Mothers' Union springs into action
by Hazel MacKenzie
Mothers’ Union members in this diocese were equipped to Spring Into Action at their spring rally in Riverview on May 6. The day of fellowship, worship and workshops encouraged us all to live the aims and objects of MU –– to strengthen and preserve marriage and family life through our Christian faith. Members of the St. John the Baptist branch in Riverview hosted the entire rally as a gift to their MU sisters and brothers, an extension of their branch vision of new birth and growth.
Spring rallies are important communication and education events in the life of Mothers' Union. The larger community –– in this case 83 members representing 14 branches –– gathers to renew old relationships or establish new ones, to give and receive information and encouragement, and to be reminded that we are the largest women's Christian organization in the world.
Three
workshops were presented. Diocesan president Elaine Robichaud facilitated
lively discussions on group action; Canadian president Kathleen
Snow focused
on individual action; and the Rev. Canon Albert Snelgrove, pinch-hitting
for diocesan chaplain the Rev. Peter Mills, addressed springing into action
in general. Each member was able to attend all three workshops
and we gained
a lot of insight and information to share in our branches.
In recognition of the fact that MU members have busy lives and we had to make sacrifices to attend the rally, a great deal of respect was given to time management. Each one of us was warmly welcomed when we arrived on a beautiful Saturday morning that personified the early arrival of spring. At registration we were presented with the day’s agenda, a bag full of goodies, muffins and beverages.
The 10 a.m. banner parade preceded a Service of Holy Eucharist celebrated by Bishop Claude Miller. The liturgy of the service, specially chosen music and the bishop’s challenging sermon combined to provide a spiritual space in which each of us was open to workshop in a personal way. Bishop Miller reminded us that a mother's love is reflective of God's love for his children and congratulated us on being named the fifth instrument of unity in the world-wide Anglican Communion by the Archbishop of Canterbury. “As women of action, your work mirrors Christ’s teaching … Mothers’ Union demonstrates compassion and compassion leads to unity,” said the bishop, who also asked our support for his Walk for AIDS this summer.
The modern and spacious facilities at St. John the Baptist were ideal for worship, the workshops and displays of Anglican House and Mothers’ Union wares.
Prayer is a foundational value of Mothers' Union. Midday Prayers are said daily in the chapel at Mary Sumner House in London, England. In keeping with this tradition, we gathered in the hall before lunch. The prayers were all the more meaningful because the St. Paul’s, Hampton and All Saints, Marysville branches were included in the Canadian Wave of Prayer that day. This was a spoken reminder that our membership is not only provincial but national and world-wide.
Following Midday Prayers a delicious lunch was enjoyed and there was time for a short walk or to browse the Anglican House and MU literature tables.
We completed the workshops in the afternoon and prayed again before we left for home. In his workshop, Canon Snelgrove talked about good tired as opposed to bad tired. We were indeed tired following a full day, but it was a good tired. Our spirits had been nourished in worship, companionship and inspiration. We were well equipped to Spring into Action.
Hazel MacKenzie is press secretary for the Diocese of Fredericton Mothers’ Union.
