The 134th annual meeting of the Atlantic Mission Society was held at St. Andrew’s, St. John’s, in September. The three-day event brought together 60 Presbyterians, including members and guests. Rev. Kenn Stright made history when he was chosen as the first-ever male to hold a position on the executive, that of member without portfolio.
“As God’s people, we are people on the edge,” said outgoing president, Ann Taylor, during the opening address. “And the AMS is on the edge of mission.”
The meeting opened with worship at the 168-year-old St. Andrew’s, and later featured a lavish banquet with food prepared by St. Andrew’s own professional chef, and stellar music (including piano, saxophone, and violin pieces) by Rev. Jonathan Dent and the highly-trained music directors at St. David’s, St. John’s. Closing worship on Sunday morning was led by St. Andrew’s youth.
In between the social time and quick jaunts to see the stunning ocean vistas in and around St. John’s, the AMS moved through their annual business.
Decisions of note include:
•The men’s mission project will focus on the B.C. house church mission in the Cariboo. The men previously raised more than $9,200 to build a school in Malawi.
•Outgoing president, Ann Taylor was thanked for her three years of service. Incoming president, Jennifer Whitfield was welcomed to her new post.
•The group agreed to send funds to the Partners in Possibilities project.
•Carol Isaac of St. James, Truro, N.S., was named honourary president; she served on the executive for 16 years and has been a member since 1978.
•Joan Cho, editor of the Presbyterian Message, thanked the magazine’s readers and encouraged ideas, questions and submissions.
•The archivist reported they had recently received materials from 1893 from the Pictou Presbyterial.
•Youth and young adults are a priority for the AMS, and they are supported both through mission trips and through four college bursaries.
•The 2010/2011 budget was approved. It was decided that the remaining money ($1,500) from the Anna B. MacDonald Fund would be remitted to International Ministries for work in Guyana.
•A total of $75,726 was raised for mission work by the nine presbyterials, an increase of $337 from last year, despite a drop in membership.
Moderator Rev. Herb Gale was present as a guest, and said his second trip to St. John’s felt “like coming home.” Joan Smith, president of the Women’s Missionary Society, spoke of the year’s new projects: refugees through Action Refugies Montreal, and building health clinics for women and children in the Gaza Strip. She also noted that concern for the future of the WMS continues, saying the visioning process is proceeding, but slowly. Missionaries to Malawi for 30 years, Glenn and Linda Inglis thanked the AMS for their prayers, letters and financial support, and shared the challenges and beauty of their work with women, children, and the disabled, and their efforts in community development.
Rev. Shirley Murdock, moderator of the Synod of the Atlantic Provinces, said the AMS is “vital to the mission of the PCC,” and charged them to “be leaders as we sail into an uncer-tain future.”
Amy MacLachlan is the Record’s senior writer.
