Mothers’ Union Worldwide President, Sheran Harper, was a close friend. She said, “Joan was loved by all and will be remembered as an outstanding leader, an encourager and motivator who could mobilise communities to take action in any area of Mothers’ Union work. She worked quietly and humbly, but was very effective in her work, always ready to give others the praise and glory. We will miss her dearly. May her soul rest peacefully in the arms of Jesus. Farewell dear sister and friend. Until we meet again!”

With this in mind, Sophia Jones, our Senior Communications Manager, and Rachael Anderson, Events and Digital Media Manager, recently led Communications workshops in Nairobi (Sophia) and for Canterbury Province (both).

I recently visited Kenya to attend the Anglican Church of Kenya’s Mothers’ Union Provincial Conference, which was opened and supported by the Most Revd Dr Jackson Ole Sapit. Arriving at the opening service of the conference, the auditorium was awash with blue and white. Every available seat was taken with people spilling out into the corridors and through to an outdoor space, in order to accommodate all 2000 participants from the Mothers’ Union. 

On Sunday 12th August she and Bishops from across the country led several thousand members from the nine Diocese of the Province of the Anglican Church of Burundi in worship at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Bujumbura.