Local Mums At The Table groups celebrated community mums in a series of events in the lead-up to Mother’s Day.
Almost 100 community mums and their families attended the Mother’s Day events organised by Mums At The Table groups in Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales and New Zealand.
The Invercargill (New Zealand), West Gippsland (Vic) and Ryde (NSW) Mums At The Table groups all organised free community Mother’s Day breakfasts at their local Seventh-day Adventist churches.
“The breakfast was a chance for mums and mother figures to have a well-deserved break, to relax and enjoy delicious food and also to connect with other mums on similar journeys of motherhood,” said Claire Taylor, volunteer moderator of the Invercargill Mums At The Table group (and Invercargill church member).
“Mums are a crucial part of society, but are often overworked and burnt out. This breakfast enabled them to take time to recharge and prioritise self-care, an area we are very passionate about.”
The Mother’s Day events were a collaboration between local volunteer Mums At The Table moderators and their churches or schools. Church members and moderators donated time and money for food, decorations and gifts for mums. Local businesses also sponsored food and prizes for the West Gippsland group’s event at the Warragul Seventh-day Adventist church.
“Our goal at Mums At The Table is to reach people where they are at and meet the needs of the community,” said Elise Machalek, volunteer moderator of the West Gippsland Mums At The Table group as well as Mums At The Table’s community and church engagement coordinator (and Warragul church member).
“Events like our Mother’s Day breakfast also create opportunities for new connections to be made with the community.”
The Ipswich (Qld), West Gippsland (Vic) and Mildura (Vic) Mums At The Table groups also held special photography sessions in the lead-up to Mother’s Day. West Gippsland provided a floral backdrop for mums to take family photos, while Ipswich and Mildura organised for a professional photographer to turn up.
“Mums don’t often get photos and especially not with their other mum friends who help them through the challenging journey of motherhood,” said Larissa Forbes-Wilson, volunteer moderator of the Mildura Mums At The Table group (and Mildura church member).
“We want to celebrate mothers and capture all their beauty and give them a lasting memory of who they are.”
Mums At The Table, a ministry of Adventist Media, supports mums in the community through online content as well as local events, organised by volunteer moderators from local churches.
There are currently 21 local groups in Australia and New Zealand, moderated by 67 church members, representing 28 Seventh-day Adventist churches. Depending on the moderators’ availability, local events—or meet-ups—range from weekly playgroups to playground and café catch-ups or even dessert nights.
Churches or individuals interested in being part of the ministry can find out more via this link.
