BY SAMIE WAIKORI
Mothers from the Anglican Diocese of Malaita (DOM) and other sister dioceses, including those from Vanuatu, celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Mothers Union ministry’s arrival on Malaita.
The week-long celebration took place in Fiu village near Auki, the birthplace of the ministry in Malaita, where missionary and nurse Ms. Gwendolyn Mason began her work in 1924.
The event was themed “Transforming Now,” highlighting the challenges, growth, and successes of the ministry over the past century, as well as its future aspirations.
Ms. Delilah Lamani, President of the Mothers Union DOM, stated that the celebration held significant meaning for women in DOM and the Mothers Union of the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) in the Solomon Islands.
She emphasized that this history and legacy are deeply cherished by the women of Malaita, who continue to nurture the seed planted by Ms. Mason 100 years ago.
Lamani recounted that upon Ms. Mason’s arrival in Fiu in 1924, ten local women were the first to join the ministry. From these beginnings, the ministry has grown to include up to 5,000 women members in Malaita province.
She acknowledged that this growth was not without difficulties, as women faced many challenges in nurturing the ministry during its early days. However, with God’s guidance, the ministry survived, and they expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the women who came before them for their dedication.
During the week-long celebration, a three-day conference was held, allowing women to reflect on the past and plan for the future of the ministry.
Around 4,000 Mothers Union members from six regions of DOM, including Small Malaita, Arekwa, Keava, northern, eastern, and central regions, as well as women from five dioceses of ACOM Solomon (Central, Guadalcanal, Hanuato (Makira), Isabel, Temotu, and Vanuatu), attended the centenary.
Lamani mentioned that guests from the Mothers Union in Australia, New Zealand, ACOM Solomon, and other local stakeholders, including the Island Sun newspaper company, also participated in the celebrations.
This was a great time of fellowship, worshipping together and hearing each other’s stories of faith, projects and activities in Mothers Union in the Solomon Islands. The singing and dancing were just beautiful and inspiring to hear and witness. Thank you for a weekend we’ll cherish always. Blessings to our Solomon Island sisters and brothers from Margaret and Gail in Bundaberg, Australia.