On Tuesday 10th April, women of the Manning met at Camden Haven Anglican Church for their annual Autumn meeting.
After morning tea The Rev’d Nathan Killick celebrated the communion service. His sermon honoured the role of women, beginning with a magazine article about Dorothy Dix and her advice to a young bride to be from the 1930s! This was much appreciated and led on to the crux of the women coming to the tomb with their spices to anoint Jesus’ body, only to find the stone rolled away with an angel sitting on it. Telling the women that Jesus had risen, he told the women to go and tell the disciples, thus entrusting them with this most important news. Nathan then told us that his grandma was often saying:- ‘Generally speaking…I have found that women generally speak.’ Nathan then exhorted us to go out and ‘goss’ the resurrection.
The Rev’d Travis MacNamara, assistant minister, was the speaker both in the morning and in the afternoon, taking his sick wife Ruth’s place. Travis shared about all the women who had influenced his life, beginning with Ethel George, an elderly, childless lady, who lavished all her love on the Sunday School children. He led us through others, like the scripture teacher and various others after his mother was converted in her 30s. Special mention was made of Tracey, AFES leader. Travis encouraged us that none of these early people would have known of his conversion, likewise, the recipients of his mum’s prayers who were converted after her death.
After lunch and fellowship we learned about Travis’ relations, who were missionaries in a secure location – suffice to say that they receive their supplies every 3 years, and the wife birthed a baby in a deep hole because of falling bombs. We saw a video on location and also one of an interview that Nathan had recorded when they were on furlough.
Over lunch, I spoke with Marilyn Simpson, who has a Guide Dog, about her experiences of Anglican Women. She said that she has always enjoyed the events and found it very worthwhile.
Ladies came from as far afield as Gloucester, and all seemed very happy with their day. During the business session, I reminded the ladies about the Annual Service at St Peter’s, East Maitland on the 5th June.
Maureen Guthrie-Horwill, Deanery Leader
