Meaning of the CWM Uniform

This article is based on a Facebook post by Rev Dr Mary-Anne Plaatjies-van Huffel, Moderator of the General Synod, on the 19^th July 2012.

The Christian Women's Ministry (CWM) uniform consists of:

• a black long sleeve, collar-less jacket;
• a black straight skirt;
• a white circular collar held in place by a CWM pin;
• a black hat;
• black stockings; and
• black shoes.

These are frequently asked questions:

• Why do CWM members wear a white collar, black shoes and stockings, a black jacket with only five black buttons and two pockets and a black hat on their heads?
• Why just black and white and not any other colour?
• Why don't they wear any jewelry or makeup when they put on the uniform?
• Are the women wearing the uniform holier than those who are not robed?

o       The white collar is a symbol of Christ having washed our sins away (Psalm 51:7, Isaiah 1:18, Revelation 7:9).

o       The hat, jacket, skirt, shoes and stockings are black as an indication of the sinful nature of human beings and that only the blood of Jesus can wash away our sins away (Ephesians 5:8-11, Colossians 3:5-11).

o       The five buttons represent the five areas where Jesus was pierced and shed His blood to wash away our sins on the cross (Isaiah 53:5). The areas where Christ shed His blood are:

v     His hands (Luke 23:33, Luke 24:39, John 20:25);

v     His feet (Luke 23:33, Luke 24:39);

v     His side (John 19:34, John 20:25);

v     His back bled from being scourged (Matthew 27:26, Mark 15:15); and

v     His head was pierced by a crown of thorns (Matthew 27:29, Matthew 27:30).

o       The two pockets on the jacket are an indication that Christian women are not supposed to harm others, instead they must be peacemakers. We should, therefore, keep our swords in their sheaths just as Christ instructed Peter when He was captured (Matthew 26:52, John 18:11, Matthew 5:9, Matthew 18:22).

o       The hat is worn because the Bible instructs women to pray with a hat on (1 Corinthians 11:5-6). It is also an indication that our problems, grief, worry as Christian women need to be entrusted to Jesus Christ who is the only Head of His church. (Matthew 11:28-30, Ephesians 4:15).

o       The absence of outward adornment (cosmetics, jewelry, etc.) indicates to women that their beauty should come from within. They should be adorned with good deeds. (1 Timothy 2:9-10, 1 Peter 3:3-4).

The uniform is, therefore, a symbol of simplicity, minimalism, plainness and unfussiness as well as devotion to Jesus Christ. The uniform also breaks the boundaries between rich and poor members. There is, therefore, no distinction between those who can afford beautiful, expensive clothes and those who cannot afford them during official ministry or church activities.

Women in URCSA are not obliged to be robed – the uniform is optional. Only members who have been on trial for six months or more are robed. The uniform can only be worn at official CWM gatherings including meetings, funerals of robed members, dedication of church buildings, welcoming functions of ministers of the Word, Holy Communion, CMM gatherings and CYM gatherings.

The uniform puts each member (rich or poor, white or black) who commits herself to Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour on the same level – regardless of their background, status or culture. The uniform, therefore, has a symbolic meaning for those who wear it. This is, however, not a free pass to heaven. As Jesus explained, we can only go to the Father through Him (John 14:6).

Source: https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3987016525802&id=1592461426&refid=17&_ft_=top_level_post_id.3987016525802%3Atl_objid.3987016525802%3Athid.1592461426%3A306061129499414%3A2%3A1325404800%3A1357027199%3A3929438243168662765#footer_action_list