The Methodist Church in Ireland

Report from Central Committee, April 2008, by Maureen Weir

A bright spring morning, a ride on a train and the company of good friends - this was how some ladies from the north travelled to meet up with other ladies for the MWI Central Committee in Dublin. We were greeted at Dublin Central Mission with welcome refreshments and then it was down to business.
The MWI All Ireland President, Hazel Loney, in her opening devotions reminded us of the different images of Christ and that we are serving a risen, cosmic Christ. Her report which followed showed that she has had a busy year, representing MWI and speaking at many different events and Laura Griffith, General Secretary, also reported on a busy year also, attending a variety of activities and events.
Our World Mission Secretary, Claudette Kilpatrick, updated us with different aspects of World Mission and of our Mission Partners, all helped financially by MWI  As Claudette's term of office is coming to an end in June, we are delighted to welcome Phyllis McIlhenny as our new World Mission Secretary.
The Treasurer's Report showed once again the generous giving in MWI and Nan expressed her thanks to all the branches for the money raised.
The Report from the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women highlighted the Millennium Development Goals Project 2, asking MWI branches to help finance the training of 42 Traditional Birth Attendants in Sierra Leone.
Reports were also presented from Women's Link and Women in Faith and in these reports we heard how MWI is meeting and working with other women's groups -- supporting and learning from one another.
Hazel thanked Maureen Edgar, Claudette Kilpatrick and Phyllis Watters for their dedicated work for MWI as their term of office was complete, they were now stepping down.
Our business was brought to a close by Hazel with words from Romans Ch.16, reminding us that women who work hard for the Lord, don't quit but keep at it.