Butterflies, Book of Ruth, Burning Fossil Fuels, were all part of APW’s 45th Birthday and Triennial Conference
As the sun shone but the temperatures plummeted up to 120 people gathered in the Manawatu city of Palmerston North 1-3 May for the Association of Presbyterian Women’s (APW)Triennial Business and Study Conference. Many came long distances with some travelling from the far North and from as far South as Dunedin to attend. There were an abundance of butterflies to be seen: crafted butterflies in brilliant colours; butterflies fluttering in outside pots and graphics of butterflies and the globe which all portrayed the conference theme “God calls “Touch the Earth Lightly”.
Karakia and song led by Chaplain Rev. Heather Mataamua and a group of students from Turakina Maori Girls’College began the official opening. The Moderator The Right Reverend Dr Graham Redding gave his perspective on the theme in his opening address.
Saturday was highlighted by the guest speakers and the workshops. International speaker, advocate and Methodist, Linda Bales Todd travelled from her home in Washington DC and gave an excellent and inspiring keynote address. Using a power point presentation, Linda told with compassion the biblical story of Ruth and skilfully interwove the different issues effecting women and children living on a rapidly changing planet. The issues included poverty, climate change, domestic violence and abuse, HIV/AIDS and obstetric fistula and Linda said all needed a Christian voice. Next came, the science of global warming clearly presented by Dr Kevin Tate. His graphic and sobering presentation of the facts was well balanced with suggestions of how each person can be encouraged to contribute to conserving and sustaining our planet.
The workshops proved to be very popular and included bible study, dance, CWS and singing. Popular musician and choir master Roy Tankersley took the conference theme seriously when he pedalled his way into his workshop on a bike!
The business sessions included reports from the APW national conveners. The financial report covered nine months as APW moved forward its closing of the books to June 30th to match the PCANZ, in line with the requirement of the Charities Act. Remits were debated and the results can be found in the June Gleanings. There was much discussion around the urgent need for funds for Turakina Maori Girls’s College, an integrated Presbyterian secondary school situated in Marton which receives regular support from APW. The following motion from the floor was put to the meeting and carried.
That the National Coordinating Group initiate a Special Project within the whole PCANZ to obtain funds to increase the number of scholarships and refurbish the hostels at Turakina Maori Girls’s College.
At the Dinner we were wonderfully entertained with song and dance by APW Pacific Island women from Wellington and Porirua who were dressed sustainably in brightly coloured tie –dyed dresses made from recycled cotton sheets with wreaths of flowers in their hair. The Moderator warmly accepted an invitation to join in and show his singing and dancing talent!
No one could have guessed the extent or standard of The Wearable Recycled Art Parade. Well over forty participants modelled their creations to the keyboard accompaniment of popular songs. The usual recycled materials like plastic and paper were used sometimes in combination with purchases from the ‘op’ shops but some materials were more unusual e.g. weed matting, venetian blinds, original potato sacks and old long playing vinyl records. The attention to design, colour and originality was simply amazing, resulting in many stunning creations.
Throughout the weekend the theme God calls ”Touch the Earth Lightly” was used by Teacher /Facilitator the Very Rev Pamela Tankersley and Conference Chaplain Rev Sharon Ensor. Encouragement was given to recognize ourselves as being part of God’s whole creation; to know God’s provision is enough; to take heed of the words of Jesus to rid ourselves of “stuff,” and show love and justice; to remember the Sabbath and the need for rest; and to listen and discern God’s will for our lives. All were encouraged to listen to God’s call to “Touch the earth lightly.”
View a copy of the notes from the business meeting.