Mothers’ Union Great Budworth Deanery Festival – Sermon – 264
Mothers’ Union Great Budworth Deanery Festival
CW Evensong,
2.00pm, St Cross, Stretton.
6th April 2016
Prayer to Start
May the words of my lips and the thoughts of our hearts be graciously received for the Glory and Honour of our Lord Jesus Christ
AMEN
INTRODUCTION
When does an ordinary life – become
extraordinary
A mundane day – become revolutionary
A moment in time – Change history?
When God enters in – and forgives sin
When He allows us to – begin again
When we repeat – those words of Mary
‘May it be to me – As you say’
Words by John Birch – a Welsh writer of prayers and poetry – with a keen interest in early Celtic Christianity – and made available to us – through the Mothers’ Union Website – to help us celebrate our 140th year ‘A Celebration of Faith’ and our Lady Day service.
Lady Day – the Feast of the Annunciation – has been a significant day of prayer and thanksgiving for Mothers’ Union since 1897 – and by being here and worshiping today – we celebrate and give thanks for the faith of two Mary’s who have made such a big difference to our lives and the lives of many –
Point 1 Mary Sumner and the Mothers’ Union
Of course it all started for the Mothers’ Union with Mary Sumner – or rather should I say – Mary Elisabeth Heywood – who was born on 31st December 1828 – and baptized in St Mary’s Church – in a place called Eccles – [not far from here] – she was the youngest of three surviving children of Thomas Heywood and Mary Elisabeth Barton
Mary and her brother and sister were educated by their parents and when she was 4 years the family moved to Hope End – Hertfordshire where she stayed until she was married in 1848 at the age of 20 years – after meeting and falling in love with her future husband George Sumner –
The marriage ceremony was performed by the then Bishop of Winchester – the father of the Bridegroom- and for a time the couple lived at Farnham castle – with the Bishop and his family –
Three years later – George received his commission – and they moved to old Alresford in Hampshire where George remained as rector for 34 years and where they raised their three children-
It was here that Mary’s vision – of home life – that she wanted to pass on to other mothers’ in her ‘mothers’ meetings’ – became a reality – and in 1876 – Mary drew up her first membership card – and Mothers’ Union Prayer – and admitted her company of Mothers all living within a few miles of her – into her newly established Society –
Mary’s inspiration to promote – a family life based on God’s love and presence – included special teaching for the character training of a child and the caring and support of home and family life
“It seemed to me ‘says Mary, – ‘that my own happy life – led me to realize that the foundation of a home is “Holy Marriage” – in which husband and wife are one in mutual love and faith in God – in agreement as to Home Rule and in the training of children’ – and this led to the first Object – of the Mothers’ Union.
After the early growth of Mothers Union, George was appointed first Archdeacon of Winchester, then Bishop of Guildford, and given a suffragan post within the Diocese of Winchester – and from 1885 they lived in the beautiful red house ‘The Close’ in the shadow of Winchester Cathedral.
In the Autumn of that same year Mary responded to a request from Ernest Wilberforce [the then Bishop of Newcastle] – to address a large group of women in Portsmouth in connection with the Church Congress. Aged 57 and no time for preparation – she made her appeal for a consecrated motherhood in the home of England –
A year later – Winchester was chosen as the Pioneering Diocese – and one year after that – the Society had spread across 17 Diocese – with the London Diocese and first National Conference being established five years later. The first overseas activities were in Canada, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa-
Centralization took place in 1896 and in 1898 Queen Victoria granted her patronage – Also that same year Mary and George – celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary amid many tokens of affection and esteem – and 10 years later their diamond Wedding
George died within a year and so Mary retired from her presidential role – but still maintained a presence – dedicating the remaining years of her life – to her Society – until her death in 1921 in her 94th year.
Today Mothers’ Union operates in over 83 countries and has over 4 million members – and continues to work to promote Mary’s vison of faithfulness and love to God and to family –
Today we provide Christian care for families worldwide – with initiatives to support and encourage the role of parents and carers.
We encourage the Christian Faith – and a relationship with God, promoting prayer life and a willingness to follow God, wherever he leads
As Mothers’ Union we look to care for people’s physical, social and spiritual needs. The faith and obedience of our founder, Mary Sumner, has led to Mothers’ Union sharing the love of Jesus Christ for generations, throughout the world.
Point 2 Mary the mother of Jesus
Which brings us on to our second Mary – Mary the mother of Jesus –
Most of us would have said that such a young and inexperienced girl – couldn’t possibly have known what it meant – when she agreed to God’s wishes –
but as Luke shows us – after an initial protest – and questioning by the Angel Gabriel – Mary accepts what is in store for her with Joy and celebration –
what shines through is Mary’s humility – she is astonished to be greeted as one who is to be specially favoured
Her Honesty – she is not afraid to question the Angel as to how his promise to her can possibly come true – and her willingness to accept God’s control over her life –
Mary doesn’t know all that lies ahead – and must have realised that there would be many condemning and disgusted voices – not least from her immediate family – wanting her to keep things quiet – but she accepts God’s will for her life – and says ‘Yes’
Mary measures what was being asked- of her – not against her own capabilities – but against the resources of God – and so becomes the bearer of the world’s saviour –
Through Mary- a young Jewish girl – from a small village – God will share the life of the world as a human being – as her Son – and God will be seen in a new light –
As Jesus – God’s love will be demonstrated through action and word – He will fulfill all the promises made in the Scriptures – and His Spirit will reach into the hearts of all who are prepared to listen to Him and accept Him as Saviour
–
By bringing God’s only Son into the world –
Mary will help to establish His kingdom not only in her own heart – but in the hearts of all those that come to know Him and to love Him – Jesus will buy freedom for us all – and through the spilling of His blood on the cross – defeat evil forever –
Ending
So – today we celebrate and give thanks to two faithful women – two faithful Mary’s – living nearly two thousand years apart – but who’s commitment and achievements through Jesus have provided the foundation of our Christian Faith and the work of the Mothers’ Union we know today –
Like our two Mary’s – we too – in this 140th year of the Mothers’ Union are called to respond – to God’s presence within us – to rejoice at God’s victory and celebrate our gifts and presence in His Kingdom – spreading the word and love of Jesus Christ to all those who are willing to listen and respond – to His call –
Let’s finish with a Prayer:
Prayer
Teach us obedience, Lord
In every part of our lives
Ears to hear your word
Hands to do your work
Feet to walk your path
A heart for all your people
A mouth to shout your praise
A childlike faith
Humility
Confidence
That says
To the possible
And the impossible
I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.
[John Birch]
AMEN