Perth Mothers Union
Welcomes Worldwide President

Christine Brain

Members of Mothers Union Perth enthusiastically greeted the Worldwide President, Mrs Sheran Harper and Ms Jeanette Lawrence, Regional Development Officer for our Zone on their recent visit to Perth.

Soon after their arrival in Perth Mrs Harper, Ms Lawrence, Dr Robin Ray (Australian President) and Mrs Jan Rose (Perth Diocesan President), met with Archbishop Kay Goldsworthy to share news of Mothers’ Union work across the Anglican Communion and bring greetings from the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Revd Justin Welby.

With formal greetings over, it was time for the visitors to meet members of Mothers Union from across WA. On Sunday 12 May an afternoon tea was held at Holy Cross Church, Dianella to give Sudanese and Zimbabwean members an opportunity to meet our guests. More than 30 ladies were present to hear news from Sheran, as she spoke about the many Mothers Union-projects which help women, children and families in Africa. She spoke personally to the women present and many shared the stories of how they came to Perth and how they continue to help the women in their home countries.

Monday 13 May dawned bright and sunny for the gathering of more than 100 members at Wollaston Theological College. After mingling with those present over morning tea, and sharing in a service of Praise and Thanksgiving, Sheran told the members about her home in Guyana and her family, her long-time work in Mothers Union, (which began when she was ‘shanghaied’ into attending a meeting even before she left for her honeymoon as a new bride!) and the many facets of her role as Worldwide President.

She also spoke about various Mothers Union projects, focusing particularly on efforts to raise awareness of the problems of family violence and illiteracy and how Mothers’ Union is helping women. Jeanette Lawrence, who has worked at Mary Sumner House (the home of Mothers Union in Central London) since 2013, explained her various roles. These include coordinating the Worldwide Parenting Program (now called ‘Flourishing Families’), managing grants for development projects, gathering stories of Mothers Union work and coordinating online meetings with Mothers Union leaders from around the world.

Over the course of the day representatives from the Dioceses of Bunbury, North West Australia and Perth presented highlights of their work. These include a caravan in Dunsborough so families in need may enjoy a fully-funded holiday, the erection of three ‘Red Benches’ in Mandurah to highlight the campaign against gender-based violence, the provision of toiletries for women fleeing violent home situations in Geraldton and the provision of numerous blankets and quilts made by members in Lesmurdie for use by seriously ill children in Perth. The Rev Frida Lemi spoke of the work done by the Sudanese members in supporting the many needs of Sudanese families, both locally and overseas, in prayer and with practical help.

After farewell gifts, (wooden pens crafted from Western Australian timber and made locally by Peter Krynen), were given to the three ladies, the day ended with prayer followed by the Grace.