MB women meet

"Women joining hands across North America",was the title of the women's luncheon held Friday, July 12. About 75 people, mostly women, shared this lunch time chaired by Melanie Reist, a local lawyer and a member of Waterloo MB church. Irma Epp from Winnipeg gave a brief overview of the history of the Women's Network, beginning with the sorrow felt after the Winnipeg 93 convention and the result of the vote on women in ministry. The Ontario group was formed soon after the Winnipeg group formed, when concern was expressed about the place of the younger women in the church. Meetings were held by groups in both Ontario and Manitoba. Conference leadership was aware of these meetings.

Delores Friesen, editor of All are Witnesses, a book of sermons written by Mennonite Brethren women around the world, talked about how the collection came about. Included in the collection is a sermon by the late P. Karuna Shri Joel, former full-time minister in the MB Conference of India, to whom the book is dedicated. Linda Huebert Hecht gave an overview of her recent publication (co-edited with C. Arnold Synder) "Profiles of Anabaptist Women". Hecht stated that during the time of the Reformation women were usually not allowed to speak in public forums. However, when it came to heresy, and appearance in criminal court, they were made to answer˙20for themselves. Thus, there are numerous accounts of testimonies given by women. Hecht also˙20mentioned that women are often in the forefront when times are changing, but are sidelined when things settle. Although discussion time was limited, women were encouraged to continue talking.

sbb

Return to the M.B.Herald Vol. 36, No. 15 Home Page