The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

Hundreds of women are expected convene for the 52nd annual conference of Anglican Church Women of the Diocese of the Bahamas and The Turks and Caicos Islands this weekend.

The theme of the conference is “Anglican Church Women.....Standing Firm In Our Faith”.

The activities begin with a pre-conference breakfast on Saturday at the British Colonial Hilton.

The keynote presenter for this event will be Rev Willish Johnson, rector of St John The Baptist, Anglican Church in Marsh Harbour and Abaco. She is also the first Bahamian female rector.

On Sunday, the ACW will celebrate its 52nd annual thanksgiving service with a procession beginning at 3pm. The service will begin at 4pm and will be broadcast live on Cable and ZNS stations.

On Monday, the conference will begin at the Murillo Bonaby Parish Hall of Christ the King Anglican Church. It will run until May 4.

“During this conference, we will look at where our faith in God has taken us, recognising that faith is essential for a God-centered and spiritual journey,” said Yvette Barr, president of the local arm of the ACW.

The conference will feature a variety of speakers who will testify to what their faith has done for them, and where their faith has brought them.

“In addition, two of the paramount issues facing our country today will be addressed, including constitutional equality as we prepare to vote on the gender referendum and National Health Insurance,” she said.

The aim of the conference is to bring women from across the diocese together to refocus on their mandate and to be rejuvenated, Ms Barr told Tribune Religion.

“It is my prayer that these sessions would prove fruitful to us as we faithfully move on to continue to do the work of the Lord. I pray that this conference will refocus attention on our mission and that we will all be rejuvenated by each session, that with God’s help we will continue to help ourselves and others to live dedicated, caring and positive lives where others could see God emanating from us,” she said.