or preach, but they could write!” she said. “And they did this in the middle of all their other duties.”

In all this, women understood they were the moral guardians of society and of their homes and families, she said.

Jasmine also gave examples of the mission of Pennies and Sparrows, a ministry run by her husband Terence and herself. The two are also the priests-in-charge at Stone Church, where much of their outreach takes place.

She noted the Human Development Council’s annual Child Poverty Report showed the lowest rate in Dieppe, the highest in Campbellton. New Brunswick’s average is one in five children living in poverty — in a household that cannot afford basic needs.

“Saint John’s is between 10 and 85 per cent,” she said, adding the Waterloo neighbourhood, where Stone Church is located, has a child poverty rate of 85 per cent. 

“Chances are there’s a need in our community,” she said. “Parents say they sometimes go without food so their kids can eat. Do we have a role?”

She cautioned that before anything else, building relationships — friendships — is key to a successful mission.

“It’s important for us to know the people we want to help,” she said. “The care might be a relationship, not a bag of carrots.”

She noted that single mothers need support and on occasion, childcare.

“Churches can be that grandmother to them,” she said. “People are longing for the church to be what it was meant to be.”

The other session was a craft — the creation of a bracelet to tell the story of the life of Jesus. Cyndi Norris, of St. Mary and St. Bartholomew’s, and an avid crafter, led the session.

Each bead was symbolic, from birth to death and resurrection. 

The day ended with a thank you to all, and prayers for travelling mercies. 

PHOTO CAPTIONS:
1.  MU members from the Cathedral branch presented a play on the origins of Mothers' Union, on the occasion of the worldwide movement's 150th anniversary.

2.  Members Pat Margison, Adele Knox, Shirley Staples and Sylvia Clifford during the bracelet making craft. The bracelets told the life of Jesus from birth to death and resurrection.

3.  MU executive Lilian Ketch, Kathleen Snow and Susan Watson, all from the Cathedral branch, cut the anniversary cake. 

4. Worldwide president Kathleen Snow readies for the banner parade.
McKnight photos