Mothers’ Union pins E.P. Chet Greene as Honorary Member during moving address
In a powerful and deeply personal address to the Mothers’ Union of the Anglican Church, the Hon. E.P. Chet Greene, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Barbuda Affairs, urged members of the centuries-old organization to embrace a renewed and public-facing mission, rooted in faith, service and national responsibility.
Greene’s speech, delivered before a diverse gathering of church leaders and delegates from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Jamaica, Barbados and across the Caribbean, was framed around the Mothers’ Union’s 2025 theme: “Join Us, Join In.” More than a slogan, Greene argued, the phrase is a prophetic call to deeper discipleship and community leadership.
“The Mothers’ Union cannot afford to be passive,” Greene told the audience at the Anglican Church gathering. “You must be exemplars, shepherds and standard bearers.”
In a moment of both humility and conviction, Greene was formally inducted as an Honorary Member of the Mothers’ Union, a gesture he received with surprise and emotion. Recalling his baptism in the Anglican Church 61 years ago, he reflected on the formative role faith has played in his life, even though he is not a practicing Anglican.
“I am honoured and I accept not out of formality, but with a full heart,” Greene said. “I identify deeply with the values of the Mothers’ Union and I commit to being present at meetings of the St. Paul Branch and participating in your outreach programs because that is, at its core, a service to humanity.”
Throughout his address, Greene positioned the Mothers’ Union not only as a cornerstone of the Anglican Church but as a vital agent for social stability in an increasingly fragmented world.
He traced the Union’s Caribbean legacy back to the fusion of missionary work, African resilience and cultural faith traditions, highlighting the ways in which the Mothers’ Union has historically fed the hungry, clothed the poor and advocated for justice.
Greene warned that these values are under threat from the modern challenges of political division, misinformation and moral drift.
“We live in a world fractured by violence, inequality and despair. Families are broken. Faith is wavering. Love grows cold,” he said. “So I ask you plainly: If someone joined you today, what would they see? Would they witness petty divisions or powerful unity? Would they meet women who serve for prestige or women who kneel in sacrifice?”
He called on the group to become active participants in national affairs not as political actors, but as a moral conscience in conversations about education, healthcare, crime, poverty and economic justice.
In a section of his speech that resonated strongly with attendees, Greene issued a direct challenge to members of the Mothers’ Union to become louder and more intentional in shaping the public square.
“Be voices of wisdom, not echo chambers of partisanship. Be advocates for truth, not amplifiers of misinformation. Be bridge-builders, not silent spectators to polarization.”
He extended an invitation to the Union to join what he called “the councils of government,” offering their spiritual discernment as a guide for policy decisions and national dialogue.
Greene emphasized that the organization’s historic service to families and communities now positions it as a critical partner in the work of national renewal.
“Let ‘Join Us, Join In’ also be an invitation to policymakers, business leaders and civil society,” Greene said. “Let them sit at your tables. Let them listen to your God-given wisdom.”
Well known for his philanthropic work and public service, Greene’s message was rooted not only in rhetoric but in a history of action. His commitment to community causes has long earned him respect across political and religious lines. The decision by the Mothers’ Union to induct him as an Honorary Member was seen by many as a recognition of this broader legacy of compassion and civic duty.
As he closed, Greene left the audience with a final charge:
“The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Will you labour? Will you lead? Will you live so brightly that others cannot help but say, ‘I must join them’?”
The audience responded with a standing ovation, affirming both the challenge and the promise embedded in his words. For many in attendance, Greene’s speech marked a moment of renewed purpose and a reminder that faith-based service remains a vital force in the life of the nation.
“Join us. Join in. The nation needs you now more than ever.”
