2014 Women’s Gathering a Huge Success

WRITTEN BY AMY MACLACHLAN

The National Presbyterian Women’s Gathering drew more than 600 people from across the country and around the world. Held over the May long weekend in Richmond Hill, Ont., the four-day event featured international guests, lively worship, informative seminars and challenging speakers, including Dr. Samantha Nutt, founder of War Child Canada, and Kim Phuc, who, as a young girl, was the subject of the famous photo of a napalm attack taken during the Vietnam War in June of 1972.

In addition, six women were recognized for their lifetime dedication to the church during the first Women of Faith awards banquet. 

“I was very pleased that all of our preparations were so well received and that people genuinely enjoyed being there and seemed to learn so much,” said Rev. Sarah Kim, executive director of the Women’s Missionary Society, one of the main supporters and organizers of the event. “But I was disappointed that so many of our African sisters were denied visas; their presence would have added even more to our event. We are in the process of forwarding a petition to the government about this.”

The conference theme was Burst Forth, and the stories that came out of the event are ones of spiritual renewal and transformation. The Presbyterian Record’s September issue will be dedicated to these stories. 

SOURCE: http://presbyterianrecord.uberflip.com/i/340925/9