RIDGECREST, N.C. — Celebrating the 125th anniversary of its organization, Woman’s Missionary Union of North Carolina gathered April 8-10 at Ridgecrest (N.C.) Baptist Conference Center for its annual Missions Extravaganza. More than 1,100 strong, they came from all parts of the Tarheel state and filled Spilman Auditorium with joyous celebration.
The theme “Unhindered,” was taken from Hebrews 12:1: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
Ruby Fulbright (left), executive director of WMUNC, joined (from left) state WMU leaders Tana Hartsell, Delores Toman and Debby Akerman and national WMU leader Wanda Lee as they celebrated the 125th anniversary.
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Ruby Fulbright, executive director of WMUNC, encouraged the women and the few men (who had earlier been welcomed as honorary women) present to respond to the challenges facing WMUNC itoday with the same faith as 19th-century founders Fannie Heck and Sallie Bailey.
Recounting an incident in which a missionary accidentally struck and killed a little girl with his car, Fulbright said the investigating officer interviewed witnesses and did not charge the missionary with any wrongdoing. He suggested, however, that since the family of the girl was poor he might pay the funeral expenses, a suggestion to which the missionary, himself the father of three daughters, readily agreed, offering in fact to pay more. The girl’s father, however, replied, “Don’t worry about it. It was only a girl.”
Fulbright continued, “Only a girl? They [Heck and Bailey] were only girls — Fannie was 24 and Sallie was 16!”
From that beginning has sprung the largest of the state WMU organizations, according to Wanda Lee, executive director of national WMU.
Former WMUNC executive director Nancy Curtis expounded on the theme.
“When I first saw the theme for this meeting, ‘Unhindered,’ I thought, ‘How strange,’ ” said Curtis. “For the women of our past had hindrances on every hand; nothing was easy; there was no acclaim, no recognition, little support from the churches. They faced rejection, ridicule and apathy. But it is true, because of their love for God and his work, they were unhindered.”
One of the hindrances to which Curtis alluded was the reluctance on the part of the men to accept the organization of women. First organized and reported in 1877 at a meeting of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina in Raleigh, N.C., by Mrs. J.M. Heck, Fannie’s mother, the women received no support. Quoting from a history, Curtis said, “A very storm of dissention between the brethren who favored encouraging the women in mission endeavor and those who opposed it, broke out and rose to such height that the little ship, the unwitting cause of the storm, was crippled and soon sank out of sight.”
But neither the “girls” of that day nor this will be denied. Recognizing that such a monumental birthday could not pass without a party to match, on Saturday evening everyone was invited to celebrate. Lee joined Fulbright and others in cutting a giant birthday cake as part of the festivities.
During a brief business session, a 2011 budget of $1,157,448 was adopted representing a 3 percent decrease from 2010. Like many other Baptist organizations during troubled economic times, WMUNC is engaging in belt-tightening as a matter of stewardship Fulbright emphasized. She added, however, the need for faithful giving from churches and individuals in support of missions.
In other action, the nominating committee report was adopted, electing Tana Hartsell of First Baptist of Kannapolis, N.C., as president.
Robin Penninger of Jersey Baptist in Lexington, N.C., was elected vice president; and Beth McDonald, of McDonald Baptist Church in Rockingham, N.C., was elected recording secretary.
In addition to the party and worship, a host of breakout sessions were offered during the weekend and were enthusiastically attended despite intermittent rain.
“Since we first met several years ago, Ruby Fulbright has become a cherished friend and trusted colleague,” said Laura McDaniel, executive director of Woman’s Missionary of Virginia. “Her integrity, wisdom, leadership, courage and vision in recent years have been nothing short of inspirational. Indeed, WMU of Virginia is honored to be a ‘sister-state’ with WMU of North Carolina, and we look forward to exploring opportunities with our sisters in North Carolina, as we continue to ‘join Jesus Christ where he is at work in the world.’ ”