ACW Fall Gathering in Maple Ridge

On Saturday, October 14, 2023, from 10am-2:30pm the Anglican Church Women of the Diocese of New Westminster met for their 3rd Annual Fall Gathering. The Gathering took place at the Parish of St. John the Divine, Maple Ridge which as many of us know boasts the oldest church building in the diocese. It was constructed in 1859 on a piece of land by the Fraser in the village of Derby just west of the present Fort Langley. Twenty-three years later it was dismantled and floated across the Fraser River to a location near its present site and reassembled at River Road and Laity Street in Maple Ridge. The venerable building and the ACW both have a rich history.  St. John the Divine, Maple Ridge is not a museum, it is open and active, a place of compassion, hope and healing and the 2023 version of the ACW in our diocese is also open and active. The diocesan ACW is growing, rejuvenated, relevant and ready to move forward.

The theme for the meeting was two pieces of Scripture: "for where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, there am I among them" Matthew 18:20.  And "perfume & incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from her earnest counsel" Proverbs 27:9

The vicar of St. John’s, the Reverend Laurel Dahill presided and preached at the Eucharist that was celebrated following registration and the speaker was the Reverend Jessica Schaap, diocesan Missioner for Christian Formation on Synod staff. Her topic, “The lifelong journey of maturing into the mind, heart, and practice of Christ.”

The Reverend Dahill’s sermon is available posted here

In her report to diocesan communications about the Gathering, Kelly had this to say:

 “The sermon by the Reverend Laurel Dahill was wonderful.  So inspiring and uplifting.  The Reverend  Jessica Schaap’s address was excellent.  I've never seen the women so involved.  Full of ideas and laughter.”

Kelly requested that we include the Blessing as part of the coverage of the day.

"The world now is too dangerous, too beautiful for anything but love;

so I bless your eyes, so that you see God in everyone.

I bless your ears, so that you hear the cries of the poor.

I bless your lips, so that you speak nothing but the truth in love.

I bless your hands, so that everything you give and everything you receive is a sacrament.

I bless your feet, so that you may run to those who need you.

And may your hearts be so opened, so set on fire, that your love changes everything."

ACW President, Kelly Bowman’s first parish visit presentation of the brand new ACW awareness campaign is posted below. The first visit took place Sunday, October 1 at St. John the Divine, Maple Ridge. Kelly reported that she was pretty nervous but the Reverend Dahill spent a morning with her in rehearsal and emphasized the vicar's help saying, "best coach ever!"

If you would like to know more about the diocesan ACW, their programs, outreach, social connection and parish visits please contact Kelly Bowman by email.