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WMS Celebrates 110 Years of Mission and Fellowship
By Sarah Kim, Executive Director, Women’s Missionary Society
How does an organization with so much history, like the Wom- en’s Missionary Society (WMS), celebrate 110 years? Whatever the program or however the cel- ebration, most certainly it would be difficult, if not impossible, to do full justice in recognizing the many years of mission history. The most important thing is to give thanks to God for the gifts of service, purpose and God’s grace for all those years!
The WMS celebrated its 110th anniversary May 5–8, 2024. We not only looked back on our rich history, but also very intention- ally and, perhaps painstakingly, looked at our present, before brainstorming about the future with gratitude and humility. To- gether, the WMS attempted to be honest about the current reality while dreaming about the future.
With much excitement, about 70 members from across Canada came together at the Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre in Mis- sissauga, Ont., just outside To- ronto. Most were long-time, dedi- cated members who remained connected with the WMS, even throughout the COVID-19 years. With a thirst for fellowship, they greeted each other with joy and enthusiasm. They came with a desire to connect with others who have a similar vision for mission and faith. Seeking God’s pres- ence in their midst, these deter- mined WMS members gathered, despite the conditions of aging, some using walkers and canes, others joining virtually, all out of love for the WMS and gratitude for a faithful God!
The program included wor- ship and communion led by the Rev. Mary Fontaine, Moderator of the 2023 General Assembly, who spoke about the Spirit of God. Later, the celebrations included a fun and enter taining presentation of the WMS history, prepared by members of the Southwestern On- tario Synodical.
Dr. Priya John, Director of the
Christian Medical Association of India (CMAI), our par tner organi- zation in India, was our special speaker. The motto of the CMAI is “promoting a just and healthy so- ciety,” and from her presentation it’s clear that the CMAI is working hard to promote this message as Christian health-care workers liv- ing and working in a Hindu coun- try. Afterwards, Dr. John talked about the late Dr. Pauline Brown, PCC missionary and WMS mem- ber, and the work Pauline did in India, which spanned about 70 years. For her many years serving the people of India as a health-care worker, the CMAI had given Paul- ine a lifetime recognition award.
On Monday evening, Inuit sing- er Susan Aglukark gave a beauti- ful and moving performance. She also gave a touching testimo- nial about her experience with the generational trauma of residential schools. She shared about life as an Inuit person in northern Can- ada who is also a Christian, but not a churchgoer. She is a tiny woman with a big voice!
Tuesday morning began with worship and the message given by the Rev. Dr. Dorcas Gordon. Dor- cas challenged everyone to think not only about the WMS history but also about how to go forward. Worship ended with the hymn “One More Step along the Road I Go,” which has meaningful words for WMS members who are seek- ing to know where God is leading.
After worship, Dorcas led a panel discussion on the topic of women and mission. The panelists were the Rev. Marion Barclay (for- mer missionary to Ghana, AMS), the Rev. Mary Fontaine (Indig- enous, Hummingbird Ministries) and Cathy Reid (Malawi mission, WMS). Each person shared about how she became involved in mis- sion, from a woman’s perspective. They demonstrated how they were pioneers at a time when women in the church were not given the same level of recognition as men. We give thanks for these women who, knowingly or unknowingly, brought about positive changes to how mission and ministry is done.
The WMS group photo for the 110th anniversary.
On Tuesday afternoon, two guest speakers gave a presenta- tion on the situation in Ukraine. Elena Risnyk, a refugee from Ukraine and whose husband is a minister of the Reformed Church of Ukraine, talked about her plight as a Ukrainian woman who fled to Canada with her daughter as soon as the war star ted, leaving behind her husband. Thankfully, her hus- band was recently able to join the family in Canada. Her story was one of strength, perseverance and faith. Our second guest speaker, Thea van Dixhoorn, shared about the Christian church in Ukraine and Reformed International Theologi- cal Education. In a country where the Ukrainian Or thodox church is the dominant majority, the protes- tant churches struggle to keep the reformed tradition alive.
The day ended with closing worship, which included a shor t
hymn-sing. As our accompanist Sunju Koh commented, the WMS can sing! Later, Cathy Reid, WMS president, reflected on what the WMS means to her.
After the celebrations ended, the WMS Council met and considered the way forward. Anniversaries can be a time when the past is re- flected upon but they can also be a turning point. It was acknowledged that the reality for the WMS is a declining and aging membership. The discussions concluded that council members want to con- tinue forward, keeping the WMS purpose, with renewed energy to be the “hands and feet of Jesus Christ” for as many more years as God allows. There was a recogni- tion that we need to be the “phoe- nix that rises from the ashes”; that we are no longer threatened with resurrection but that we now re- joice with resurrection!
Cathy Reid, WMS President, cuts cake with former presidents Joan Smith and Janet Brewer, and former mis- sionary Eleanor Crabtree.
Is the future of the WMS bright and promising? Despite the very positive anniversary celebration and council meeting, this is still unclear. But of one thing we are cer tain—the WMS will go for th with the Spirit of God, singing, “one more step along the road I go,” for as long as God gives us life!