In 2020, a virus struck the world. When the story broke, it seemed as though it was happening elsewhere, far from reality. Suddenly, it spread, people became ill, and a pandemic was declared. Soon enough, a lockdown ensued for everyone, the first of several, and we realised it was actually happening and would affect our lives in a way we never planned for.
During this time, lots of questions were asked about how Mothers’ Union (MU) members would manage. We were all mandated to stay at home and work from there and could no longer attend church as all establishments were closed. A year on, we are still in lockdown and the war against the virus continues. However, the arrival of vaccines has brought some relief.
COVID-19 has been a challenge for everyone no matter the space they occupy. Mothers’ Union meetings are usually held in church, so what were we to do? There was fear all over but then technology showed us a way out. The words “Zoom”, “Teams”, and “Google Meet” became household names. We started setting up accounts to keep in touch with one another and the rest of the world. MU members, myself included, had to quickly find new ways of doing things, such as virtual member outreach, not just through Zoom meetings but via the telephone; simply learning to call our neighbours to say hello when possible, so as to share some encouragement. We had joined the virtual world.
At the beginning, many were not ready to be part of the virtual world but they soon discovered they were being left behind and joined in. Many who were initially feeling reluctant are now happy “Zoomers”. The Central Mothers’ Union also had to change their way of communicating with staff and members across the globe. As travel reduced, webinars were organised to help members learn to use new tools, especially social media; a lot of MU programmes are now on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, as well as resources on its website to help individuals connect through prayer and storytelling, as well as looking after our mental health.
But no matter the merits of the virtual world, there are many who have been left behind and isolated. This is not just the elderly – who form a large percentage of Mothers’ Union members – but also young people, rich and poor alike. Mental health issues have evidently increased, and we are thinking of ways to help members post-COVID. These include ensuring we move out of our comfort zones by meeting members where they are and not expecting them to come to us. One of the ways is the new Metamorphosis course where we are learning ways of positively transforming our communities. For me, the pandemic has sometimes been a challenge but I have had to rise above it and ensure that MU members across the Diocese are doing OK.
As I write, we are a few days away from Mothering Sunday, which always falls during the fourth Sunday in Lent. Today in many countries around the world, including the UK, Mothering Sunday is often celebrated as Mother’s Day when we choose to honour mothers both living and departed. Originally, however, Mothering Sunday was linked to a different tradition: when people would return to visit the “mother church” in their region (often the Cathedral).
I always look forward to this special day and the celebrations that go along with it. Mothering Sunday is a joyful occasion; a time to give gifts and do something special. It is often called mid Lent or “refreshment” Sunday, a time when we look at our spiritual temperament, reflect and refuel. Did you choose to go for a full fast or did you give something up? Did you promise to be more committed to studying the Bible and spending more time dwelling on the Word? At this midway point, we come to God to recharge and find strength for the remaining weeks of Lent so that we can look forward and prepare for the celebration of Easter.
As I reflect on the pandemic and lockdown with all the restrictions, I am reminded of the rules of the Ten Commandments. Knowing that God will never change, I must be the one to change so that Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross will have meaning. This means I do not read and see only rules in the Commandments, but instead I view it as a mutual and living contract with God. Just like the restrictions we have been forced to follow, it is only by obeying the rules and adapting our lifestyles that we can truly be free. They are no longer to be viewed as restrictions but more as an everyday way of living. The virus may still be with us, but we will be well and safe.
As we look forward to our celebrations of Mothering Sunday and Easter, we are thankful to God who has kept and guided us. He is our hope, and we have the confidence that when we call on him, he hears us and has promised to be with us always. It is time to rebuild hope and confidence. As we look to the future, surely we must live differently. We must look to a world that is full of love. Let us continue to have faith and confidence in God (Psalm 27:3-4).
