Art and inspiration at B.C. Women’s Day

Women of Mennonite Church B.C. once again gathered in person for the spring Women’s Day on May 7, following a two-year pandemic-related hiatus. The event, held at Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Abbotsford with 32 participants, was limited to the morning hours only this year.

This year’s speaker was Tammy Roy, the author of Nudges from Heaven, in which she explores “those little experiences,” moments in life where God reaches down to individuals, sometimes in subtle ways. Citing examples from her own life, Roy urged participants to listen for the presence of God, saying: “You can each have those intimate moments with the Father. We’ve got to fix our eyes on Jesus. . . .We’re going to smell like the fragrance of heaven.”

A new activity this year was expressing creativity through acrylic painting. Freda Lombard of Zealous Art, who said she does “fun art, not fine art,” guided the group in painting individual pictures of a tree scene together. Many were trying painting for the first time but left with their finished painting in hand and an “I didn’t know
I could do that” attitude.

As is tradition, a memorial slide show honoured women who had passed during the previous year. The $430 offering taken was divided evenly between Camp Squeah and the MC B.C. Women’s Education Fund.

Although attendance was smaller this year, comments from those present indicated they had a very good time.

“I appreciated the speaker and the art project; both were good for the soul and mind,” said Rita Siebert of Langley. “I also appreciated being together with other women.”

“For those who attended the Women’s Day, it was a morning well spent, and therefore plans are to continue Women’s Day in the future,” said organizer Janette Thiessen.

Do you have a story idea about Mennonites in B.C.? Send it to Amy Rinner Waddell at bc@canadianmennonite.org.