Living out faith: empowering communities and families

Day three of our Worldwide Gathering in Durban brought delegates to the heart of Mothers’ Union’s ministry: living out faith through service, advocacy and action. Attendees were challenged to consider not only what they believe, but how their faith shapes the way they respond to the realities facing people and communities around them.

Keynote speaker The Right Revd Dr Vicentia Kgabe explored the Church’s calling to be a force for justice, transformation and lasting change.

As Mothers’ Union celebrates 150 years of prayer, service and advocacy, keynote speaker The Right Revd Dr Vicentia Kgabe explored the Church’s calling to be a force for justice, transformation and lasting change. She encouraged thoughts about the difference between responding to immediate need and working towards deeper transformation.

‘We can’t just look at where we have come from over the past 150 years but where are we going now? We need to look to the future and be the agents of change and agents of justice. Make God’s justice be evident in the world! MU you are part of extraordinary ministry that has created change over the past 150 years.’

The first Family Panel of the day addressed one of the most challenging subjects of the Gathering: The Crisis in Our Homes. While Mothers’ Union works to strengthen family life, delegates were reminded that home is not a place of safety, security or hope for everyone.

Domestic abuse, poverty, addiction, disability, exploitation and silence can all have devastating effects on families. Speakers from South Sudan, Britain & Ireland, Canada, the West Indies, and South Africa shared perspectives from their different contexts, acknowledging acknowledged the difficult realities many people experience, while keeping its focus firmly on hope, healing and practical response.

A key message was that silence protects abuse, not people. For Mothers’ Union members, this can mean groups and branches becoming a safe place to listen, a trusted place to seek help, and a community that notices when someone is isolated or struggling. As Sue Rivers, Wales Provincial President, said, ‘as MU we can create environments free from abuse.’

In the afternoon, the theme of faith in action came to life as Sarah Newnham, Director of Global at Mothers’ Union, and Octavia Lucy Lesia from South Africa held a conversation about courage, calling and transformational leadership.

Rather than focusing simply on achievements or titles, the conversation explored what it means to recognise a calling and have the courage to respond. Sarah referenced Hebrews 13:3 as a lesson from God on having a heart for people in suffering. Octavia stated ‘the faith we live out today is the foundation for tomorrow.’

Mothers’ Union has a long history of responding to the needs of families and communities. But delegates were encouraged to consider how they can also help address the deeper causes of injustice and create opportunities for people to shape change themselves.

The final Family Panel widened the conversation to consider the global forces placing pressure on families and communities. Families Under Pressure explored the impact of climate change, conflict, migration, economic instability and modern slavery; challenges that can separate families, disrupt communities and reshape relationships.

The Revd Rachel Mash explored the impact of climate-related displacement on families through her work with Eco Champs, including the remarkable resilience of communities rebuilding after repeated disasters: ‘MU is the only organisation that is in the community, the first responders to those in most in need.’

Despite the differences between the contexts explored, a common message emerged: communities matter. Families are more able to withstand pressure when they have people around them who can offer connection, practical support and hope.

The panel also highlighted the hidden reality of modern slavery and exploitation, challenging delegates to recognise the signs and consider how their own churches and Mothers’ Union branches can help prevent vulnerable people from being exploited.

‘Modern slavery is global issue – over 50 million people are affected worldwide; in the UK there are at least 122,000 people are affected.’ Steph Nunn, Director of Membership.

Throughout day three, delegates heard stories from very different parts of the world, but the message was remarkably connected. Living out faith means more than responding when a crisis arrives. It means seeing people, listening to their experiences, standing alongside them and working towards change. And it means recognising that the challenges facing communities – from violence and poverty to climate change and displacement – are shared concerns for the worldwide Church.

For Mothers’ Union, this is what faith in action has looked like for 150 years. The Worldwide Gathering is an opportunity to celebrate that legacy, but day three also challenged delegates to consider what comes next. How can we continue to live out our faith when returning home?