The Latin America Area held its Weaving Together Program (WTP) and Area Seminar on May 12 - 17, 2008 at the House of Spirituality, Santiago, Chile.  More than a hundred women attended the week-long activity.  One uniqueness of the Latin America Area Seminar was the attendance and participation of all the delegates in the WTP which used to be for Area Officers and Unit Presidents only.  Hence, more women were reached out to know more about the World Federation.

Language was not a barrier in drawing together the women from different countries.  English translators were available for the World Officers as well as Portuguese translators for the Brazilians.  What a joy to have come together in spite of differences in culture and traditions but united in the name of Jesus Christ. 

Jane Eyre Silva da Mata, Area President and Ivonne Pereira Diaz, Area Vice President headed the conduct of the different daily activities.

Methodist Women Meet In NASHVILLE

Weaving Together Program & Area Seminar

Date: October 4-7, 2007. Venue: Scarritt-Bennett Center, 1008  19th Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37212

The beautiful Scarritt-Bennett Center in Nashville, Tennessee offered a serene setting for renewal, reflection, relaxation, and enrichment of the mind, body, and spirit for the Methodist women who attended the North America Area Seminar of the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women, October 4-7, 2007. Scarritt-Bennett is a United Methodist-related conference and retreat center, located on the site of the former Scarritt College and Scarritt Graduate School. Approximately 115 overnight registered Methodist women and a few day attendees, representing five Methodist denominations in the United States and the Caribbean assembled for worship, study, music, fellowship, and to explore issues adopted at the 11th World Assembly that met in Jeju, South Korea during the summer of 2006.

   “Women Making A Difference” was the theme which flowed throughout the seminar program that began Thursday with registration, dinner, and the opening evening service. North America Area officers greeted the assembly and introduced the world officers: Chita R. Millan, World President (Philippines); Mia Adjali, World Vice President (USA), Shunila Ruth, World Secretary (Pakistan); and Lyra P. S. Richards, World Treasurer (West Indies). Also introduced was Dr. Brenda L.G. Smith (AMEZ), the World Federation’s NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) representative to the United Nations.

      The highlights of Thursday evening were the informative and creative presentations by the five denominational units that gave informa­tion and history about each. The program agenda for the remaining sessions included gathering music, worship, Bible study, evening prayers, sharing of stories about women who made a difference in each of the denominations, workshops, greetings from North America Area Helen Kim Scholars, the World President’s Hour, United Nations highlights, creative response & wrap-up, regional meetings and the “sending forth.”

      Many attendees said that the most spiritually enlightening segments of the seminar were the Bible Study sessions led by the  Reverend Dr. Vanessee Burns, pastor of the Faith Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Charlotte, NC. The hearts, minds and spirits of the participants seemed truly uplifted, as Dr. Burns taught, challenged and motivated the women to action.

Workshops

“Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger,” the first workshop on Friday morning, conducted by the AMEZ Church, addressed several issues on hunger and looked at effective solutions to the problem. We pondered the question: “What are you going to do to make a difference?” and the reminder: “We bring contempt to God when we take advantage of the poor, see a need and turn the other way; and neglect the poor and their needs. It is in the word...Jesus calls us to feed the sheep, the lambs, in other words, all those who are hungry.” 

“Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women” work­shop, presented by MCCA, began with a power point presentation on gender equality and focused on empowering women.  Five suggestions were given of actions we can take to help promote gender equality in our churches, homes, the community and the world.

“improve maternal health” work­shop, by UM, was a very interesting presentation highlighting the history, work, mission and programs of the Bethlehem Center of  Nashville—a 113 year old single parent facility operated by the United Methodist Women, a volunteer group of the Women’s Division. The facility provides day care, parenting, after-school and other programs.

            The Helen Kim Scholars Program was presented by Emma Lou John, UM, and her daughter, Becky John, who urged attendees to spread the word about the program and encourage eligible young women to apply to attend the next world assembly in 2011. One of the 2006 scholars, Joneeta Price of the A.M.E. Zion Church, addressed the group and shared her experiences as a Scholar in Korea, and her personal outreach helping to take care of three young children, ages 7,4&2, whose single parent has cancer.

            Dr. Brenda Smith shared very valuable information on her responsibilities as NGO representative to the United Nations, the various programs and the importance of being informed about the issues and getting involved.

            Each of the world officers spoke and challenged Methodist women  to become aware of issues and conditions facing women and children around the world and to take action. Information was shared about the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)—programs against discrimination, exploitation and violence against young women and girls. We were reminded not to forget about our men—educate them and mentor our young boys.

            Opportunity was provided for participants to purchase World Federation booklets, pendants and articles made by our sisters and brothers in Pakistan and other areas. Exhibits emphasizing the quinquennial and general World Federation themes were on display, as well.

            This Area Seminar also provided time for initial organization of the Regional Seminars which are to be held during 2008. There are ten regions in the North America Area:

Region 1 North East: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York

Region 2 Central East: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania

Region 3 South East:  Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina

Region 4 Midwest: Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Indiana

Region 5 South West: Arizona, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico

Region 6 Central West: Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Utah, Wyoming

Region 7 Southern USA: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi

Region 8 Appalachian: Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, West Virginia

Region 9 Far West: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho

Region 10 Caribbean and the Americas (8 Districts): South Caribbean, Jamaica, Panama-Costa Rica, Guyana, Belize-Honduras, Haiti, Bahamas-Turks & Caicos Islands, Leeward Islands

Members met in separate Region Meetings for the purpose of planning the Regional WFM&UCW seminars to be held some time next year.  

It is prayed that the best venue fit for most women all over the world be chosen upon God’s guidance.