Annual Meeting 2011

The Assembly Hall buzzed with excitement on the 26th May, as once again many women braved the elements to come to share with others a special day in the life of PW - the Annual Meeting. Were they the "guinea pigs" who were trying out the venue for the first time after its recent face-lift? Most would agree that the changes have been for the better. The interest in PW continues to flourish as members seek to follow their motto, Living for Jesus, and the hall was filled to capacity for both meetings.

The music, provided by Graham Hawthorne and his band, was very uplifting and the songs were relevant to this year's theme, "Under His Wings", where security is found.

The outgoing President, Phyllis Spence, spoke of the immense privilege it had been to serve as President. One of the highlights of her year was her visit to Gujurat in India with Caroline Hawthorne, where the overseas project was identified.

Caroline introduced the new President, Edna McIlwaine, a member of Hill Street, Lurgan. Edna spoke about her involvement in PW and her role as an encourager; encouraging women to embrace change, while still supporting deaconesses and overseas mission personnel. She said she felt terrified, humbled and excited when she looked forward to the year ahead. Edna explained how, when she read 2 Tim 1:7, God had rebuked her feeling of panic; "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline."

Caroline announced changes to the funding of PW and introduced the special projects for the incoming year. She also encouraged women to attend the Leadership Event on 10th September. She announced that next year's Annual Meeting would be held on Thursday 3rd May at 2.00 pm and repeated on Friday 4th at 7.30 pm. The main speaker, Michelle Guinness, will also be involved in a seminar-type event on Friday 4th at 3.00 pm.

Charlotte Stevenson explained that, as Communications and Development Officer, she is now also the editor of Wider World. She paid tribute to the great contribution our organisation has made to the Church over the past one hundred and thirty years and shared good news stories which have appeared in the magazine.

Acknowledging God's provision, Charlotte said she would value prayer for wisdom and guidance about content for the magazine - "God knows the needs of the readers and the work He wants highlighted, so it is important that the direction of the magazine comes from Him." The printing and distribution of nineteen thousand copies is no easy task. It was fitting that Jackie Hartsmith-Foy who heads up in the Torre Del Mar Evangelical Church, featured in the March issue of Wider World, was invited to read from the Scriptures.

Guest speaker, Jennifer Rees-Larcombe, was as inspirational as ever, still healthy and vibrant with life. Those who had heard her before had been looking forward to her return and those who had not yet heard her were no less disappointed. Her message was fresh and tinged with many touches of wit and good humour. With great openness, she spoke from her tremendous wealth of experience of life and of God's continued guidance and protection through many problems.

She explained that God has put us in a real world where we are to make a difference, so we need to keep stepping back into His presence.

It was no wonder that her books went like hot cakes, so much so that extra reinforcements had to be drafted in to cope with customer demand!

Another day in the calendar of PW ended with the singing of 'There is a Higher Throne', (giving honour and praise to the Protector and Shelter of Psalm 91).