This past Saturday I was fortunate to be invited to attend the Lady Day celebration and worship of the Zimbabwean Mother’s Union who were coming form all over the UK to Aylesbury at Fairford Leys church.
The reason for the invitation was the presentation of the Croix Rousse icon of the crucifixion I had written for the Zimbabwean Anglicans of Harare and indeed for all of the people of Zimbabwe.
Rev Canon Lameck Mutete, the chaplain to the Zimbabwe Mother’s Union, kindly asked if I would present it during the communion service, he said it was a symbol of solidarity for his people and I am very humbled by this. I am also humbled by the way the women came up at the end to pray with the cross, hold it and ask for a blessing. Their reverence for Christ is second to none.
On April 7th it will be formally blessed by Bishop Alan of Buckingham along with a most beautiful piece of textile work by Pam Masini, a Franciscan who has kindly taken up my request for this meaningful work of art and love. I will blog more on this after the day. The cross hopefully, Rev Canon Mutete said, will be presented to the Bishop of Harare in the UK later this year, if not he will take it to Zimbabwe himself.
Now, that put aside, the main purpose of my blog today is to share all the wonderful things I have learned from sharing this day with these incredible women of the Zimbabwean Mother’s Union.
Firstly I want to thank the interpreters who tirelessly translated the proceedings of the whole day for myself and Rev. Michaela Wood. I am certain it took a little from their day to do this for us and I would like them to know how much we appreciated this sacrifice for our sakes. Everything was in their language and I loved the sound of the mass read this way. Even better were the frequent bouts of energetic singing, drumming, rattling and ululations. Normally composed and demure Zimbabwean women from St. Mary’s were animated and full of life as they worshipped and sang and danced in praise of Jesus.
There was also a great singing contest based on the Magnificat – how incredible it was. However, my interpreter informed me that the groups were judged not only on their singing but their uniforms. The symbolism of these uniforms blew me away and it was explained in wonderful detail by Mrs Ratsa, the national chair person. First they are blessed on the altar for new members who are trained and mentored before joining. The uniform is their armour for God and they are meant to keep it away from daily clothes. It is to be hung up in view in the house and washed separately. When in need a member can put it on and pray silently.
The shoes have to have laces, to symbolise the donkey’s colt being untied before the entry into Jerusalem, as Jesus unties us from the binding of Satan. They wear a black skirt and white tunic with deep blue collars, cuffs, belt hat or scarf and edging around the base of the tunic. This latter band is of significance as it is a reminder, my interpreter shyly informed me, of not to sleep around. The colour blue is like the sky as we are all one under the sky. Five buttons on the tunic represent the wounds of Christ and the large rounded collar can be lifted to cover the mouth to remind them not to gossip or speak evil of others.
The pocket is for their gift for God during the offering in the service. This has to be organised before church so there is no fiddling with change in church. I found this very profound and the following day I remembered this before I left for my own service and put my offering in a my trouser pocket with a thought of dedication for God. There was a sublime moment as I did this and I felt the power of this simple act. How incredible are these tiny rituals.
Though I have no uniform, this Zimbabwean Mother’s Union uniform is now emblazoned on my own heart and mind, and it has brought a certain richness and wholeness in my spiritual feeling and for mother’s everywhere.
This was the other aspect of the day – the solidarity of these women and their complete Christian concern for others. I lost count of how many times the collection plate went round when new stories of need where spoken of. Each time it came back filled with £5 and £10 notes. Filled!
Their knowledge, understanding and speaking of the Bible is deep and clearly they read their Bible regularly. The talks during the day were of spiritual matters that affect us all and their concerns were gracious and charitable. I have felt blessed and uplifted every moment since being there and will not forget these women who are like the wise virgins with oil in their lamps ready and waiting for the coming of Christ.
God bless you Zimbabwean Mother’s Union.
