North Agassiz UCW meet in Neepawa
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- Published on Thursday, November 24, 2016
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North Agassiz UCW
The Neepawa United Church hosted the 2016 North Agassiz Fall Rally, with 38 ladies from across North Agassiz Presbyterial present.
The day opened with registration, coffee and muffins (provided by Neepawa's UCW), a time of greetings and renewing friendships. Claire Ommerli (McKenzie, Portage la Prairie) called us to the sanctuary where the business of the day took place, beginning with a welcome by Claire. This was followed with a worship service led by Kristin Woodburke, the minister of the Neepawa United Church, with the theme mirroring the rally theme of Learning and Caring.
The UCW has been, in the past, a way for women of the congregation to have a role in the church-holding office was not allowed for many years, so they worked through the UCW, helping those in need and giving comfort where needed. Prayers for the people and the Lord's Prayer completed the service.
Claire Ommerli introduced our speaker of the day, Jan McIntyre of Clearwater, MB, who spoke on the Israel/Palestine situation, where women today are finding ways to make change happen in their countries. Jan spoke of the trips she has made to these countries with the World Council of Churches, of the living conditions of the Palestine families (houses are often demolished by Israeli rebels), no running water or hydro, though these are available close, they are refused to them. Israel continues to occupy 3/4 of the land area and though the UN Declaration of Rights is binding there, those Human Rights are not allowed to the Palestine peoples. Jan showed many slides of the families and their living conditions bringing realism to her presentation.
For 48 years, this conflict has carried on with Israel taking lands previously held by Palestine, with Palestinians being under military law while Israelites are under civil law. However the Palestine people still remain hopeful; poverty levels are extreme, Palestine is the second largest recipient of aid in the world. They are primarily a herding people, goats and sheep, they sit, sleep on mats and generally protect themselves from snakes by installing cement floors in their homes. HIRN (Hebron International Resources Network) assist with the installation of floors, education and girls’ schools. Ways we can help include fair trade products, Advent Peace Boxes, 10 Thousand Villages, boycott of Israel products, the Wave of Prayer and becoming educated.
Claire Ommerli thanked Jan for her informative presentation and this ended our morning session. Jan McIntyre was given $300 to disperse as she sees fit to the groups she works with.
Then it was off to the CE building, where we enjoyed a delicious soup and sandwich lunch by the Neepawa UCW. During lunch hour, the Neepawa branch of Victoria's Quilts set up a display of their quilts and we were given a very interesting explanation of how Victoria's Quilts came to be, who they are made for, how many have been made locally and across Canada and to whom they are given. As the Presbyterial UCW felt this to be a very worthwhile project, the offering of the day, brought up to $500, was given to the Neepawa branch for their needs, including fabric, thread, quilting and postage.
The afternoon session found us back in the sanctuary to continue with the business of the day, namely reports from the various groups – Conference and National UCW, treasurer and supply. Greetings from the Neepawa UCW were given by Donna Newton. Claire Ommerli brought greetings from both Conference and National UCWs. The Rally celebrating 55 years of UCW will be held July in Vancouver, BC. Pat McCormick gave the treasurer's report and the Supply report was given by Marion Bornn. Each church was reminded that if they are sending parcels to the north, they should be sent early to take advantage of the free shipping from Aperimeter Aeration.
The enjoyable time of singing was ably led by Leanne Harding and Kristin Woodburke. In Memoriam was given by Oakville ladies; numbers and words of gratitude given by Gladstone.
