More than 1,100 women gathered at Eagle Eyrie last weekend for Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia's annual meeting — continuing a decades-long tradition of inspiring the next generation to a commitment to missions.
Because the conference center cannot accommodate so many attendees at one time, two conference sessions occur each year. One begins on Friday evening and ends after the business session on Saturday afternoon. The second begins on Saturday with the business session and ends after lunch on Sunday. The business session occurs on Saturday afternoon when both groups are at Eagle Eyrie.
In the joint session on Saturday afternoon, Virginia Baptist women re-elected Becky McKinney and Ann Brown to one-year terms as president and vice president, respectively. In other action, the women adopted amendments to their by-laws and articles of incorporation; elected Susan Stone, Michelle Heath, Jennifer English and Marianna Boyer to serve as at-large board members; adopted a resolution expressing appreciation to former WMUV executive director Earlene Jessee, and elected an executive director search committee. Search committee members include Diane Shoemake, Judy Osborne, Carolyn Hollins, Rhonda Nash, Nancy McDaniel, Becky McKinney, Pat Wright and chairperson Lucianne Warren.
Jim White
Long-time Virginia Baptist missions leader Alma Hunt (right) and Kathryn Eckler, Virginia's 2007 outstanding GA.
But to think of the meeting primarily as a business conference would be to miss the heart of the get-away. In worship gatherings on Friday night, Saturday morning, and during the business session on Saturday afternoon, Nashville humorist and singer Kate Campbell entertained and inspired through songs and stories. Campbell, who characterized herself as preacher's kid and Acteen dropout, moved the audience to both laughter and tears with her down-to-earth style and personal testimonies. Deborah Loftis, professor of church music at the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, provided biblical interpretations of the theme, “For the living of these days …” during the worship sessions. On Saturday afternoon, National WMU president Kaye Miller shared stories of being the child of medical missionaries in Thailand, of her developing friendship with an Islamic neighbor and of her experiences as national WMU president to communicate her commitment to missions' education. During the session on Saturday afternoon, BGAV treasurer Eddie Stratton brought greetings and the women welcomed Alma Hunt with a standing ovation.
Even the casual observer was impressed by the attention to detail in the planning and execution of the event. Dressed in khaki slacks and black shirts with the words “WMU of Virginia” embroidered above the pockets, WMUV staff persons seemed to be everywhere at once offering information and assistance. Interim executive director Laura McDaniel publicly recognized the WMUV staff and expressed her appreciation for their untiring efforts.
Although most of the women at the mountain top conference center gather annually, a surprising number indicated this was their first experience. But they also indicated it would not be their last. The women, who represented a healthy cross-section of ages, expressed upbeat optimism not only in informal conversations but also in break-out listening sessions led by McDaniel and McKinney.
A group of WMUV members prepares to attend a session of the annual meeting.
A total of 20 breakout sessions focused on spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of women and included such practical topics as applying makeup appropriately and talking to one's children about sex. A sampling of other topics includes dealing with cancer, discovering one's spiritual gifts, finding healing for life's hurts, and a focus on mission fields in China and Thailand.
WorldCrafts, a topic new to many Virginia Baptists, was also the subject of a breakout session. As Ann Brown explained in her session, WorldCrafts provides a market in the U.S. for items handmade by people in some of the most poverty-stricken places in the world. The money women and children earn often keeps them from turning to prostitution and crime. A WorldCrafts Bazaar was set up in a conference room and provided a unique opportunity for the women to shop and do mission work simultaneously. Additionally, women in Brown's session learned that crafted items may be ordered through a WorldCrafts catalog or through WorldCrafts parties where party-goers also learn about global cultures and mission work.
As they have for so many years, the words of “We've a Story to Tell to the Nations” reverberated off the wooden beams of Dogwood Hall. They reverberated within the hearts of every worshipper as well.
We've a story to tell to the nations,
That shall turn their hearts to the right,
A story of truth and mercy,
A story of peace and light.
We've a song to be sung to the nations,
That shall lift their hearts to the Lord,
A song that shall conquer evil
And shatter the spear and sword.
We've a message to give to the nations,
That the Lord who reigns up above
Has sent us His Son to save us,
And show us that God is love.
We've a Savior to show to the nations,
Who the path of sorrow has trod,
That all of the world's great peoples
Might come to the truth of God.
For the darkness shall turn to dawning,
And the dawning to noonday bright;
And Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth,
The kingdom of love and light.