The Diocesan Mothers’ Union has done it again! – Another conference/rally on Zoom with 80+ people in attendance from church halls and their homes. The theme for the rally was Follow the Light. With so many attending the rally, one cannot help but feel that people are looking for the light, the light to show them the way, the light shining through others, the light to spark their own light.
The Diocesan Chaplain, Debbie Fice, set the tone for the rally with a beautiful candle lighting service. From that beginning members were updated on the Canadian Mothers’ Union activities and given some food for thought on being the light of Christ in the world and in their communities. Branch discussions followed as to what points of light existed in their communities and how they might support them. A few examples of points of light to be explored: an interagency collaboration addressing homelessness and food insecurity, the new Byrony House in Dartmouth, the Elizabeth Fry Society and supporting women transitioning back into society, an upcoming tiny home development for the homeless and supporting panhandlers with personal care packs.
Then a little energizing Chair Yoga guided by Sherry Zac Morris was enjoyed by the members. Check out her youtube videos of gentle exercise to familiar tunes.
As a continuation of the theme Follow the Light and in support of the Mothers’ Union motto Christian Care for Families, two PWRDF videos were viewed. A Light for Every Birth told of how women living in rural areas of Mozambique, where there is no electricity, often have to give birth in the dark. That is hard for us to imagine. Since 2016 PWRDF has been changing that and by the end of this year will have had financed the installation of 80 solar suitcases.
The We Care Solar Suitcase video gave an indepth description of the solar suitcases, how they work and why they are so important for health clinics in rural areas.
We were so pleased to have two Mothers’ Union members at our rally who are honorary associates of PWRDF, Pam Oliver and Sue Heenan. Pam spoke to the videos and the PWRDF Solar Suitcase fundraiser. The collection at the rally was dedicated to the purchasing of solar suitcases. At press time, more than $300 had been donated.
This session was followed up by each member writing their own personal prayer for mothers and children. All the prayers were collected, and by the time you read this article, they will have been offered up and then burned at a special ceremony during the Mothers’ Union Diocesan Meeting in November.
All of this activity was interspersed with a silent online auction where we were challenged to use our cell phones to bid – a steep learning curve for many! It was a morning well spent.
It is hoped that the Mothers’ Union branches will continue their discussions on the points of light that exist in their communities and decide on how they, as Mothers’ Union members, can offer involvement and support.
