County Down PW groups set for annual conference in Belfast
Local Presbyterian Women’s groups in congregations from across County Down will come together in Belfast next Saturday (10 May), to worship, encourage one another, and hear from a leading Christian, speaker when the Annual Conference of Presbyterian Women takes place.
The meeting will also hear of a visit the outgoing and incoming presidents made to Ukraine, earlier this year.
The organisation, which supports the development and resourcing of ministry among women in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland’s (PCI) 450 local groups will meet in Assembly Buildings around the theme ‘God…ever present.’
Pauline Kennedy, PCI’s Women’s Ministry and Presbyterian Women Development Officer is looking forward to the annual event.
She said: “There is always a lot of work to do in the run up to the conference, but it’s worth it, as it is a great opportunity for our local groups, from across Ireland, to come together to worship, and to focus on God’s word.
“This year our theme, ‘God…ever present’ is taken from Psalm 46:1 which is so encouraging as it says, ‘God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.’
“Unpacking this for us, in her morning and afternoon talks, will by our guest speaker, Siân Wyn Rees, who is the Head of The Bible Society, Wales,” Mrs Kennedy said.
Over the years upwards of 1000 women attend the annual event and are welcomed by the all-Ireland denomination’s Moderator. This year is Right Reverend Dr Richard Murray, will give a short address at the start of the Morning Session, which is from 10.30am to 12.15pm.
Those attending from Down and across the country, will also hear from outgoing Presbyterian Women President, Ellen Hillen, from St Columba’s Presbyterian Church in Lisburn, and welcome her successor, Linda Beattie, who worships in Joymount Presbyterian Church in Carrickfergus.
This year’s Home and Overseas Special Projects will also be unveiled. The Afternoon Celebration, from 2pm until 3.45pm, will involve worship, and include Siân Wyn Rees’ second talk.
Mrs Kennedy continued: “At the heart of Presbyterian Women as an organisation within PCI is a desire to enable, encourage and equip women to become disciples of Christ.
“There have been women’s organisations within our denomination for over 150 years, and each has also had a focus beyond the women themselves, either through supporting mission overseas, or mission at home.
“This is still true today, through our home and overseas special projects, and the areas in PCI that we support through our Mission Fund.”
“This year sees the 120th anniversary of the creation of two of those organisations, the Women’s Association for Home Mission, which was established following the General Assembly’s concerns around long working conditions for women and girls in the factories and mills.
“That same year, 1905, the Presbyterian Women’s Union was formed for fellowship and to hear and discuss lectures on ‘edifying matters’.
“Out of these, and other women’s groups, grew one of Ireland’s largest Christian women’s organisations – Presbyterian Women – and next Saturday we will meet to praise God, who is every present, and simply enjoy being together,” Mrs Kennedy said.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, outgoing president Ellen Hillen, said that the year had flown by.
“It has been a great privilege to serve in this way, meeting with the women in their group settings, and having the opportunity to share God’s word at annual PW Sunday services, while encouraging people of all ages to continue in their walk of faith and service.
“It never ceases to amaze me of the strength and depth of women’s ministry throughout our congregations, and one of the wonderful things about PW is the humble, heartfelt service of hospitality that is so evident,” Mrs Hillen said.
On her visit to Ukraine, accompanied by Linda Beattie, her successor as president, and Rev Uel Marrs, Secretary to PCI’s Council for Global Mission, they saw the ongoing work in the western part of the country of PCI’s partner church in the region, the Reformed Church in Hungary.
“Over the last number of years, I have met and worked alongside people from Ukraine and have witnessed how being separated from family has had a huge impact.
“While this devastating war continues, it was a real honour to have the opportunity to explore the work that is being done by our partner church, which has congregations throughout that part of Ukraine, and how we as Presbyterian Women can help those left behind in some way.
“We were overwhelmed by the resilience of the people working to bring relief and provide shelter for those in need, and the many people who have been displaced.
“It is my prayer that when we share more details with the conference, in true PW style, our groups across the country will support what is being done in Ukraine by our partner through this year’s Overseas Special Project,” Mrs Hillen said.
The outgoing president concluded by saying: “I am so grateful for all the opportunities given to me this year, and it was only with God’s leading and guiding that I was able to fulfil the plans and purposes He set out before me.
“But I have not been alone, as God always gives us helpmates to encourage us and lift us up in prayer – and there have been many!
“As I come to the end of this amazing year, to Linda, I pray every blessing upon her as she takes up her role as president.”
More about the Presbyterian Women
There have been women’s organisations within the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) for over 150 years. Presbyterian Women (PW) is an organisation for women within PCI and is part of women’s ministry within the Church.
PW Groups are envisaged as women’s fellowships in which women are encouraged to become Christians and to become Christ-like. In addition to supporting mission at home and overseas, each group is to seek ways of actively reaching women in its own area for Christ. PW’s motto is ‘Living for Jesus’
Encouraging women to become disciples of Christ it aims to highlight the need for:
- Love and unity
- Obedience to God
- Christian living and spiritual maturity
- Service using gifts, time and money
- Local and global mission
The organisation supports the work of the Council of Mission in Ireland by helping to fund deaconess training and the outreach of South Belfast Friendship House into Sandy Row.
It also supports the Council for Global Mission as it sends out and funds global mission workers in countries across the globe through donations made to our Mission Fund.
Each year, Presbyterian Women also select special projects, both at home and overseas.
For information go to:
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