UPDATED! Coverage of the 56th ACW AGM

The Parish of St. Thomas, Vancouver, rector, the Reverend Michael Batten and the congregation were delighted to welcome the diocesan Anglican Church Women (ACW) as they held their 56th AGM with the theme "Walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:7) in the hall and sanctuary of the Collingwood parish on Saturday, May 27, 2023.

The guest speaker scheduled to address the plenary during the luncheon was Dr. Scott Brubacher, the Executive Director of the Anglican Foundation. Dr. Brubacher travelled to Vancouver from Toronto to share news of the Anglican Foundation's ministry and to thank the D of NW ACW for their generous and ongoing support. Dr. Brubacher's presentation was well-received by the membership.

Bishop John Stephens was present for the business meeting (from 9:30am - 1pm) which was followed by a Celebration of the Eucharist - Commemoration of Roberta Elizabeth Tilton, Founder of the Women's Auxiliary of the Canadian Church. The bishop presided and preached and installed the ACW Diocesan Executive Officers.

Resolutions leading to decisions about the current issue the diocesan ACW is facing regarding finding a new location were a principal component fo the business meeting. The lease on the current ACW Place location in a Burnaby light industrial area was up May 31, 2023 and the rent was raised significantly. Here is what president, Kelly Bowman had to say:

Our business meeting was difficult this year. We were thrown into an awkward situation that divided many of us.We heard heartfelt comments and financial logic in discussion of our ACW Place lease increase and the resolutions being put forward. Board members could see by the close vote and comments that more information and discussion was necessary. The decision to table resolution # 1 until more information and discussion could be done was made.

Resolution #1:  Authorization to purchase a facility with all costs at a maximum of $1million and being less than 2000 sq. ft. in size.  26/48 YES  22/48 NO

Resolution #2:  Authorization to enter into a lease agreement for the next several years with a $75k annual gross cost.  31/51 Yes   20/51 No

The business meeting reconvened later in the day. A motion was put forward  to vote on staying in the current location. This motion was also defeated with a narrow margin, stay 19/42 leave 23/42. 

 The decision not to sign the 3-year lease was made. We have a 60-day notice to move agreement with the landlord. Currently, neither party has given notice. Our rent is paid to the end of July. The board is actively looking for a suitable warehouse to rent/lease. Please join us in prayer in locating a new ACW Place soon.

All in all, I believe the membership enjoyed a lovely day of fellowship with the Service of Holy Eucharist and a lovely lunch provided by members of the Parish of St. Thomas. 

(The bishop's sermon on YouTube is available on this post and the text of his sermon in downloadable .PDF is linked here.)

Back Row: Beth Fortin, Kelly Bowman, the Reverend Miranda Sutherland

Middle Row: Alberta Rudolf, Bishop John, Mary McIntyre, Amelia Foster

Front Row: Sylvia Enga, Judith Carling, Vera Morgan, Brigitte Laweng, Gail Revit, Judy Nicholson, Ann Blue, Dinali Fernando

The Executive during the meeting

Treasurer, Mary McIntyre speaks to the plenary

Margaret collects the votes.

A view of the meeting from behind the head table

Diocesan ACW Chaplain, the Reverend Miranda Sutherland addresses the plenary

        President, Kelly Bowman; Executive Director of the Anglican Foundation, Dr. Scott Brubacher; Past President, Gail Revitt, ODNW 

                                  Deacon, the Reverend Juanita Clark and Rector of St. Thomas, the Reverend Michael Batten during the Gospel Acclamation

IMAGES (IN TOP SCROLL)

1. Bishop John installs the ACW Diocesan Executive Officers following the Creed and before the Liturgy of the Eucharist
2. Selfie, Bishop John with Kelly Bowman and the Reverend Miranda Sutherland
3. Dr. Brubacher and Bishop John
4. Marilyn Martin
5. Sheila Puls addresses the plenary during the location discussion
6. Vice-President Amelia Foster
7. Meeting view
8. Chaplain, the Reverend Miranda Sutherland
9. All are in place for the Opening Hymn, "The love of Jesus calls us our joyous praise to sing;"
10. Bishop John gathers the congregation in prayer with the Collect: "O God, who revealed to Roberta Tilton the secret of your kingdom in a life of service, grant us such faithfulness in receiving your Word and sacraments, that we may seek to nurture one another in the works which give you glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."
11. St. Thomas's parish musician, Laura Forst at the piano
12. Sylvia Enga shares the OT, Micah 6:6-9
13. Vera Morgen leads Psalm 73: 23-29
14. Deacon of the Word and Table for the Eucharist, the Reverend Juanita Clark proclaims the Gospel: Matthew 25: 31-40
15. Bishop John preaching
16. The congregation view during the sermon
17. A west facing view of the Installation of ACW Diocesan Executive Officers
18. Diocesan ACW President, Kelly Bowman was the intercessor, leading the prayers.
19. Marilyn Martin of the Catholic Women's League of the Archdiocese of Vancouver brought greetings to the ACW.