16.09.2016
Boldly Go Out in Faith – Mothers’ Union Diocesan Service
Mothers’ Union members from all over Dublin and Glendalough converged on St Nicholas’s Church in Dunlavin for the annual Mothers’ Union Diocesan Service yesterday evening (Thursday September 15). Archbishop Michael Jackson presided while the Diocesan MU Chaplain, Canon David Mungavin, led the service. The Rector, the Revd Neal O’Raw preached. All Ireland Mothers’ Union President, Phyllis Grothier, was in attendance as was Diocesan President, Karen Nelson.
The service took place as Mothers’ Union worldwide celebrates 140 years in existence. Introducing the service the Rector said that this year MU members were honouring 140 years of faithful Christian outreach to families of all faiths and none. “Since 1876, when Mary Sumner first brought together parents in her own parish to build their confidence in bringing up their children in the Christian faith, we have grown to an organisation of over four million women – and men – in over 80 countries of the world,” he said.
In his sermon Mr O’Raw explained how becoming a Trekkie (a fan of Star Trek) assisted his theological training, in particular with a module called ‘God Thoughts’ which involves thinking about where God is in a particular situation.
He cited the introductory speech which is heard at the beginning of every episode of Star Trek: “Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its continuing mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before”. He suggested that this was the secular equivalent of God’s call to us. He said that Star Trek was very inclusive of many species who worked together to achieve one goal – respect and peace. Faith was also a running theme through the series.
Turning to the Gospel reading [Luke 7: 36–50] when Jesus is anointed by a sinful woman, Mr O’Raw said the woman recognised her sin and her need without a prophet to point it out to her. “Her faith in Jesus and his faith in her saved her and she went in peace,” he stated.
Mary Sumner too had faith when she gathered the first group of parents and started Mothers’ Union. She had faith in God “to see the journey through and 140 years later that faith has played a major part in this organisation around the world,” he said. Mary Sumner’s faith in family life has transformed in 2016 into supporting family life, lobbying for change in politics and society, and working with families in many countries.
“Over the past 140 years Mothers’ Union has faced many challenges. Foremost today is our understanding of the meaning of the word ‘family’. We can look at how we are meeting these challenges and say with Christian confidence that the Lord has helped us,” he said.
Bringing the service to a close, Archbishop Michael Jackson congratulated Mothers’ Union on its continuance. “We often assume something will carry on… But that continuity over 140 years as a result of a simple decision by Mary Sumner who went boldly with her family, with Christianity at its heart, has led to this organisation which is spread across these dioceses, the Church of Ireland and the world. All who continue to do that are to be cherished,” he said.
The collection at the service was taken up for the diocesan solar panel project at Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza which is run by Dublin and Glendalough’s link Diocese of Jerusalem. The solar panels will ensure a 24 hour power supply at the hospital and the Archbishop thanked people for their contribution.
Photo captions:
Top – Clergy and Mothers’ Union Officials in Dunlavin for the annual Diocesan Mothers’ Union Service. Pictured are Myra Moody, the Revd Neal O’Raw (Rector), Canon David Mungavin (MU Diocesan Chaplain), Karan Nelson (MU Diocesan President), Archbishop Michael Jackson, Phyllis Grothier (MU All Ireland President), Violet Hanbidge (Dunlavin Branch Leader), Emily Dowzer (Dunlavin Branch Secretary and Dean Philip Knowles (Narraghmore).
Bottom – Local ladies – Violet Hanbidge, Gladys Edgehill, Sylvia Wheatley, Hazel Barrett, Mona Barrett and Emily Dowzer of Dunlavin Mothers’ Union at the annual Diocesan MU service which took place in Dunlavin this year.
For more photos see: https://www.facebook.com/DublinandGlendalough/posts/1095573080478735