2023 is a year of milestones for four Mothers’ Union Branches in the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
60 Years
- Emmanuel, Spryfield 1963
50 Years
- St John the Evangelist 1973
40 Years
- St James, Armdale 1983
- Church of St Andrew, Cole Harbour 1983
What was happening in our world 60 years ago? What has changed? Lots! Back then there were only 2 or 3 television channels, the internet did not exist, most moms did not work outside the home, telephones were attached to the wall, most families had only one car, seatbelts were not mandatory, no one had gone to the moon, there were no bank machines, couples married much earlier in life, mothers were the primary care givers, air travel was for the privileged, smoking was advertised on TV, car seats were not regulated, people did not buy bottled water, only women joined Mothers’ Union, radio was the only portable music, pixie hair cuts were the rage… and more.
Mothers’ Union branches were composed of mostly young mothers and so discussions centered concerns about family issues and caring for children.
As the world changed and evolved, these four Mothers’ Union branches prevailed and evolved.
What is different about Mothers’ Union 40 – 60 years later? With some revisions, the Mission of Mothers’ Union, its Aim, Objects and Beliefs are the same as those of 1963. The present motto Christian Care for Families Worldwide reflects our commitment to not only caring for our own families, but also reaching out to families in our communities and around the world. In doing so the definition of what makes a family has broadened and expanded.
Membership has also changed over the years. Women of other faiths and cultures have joined. Men, appreciating the work of the Mothers’ Union, are joining as members, in leadership roles and in support roles.
As with many volunteer organizations, membership has fluctuated and decreased since 1963; although, Emmanuel in Spryfield started out with 8 members 60 years ago and now has 17, two of which are the original members, Mary Wilkie and Vivian Collier;
St John the Evangelist started with 5 members 50 years ago and they now have 22 members, of which Gerry Connor is the only original member;
St James Armdale began with a group of 17 members 40 years ago and now has 14 members, 4 of which are original members, Bee Mason, Irene Spargo, Doreen Wong and Dianne Cutler;
The Church of St Andrew, Cole Harbour started with 10 members 40 years ago and now has a membership of 13 with two original members Jill Hogg and Ada Hetherington
What keeps these branches active and strong? All four branches would say that over the years fellowship, support, learning, care for each other and purposeful work are the main glue that has kept them going and motivated. Their most memorable times were celebrating large events and working as a group to contribute to their church and community – activities that involved cooperation, sharing, doing, and good times.
Like most organizations, the recent pandemic created an opportunity to evolve and learn in a technological sense. Members are in touch with the rest of the world instantaneously. We see and talk with other members at home and around the world via online meetings, practically face to face. These are exciting times.
They are also times that are both confronting and challenging us with opportunities and difficulties that differ from the past. A major change in the life of Mothers’ Union is the average age of our membership. Rather than being seen as a challenge in itself, it has created the wonderful opportunity for us to recognize, celebrate, utilize and share the accumulated wisdom and expertise which comes from decades of service to our families, our communities and our Church. Mothers’ Union has gone outside the walls of their churches to cooperate and collaborate with organizations that address the needs of the community. I pray that all of us will embrace this rich reality and continue to use Mothers’ Union as a force for good in a world, perhaps, that needs us more than ever.
1 Thessalonians 5:11:
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
