An Important Message from National President Margaret Warwick
I am writing with a great deal of sadness to advise that, after a great deal of discussion and prayer, the Executive Board has come to the decision that we must POSTPONE our 2020 National ACW Presidents’ Conference. The Covid 19 Pandemic has certainly taken its toll on our great country and, as you are all too aware, caused a great deal of hardship and heartache for millions!
With the current situation of “States of Emergency” being declared in so many communities and Provinces across the country, the strict guidelines being imposed by Provincial and Federal Health authorities, and the resulting restrictions or prohibitions on travel and congregating in ‘large’ groups – with no concrete end in sight – we believe it is unrealistic to think that we could hold our Annual Conference on October 1st .
I have also received a request from the ACW Diocesan President of Western Newfoundland that we consider the postponement given that the government of Newfoundland and Labrador has put a restriction on travel and (most) non-residents are not being allowed to enter the Province until there is more control of the situation. She further indicated that they would be more than pleased to host our Conference in 2021 and advised she is currently checking on available dates.
We also recognize that most of you have not been able to hold your own Annual General Meetings, and we are aware that many parishes and Dioceses across the country are facing financial hardships as a result of the mandated closures of all our churches – which in turn may affect the ability of some of our members to afford to attend. To say nothing of the fact that (although we don’t like to admit it) a large majority of our members are in the “at higher risk” age bracket.
With all of this negative news, I ask that you try and stay positive and strong as we look forward to being together once again at the 2021 Conference in Corner Brook, Newfoundland. (We will just ‘bump’ the rotation so that 2022 will most likely be hosted by the Diocese of Saskatchewan!) Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.
As a reminder, I hope you have had the opportunity to visit our Anglican Church Women of Canada Facebook Page that our VP Rosemarie has done such a great job on! Be sure to let us know via the page if you have any good news to share!
In closing, take care of yourselves, stay safe and stay healthy!
We WILL get through this together!
God Bless!
Margaret
Margaret Warwick, National President
Anglican Church Women of Canada