ACW IN The Diocese of Athabasca
National Conference 2007
Christ Our Refuge
Our Conference this year was held in Terrace B.C. and they did an amazing job. I knew then that the Diocese of Athabasca could also one day host a National Conference, maybe next time the Province of Ruperts Land hosts the event. Our theme was Christ our Refuge.
We started off Thursday with a Welcome from the Bishop William Anderson , Rev Ernest, Minister of the parish, and our National President, Heather Carr. Friday we had our business meeting and here is where things were difficult. Three of us had let our name stand for National Vice President and because of the wording of our Constitution they eliminated each of us. Unfortunately we only found out the day before and the day of the election. Needless to say there were some hurt feelings. Elections were then put off until we could re work the constitution so it would work better for all Dioceses. I was put on a committee to do this very thing. We adopted a National Logo and a Theme Song The love of Jesus Call us.
Friday evening we had a talk from Fiona Brownlee who is the promotions coordinator for the Council of the North and she has such a passion for the Northern Peoples. It was great to meet a new friend and someone who seemed like she could fit so easily in the Diocese of Athabasca. She told us of the language barriers that exist as well as the distance but also about the amazing ministry that is going on and gave us some ideas of ways we might use the Northern Dioceses as our outreach ministries.
Saturday we had a presentation from one of the girls from Newfoundland about the ACW being an aging organization. We also had a tour by Web Bennett from the Kitselas Native Band He was very passionate about the cultural center and long homes they were recreating. They had three built , in one they were carving Totem Poles , the next animals and arts and crafts and the third they would have audio visual. They are working very hard but not ready for the public just yet. We also had a walk done to the river where they hope to have a bridge across to the old settlement that is there that they may try and restore the historical Chiefs house. We were really given a good understanding of there cultural traditions and we also met Web’s parents who were obviously very proud of their son, Rightfully so. We received a gift of a pin , t-shirt and pen from Web. We also each received a cross from Another Native community.
In Faith,
Candace Mahaffey