Saskatchewan Women in Mission held their Spring Enrichment Day on April 26, 2014. A story and photo by Donna Schulz appeared in the May 12 issue of the Canadian Mennonite. I wasn't able to link to the article so I copied and pasted it into here. We hope that by posting what Mennonite women are doing in their communities and provinces we can feel more connected to each other.
Remember Your Creator - Story and Photo by Donna Schulz
"Remember your creator in the days of your
youth," proved to be a poignant theme for Saskatchewan Women in Mission’s
annual Enrichment Day, since the only women under 50 were the three guest
speakers. Yet it was to hear the voices of young women that 75 members met at
Nutana Park Mennonite Church in Saskatoon on April 26.
The day began with a business meeting.
Nominating committee member Denise Epp reported that no candidates had been
found for the four vacant executive positions. Nominations from the floor
yielded one volunteer, as Marlies Patkau of Hanley agreed to serve on the
nominating committee. However, the program committee is still one member
short and the positions of secretary and president-elect remain vacant.
In light of the difficulty recruiting leaders, president Myrna Sawatzky suggested changing the organization’s name to
make it more appealing to younger women. As the only women’s group in Mennonite
Church Canada with its own charitable status, Saskatchewan Women in Mission
would have to keep its name in order to maintain that status, Sawatzky pointed
out, but the organization could adopt a new operating name. Given the group’s
aging population, she wondered aloud, “Do we want to continue as an
independent charity?”
A comment in favour of relinquishing
charitable status and funnelling money through the area church was made from
the floor, but no decision was reached.
Treasurer Ruth Heppner reported that the
group’s finances are in good shape. As if to prove the organization’s viability
as a charity, the women gathered an offering of just under $3,000.
 |
Particpants in Saskatchewan Women in Mission's
Enrichment Day add their handprints and signatures
to a banner in an exploration of the theme,
'Remember your creator'. |
Program committee member Lois Siemens led a
time of worship and activity focused on the chosen theme from Ecclesiastes
12:1. Through prayer, singing, journalling and adding handprints and signatures to a colourful banner, the women explored what it means to remember
their creator.
Laura Buhler addressed the theme from the
perspective of her experience volunteering at Bethlehem Bible College in
Palestine. Buhler said she finds Ecclesiastes 12:1 “an intimidating verse because
it puts a timeline on your faith.” She would rather render the verse: “Discover
your creator in your youth so that when you are older you will be able to
remember.”
Meghan Wiens reflected on her nine-month
adventure with Canadian Mennonite University’s Outtatown program in Canada and
South Africa. Witnessing abundant joy juxtaposed against profound suffering in
Soweto, Wiens said “Do not try and put God in a box because he will definitely
breakout.”
Terri Lynn Paulsen brought her perspective
as an agriculture student and gardener with a passion for community to the
day’s theme. Paulsen sees God at work in creation and in his people. When asked
what she would say to the women present, Paulsen replied, “Please be my friend.
Sometimes as young people we don’t know how to ask for [friendship]. Share with
me how you walked your faith.”
Perhaps as Saskatchewan Women in Mission
members look for ways to remember their creator in the coming days, they will
take up Paulsen’s challenge and share their walk of faith with the young women
in their lives.
Pause
2014. It is difficult to put into words our
experience from the weekend at Pause 2014. We have spiritually rich and vibrant
women here in Alberta who have so much to offer each other. God is among us. He is moving. And He is
alive.
