Page 46 - Presbyterian Connection
P. 46

Connection
WOMEN
The WMS Council Executive (left to right): Linda Gerry, Janet Brewer, Debbie Stimphil, Janice Terry, Catherine Blatch, Lisbeth Duncan, Margaret McGugan, Joan Smith, Susan Trapp, Bonnie Mooney, Shirley Miller, Sarah Kim. Absent: Ina Borger, Sandi Churchill, Cathy Reid.
46
PRESBYTERIAN
SPRING 2023
presbyterian.ca
 Jean Aitcheson: Member of
the Order
of Canada
  WMS Council Executive Meets In-Person
An article in the Winter 2022–23 edition of the Presbyterian Con- nection newspaper (page 40) celebrated Jean Aitcheson’s “Senior of the Year” award by the city of Stratford, Ont. Jean is a local volunteer and member of the Women’s Missionary Society (WMS). Having spent 53 years as a registered nurse, Jean volun- teers with the Stratford Mission Depot, which, for 28 years, has been accepting donated medical supplies that would normally be tossed out to landfill. Instead, vol- unteers pack and send the sup- plies to people in need around the world, with most supplies going to Ukraine and Cuba.
In late Dec. 2022, Jean was notified of another accomplish- ment—she was named as a Member of the Order of Canada.
The Order of Canada is our country’s highest civilian honour. The Order of Canada recognizes the outstanding service of Ca- nadians who make a major dif- ference to the country through lifelong contributions, and who demonstrate the order’s motto— “They desire a better country.”
“I share this great honour with many hundreds of people, be- cause anything I have accom- plished has been done with a good many others,” said Jean. “The work of the Stratford Mis- sion Depot would not happen unless people trusted us and do- nated their leftover medical sup- plies for the dedicated volunteers to process them, to have them available for other people and agencies to airlift or send in sea containers around the world. And none of it would happen without a great space in which to work, which is currently at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Stratford, Ont. I am only one little cog in a huge wheel, everyone doing a little to help relieve suffering and improvelives.”(Learnmoreabout the Stratford Mission Depot in the Spring2022editionofthePresby- terian Connection, page 15).
The investiture and pinning of the stylized white snowflake med- al by the Rt. Honourable Mary Si- mon, Governor General, will take place at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. Congratulations Jean and thank you for your continued service!
 By the Women’s Missionary Society Council Executive
With much excitement and joy, the WMS Council Executive had its first in-person meeting since COVID-19. We met from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2, 2022, at the Queen of Apostles Retreat Centre in Mis- sissauga, Ont. There was much business to discuss but fellow- ship and sharing seemed to dom- inate the mood of the meetings, from the first meal together on Sunday evening to the last meal on Wednesday afternoon.
But, despite the ability to meet in person, the reality of Covid
struck—Cathy Reid, President, caught Covid and was not able to attend. Fortunately, a hybrid format was possible and a few members, including Cathy, were able to join online.
Much of the agenda was giv- en to sharing. Even though the Executive met online regularly throughout Covid, there was not enough opportunity to tell each person’s experience during this difficult time. Many inspiring and sad stories were shared.
Business decisions were con- sidered. Plans for an event in 2024, including the 110th anni- versary of the WMS, and the fu-
Joan Smith receiving the Woman of Faith Award from Janet Brewer.
ture of the WMS were prayerfully considered.
One highlight was the presenta- tion of the Woman of Faith Award to Joan Smith. This award was to have been presented at the Na- tional Women’s Gathering, which had been planned for 2020, but then was postponed and even- tually cancelled due to Covid. Thankfully, the award was finally presented to Joan, an award she won several years ago, pre-Covid.
  









































































   44   45   46   47   48