The Mothers’ Union in the Diocese of Grahamstown recently gathered under the bold theme: “Join us and Join in, Mothers’ Union is changing lives.” The conference highlighted the transformative role that mothers play in shaping families, communities, and society.
One of the keynote speakers was Revd Gwen Mvula, Diocesan Green Anglicans Coordinator, who spoke passionately about the urgent call to environmental stewardship. Grounding her message in Scripture, she reminded delegates of Genesis 2:15, where God commands humanity to “till and keep” the earth.
Revd Mvula connected this biblical call to the daily struggles many communities face — from water shortages and illegal dumping to rising food costs and power outages. “Creation is suffering,” she said, quoting Romans 8:22: “The whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”
She challenged the Mothers’ Union to take practical action by: reducing household waste, turning parishes into green witnesses, raising their voices for justice and rejecting throwaway culture.
Her message concluded with a powerful declaration: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord, by caring for His creation” (Joshua 24:15).
The conference also received a boost from Eastern Cape MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe, who donated vegetable seedlings and garden tools to each Archdeaconry. This contribution, aligned with the conference theme, strengthens the Mothers’ Union’s commitment to food security as a practical way of changing lives.