Skip to content

Christmas plans and anniversaries top the list

Monthly news from the United Church Women of Ashcroft

Past President, Reta Robertson presided for the November meeting held in the Church Hall the afternoon of the 1st (All Saint’s Day). Ten ladies, including our new minister, Alice Watson attended.

Reta opened our time together with words of welcome and a prayer. Joyce gave the devotion, “Called by Name” with scripture from Isaiah 43.

Church calendars for 2012 have arrived and were distributed. Members brought Christmas cards to give to the residents of Jackson House for their personal use.

Officers for 2012 are: president Lynn Lancaster; past president and treasurer Reta Robertson; secretary Jacklin Desrosiers; sunshine Dixie Sydia; publicity Phyllis Gray; and archives Hilda Drinkwater.

The Inter-Church Bazaar with the Anglican Church Women, is Sat., Dec. 3 from noon to 2 pm at St. Alban’s Hall.

Response to the appeal for men’s and women’s warm socks, mitts/gloves, toques, bath towels, etc., has been wonderful.

We were pleased to have a visit from the missionary we help to sponsor, Carmen Salacsacan for three days at the end of October. She gave a public testimony and sharing of the work she does in the Texcoco area of Mexico as well as spent time in the community.  We met her 14 years ago when she was about to enter missionary training and this was her first visit back. She prepared a tasty Mexican dish that we enjoyed at her presentation. She spent two months in Canada visiting sponsors. Now she is back at work in Mexico.

The daily devotion booklets, “Our Daily Bread” were handed out for the next quarter. Letters were passed around from Action International Ministries, Naramata Centre, First United Church Mission in Vancouver, and Keeping In Touch (news for UCW groups).

Next year marks the 50th anniversary of United Church Women and several celebrations are planned. The national one is being held in July in Ancaster, Ontario and we have a member registered to attend. A special project has been adopted for the anniversary year - the Morogoro Women’s Centre in Tanzania. The goal is to raise $50,000 to support the centre’s plans to educate women in health related skills.

We agreed to send our 2011 allocation to BC Conference UCW, and donations to the National UCW and the Morogoro project.

We paused at this point for a brief social time over refreshments before completing the agenda.

During new business we agreed to  have an afghan as a silent auction item at the Inter-Church Bazaar.

We also set Dec. 10 for the UCW Zion Church Family Christmas party, at 5:30 in the church hall. The evening begins with a potluck dinner. Members of the congregation are invited to come that morning to decorate both the church and hall. White Gift Sunday is Dec. 11 when we bring non-perishable items for the Christmas Hampers.

Our next meeting is Jan. 3, 2012 at 2 pm in the church hall.

The meeting closed with the members repeating the “UCW Prayer”.

As this is the last report for the year, we wish to thank those who read the articles and wish everyone well for the coming Festive Season (although it seems rather early to be doing so).

Reta Robertson