Mary Sumner Day, celebrated annually around 9 August, honours Mary Sumner, the founder of the Mothers’ Union (MU), who began a movement in 1876 to support mothers in raising their children in the Christian faith.
On Thursday, 7 August, MU members from St Mary’s, St Edward’s, St Anthony’s, and St Christopher’s gathered at Lehlohonolo Day Care Centre in Tumahole, Parys, Free State, for their annual celebration. Mrs Maria Mohale, the diocesan MU Eco-Champion, spoke about the importance of establishing and maintaining vegetable gardens to promote food security, while Mrs Manibijara Pule encouraged participants to care for the environment. The group also shared creative ideas for reusing plastic waste to make useful handicrafts that could be sold to support households.
Still in the Diocese of Free State, MU members from Resurrection Church in the Kroonstad Archdeaconry have started a church-based vegetable garden. This initiative aims to provide fresh produce for both the parish and the wider community, while teaching practical gardening skills.
In the Diocese of Natal, the MU at St Phillips, Stanger, marked the occasion by showcasing their homegrown vegetables. The celebration doubled as a fundraiser, reflecting their commitment to self-sustainability, environmental stewardship, and community empowerment. The sale of fresh produce helped fund parish activities and inspired the community to grow their own food.
On 9 August, in the Diocese of Johannesburg, MU members celebrated at St Francis of Assisi, Moroka, Soweto. Following the service, they planted a tree, which was blessed by the diocesan MU Chaplain, showing a living symbol of growth, faith, and care for creation. In attendance was also the ACSA Provincial MU President.
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