The 2004 SC WMU Annual Meeting at First Church Taylors included some unusual performances, such as a fashion show and theme interpretations. Also, a birthday celebration was held in honor of the 90th anniversary of GA’s (Girls in Action) and for the 20th anniversary of Baptist Nursing Fellowship.
Under the theme, “Journey to the Future,” speakers addressed how their particular ministries have been impacted by SC WMU.
The meeting began Tuesday, March 23 with pre-session music at 9:30 a.m. Tom Eggleston, associate director of Music and Creative Worship Group, SCBC, wrote a song “Journey to the Future” in honor of SC WMU.
A portion of the morning session on Tuesday was about the business of SC WMU. The 2004-2005 Executive Board members were elected as well as the 2005 State Nominating Committee members. For 2004-2005, the Executive Board will include Wanda Morris, president; Marie Miller, recording secretary; vice presidents; regional members from 11 regions; and ten members at large. Ann Rauton will serve as president pro tem.
Marjorie Fletcher, president of the Jamaica Baptist Women’s Federation, spoke Tuesday morning about the SC WMU’s partnership with the Federation. “The 2003 WMU Annual Meeting had a lasting impact on my life and changed how I lead our women’s organization in Jamaica,” Fletcher said. “I’m looking forward to working together so we can extend God’s Kingdom here on earth.”
James Orr, Pee Dee Association director of missions, shared how his associational WMU group is serving in the local area. “God has taken a dedicated group of women and done great things,” he said. Orr mentioned that the WMU group participated in “We’re Here for You,” a day of ministry that precedes the SCBC Annual Meeting in Nov., and the group has organized a pastors appreciation banquet and missions trips to West Virginia and Nicaragua.
Both Fletcher and Orr, along with several other speakers during the meeting expressed great gratitude for SC WMU.
“Thank you for your prayers, commitment to The Cooperative Program and training,” said Ronald Wilson, associate vice-president for Leadership and Ministries Development at the International Mission Board (IMB). Wilson and his wife, Janice, were appointed as Southern Baptist missionaries 28 years ago, and in his current position Wilson trains new missionaries.
During the Tuesday afternoon session, Richard and Fran Kelly, IMB missionaries to West Africa, shared some of their recent experiences in working with the Mandinka people. “The Lord is working in West Africa and His spirit is moving,” they said.
Elizabeth Nivens, oldest GA in SC and member of Canaan Church in Fountain Inn, shared how GA’s impacted her life as a child. She remembered being welcomed into her GA leader’s home to learn about missions. Nivens was presented red roses in honor of her commitment to GA’s and SC WMU.
Between the Tuesday afternoon and evening sessions, several mini-conferences were offered. Attendees could choose from eight topics, including ministry in Jamaica, taking the Gospel to athletes and to the Mandinkas of West Africa, church multiplication, Christian Womens Job Corps®, Baptist Nursing Fellowship and a question and answer time led by Morris; Evelyn Blount, executive director treasurer of SC WMU; and Wanda Lee, executive director treasurer of national WMU.
From 4 p.m. until 6 p.m., there was a GA 90th anniversary celebration in the fellowship hall at the church sponsored by First Church Taylors WMU and North Greenville, Greer and North Spartan Associations WMU groups. The celebration included a station to make party hats, booths set up by groups and offices of the SC Baptist Convention and a fashion show by the Acteens of First Church Taylors.
The fashion show included dresses worn in the 1800’s and clothes that a GA or Acteen in 2004 would wear. As each girl appeared in new attire, a brief history of GA’s at that time was shared with the audience.
The Tuesday evening session began at 6 p.m. with Cathy Schwartz, member of Taylors First, playing the handbells. Roger Orman, SCBC Congregational Spiritual Development Team director, gave his third interpretation of the “Journey to the Future” theme through monologue. Stephanie Smith, evangelism specialist with the North American Mission Board (NAMB), shared her experiences of witnessing to athletes by becoming involved in sports.
On Wednesday morning, Reggie McNeal, SCBC Leadership Development Team director, shared how Baptists can journey to the future through Empowering Kingdom Growth (EKG) and church multiplication. “The Kingdom is the preferred future and it always has been,” he said. “Jesus’ approach to Kingdom was not an evangelistic way of saying ‘come.’ It was ‘go get them.’”
The last session began at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday and included a brief business session and messages NAMB’s Missionary Mobilization Team Director Jane Bishop, Smith Blount and Wanda Lee, executive director-treasurer of national WMU. Bishop expressed gratitude for SC WMU because they were part of the national Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. The meeting concluded with Jeff Hensley, pianist at First Church Taylors, playing "To God Be the Glory."
Next year the WMU Annual Meeting will be March 11-12 at First Church North Augusta. For more information, contact SC WMU, Auxiliary to South Carolina Baptist Convention, at (800) 723-7242, extension 8500 or visit online at www.scwmu.org.
