Today is Wednesday 8 March 2023 and all over the world, you will be seeing persons sharing articles, and tags and hashtags celebrating this year's International Women's Day theme "EmbraceEquity". Sounds amazing, but what does embracing equity actually mean and how is it being practiced, especially in the workplace and in our churches?
The Mothers' Union has adopted as its theme Transform - Now! We are being called to transform ourselves, our churches and our communities. However, how do we do this without first calling out the lack of equity in our societies and our churches as it relates to the treatment of women?
Society, including church society, sends mixed messages insofar as the contribution of women is concerned. There was a recent article where 3 female pastors of the Baptist church in the USA were excommunicated as the Baptist church does not consider that there is a biblical basis for women to exercise pastoral authority over men. Closer to home here in Jamaica we saw the Jamaica Baptist Union elect its first female general secretary after over 250 years of being in Jamaica. This, after so many women have been firsts in Jamaica and in the province of the West Indies. In the Catholic Church women, who make up the majority of the congregants are still not allowed to be ordained and in the Seventh Day Adventist church, women are still not allowed to be pastors. The irony of the latter being that Ellen G. White is one of the founders of the Adventist Church.
In order for us to embrace equity, we will need to ensure that all women are given the resources and opportunities they need to have a chance to achieve an outcome that is equal to their male counterparts. That we not only speak equality, but that we ensure that the equality for which we speak reaches across the table to offer equity to each person based on their circumstances. The question is how can we shift barriers that might get in the way of women’s opportunity to achieve the same goals? How can women’s uniqueness be celebrated, promoted and supported in the various spheres within which we operate?
Jesus did not treat women differently than men during His ministry. After all, who can forget Mary sitting at his feet as He taught, and then anointing Him with very expensive oil. Jesus encouraged Mary to be with Him in spite of the narrative of the day, recognizing that focused service to him was “the better part”. Jesus embraced equity. May we who follow in His footsteps also follow His lead.
Vision
Our vision is a world where everyone prospers. We actively pursue this vision through prayer and action, helping to build confident people and resilient communities. Our movement seeks to bring about justice, challenge prejudice and advocate change.
Mission
We aim to show our Christian faith by helping the sustainable transformation of communities worldwide. We do this by helping to nurture strong relationships at all levels, promoting peace and reconciliation locally, nationally and globally.
We aim to:
encourage parents in their role to develop the faith of their children
maintain a worldwide fellowship of Christians united in prayer, worship and service
promote conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the protection of children
help those whose family life has met with adversity
promote and support married life.
A Global Movement
Present in 84 countries, our members are not all mothers They are single, married, parents, grandparents, or young adults just beginning to express their social conscience. The Mothers' Union provides a network through which they can serve Christ in their own community. This is done through prayer, financial support and actively working at the grassroots level in programmes that meet local needs.