Women from every province and from 12 PCC – partner countries journeyed to Richmond Hill, Ont., in May for the National Presbyterian Women’s Gathering. Hosted by the Atlantic Mission Society and the Women’s Missionary Society (and thanks to grants from various church funds), the inaugural event was, by all accounts, a great success.
“The conference reminded me again of how important it is for women to meet together,” said Rev. Karen Horst, who emceed the event. “Women have fought and continue to fight for equal opportunities and a way to lead in the world that is authentic. Because of the quality of this conference both in content and design, capable women were given a forum to dialogue and encourage one another.”
Women chose from nearly 30 workshops with topics as diverse as Caring for Creation, Nurturing a Christian Family, Muslim Women—Myths and Facts, Yoga as Christian Practice, Bullying in Canada, and Women in Poverty.
For Horst, who admits “the entire conference was a highlight,” did have a couple stand – out moments: one was “having the privilege of announcing that we had raised over $14,000 in one weekend for Afghanistan.”
The offering—which was danced to the front during a worship service led by visitors from Ghana, Kenya, Malawi and Nigeria—will support a girls’ education project in Afghanistan, through Presbyterian World Service and Development.
Inspiring stories were commonplace at the event. Stevie Cameron is a member of St. Andrew’s, King Street, Toronto. About 20 years ago, she and a group from the congregation created the Out of the Cold program, which provides a warm meal and quiet respite for people living on the streets. Cameron is also a journalist and award – winning author, and she shared insights gained from her latest book, On the Farm: Robert William Pickton and the Tragic Story of Vancouver’s Missing Women.
It was, in fact, her transforming experience with Out of the Cold that led her to write the book—a nine – year journey that resulted in new friendships with residents of Vancouver’s downtown east side. “Out of the Cold taught me about hunger. It taught me about abuse, poverty, illness, addiction, loneliness, and the longing in every human heart for love, family, home, health, work and something better than the streets. So that’s why I said yes … And it was one of the best decisions I ever made.”
Rev. Margaret Mullin, executive director of Winnipeg Inner City Missions, spoke about her work and how a group of WMS women in the 1960s were responsible for creating Flora House, now a part of WICM. “[Those] women had a vision for children in the north end of Winnipeg … When they saw the kids, when they saw the need, when they looked through the eyes of Jesus and felt Jesus’ compassion in their hearts, they could not, not do something about it.”
Dr. Margaret Somerville, author, professor and founding director of the Centre for Medicine, Ethics and Law at McGill University, Montreal, spoke about religion in the public square.
“It occurred to me that the title of your conference, ‘Look In, Shout Out,’ states in a nutshell what I believe is the proper role of religion in the public square: Religion requires us both to ‘look in’ and to ‘shout out.’ Either without the other is, at the least, inadequate or even dangerous.”
Rev. Sarah Kim, executive director of the WMS, said it is likely another event will be held in three years’ time.
“The whole event was such an elated experience … when the program actually started on Friday afternoon, I felt shivers go through my body and there was a moment of joy and excitement that it had finally arrived.”
Find photos and Dr. Somerville’s addresses at womensgathering.ca.
