16.03.2015
‘Start of Something Special’ as Discovery Mothers’ Union Inaugurated
Motherhood and Mothers’ Union were at the centre of a very special celebration service in St George and St Thomas’s Church in Dublin on Mothering Sunday. Yesterday’s vivacious service saw the inauguration of Discovery Mothers’ Union and it was addressed by Diocesan President, Joy Gordon, who was joined by her family.
Discovery is Dublin and Glendalough’s Ministry to the International Community and it is based in St George and St Thomas’s Church on Cathal Brugha Street. The congregation was welcomed to the church, which was festooned with blue and white balloons for the occasion, by the Rector, the Revd Obinna Ulogwara who said the inauguration was just the start of something special. The service was led by Stella Obe.
Many of the members were wearing beautiful Mothers’ Union uniforms and Mrs Gordon complimented them and urged the women to wear them with pride. In her address she highlighted the work of Mothers’ Union – a worldwide Christian charity with four million members in 81 countries. “We are a Christian organisation made up of inspirational members who respond to the needs of families and communities. We are committed to demonstrating our Christian faith in action through nurturing family in its many forms. Put very simply, Mothers’ Union is centred on supporting families and family life,” she explained.
Mrs Gordon outlined Mothers’ Union’s aims and objectives, among them being to promote and support marriage, to encourage parents to develop the faith of their children, to maintain a worldwide fellowship of Christians united in prayer, to promote conditions in society favourable to a stable family life and the protection of children and helping those whose family life has met with difficulty.
She spoke of the work of Mothers’ Union worldwide and at home from supporting literacy and finance programmes for women in Burundi, Sudan and Ethiopia to knitting for maternity and children’s hospitals in Dublin.
The theme for 2015 of Mothers’ Union worldwide is ‘United in Prayer’. Mrs Gordon said that, for her, prayer was two fold: words and action. “There are the words of prayer, which can be heartfelt and meaningful. But what use are words without action! As Christians we are called to ‘act’ and not sit back. This is what Mothers’ Union is so good at… our practical acts,” she stated.
The service was filled with singing and dancing with traditional hymns interspersed by the Discovery Children’s Voices and choruses led by the Discovery Mothers. Fathers paid tribute to mothers and even the Rector broke into song.
At the end of the service the Discovery Mothers’ Union presented Joy Gordon with her very own wraparound skirt which is worn by many members in African countries when they are attending meetings. Members also cut a celebratory cake to mark the occasion.
Discovery Mothers’ Union will meet once every three months and Revd Obinna concluded the service by saying everyone is welcome to join. Contact discovery@dublin.anglican.org for details.
There are lots of photographs from the service on the Dublin and Glendalough Facebook page – facebook.com/DublinandGlendalough or just click on the Facebook button at the top of this page.
Photo captions:
Top – Members of Discovery Mothers’ Union with Diocesan President, Joy Gordon.
Bottom – The offering during the service inaugurating Discovery Mothers’ Union.