Alleluia! Alleluia!

Alleluia -- the Holy Spirit is blowing strong and true!  So many details of the conference have been tucked in and we're ready to roll!  I am so looking forward to meeting everybody, worshipping together, sharing, laughing and oh, perhaps just a little bit of singing!!

Hot off the press today (Monday) from our Canadian Chaplain:
Dear Friends
So looking forward to the time together.
If you have not left home yet, please could you bring a photo/print out of a woman or women of faith who has been important to you in your journey of faith. Thank you
Let others know about this so we can have a wonderful display of pictures.
God bless and safe travelling
Christine Rowe

I would like you to meet my daughter Emma as she will be at the conference doing all kinds of odd jobs -- she's one of the 'in-the-know' people so don't hesitate to ask her for assistance if you need anything.  The picture of her at right shows her where she loves to be -- in the kitchen making cookies.  The one that she's rolling out is the last shortbread for the reception on Thursday night -- she has made 7 different kinds of cookies for that event.  Cookies and wine -- how sweet is that????

A short note about the workshops:  everyone got their first and second choice!  And those of you who wished to make prayer beads, you will be given a basic kit at the workshop.  If you wish to upgrade to more expensive beads, you will have to have cash at the workshop so you might want to put some toonies in your purse!

And speaking of purses, Shirin tells me there are a LOT of wonderful donations for the silent auction so also don't forget some larger bills or a blank cheque for any that you might be successful in bidding on!

So this is it - last blog pre-conference.  An ending, but really just a beginning!

Gentle God

breathe love within us,

breathe love between us, from one moment to the next,

You hold us in the palm of your hand.

Alleluia!

Shalom and see you soon!

Katharine



Time to get packing!

7 Days to Go -- Kaching, Kachang!!

I've been making a list of stuff to bring to the conference for several months now and it's rather long.  It's a good thing I'm travelling alone in my car as I don't think another person would fit!

I'm packing my hand drums and shakers as a few of the music selections we'll sing during our business sessions rock better with such instruments.  Rhonda, our  music director, has spent hours putting together binders with all the music for the choir members to sing at the services.  I'm not sure if the drum is needed for any of those selections or not:)

I'm bringing a few Corelle dishes as the breakfasts in the residence will be on paper plates with plastic cutlery.  I would much rather use real dishes so am bringing my own and will wash them in my room.  All lunches and dinners will be in the cafeteria and I have arranged for real plates, cutlery and mugs there but there may be the stray disposable salad bowl or dessert plate still evident.  You are welcome to bring your own mess kit if you wish.

 I've purchased the wine for the Thursday night reception and we've rented wine glasses, so you don't need to pack any of those!

Other items I won't be forgetting will be:

- a dress to wear to the banquet (semi-formal),

- a USB stick with all my MU photos on it,

- songbooks for night-time singalongs,

- the Beautiful Bowl that one of our members created for the silent auction

- my daughter who I've hired as a go-fer,

- my camera!

Thank goodness Rona is in charge of bringing our banner!!

Ottawa here we come!

Why is a Van Gogh painting gracing our conference blog?  Because going to see a special Van Gogh exhibit at the National Gallery is one of the many options you have for your free Saturday afternoon.  But tickets are limited so you might wish to phone 1-888-541-8888 and purchase your ticket now if you really want to see that particular show.

This exhibit is NOT on the bus tour although those on the bus tour will drive past the National Gallery itself.  For those not going on the bus tour, there are many options, nine of which are outlined below. Muriel has been a busy bee garnering all necessary information for you to get to and enjoy any of those nine sites and sign-up sheets will be available at registration if you wish to have company going to a particular destination.  The sites that she has researched include:
The National Gallery (special exhibit: Van Gogh)
The Museum of Civilization (special exhibit:  God(s): A User's Guide)
The Canadian War Museum
Parliament Hill (security is quite heavy here -- takes a while to get in)
Rideau Hall (home of the Governor General - don't miss the self-guided tour of the grounds)
Rideau Canal Boat Tour
Bytown Museum & the Ottawa River walkway (be prepared for a fairly steep walk)
Rideau River canal walk
Shopping at the Byward Market & Rideau Center.

The Ballroom in Rideau Hall

Do consider ahead of time which of these (or some other spot!) you might wish to visit and scout it out ahead of time online.  The sign-up sheets will be at registration and then will move to the 4th floor lounge until Saturday morning when Muriel will pick them up.  Further instructions as to how to meet up with your group will be announced during the business meeting. 
I hope you enjoy touring in our national capital!

Schedule

17 Days to Go -- revving up!!!

Cheryl, the conference registrar, and I met this evening and tallied up our registrations.  We have an astounding 164 registrations -- wahoo!!  I am so delighted that so many were able to make the trek to Ottawa for our gathering:)  We will have to squish in for some things, but take it as an opportunity to get cozy with your MU sisters!!

Several people have asked about the schedule so I have posted it below.  It may still change a bit, so wait to see the final version in your conference booklet, but this is how things are shaping up:

Thursday, May 31


9:30 - 12:00 AM Canadian Council meeting 7th floor Meeting Room

10:00 -1:00 PM Registration Reception Main Floor of Residence

12noon – 1 pm Lunch in Cafeteria

1:00 - 3:45 PM Business Meeting Part 1 Amphitheatre

3:45 – 4:30 PM Keynote Address Reg. Bailey Amphitheatre

4:30 Claim luggage and proceed to residence rooms.

5:30 – 6:30 PM Dinner Cafeteria

6:30 Choir practice Chapel

7:00 PM Banner Paraders gather outside chapel

7:30 PM Opening Service & Banner Parade Chapel

9:00 Reception Main Floor of Residence

_________________________________________________________________________
Friday, June 1

7:30 – 8:00 AM Morning Worship Normandin Room (beside chapel)

8:00 – 8:45 AM Breakfast in Residence

9:00 – 9:30 AM Introduction to our Arctic involvement Kathleen Snow - Amphitheatre

9:45 – 11.55 AM MU in Canada’s North – Cynthia Patterson & team - Amphitheatre

12:00 PM Midday Prayers Rev. Christine Rowe

12:10 – 1:00 PM Lunch Cafeteria

1:15 – 2:30 PM Workshop # 1 – various locations

2:45 – 4:00 PM Workshop #2

4:00 – 5:30 Spiritual Siesta

5:30 – 6:30 PM Dinner Cafeteria

7:00 – 9:00 PM Entertainment & Silent Auction Auditorium

Group Photo

______________________________________________________________________________

Saturday, June 2

8:00 – 8:45 AM Breakfast in Residence

9:00 –11:00 AM Business Meeting Part 2 Amphitheatre

11:00 –11:55 AM Worldwide Parenting Program Presentation – Amphitheatre

12:00 PM Midday Prayers

11:30 AM – 12:30 Pick up Box Lunches from cafeteria

12:45 Bus tour loads front door of residence

Afternoon Free time for tours etc.

6:30 Banquet Cafeteria

9:30 – 10ish Evening Service - Chapel


Sunday, June 3

8:00 – 8:45 AM Breakfast in Residence

9:00 – 10:30 AM Closing Service Chapel

11.30 AM Everyone must be out of the residence.

Tidbits

25 Days and Counting!  There are lots of tidbits/housekeeping details that I'd like you to know about so here are some of them:

The address for the Residence at St. Paul University is NOT the same as the university itself.  The residence is located BEHIND the main university building and its number is 201 Main Street.  If you're driving, take the entrance into the parking lot that is just north of the university and keep following the road around the back until you come to this building:

There is a parking lot for the residence just in front of this building (it's obvious when you get there, just not visible in this photo) and parking is included for all delegates staying in the residence.  You must ask at the check-in desk for a parking pass to put on your front dash.  I gather the parking guys are quite strict. 

Registration will take place in the lobby just inside the entrance to this residence.  Please come there to get your nametags and room assignments as soon as you arrive.  Even if you are a day delegate and not staying in the residence, this is where you need to come when you arrive.

Jenny Carter will be setting up a literature table in the lobby of the residence during the conference from Thursday thru Saturday, so be sure to stop by and check out her selection of literature, cards, bags, pins and other Mothers' Union items.  You will have to walk right by her table when you go from the university to your residence room so you can't miss her!

As well as the MU literature, you will also have an opportunity to browse the Diocese of Ottawa's book store which is located inside St. Paul U.  You will be walking right by it when you walk from the residence to the cafeteria, so if that interests you, plan on a visit between 8:30 am and 5 pm when they are open.  There is not a lot of free time in the schedule, so after you've registered Thursday morning might be an opportune moment.

St. Mark's branch from Ottawa will be stocking the 4th floor lounge with tea, coffee and goodies and this lounge is accessible throughout the day.  Members from St. Mark's will be there at peak periods but tea will be available at all times.  There is seating in this lounge so you can sit and chat with your tea if you like.  This is another spot that you could consider if you arrive early on registration day.

That's enough for now but more to come, so stay tuned!

Going Once, Going Twice...

Our Mothers Union Conference Silent Auction gives you the chance to scoop up some Super Special Souvenirs!!  We won't be having an auctioneer with a gavel -- it's called 'silent' since there isn't all the auctioneer antics and fast-talking patter to bid the $$ up -- all bids will be written on sheets of paper and the highest bidder at closing time is the winner.  There are some tricks that some (just talk to Kathleen Snow) have used to ensure that they are the highest bidder, but we don't want any wrestling matches this year please! 
All money raised will be going to the MU Parenting Program Fund and the MU Arctic Fund so please come prepared with a cheque or cash to support the auction and these causes so close to our hearts.


Shirin is displaying a Japanese fan and cashmere shawl --
just two of the many beautiful items you have the chance to bid on!






Shirin Theophilus, our Vice President on Canada Council, is organizing the auction on the Friday during the entertainment evening in the auditorium at St. Paul.  The entertainment will take place on the stage and the auction items will be displayed at the back of the auditorium.  Please let Shirin know what items you have for the auction --  her email is shirint@shaw.ca.  The auction form she would like you to fill out for each item is on this blog under "Forms".

Countdown!

Greetings to all Conference Registrants!
I am a counter -- I count everything so here are a few things I was counting today:

There are only 40 days to go until the start of the conference - just a little wilderness time to go:)

There are 160 people registered but only 150 beds available at the residence!  Of the 10 overflow, there are some day delegates from Ottawa, some being billeted and some looking for a hotel close by. Cheryl has also had inquiries from several other people and she has given them the above options.

Broken down by where people live, our registration list looks like this:
Nova Scotia              44
New Brunswick        25  
Quebec                      20
Ontario                      33
Prairies                       3
British Columbia       11
Yukon                          1
International              23

There are 12 women who have indicated interest in singing in the choir -- lots of room for more if you wish to still join.

There is a total of 42 banners being brought for the banner parade at the beginning of the opening service -- should be fantastic!

And the total cost?  Our budget is approximately $50,000.

But the most important number?  ONE -- and that's YOU.  Thank you for registering for the conference and being willing to spend your time, money and energy to get to Ottawa in just 40 days!!!!!

Easter Blessings!

Easter seems like a most appropriate time to contemplate our conference theme of breathing new life in us. 

Deep Breath by Melanie Weidner 2005
http://www.listenforjoy.com/

A book I'm into at the moment is "The Naked Now" by Richard Rohr and his comments about breathing God have really stuck with me.  Many will be familiar with YHWH as the Hebrew reference to God - and that it was not to be spoken.  Rohr states that "this unspeakability has long been recognized, but we now know it goes even deeper: formally the word was not spoken at all, but breathed!  Many are convinced that its correct pronunciation is an attempt to replicate and imitate the very sound of inhalation and exhalation.  The one thing we do every moment of our lives is therefore to speak the name of God."

"When considered in this way, God is suddenly as available and as accessible as the very thing we all do constantly -- breathe."

God is omnipresent -- all around us, in us and through us so we breathe that life force, God's grace, in 17,000+ times per day!!  That breath carries the oxygen our cells need to divide and produce new cells, that breath carries compassion for our planet that makes us search for alternatives to using paper plates and plastic cutlery at the conference, that breath fills us with love that motivates us to consider how Mothers' Union can help with the suicide prevention program in the Arctic.  We will all be breathing that breath May 31 - June 3 -- let the new life in!!

The Best Bag Lady

When you see this bag lady at the conference, give her a Big Thank You for taking charge of designing, producing and stuffing the 150 bags that you'll see throughout the time we're together. 

Lynda Viau and the Thunder Bay branch of Mothers' Union took on this task two years ago and were way ahead of the game in planning and fulfilling my request -- I think they've had the bags ready to go for at least four months now.  Each bag will contain a water bottle like the one Lynda is holding and I will take this opportunity to suggest that you fill the water bottle and keep it with you throughout the conference.  There will be no mid-morning or mid-afternoon breaks when tea and coffee are served, so your water bottle and the snacks in your conference bags will have to quiet any rumbling tummies between meals!

Calling all singers!

You may have noticed a lack of info on music at the conference, but if you know me at all, you will have figured out there's likely to be a fair bit of it throughout our gathering!
 

I would like to introduce you to Rhonda Turner, our music leader.  Rhonda is in charge of music at St. Barnabas here in Deep River and she does an amazing job of incorporating traditional and contemporary styles of music into the worship as well as including instrumentalists.  We had a brass septet at Christmas -- blew me away!

Rhonda and I met today and agreed that it would be great to have a small group of singers to lead the hymns and praise songs.  If you think you would like to be part of that group and are willing to attend a couple of rehearsals during the conference, please email me at myers@magma.ca.  Also, if you play the guitar and would like to contribute your talents to the music group, please let me know.
Rhonda has two adult daughters and is eagerly anticipating a grandchild's arrival in April -- this one will be living in Ottawa so perhaps we'll have a Very Young attendee at one of our services to check out Grandma's keyboard talents!

A visit to Merry Old England!

Greetings!
I was in London, England last week and had the pleasure of meeting with Reg Bailey, our Mothers' Union CEO and seeing the Mothers' Union Home Base: Mary Sumner House. 

I spent quite some time in the attractive store housed under the blue canopies in the photo - some MU products are sold there but it's mostly a stationery/toys store -- surprisingly little overt Christian content but positive messaging and energy.  I ordered a variety of MU products which the clerk was happy to bring from the warehouse.
The main business of MSH takes place through a door just past the left-hand blue canopy. If you walk through there, you get to a reception desk with a very busy lady attending.  To increase funds to MU,  the rooms on the bottom floors are now rented out for conferences and meetings.  The MU offices are on the top two floors.  There was a constant stream of attendees signing in for various meetings as I waited in the small reception area. Not to mention the phone ringing with various enquiries. Just behind the reception desk there is a chapel which I doubt gets rented out!  The staff meet at noon each day for noonday prayers there.

I was too early for my appointment with Reg so took a stroll and it took less than 5 minutes to get to this bridge crossing the Thames.  That's the Parliament buildings and Big Ben in the background.  MSH is Very Downtown!!  The couple that I randomly accosted to take my photo happened to be from Nova Scotia and were in town for General Synod!
And then I spent a lovely hour with Reg, getting to know him and covering conference details.  I brought my camera specifically to take a picture of us together, and then completely forgot - argh. 

Reg is very engaging and comfortable to talk to and all conference registrants will get to hear him speak at the opening business meeting when he delivers the keynote address and at the banquet on Saturday night. He will also be leading a workshop that you can sign up for on the Friday afternoon.  He will be staying in the residence with us, so there should also be 'casual time' to chat with him as an extra bonus.  He has been the MU CEO for 12 years and has travelled extensively for Mothers' Union so is a fountain of information and a really nice guy to boot!

Thank you Niagara!

I was delighted to receive a lovely white scarf with an embroidered MU symbol at each end from the Diocese of Niagara this week.  They have had 80 such scarves made by an MU group in Madagascar that has a long connection with their diocese.  Niagara supplied the seed money for the project and then will send the profits back to the group when the scarves are sold.  They will be available at the conference for $10 each.
I used mine to grace the worship center during our conference prayer session yesterday but it could be worn around one's neck as well -- perhaps with conference pins attached!  For those who haven't been to a conference before, many members bring pins from their province, city or town to distribute to new friends.  These can be quite the coveted items and would look smashing on a pristine MU scarf!



Muriel Hostettler (who will greet you at the airport
 if you're flying in to the conference) and Rona Cleland
(Banner Parade co-ordinator) stir up some stone soup.

 Stone Soup
Legend has it that a pauper arrived in town and starting making soup with just a stone and water.  How amazing is that?  He did garner litle extras such as carrots, potato and onion from the townsfolk and they were all most impressed at how tasty stone soup could be!

Our National Conference is rather like stone soup:  Carole is bringing workshops; Rona is bringing a banner parade; Rhonda is bringing music; Lynda is bringing bags...and the result will be soooo much better than if Katharine had only her own stone to put in the pot.

Our St. Barnabas Branch held a "Stone Soup Day Away" this weekend to explore the various vegetables being brought to the Conference pot and to start to come together as a whole soup. 

Our rector, Francois Trottier, joined us for an interactive homily on breathing God's grace in and exhaling out that which separates us from grace -- this can be done anywhere, anytime as God is always in, around and amongst us.  It was a most inspiring contribution to breathing new life in us!

A list of all those involved in organizing the conference and their duties will be posted shortly.