Report from the MWA Away Day

It was a pleasure to attend the Moravian Women’s Association gathering, MWA Away Day, on 3rd May 2025 with the Royton women’s circle. I first attended The Royton Moravian Church with my partner, and now husband Josh Cooper. We live in Sheffield and attend a Methodist church local to us, but we also visit Moravian churches in Yorkshire and Royton Moravian Church when we stay with family. With all the flitting about different churches it was lovely to be invited to attend the Moravian Women’s gathering and to feel part of the community despite our somewhat nomadic church visiting habits!

We were gathered with women from almost every circle of the MWA across Britain and Ireland. The day was also a celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Moravian Women’s Association, originally the Moravian Women’s Auxiliary.

In the morning, we joined together in song, in prayer, and in fellowship. By the end of the morning service everyone had arrived, and the roll call began. This process included highlighting to everyone who has which roles within the association. The place of secretary remains open and requires a placeholder within the year and could be taken on by an individual or as a ‘job share’. If you are interested, please contact Sr Gillian Taylor. We heard the monetary outcomes of the year and all the charities that had benefited from it. This reflected the generosity and hard work of the women in the MWA. Also, the 75th anniversary was marked by the President, Sr Gillian Taylor as she reflected on the history and future of the MWA, she included in her address a quote from the lady who set up the Auxiliary which was apt and timeless in its call to fellowship, service and unity.

After lunch we began the afternoon with group activities, be that prayer, meditation, tai chi, craft or a talk. All of these were well received by the groups, everyone I heard talking about them was pleased with the workshop they attended. I attended the craft activity and enjoyed making a felt glasses case. These activities were followed by a communion service and then refreshments and departures. There were cakes decorated to celebrate the 75th anniversary and there is also a new pin badge available to commemorate the milestone.

The day had an overarching sense of positivity as each person was pleased to be gathered with one another. The day was filled with fellowship and felt restful and rejuvenating despite the long day and long journeys. The daily watchword text for the 3rd May included the quotation: ‘A good example has twice the value of good advice’ (Albert Schweitzer). I feel that women of the church set examples to one another in various ways and in various settings, and it is good to allow ourselves to admire other women and be led by one another’s example.

Thanks go to all those who led and organised, to Hall Green Community Church for hosting and catering, and to everyone involved in the running of the day.

Sr Eleanor Cooper