Mothers’ Union 

     The Mothers’ Union is a worldwide society within the Anglican Church whose purpose is to be specially concerned with all that strengthens and preserves Christian Family life.

     The mothers’ Union was first introduced in the Diocese of the Windward Islands in June 1947 to the St. George’s Church in Grenada, by Miss Evelyn G. Mann, a Mothers’ Union Official Worker, who was sent from England by Mary Sumner House.  Mary Sumner was the Founder of the Mothers’ Union Organization.  The St. George’s Church branch was officially inducted on 26th February, 1948.  It was in that same year that the branch in the St. George’s Cathedral was launched, and was then inducted on 25th March, 1949. The Archdeaconry of St. Lucia came on board years later. 

The objectives of the Mothers’ Union were: 

1. To uphold Christ’s teaching on the nature of marriage and to promote its wider understanding

2. To encourage parents to bring up their children in the faith and life of the Church

3. To maintain a world-wide fellowship of Christian united prayer, worship and service

4. To promote conditions in society favorable to stable family life and the protection of children 

5. To help those whose family life has been met with adversity.

     The Mothers’ Union organization which is celebrating over six decades in the Diocese of the Windward Islands has many achievements to be thankful for and they are far from being idle or inactive, according to report the Mothers’ Union in the Diocese are still visible, visiting Sick and shut-in, members of the church at their homes and distributing food basket or small monetary donation according to the needs of those persons visited.  Sometimes the Mothers’ Union address schools and are on radio advising on Christian parenting and maintaining good family and community relations.  Last year the Mothers’ Union in the Archdeaconry of St. Lucia held a workshop on the “implication of sexual promiscuity and anger management resolution” which was well received. 

     SVG Mothers’ Union which celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2009 held a variety of activities geared to promote social, spiritual and educational interaction among members as well as other parishioners.

Grenada Mothers’ Union who celebrated its 61st anniversary  in 2009 overcame many set backs but were rewarded by the members response and pleasure as the response in their participation at all planned program, which ended in an exciting beach picnic followed by a well attended Church service held in their observation of the Mothers’ Union 61st anniversary.

 

Anglican Church Women Association

     The Anglican Church Women’s Association (ACWA) the newest organization of the Church was formally launched on January 7, 2008 at an impressive induction ceremony presided over by our Lord Bishop, the Rt. Rev’d C. Leopold Friday.  Seven of the eight parishes of the Archdeaconry were represented, each accompanied by their parish priest or rector.

With a current membership of a little over 100, the Association seeks to mobilize Anglican women 25 years and over who are regular communicants.  Its formal wear is its distinctive aqua blue uniform with scarves of differing colours to represent each parish.  It has adopted as its anthem the mission hymn:  Search Me, O God and boasts its own special prayer crafted by the Venerable Dr Sylvanus Regisford.

     The main mission of the Association is “to provide women with the opportunity to discover and live the meaning of their baptism in Christ”  It seeks to realize this by providing opportunities for women to serve in God’s church through WORSHIP, FELLOWSHIP, STUDY, SERVICE AND MISSION.

     To fulfill its mission, ACWA is inscribed on the register of Non-Government Organizations of the Ministry of National Mobilization, inter alia, and it is through this ministry that the Association participates in national activities such as the celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8th of each year.

     

The Guild of the Sacred Heart

Many of the women, particularly those who are unmarried, have taken preference to the guilds. These are parochial organizations and do not have any structure like the Mothers' Union at Archdeaconry or diocesan level. The present membership is approximately 250.

 

The Mens' Fellowship

Like the guilds, the mens' fellowships are parochial based. Their membership is about 300 at present.

 

Communicants Association

This is a group that operates out of the Cathedral Female Congregation. They are mainly responsible for social outreach to the elderly and presently run a Day Care Centre for the aged, providing daily lunches to elderly and indigent persons residing within the Cathedral parish.

 

Friendly Societies

These use to be popular among church people 20 or more years ago, but competition from credit unions, cooperatives, insurances and national Friendly Societies offering substantially better benefits, have drastically reduced the number of church based entities.

 

The Sunday School

The traditional Sunday School is still with us, despite the many attractions and a lessening concern of many parents for Christian Education. The Sunday Schools are all hard pressed to find suitable teachers.

 

Anglican Youth Movement

The Anglican Youth Movement in the diocese is 27 years old this year, and has branches in most parishes throughout the diocese. In each Archdeaconry there is an Anglican Youth Council made up of delegates from the Anglican Youth Movements. There is also a Youth Advisory Body to assist the Council and the Diocesan Youth Director in the development of programs for young people. The present Diocesan Youth Director is Mr. Clifton Nedd.