Honor Mom by helping kids with HIV/AIDS
By Rev. David Erenrich

As a pastor I realized very early on in my ministry that there were some times and events that you dare not overlook or fail to address during the year. Mothers Day was one of those times. Yes, it was too commercialized as much is in our country. Yes, it may even have too many expectations placed on one day when relationships with our mothers (parents) should be cultivated throughout the year. But nonetheless, you had better not ignore it and if you do it will be at your own peril.

When I was appointed to The Church of the Good Shepherd in Grafton this fact became even more pronounced—Grafton, you see, was the birth place of Mother’s Day. I would soon be escorted around the old Andrews ME Church with its museum, historical artifacts, and pictures of that first Mother’s Day service. Andrews is now a national landmark of Mother’s Day. I would also learn of Anna Jarvis’ attempts beginning in 1907 with a memorial service for her mother, Anna Maria Reeves Jarvis, to establish a national Mother’s Day which happened in 1914; and so began my 11 years of preparing sermons around themes that lifted up mothers of the Bible, honored mothers, challenged Christian family life, our role in being shepherds (mothering persons) etc.

However, as I researched Anna Reeves Jarvis, I soon realized that she was more than a mother to her own children. She was dedicated to her Christ and her Andrews Church. She taught children’s classes and programs; she led the women of the church in their work and mission; she took children in who were orphaned or whose parents were ill; and she was a spokesperson for Christ’s work outside the church. 

As a matter of fact, it was her efforts that led to the establishment of the ‘Mothers Friendship Days’ after the Civil War when Taylor County and surrounding areas found themselves torn with divided loyalties, pain, hostility; it was her efforts that led to the ‘Mothers’ Work Days’ which coordinated women to care and nurse children whose mothers were ill, as well as cleaning up unsanitary conditions in the county.

Jarvis organized a series of Mothers' Day Work Clubs in Webster, Grafton, Fetterman, Pruntytown, and Philippi, to improve health and sanitary conditions. The clubs raised money for medicine, hired women to work for families in which the mothers suffered from tuberculosis, and inspected bottled milk and food. In 1860, local doctors even supported the formation of clubs in other towns.

As I read some of the stories of forgiveness, reconciliation, risk taking mission, and political confrontation, I thought WOW this woman was a disciple, a witness, and a leader of mothers for all God’s children! This will preach and teach! Forget the sentimentalism--let’s talk real life mothering, shepherding, and discipleship! Before there was a mother’s day, there were mothers’ friendship days and mothers’ work days and mothers’ nursing days! There was Christ’s mission outreach, care, and witness happening.

Now what is the point of this other than encouraging you to do a little background research on an otherwise national special day?    

Each of our pastors has received a challenge—a Mothers’ Day challenge. This year Bishop Lyght’s Bike Ride to Annual Conference will be designated to AIDS ministries in countries like Haiti, where over 19,000 children live with AIDS (compared to 11 in West Virginia). Many of those children are orphans at this point. Many have mothers, but their mothers are helpless against these disease. 

Our Northern District will have two riders in this journey—Mike Linger of Warwood Short Creek, and Paul Mateer of New Martinsville. 

I am asking that each church take a special love offering for the Bishop’s Bike Ride for AIDS during the Mothers’ Day worship service, May 9^th, 2010.

Is this sentimentality? Not if you look at Anna Reeves Jarvis’ life and witness on behalf of children throughout her county. Not if you understand that Anna Jarvis saw mothering extend beyond the walls of her home and church. Not if you understand our Lord Jesus Christ’s mission to reach all God’s children with grace, hope, and salvation.

Join Janice and me as we honor our mothers with gifts to the Bishop’s Bike Ride for AIDS this year. Give to children of mothers who need our love and help. Give in honor or memory of your mother who blessed you with life in many ways.

Rev. Erenrich is superintendent for the Northern District of the West Virginia Conference.  Reach him at erenrichds@verizon.net
More information and a slideshow of last year's ride are at wvumc.org/info/ride