Diocese of North Dakota Bishop Michael Smith presided over the January 6 event, which marked the establishment of one of the first Mothers' Union divisions in the United States.

Founded in 1876 in England, the Mothers' Union is an organization of Anglican women across the world. Currently there are an estimated 3.6 million members in 77 countries. Through prayer, service projects, fundraising and community campaigns, the members financially support emergency relief, education, parenting and marriage enrichment programs in all 77 countries and are committed to helping families in adversity within their own communities and worldwide, according to its website.

In the United States, the Mothers' Union ministry began in 1986 with the founding of the first branch in Boston, Massachusetts, by Mazel Medley, according to the group's U.S. website. The organization gradually spread throughout the country, and on January 18, 2003, held the first meeting of its executive membership, officially establishing the Province of the United States of America. There are 11 other branches in Florida, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, Washington, and Virginia.

The Mothers' Union at St. John's, a congregation made up largely of Sudanese Christians, has been the special project of the Rev. Alex Lodu-Kenyi, the congregation's rector.

With Smith's interest and permission, Kenyi recruited and organized the 10 women enlisted. Four women each came from Dinka and Arabic groups at the parish and two from among those who attend the English service.

Smith paid for their uniforms -- white traditional dresses tailored locally -- out of his discretionary fund.

"Sudanese families have undergone culture shock that broke down many of them in their second home, the United States," said Kenyi, also a native of Sudan. "Mothers' Union members will serve the Sudanese Christian Community in giving support to couples in need."

Since Kenyi came to the congregation, it has become the church of the Sudanese refugees as well as other ethnic minorities in the Fargo, North Dakota-Moorhead, Minnesota area, according to a description on the diocese's website. St. John the Divine is the only Minnesota-based congregation in the Diocese of North Dakota.