ACW IN The Diocese of Athabasca
National Conference 2010
Be Still and Know That I Am God
January 2011
Greetings,
First off please accept my apologies for not having written sooner, usually in the fall after the National ACW Presidents/Coordinators conference I have sent out a report, not so this past fall, for many reasons, so again I apologize. So much has happened since many of us gathered in May 2010 for the diocesan ACW conference and I would like to give you a short update and also give you a heads up for the coming year.
September 16-19, 2010 I attended the National Anglican Church Women Presidents and Coordinators Conference and Annual General Meeting. This event was hosted by the Diocese of British Columbia at Camp Shawnigan on Lake Shawnigan approximately 45 minute drive from Victoria. The setting was beautiful and although it rained much of our time there we were still able to enjoy the setting. The theme for the conference was “Be Still and Know That I Am God”. We were welcomed to the conference by Diocese of British Columbia, Bishop Cowan, Diocesan ACW President Barb Coleman and National ACW President Marion Saunders (whom many of you met at our conference in May). Worship for the weekend was lead by Rev. Lyn Oldale and theme speaker Rev. Dr. June Maffin. The whole conference was guided by the theme, from worship, learning sessions, as well as the AGM, centred on “Be-ing” and the reminder of just being with God.
I have formed many friendships with several of the Diocesan ACW Presidents and it was so nice to meet again and continue our friendships. As many of you are aware I was nominated for the position of Secretary to the National Board, a two year position and am happy to report that I was elected to this position. There was also an election for the position of Vice President to the National Board and Delorie Walsh from the Diocese of Calgary was elected to this position. Delorie and myself now join, Terri Parrill (who has moved into the president position from vice president), Addie Sullivan (treasurer) and Marion Saunders (now past president) to make up the National ACW Board.
Along with many things that were discussed over the weekend I would like to make mention of two of them. Firstly, the establishment of the National ACW Endowment Fund through the Anglican Foundation, this fund was set up with some existing funds and also with the thought in mind that if someone wished to make a donation to the National ACW they could do so and receive a tax receipt, the guidelines for the distribution of these funds are still being finalized. The other item I would like to share with you is the availability of a National Anglican Church Women’s lapel pin. Many years ago a logo was created to represent the National Anglican Church Women as well as a prayer, these in no way replace what was or is already being used in diocese across the country. I hope to have some pins available at our conference this spring to share with you.
Along with National I took part in a couple of other events in our diocese this fall. I attended the diocesan youth conference in the capacity of chaperone on Labour Day weekend hosted in Athabasca for youth from across our diocese. What an amazing and renewing experience to spend this time with our youth. It reminded me that our youth are not our future but our right now and we have a lot we can learn from them. I continue to be supportive of the youth in our diocese and will be helping to plan the 2011 conference to be held on Labour Day weekend, location yet to be determined. I encourage you to encourage the youth in your parishes to attend this conference, we will all grow from their experience. Just a thought, maybe there is a way that we as the Diocese of Athabasca Anglican Church Women can support the youth of this diocese as a group.
I was also a delegate to our Diocesan Synod held in Slave Lake in October as the ACW Coordinator. It was a very busy 3 days with lots of business as well as wonderful guest speakers – Michael Harvey from Back to Church Sunday and Karla Mercaldo from Power to Change and of course fellowship and worship. This Synod was lead very well by Bishop Fraser (his first Diocesan Synod as Bishop) and at all times I felt that God was the centre of all the discussions and decisions. As you are aware the Diocesan ACW at our last two AGM’s discussed and sent forward a resolution to Synod with regards to the ACW Coordinator being listed as a member of the Diocesan Executive Council (DEC) I am pleased to let you know that this resolution passed at one synod as there were not more than four dissenting votes. I attended DEC in December as an official member.
This year will be full of activity, as usual. Along with DEC meetings, as already mentioned there will be the youth conference on Labour Day weekend which I will be attending. Our annual ACW Conference and AGM will be May 6-8 in High Prairie, the organizing committee has been very busy planning the conference and will have information/registration out shortly, if there are any items you wish to have on the agenda for the AGM please forward to me. At the 2010 Conference there was discussion regarding our logo and the request for items with the logo for purchase. In the fall I was able to have the logo placed on fleece scarves (navy and burgundy) and water bottles, both these items are available currently and will also be at this year’s conference, please contact me if you are interested before the conference. As well, just a reminder that for the past few years we have encouraged each ACW in the diocese to make a donation to the diocesan ACW by either having an event or just making a donation, this money is used to support the travel/national conference expenses of the diocesan coordinator and the support of women who wish to attend our annual diocesan conference and are unable to do so because of the cost.
There will also be a diocesan conference in the fall, date and location still to be finalized. I am on the organizing committee and encourage you all to attend. As usual I will also be attending the National ACW President Coordinators Conference in September this year in Ottawa.
I continue to feel honoured and blessed to represent the women of this diocese in all my travels in the diocese and beyond. I welcome any opportunity to meet with you and offer any assistance that I can and if you wish I will come and attend an ACW meeting in your parish or just to meet with the women in your parish. Please feel free to contact me either by phone (780)689-4326 or email joannamuzyka@hotmail.com .
I look forward to seeing you in May at our annual conference and encourage you to invite someone who has never attended.
I recently read Bishop Fraser’s message in “The Messenger” encouraging us to take the time and linger in God’s presence and I am working at doing just that, putting everything aside for at least a moment and I would like to encourage you to do this as well.
Many Blessings,
Joanna Muzyka
Joanna Muzyka
ACW Coordinator
Diocese of Athabasca
joannamuzyka@hotmail.com