Mothers’ Union Jamaica capped its year-long 120th Anniversary celebrations with a full week of activities at which worldwide President, Sheran Harper, Trustee for Zone B, Kathleen Snow, and 36 members from the Caribbean, The United States and Canada were special guests.
A Banquet and Awards Ceremony under the patronage of Bishop of Kingston, The Rt. Rev. Robert Thompson and Mrs. Charmaine Thompson, set the stage for recognition of the ministry of the 3,000-member strong Organisation, which is one of the oldest in the global Movement, having been launched 23 years after the first branch was established in England in 1889.
“Mothers’ Union Jamaica is exceptional to survive in a changing world and a modern society and still be as relevant as 120 years ago,” Mrs. Harper said as she delivered the keynote address. While commending initiatives such as the birth of the Parents’ Place at All Saints Church in Kingston, and the transformational and selfless efforts by the pioneers who laid the foundation for the Organisation, she noted that there was much work do.
On the global level, Mrs. Harper said the Mothers’ Union was continually involved in building resilience and helping victims recover from natural disasters. She urged local members as part of Zone B and the Province of the West Indies, to help restore normalcy and hope in the Bahamas in the face of the destruction, loss of lives and the threat of disease resulting from Hurricane Dorian.
In keeping with the Mothers’ Union 2020 theme “Building Hope and Confidence,” she encouraged members to continue to work boldly and purposefully to give a voice to society’s vulnerable; and to make a difference in the areas of gender justice, peace, safety, self-reliance and restored relationships.
Special presentations were made at the Banquet to four surviving Diocesan Past Presidents, Mrs. Jean Murray; Mrs. Barbara O’Sullivan; Deaconess Dr. Elaine Cunningham; and Mrs. Hermin Price. Mrs. Iris Vassell, who has served Mothers’ Union Jamaica for 63 of her 100 years, was also recognized.
Other highlights of the week included a celebratory Service at the Church of the Holy Spirit, in Greater Portmore, a Women’s Conference at Church Teachers’ College in Mandeville, visits to Mothers’ Union projects islandwide, and a Reception hosted by the Rev. Canon The Hon. Hartley Perrin, Custos of Westmoreland and Chairman of Clifton Boys’ Home.