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Tasmanian Anglican

June 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 


'Dutchy' (L) and Carl Sherriff willingly peeled lots of spuds for lunch at the Anglican Women's Fellowship Conference.

 


Morning tea in St Mark's hall was good time to chat.

 

The incomparable riches of his grace

Report from the Anglican Women's Conference

by Alan Bulmer

 

 

More than a hundred women from around the Diocese gathered for fellowship, worship and learning at St Mark's Church in Deloraine, which was privileged to host the Anglican Women's Fellowship's 36th Annual Conference on the 4th and 5th of May

The conference began with a contemporary Eucharist celebrated by a long-time attender of these Conferences, the Rev. Joyce Blazely. The Rector's sermon was based on the life of Barnabas whose name means 'Son of Consolation, or Encouragement'; the theme of the Conference was 'The incomparable riches of his grace' (Ephesians 2.7).

The next morning, another long-time attender, the Rev. Sheila Holmes, led us in Morning Prayer and the day ended with the Eucharist celebrated by the Rector. The Bishop preached at this service and commissioned the new AWF Executive for the next year.

'What on earth is God doing?'

A special informal dinner was enjoyed on the Tuesday evening at the British Hotel and there was plenty of time for fellowship and to explore Deloraine.

Keynote speaker Robyn Claydon gave three talks entitled: 'It's a mystery to me', 'What on earth is God doing?', and 'Stepping into the future', drawn from her travels all over the world. Robyn is the Lausanne Senior Associate for Women in World Evangelism, and chair of the Australian Lausanne Committee, which assists evangelism throughout the world. An international speaker, radio broadcaster, Bible teacher and evangelist, Robyn's goal is to encourage, train, challenge and mobilise people for evangelism - she is in constant demand as a speaker and motivator.

Sand storm

Her stories were captivating, moving and encouraging and told of ordinary people who found an extra-ordinary God was equipping them. Stories told of a sand storm in an Arabian desert, which allowed non-Christians to obtain Christian literature without being seen; we heard how a pastor's wife in the former USSR was interrogated by the police, with her young daughter by her side, for hours on end, only to have the police leave her in a darkened room. When she finally found the courage to try to leave she found the door unlocked and opening onto the street where a taxi was waiting to take her home.

Need not be difficult

The main object of Robyn's talks was that evangelism need not be a difficult task, that each of us, with God's help and grace, is capable of being an evangelist.

Robyn is indeed an encourager. She is passionate about this work and this comes through so clearly as she speaks, mostly without notes.

Pity

Congratulations to outgoing President Gwenda Meacher and Secretary/Treasurer, Pat Harman for organising such a wonderful two days. Carol Flower, St Mark's, Deloraine AWF Representative, did marvellous work in preparing for the event, assisted by many others, including the men folk in the kitchen.

The pity for me was that so many women in our Diocese have not caught on to the fact that by being Anglican women they are automatically members of AWF and eligible to attend these Conferences. I strongly urge all our women to support AWF, keep watch for regional events throughout the year and plan to attend the next conference at St Mark's Bellerive in May next year.

Please support Alison Ison the new AWF Diocesan President, Secretary Elaine Davies and the regional Vice Presidents: Wendy Thiele (North), Jean Cox, (North West) and Kerry Eyre (South). You will not be sorry you did!