Fostering Harmonious Living in Families –Prevent Violence was the theme of the 9th Biennial Conference of the Anglican Church Women Association (ACWA) which was held at La Vue Conference Centre in Anguilla from April 18-21.
Delegates attended from Anguilla and the sister groups in Antigua, St. Kitts and the Diocese of the Windward Islands.
The main address on the theme was prepared by Attorney-at-Law, Mrs. Joyce Kentish-Egan and delivered by her husband, Mr. Noel Egan. That address, in which the need for dialogue in families is particularly stressed, is published elsewhere in this edition of The Anguillian. It evoked a considerable amount of interest and discussion at the conference and readers may wish to read it in its entirety.
The opening ceremony, which included a period of meditation, was presided over by Rev. Menes Hodge, Assistant Anglican Priest in the absence of Bishop Errol Brooks who was in Barbados attending a meeting of the Provincial Commission of which he is Chairman. A message from the Bishop was read by Rev. Hodge.
“I trust that your conference will be stimulating and that it will be a launch-pad for members to engage in meaningful efforts to encourage harmony in our societies,” Bishop Brooks was quoted as saying. “As we watch, listen and read newspapers from across the globe, we realise that there is an increase in violence. Our advancement in education and technology has ushered in much good, but the scourge of violence continues to raise its head.
“As persons commissioned to be agents of reconciliation, we have to do whatever we can to encourage a climate of peace and love. It is most fitting, then, that the theme of your conference is Fostering Harmonious Living in Families: Prevent Violence. The home plays a vital role in the formation and socialisation of persons. I believe that if an atmosphere of love and respect for each family member is cultivated, this will decrease the incidence of violence in the home and the wider society.
“I trust that during this conference you would be able to propose some strategy that can we can share with our own faith communities as well as the wider society and how we can work together to encourage harmonious living.”
The Bishop’s wife, Mrs. Rosina Brooks, President of the Diocesan Council of the Anglican Church Women Association, welcomed the delegates from Antigua, St. Kitts and St. Vincent including those from St. Mary’s, Anguilla. “We certainly appreciate your commitment to attend this conference in spite of the economic and other hardships and to be present with us in Anguilla,” she said.
Mrs. Brooks congratulated the Association on its 21st anniversary. “Your determination, perseverance to endure in spite of the challenges, your resilience throughout the years and your ambitions are admirable,” she continued.“ACWA of St. Mary’s, Anguilla, you are the founding members of the Association, trim your wits and shine forth so that others may experience the joys and challenges which help to mould you into stronger Christians.”
She saidit was decided that the conference should focus on violence – one of the social issues plaguing the various islands. “We are not alone,” she went on. “Regionally and internationally the cry is the same. Thus, as parents, sisters, friends, concerned citizens, we have come together to discuss the theme: Fostering Harmonious Livingin Families: Prevent Violence.
“As a Church, we recognise the importance of family with sound Christian ideals and its contribution to harmonious living. Through our discussions we hope to gain a deeper understanding of our theme and the environment of our families. Together, we hope to find solutions to some, if not all, of the challenges that would obstruct our goal which is harmonious living. As a group of sisters who cares, let us offer suggestions to our congregations and other persons to guide them on how they, too, can assist in making these islands better.”
