Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to generations, forever and ever.’ Ephesians 3: 20-21.
Some years ago, when I was still the Bishop of Chelmsford, a bishop visited us from our partner Diocese of Embu in Kenya. He had never been to England before. We had a busy programme arranged for him, and it included a day off, sightseeing in London.
I asked him whether he had a bucket list of things he would like to see and places he’d like to visit, explaining that we could probably fit quite a bit in.
He thought long and hard – and in the end simply said that he was happy to be guided by me, but there was one place above all others that he wanted to see.
I wonder if you can guess what it was.
No, not the Houses of Parliament. Not Big Ben. Not the Tower of London. Not Buckingham Palace. Not the Changing of the Guard. Not Nelson’s Column. Not the London Eye. Not Battersea Power Station, Tate Modern, Covent Garden. Not Hyde Park Corner or Hampstead Heath.
No; there was only one place on his wish list.
Could we please visit Mary Sumner House, he asked me?
All of London to enjoy. All its history, culture and architecture. Its glitz and its depth.
But what he wanted to see was the Headquarters of Mothers’ Union, for he knew and had seen at firsthand throughout his life and ministry the tremendous good that Mothers’ Union had done in his life, in the life of his family, and in the life of the communities he served. He knew that Mothers’ Union makes a difference in people’s lives and therefore makes a difference in the life of the world. He wanted to go to the place where in his mind it had begun and to give thanks for all that had happened – because of Mary Sumner, and because of her vision, and because of all that Mothers’ Union does in his country and across the world.
Working to end injustice. Working to end violence – and especially domestic violence and violence against women and girls. And working to end poverty. And supporting family life.
Actually, and as I’m sure most of you know, Mothers’ Union was actually founded in the small parish of Old Alresford in Hampshire. Mary Sumner was a vicar’s wife.
Neither am I sure that Mary Sumner ever thought for a moment that she was starting a worldwide organisation. She was just trying to help parents raise children in the Christian faith.
But how God delights in multiplying small acts! Our God is the God of yeast and mustard seeds and one small lunch box. God does amazing things with what we bring. So, this may have been a small parish. Mary Sumner may have been one woman. But her vision grew and spread.
Today, Mothers’ Union is a global movement with over 4 million members in 84 countries. It is one of the great glories of the Anglican Church. It has a branch in thousands of parishes up and down the Church of England and across the Anglican Communion. It is an almost unstoppable tidal wave of goodness, hopefulness and helpfulness, practical assistance and stability in so many situations of conflict, hardship, neglect and poverty. And still, as it was then, still today, working to support family life and the values of the life we have in Christ.
It is this we are celebrating today, giving thanks for Mary Sumner and for all who have served in Mothers’ Union over the past 150 years.
Like all movements in the Church for justice and development, its very existence is the outworking of the call to discipleship; a call that every one of us receives, knowing that to share in the discipleship of Christ means bearing the cross and facing the conflicts and hardships of the world with joyful perseverance; knowing that in Christ the victory is secure.
And discipleship always means both following Jesus and being sent out by him – as our recent Diocesan Conference celebrated.
And making Christ known. For it is him that we need. His love and his compassion flowing through us.
It is for this, more than anything else, that we give hearty thanks today, knowing that through us, and through Mothers’ Union, God can accomplish abundantly more than we could ever ask or imagine. God will take what we offer and use it and multiply it and bless it abundantly.
Christian mission usually begins by noticing the person sitting next to us – and by someone asking the question ‘who needs hope today?’
This is how Mothers’ Union started. This is what Mary Sumner did. It is what keeps Mothers’ Union going today. It is how it continues to make a difference.
Therefore, the very best way to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Mothers’ Union is to join in. To actually join Mothers’ Union yourself. Or to recommit ourselves, each of us, in following in the way of Christ and bringing his peace to the world.
So, God bless the mighty Mothers’ Union. Here in the Diocese and Province of York. In the Church of England. And across the Anglican communion. And to God be the glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus.