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Connection
WOMEN
125 Years of the PCC in the Bhil Field, India
42
PRESBYTERIAN
SUMMER 2023
presbyterian.ca
By Cathy Reid and Sarah Kim, Women’s Missionary Society
On February 13, 2023, Cathy Reid, National President of the Women’s Missionary Society (WMS), and Sarah Kim, WMS Executive Director, embarked on a long-awaited trip to India. Our friends in the Bhil Field of India had been planning a celebration of the 125th anniversary of the arrival of the Rev. John Buchanan in a place called Amkhut, about an hour’s drive outside a village called Jobat, where the PCC and the WMS have had a Christian presence for over a century.
The planning for a celebration started when Pauline Brown’s 70th anniversary of arrival in India was marked in November 2021.
Due to COVID-19, the celebra- tion dates were postponed twice. Finally, the celebrations were set for February 16–19, 2023, in Am- khut, and invitations were sent to the PCC and the WMS.
The celebrations were held over four days. We attended the big event on Saturday. As we arrived, we were thrilled to see much joyous dancing and singing throughout the huge field outside the Amkhut church and the WMS bungalow. We were told there were about 3,000 people in at- tendance. There was something for all ages. While the adults were in worship, a separate children’s program took place. Cathy Reid participated with the 300 chil- dren! The worship was lively with music led by a praise band. The
preacher was powerful, and the responses of the people could be felt and seen. There was no translation, so we could not fully understand, but we could feel the spirit of the people and God’s presence throughout.
The highlight of the day was when we were asked to come up to the front, along with Paul- ine Brown. Pauline was honoured for her many years of living and working with the people in India. All the seniors attending that day (those over 70 years of age) were asked to come up to the stage and greet Pauline. Many came up, and one by one they greeted her with hugs and kisses. It was a wonderful opportunity for them to see each other. It was an emo- tional but beautiful experience to
man wore beautiful head wreaths of orchids and blossoms made by an Embro florist. Everyone was given a piece of a jigsaw puzzle, and as part of the service each person put their piece in place, resulting in a large puzzle map of Taiwan. This symbolized that, in the eyes of God, we are not con- fetti blown around by the wind but irreplaceable pieces of a puzzle that God fits together.
There was a time of tea and fel- lowship after the service, where all enjoyed seeing the display of the Rev. George Leslie MacKay’s things and hearing President and Historian Norma Howe give some interesting facts about him.
Cathy Reid and the late Pauline Brown.
observe friendships that spanned over 70 years!
Afterwards, Cathy Reid brought greetings on behalf of the WMS. She also read a letter from the 2022 Moderator of the PCC, the Rev. Dr. Robert (Bob) Faris, with words of congratulations. How wonderful it was to see the bonds of Christian partnership!
Pauline Brown died on April 1.
Retreat at Crieff Hills
By Diane Stinson, Women’s Missionary Society member
On June 14, 2022, more than 30 Women’s Missionary Society (WMS)/Mission Circle members and congregational members of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Simcoe, Ont., attended a retreat at Crieff Hills Conference Centre in Puslinch, Ont. WMS Southwest-
She would have been 98 years old in May. Until the day of her death, she was surrounded by much love and care from her In- dian family. She lived a strong, in- credible life, with faith at the core of her existence. We thank God for Pauline and for her witness to the bond of love in Christ between the PCC/WMS and the people of the Bhil Field.
Kyoungsoo Hwang puts her final touch on a rock painting activity.
ern Ontario Synodical President, Margaret McGugan, and National President, Cathy Reid, also at- tended. The day focused on prayer and Margaret Henderson was our theme speaker. The day included a lunch and free time to explore the property. Many tried using the labyrinth. A variety of activities were available for the attendees.
Celebrating the World Day of Prayer
By Marybel Brennerman, member of Embro Women’s Missionary Society (WMS) Auxiliary
The World Day of Prayer, March 3, 2023, was held at Knox Pres- byterian Church in Embro, Ont. For years, the four churches of Knox United (Embro), St. An- drew’s United (Brooksdale), Knox Presbyterian (Harrington) and Knox Presbyterian (Embro) have taken turns hosting the World Day of Prayer Services.
As a result of Covid, March 6, 2020, was the last in-person ser- vice. So it was with great joy that we gathered together for the wor- ship service written by the Chris-
tian women of Taiwan.
Taiwan has a very special con-
nection with the Embro area. One hundred and fifty-one years ago, the Rev. George Leslie MacKay, the first Canadian Presbyterian missionary, left his home here and went to Formosa, now Tai- wan. The Taiwanese still claim the Rev. MacKay was the greatest gift that Canada had given them. So, we sang the Rev. MacKay’s favourite hymn.
The women of Taiwan wear head wreaths on special oc- casions to show welcome and respect, so the pianist Marlene Matheson and leaders Anne Matheson and Marybel Brenne-
Betty Ferguson, left, and Kyoungsoo Hwang relax while doing rock painting.