The fragrance of godliness

Burnaby, B.C.

On Saturday, April 27, 600 women of all ages gathered at Willingdon Church in Burnaby, B.C. for the eighth annual B.C. MB Women's Conference. It was a day to enjoy relationships with friends while travelling together and to renew friendships from the past as they waited in orderly queues for registration, book displays and the 14 workshops. Their spirits were touched by special music by the group Just Cause and well-chosen songs in corporate worship. Large baskets of roses on tables in the foyer and the sanctuary served as visual reminders of the theme "The Fragrance of Godliness".

Conference speaker Winnie Bartel began by sharing some "miracles" at the United Nations Women's Conference in Bejing last fall. She described how God had used her and the Board of the National Association of Evangelicals to influence the conference position on issues such as gender definition, abortion and definition of the family. Winnie challenged the women present to become involved in the larger hurting world, to be salt and light, to influence policies as individuals when religious institutions, as such, are not invited to participate. She affirmed that it is amazing what God can accomplish through one person doing God's will at the right time and in the right place.

This became the backdrop from which Winnie challenged the women to "be" the church. She went on to identify things that keep people from being fragrant. When our hearts are hardened or we are preoccupied, we do not listen. When we are too wrapped up in a predetermined conclusion, we exude disappointment and discouragement and cease to be a godly influence. Mary's brokenness when she anointed Jesus' feet, filled the house with fragrance.

A highlight of the conference was the response to the offering project presented by Irma Epp, who had recently attended the Women's Conference of the MB Churches of Zaire. She provided a glimpse of the circumstances under which women are taking personal responsibility to build the church. Amidst extreme poverty, illiteracy, 90% unemployment and large families, they have a commitment to do God's work. The offering of $7600 will be used with the Zairian women's contributions to set up literacy and social centres where women will be taught to read and to develop entrepreneurial skills so that they can supplement their meagre family incomes.

Chairperson Evelyn Peters and her committee did a superb job of serving the women of B.C. Attention to detail was evident in the choice of workshop topics, the capable presenters, the attractively set tables and the luncheon. A single rose was given to each participant as she left as a final symbolic challenge.

Luella Schimpky

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