News

Letter and Photo from Sue Makin, our missionary in Malawi, dated January 21, 2008

Montreat Women's Conference
August 4-8,2008

God’s Troublemakers

by Marika Byrd

            Keynoter Dr. Katharine Rhodes Henderson astounded the 223 ladies with her discussion about “God’s Troublemakers,” theme of the second annual Montreat Women’s Connection held August 3-7, 2008, in the Black Mountains of North Carolina.  Henderson, author of “God’s Troublemakers:  How Women of Faith are Changing the World,” enlightened the attendees about how some “women of faith” are making positive changes for those less fortunate and her mission to help us make change in our world now.

            Dr. Henderson discovered through her research, writing and talks how we all can become troublemakers for God—finding and filling ones’ need and passion to make a change and difference in the world.  Her work included conversations with individuals like Sister Helen Prejean, activist nun and writer of “Dead Man Walking”; Melodye Feldman, a jew who founded Seeking Common Ground which works with Jewish and Palestinian teen girls; Henna Hahn, who formed The Rainbow Center after discovering some women were wrongly abused, and Riffat Hassan who formed an Internet-based international movement to stop honor killings.

            Through her work Henderson co-founded “Face to Face/Faith to Faith,” a multifaith youth program educating a new generation of leaders from the United States and conflict areas around the world as peacemakers in a complex global environment.

            By special permission, Henderson previewed twice “Pray the Devil Back to Hell,” the 2008 Tribecca Film Festival’s award-winning documentary produced by  Abigail Disney (Walt Disney’s daughter).  The film  depicts the collective work of Liberian women who brought peace to their nation by involvement peacefully, apolitically, and prayerfully.  The movie depicts the havoc and denigration inflicted on the women by the men and sons of Liberia under the leadership of Dr. Charles Taylor.  One scene shows a youngster, no more than ten years of age, holding a riffle, laughing, and admitting he killed three enemies the day before.

            In the scripture readings (John 5:1-9 and John 4:7-42), the preaching, and the stage backdrop, water was “running through it.”  Volumes of sheer, aqua, variegated, blue cloth fell from the ceiling to the stage floor, cascaded across it and down to the room floor, or a picture showing water falling across rocks was a reminder of the theme. 

            Besides the keynote speaker, other orators were: Dr. Diane Givens Moffitt, Senior Pastor at St. James Presbyterian Church, Greensboro, N. C.; Reverend Mary Miller Brueggemann, retired from United Church of Christ; and Dr. Marcia Mount Shoop, who will be serving as a Theologian in Residence at University Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill beginning this fall. 

            Other interesting “classes” were available:  daily meditation and Bible study; singing; liturgical dancing, watercolor painting, Intro to Presbyterian Women; opening of the “Women in the Presbyterian Church” exhibit at the Presbyterian Heritage Center; healthy (raw) cooking, hiking and historical learning about Montreat; “Living Waters for the World” exhibit education about trainers assisting communities in need of clean water to install the required equipment  and to equip local leaders to lead ongoing healthy, hygiene and spiritual education; how to discuss money and stewardship or just some time with oneself or a small group.  Dr. Henderson had a book signing with Sally Palmer Thomason and chair massages with gentle hands from SOLSTICE were available by appointment.

            During the entire conference we were reminded that “if you are neither learning nor contributing in a session you are required to get up and leave and join another session in progress where you feel you’ll be more useful and inspired.”

            Twelve ladies from First Presbyterian Church, Richmond (First Richmond) were the only Virginians in attendance.  Personal discernment, family issues, health and wholeness, caring for elderly parents, being a part of blended families, and other issues brought these women to the conference seeking some answers and God’s meaning in their life.  Opportunities were provided for group discussion, and each attendee selected a grouping that best described their personal need and gain help from the experience of other group members.

            From First Richmond, Sharon Munz participated in the liturgical dance for two services; she and Marika Byrd served as choir members.

            Anne Driscoll says:  “Participating in the Women's Connection Conference at Montreat was thought-provoking and restorative. In addition, there were wonderful people, delicious meals and refreshing mountain air.”

            Scenes by the official photographer, Phyllis Sadler, aided by theretired Reverend Dr. Jack Sadler, will be posted later at www.montreat.org.

            The 2009 Women’s Connection will be August 8—12, 2009, and for information go to www.montreat.org/current. The conference is “for women of all ages, cultures and denominations.”

                                                                                                            —Marika Byrd