Celebrating Motherhood
By DMF News Team
On May 19, 2024, a beautiful Sunday evening, Zoom was buzzing with members of the Distant Members Fellowship gathering from across the United States and Africa to celebrate Mother’s Day. Under the theme, “Motherhood: Great Responsibility, Challenging Journey, Yet Rewarding,” 57 members were in attendance. The program was organized by the visionary Program Committee and commenced promptly at 7:00 PM Eastern Time.
Before Leon C. Tyes gave welcome remarks, there was an opening prayer and Albertine Austine led an inspirational time of praise and worship songs. Following welcome remarks, Trence Nelson, who lives in Ghana, West Africa, and is the daughter of Theophilus Nelson, read a beautiful tribute to all mothers. George Ashong then offered a melodious song to celebrate mothers.
In place of the traditional Mother’s Day sermon, there was a panel discussion on the theme. Senesee Freeman read Proverbs 31:25-28 after which Christian Zigbuo introduced the three panelists from three regions of the Fellowship, Marionette Scott-Phillips from the northeastern region, Rose P. Bropleh from the southeastern region, and Jacqueline M. Wani from the central region. The panelists reflected on the scripture reading, their personal journeys, and their views on motherhood. A brief question-and-answer session followed the panel discussion after which the panelists offered closing comments.
A section of DMF members and guests attending the online Mother’s Day Program
Following the panel discussion, Cedrick Reeves sang a solo to honor mothers. There was a special recognition of all mothers within the Fellowship. George Wah paid tribute to the mothers of the southeastern region, Hamilton Zinnah honored the mothers of the northeastern region Roland Tolee paid homage to the mothers of the southwestern region, and Garmunie Davis honored the mothers of the central region.
In attendance from the home church in Liberia were three special guests. Dr. Muriel Nelson, President of the Conference United Methodists Women (CUMW) of Liberia, Rev. Dr. J. Sarwolo Nelson, Counseling Elder within the Liberia annual Conference of the UMC who is also President of the University of Liberia, and Sis. F. Juah Lawson. The President of the Distant Members Fellowship, Dartor Bolo, recognized them and invited each of them to greet the fellowship, which they did.
Rev. Morris Jarkloh, a member of the Fellowship serving as pastor of a local church in Illinois, offered a special Mother’s Day prayer. Ezax Smith, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Fellowship made remarks and appreciated all mothers.
The program ended with Samuel Wuo expressing gratitude to all mothers, to the Program Committee, and to everyone for attending. At 8:47 PM, after President Bolo made announcements, Rev. Dr. J. Sarwolo Nelson said the closing prayer. The program truly celebrated motherhood as a challenging but rewarding journey of great responsibility that never ends.
