Mothers' Day

By Greg Hughson. in All Sorts

relecting on the significance of our mothers

Next Sunday 10th May 10th will be Mothers’ Day. It will provide an
opportunity for us all to reflect on the significance of our mothers, and
our grandmothers. For me, both my grandmother and my mother
played important roles in my early Christian faith development. Both
my grandmother and my mother were involved in regular Christian
worship, and I tagged along as a member of the extended whanau.
My grandmother played the organ in the Opunake Methodist Church
for sixty years or so. She believed that heaven will be a very musical
place. Both my mother and my grandmother prayed with me when I
was a child. This meant that I have always felt a sense of God’s
presence in my life. My mother is now 91 and is living in a rest home
in Pakuranga. I will be visiting her again later in May.
On Sunday 10th May I will be leading worship on Mothers’ Day, at
Mornington Methodist Church. This will be an opportunity to
remember and honour our mothers and our grandmothers. For our
Mornington congregation, if your mother, mother-in-
law, grandmother or wife/partner has died, I would invite you to bring
a photo of her (or of more than one person) to Church and to place
your photo/s on the altar table. During the service there will be a time
to come forward and light a small candle, in memory of your loved
ones who are no longer with us. This will be one special and sacred
way in which we can remember and honour those who gave us life.
“Susanna Wesley, John Wesley's mother, had a profound influence on
John’s faith . Susanna was not only a devout Christian but also an
astute manager of her household and an educator to her children. Her
strong faith, theological insight, and commitment to nurturing the
spiritual lives of her children laid the groundwork for the Methodist
movement. Susanna’s influence extends beyond her immediate family;
she was a tireless advocate for the role of women in the church and
education. Her writings, notably her “Letters,” offer profound
reflections on faith, parenting, and practical theology, showcasing the
intellect and leadership that women can bring to the faith community.
Throughout history, women in Methodism have continued to embrace
leadership roles, often stepping into positions of service, teaching, and
pastoral care when opportunities were otherwise limited. Their
contributions have enriched the tradition, promoting social justice,
education, and community service. Celebrating the contributions of
women like Susanna Wesley highlights the essential role women have
played and continue to play in shaping Methodism and advancing its
mission of love, service, and social responsibility. It underscores the
importance of recognising and empowering women within the church,
ensuring that their voices and stories are integral to the faith
community's narrative.” (from Rod Mitchell’s resource, helping us
prepare for our 125th anniversary) See you next Sunday !
Arohanui,
Rev Greg Hughson