The 8th Joint  European Area Seminar was held at Erskine Bridge Hotel, Renfrew in Scotland on 19 - 23 May, 2009.  The Weaving Together Programme took place the previous day when Unit delegates from both Areas and the World Officers shared together.

About 220 delegates from 22 countries came together united by the theme “Be Salt! Be Light!”  There were many opportunities to meet friends and form new friendships.  The Open Celebration began with a dinner, then Kathleen Pearson, the host Area Vice President and Greetje van der Veere, the Area President for Europe Continental welcomed guests and the World Officers.  Dr Chita Millan, the World President and the host Area President, Sheelagh Wonnacott brought greetings. There was a Scottish Piper and singing was led by Alison Adam.

The Local Arrangements Committee, under the leadership of Kathleen Pearson, made sure everything went smoothly.  We were privileged to have as keynote speakers Bishop Rosemarie Wenner and the Rev Dr Heather Morris who spoke on the theme.  Both were excellent and were one of the highlights of the Seminar.

There was a varied programme starting with early morning prayers each day, singing  some  songs in different languages, craft sessions, sharing skills, 8 MDG Bible Studies,  market place, Taize worship, bus trip to Glasgow or the beautiful lakes and mountains of Scotland.  The Communion Service was conducted by the Rev Lily Twist and Dr Chita Millan gave the address.  The Closing Celebration was introduced by Regula Stotz, Vice President for Europe Continental and Sheelagh Wonnacott.  This included dance, drama and songs, prayers and blessings from European countries by the workshop groups.  The evening closed with a ceildh or dance. Then it was “good bye” the next morning.  The Seminar was a very special time for so many.

Three (3) World Officers were joined by nine (9) Area Presidents and one (1) Area Vice President in the conduct of the 3rd World Executive Committee meeting, together with one UN representative upon invitation.  The meeting was held last May 25 - 29, 2009 at Belfast City in Northern Ireland at the Grosvenor Hall of the Belfast  Mission Church.

 
The meeting was presided over by the World President, Chita Millan.  Foremost in the lengthy agenda was planning for the 12th World Assembly.  The Execom engaged in extensive discussions but coupled with careful reflections for what is best for the diversed women who come from all parts of the world.  Among the actions taken were choices of:

Venue:             Indaba Hotel in Fourways Johannesburg, South Africa
Dates:              August 10 – 16, 2011
Theme:            “Bambalela [Never Give Up], Christ is our Hope”

Members were first asked to choose the duty/assignment they like to do for the Assembly before taskings were distributed.  This was thought of to ensure that every aspect of the Assembly will be attended to and will be done well.  Other names will be added later to the lists of tasks and managers.

The meeting was also an opportune time to be updated with what each Area was doing especially on the action plan for the quinquennium: UN’s Millennium Development Goals [MDGs].  It was good to note that all nine Area Presidents were present, each one giving her report highlighting the Weaving Together Program and Area Seminar, and other programs and projects the Area is immersed in. 

Federation program reports were also part of the agenda: Archives by Pamela Klimcke, United Nations by Brenda Smith, Helen Kim Scholarships by Mele’ana Puloka, Bossey Study Programme by Chita Millan, Tree of Life by Dorothy Kumar, and the Website by Ken Archie Millan,.  The Execom was greeted and welcome by no less than the Past World President, Dr. Edith Loane who hails from Dublin, Ireland; while Janice Clark, former World Secretary, acted as translator and recorder.      

The five-day meeting closed with a communion service led my Greetje van der Veer, Area President of Europe Continental.

The Execom members realized the enormity of the task ahead of them.  What an Assembly for women worldwide?  What distance separates one officer from the other?  What meeting comes the soonest after this?  But in spite of all these qualms and uncertainties, with each one covenanting her all-out support and indisputable commitment, who would not trust that all will go well?

“Asian Women: Breaking Barriers & Building Lives”,  the theme for the First Joint Asian Weaving Together Program & Seminar rang out loud and clear as women from 11 countries of  East and South Asia Areas gathered together in Medan, Indonesia, 14 - 18 April, 2009.  

The World President, Chita Millan & World Treasurer, Lyra Richards came together with Eun Young Choi, East Asia Area President; Dorothy Sampath Kumar, South Asia Area President; Laureen Ong & Sarojini Nagendran, Vice Presidents of East & South Asia Areas, respectively; and  the 300 participants to celebrate the joy of ‘Knowing Christ and Make Him Known.’     

The unique blend of colours, traditions, cultures combined together in worship, meditation, fellowship and action, led the Asian women to rediscover the wonder of a life that is empowered within by God’s divine touch, to reach out to - Break Barriers & Build Lives.