MESSAGES FROM YOUR IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT SUSAN KINNEY - 2014-2017
The Love of Jesus Calls Us to Learning, Worship and Service
May 31st, 2017
Greetings Ladies,
This letter is to welcome you to the National ACW Conference June 14th & June 15th in Ancaster, Ontario at Redeemer College. As you are probably aware this year we are not being hosted by one of our Anglican Diocese ACW"S and this is a little different for us! By supper time Thursday we will have many more Ladies amongst us arriving for the "National Gathering" which we all will get to enjoy as well till noon Sunday June 18th........
Today in my scripture reading from Philippians 1 verse 6 it says:
God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again.
Our good work as Anglican Church Women began when we all welcomed Jesus into our life's; some of us as young children and some of us later on. From this welcome came our theme this year - The Love of Jesus Calls Us to learning, worship & service. Some days as I'm sure you all may have had, at one time or another we ask God, when are we finished with this and that?? And I know what he has replied to me. I'm not finished with you yet Susan even though sometimes I think he might be ( like when I become ill and my strength is weakened). Sometimes I even think he's got someone else to do the job better than I ever could or have done! But then of course, God says "think again! So Ladies just like the scripture reading above, our good works as ACW members will continue on, until our dear Lord and Savior comes again. God isn't finished with us all yet ! And I thank our dear Lord for strengthening me daily in both mind and body sense my surgery!
Well ladies, God willing I will see you in Ancaster in a couple of weeks. God's speed in all your travels.
Much love and many blessings and thanks always,
Susan Kinney,
National ACW President
Well ladies, God willing I will see you in Ancaster in a couple of weeks. God's speed in all your travels.
Much love and many blessings and thanks always,
Susan Kinney,
National ACW President
Lenten letter 2017
Greeting to all,
I'm hoping this letter finds you all doing well in your Diocese and looking forward like me for Spring in three weeks:) As I sit to write this Lenten letter today, we here in Terrace have a blanket of fresh snow covering the ground and trees! Prior to this we had bare ground; so I'm thinking the groundhog back on Feb 2nd definitely did see his shadow here in Northwestern BC for sure!!
During these 40 days of Lent we are invited on a journey. This journey is meant to "Strengthen us All" and our "Oneness with Jesus" on his journey to Jerusalem, where he was crucified. We all know that it was from his dying that Jesus brought us "New Life" and also taught each of us to live our lives as "People of God"! We do this as we continue our ministries within our Parishes, Dioceses and wherever we Anglican Women are with Christ at our side doing our daily tasks:)
I would like to share a reading that I read a few days ago based on: Colossians 2 verses 13 - 15. When you were spiritually dead because of your sins and because you were not free from the power of your sinful self, God made you Alive with Christ, and he forgave all our sins. He canceled the debt...With the cross, he won Victory and showed the world that they were powerless. As you look at these words above, answer these questions.
I am sending along a link of a Lent song of Michael John Poirier!
http://www.repeatvid.com/video/?id=AflpKCF3BnM
The miles are many between us but you all hold a Very Special place in my heart Ladies.
Blessings and love always, Your National ACW President,
Susan Kinney
Greeting to all,
I'm hoping this letter finds you all doing well in your Diocese and looking forward like me for Spring in three weeks:) As I sit to write this Lenten letter today, we here in Terrace have a blanket of fresh snow covering the ground and trees! Prior to this we had bare ground; so I'm thinking the groundhog back on Feb 2nd definitely did see his shadow here in Northwestern BC for sure!!
During these 40 days of Lent we are invited on a journey. This journey is meant to "Strengthen us All" and our "Oneness with Jesus" on his journey to Jerusalem, where he was crucified. We all know that it was from his dying that Jesus brought us "New Life" and also taught each of us to live our lives as "People of God"! We do this as we continue our ministries within our Parishes, Dioceses and wherever we Anglican Women are with Christ at our side doing our daily tasks:)
I would like to share a reading that I read a few days ago based on: Colossians 2 verses 13 - 15. When you were spiritually dead because of your sins and because you were not free from the power of your sinful self, God made you Alive with Christ, and he forgave all our sins. He canceled the debt...With the cross, he won Victory and showed the world that they were powerless. As you look at these words above, answer these questions.
- Who is doing the work? You or God?
- Who is active? You or God?
- Who is doing the saving? You or God?
I am sending along a link of a Lent song of Michael John Poirier!
http://www.repeatvid.com/video/?id=AflpKCF3BnM
The miles are many between us but you all hold a Very Special place in my heart Ladies.
Blessings and love always, Your National ACW President,
Susan Kinney
Blessed Christmas greetings everyone,
My husband and I have been here in New Brunswick sense December 5th @ our Bairdsville homestead. When we got here we found snow already on the ground and the weather was around -6c. As our first week started the temperature dropped daily and by last Friday we found ourselves at -27c! Boo....Thank goodness we have both a woodstove & electric heaters.....This week we have climbed back to -8c or so; so we think we are in heaven! We are having an old fashion Christmas here. We waded thru the snow on the back side of the property and found a beautiful spruce tree. When we put it up in the living room it smelt so wonderful (it has been several years in Terrace sense we had a real tree). We found my Mom's box of past decorations and decorated. Simple but beautiful! It is wonderful to be at the home I grew up at while I lived in NB. We are enjoying the simple life style here on the homestead. We don't have internet here so we drive every few days up to the village of Perth-Andover to the Tim Horton's where there is free Wifi...
We have attended the little country church here (St. Georges Anglican) the last 2 Sundays for morning prayer. This is the church I was baptized & confirmed in here. St. Georges was built back in the late 1800's.....The church was decorated just like I had remembered; ever so beautiful.....On Christmas Eve the church service is @ 4 pm with Holy Communion; so we are looking forward to attending this blessed service and seeing old friends:)
We are travelling at the end of the month down to my older sisters home to spend New Year's together. We will be flying back to Terrace the first week of January......
Wishing each and everyone a Very Happy Healthy New Year ahead in 2017:)
Blessings from your National ACW President,
Susan Kinney
PS. Enclosed a prayer for you all below, xoxoxoxo
My husband and I have been here in New Brunswick sense December 5th @ our Bairdsville homestead. When we got here we found snow already on the ground and the weather was around -6c. As our first week started the temperature dropped daily and by last Friday we found ourselves at -27c! Boo....Thank goodness we have both a woodstove & electric heaters.....This week we have climbed back to -8c or so; so we think we are in heaven! We are having an old fashion Christmas here. We waded thru the snow on the back side of the property and found a beautiful spruce tree. When we put it up in the living room it smelt so wonderful (it has been several years in Terrace sense we had a real tree). We found my Mom's box of past decorations and decorated. Simple but beautiful! It is wonderful to be at the home I grew up at while I lived in NB. We are enjoying the simple life style here on the homestead. We don't have internet here so we drive every few days up to the village of Perth-Andover to the Tim Horton's where there is free Wifi...
We have attended the little country church here (St. Georges Anglican) the last 2 Sundays for morning prayer. This is the church I was baptized & confirmed in here. St. Georges was built back in the late 1800's.....The church was decorated just like I had remembered; ever so beautiful.....On Christmas Eve the church service is @ 4 pm with Holy Communion; so we are looking forward to attending this blessed service and seeing old friends:)
We are travelling at the end of the month down to my older sisters home to spend New Year's together. We will be flying back to Terrace the first week of January......
Wishing each and everyone a Very Happy Healthy New Year ahead in 2017:)
Blessings from your National ACW President,
Susan Kinney
PS. Enclosed a prayer for you all below, xoxoxoxo
A Christmas Prayer
The day of joy returns, Father in Heaven, who will provide another year with peace and good will. Help us rightly to remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men.
Close the doors of hate and open the doors of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil, by the blessing that Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clean hearts.
May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and the Christmas evening bring us to our bed with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven for Jesus sake......
Amen
Blessed greeting to all,
Wow, this year seems to be flying by more than any other! It's been just over a month ago now that most of us were together in Langley for our National ACW conference. What a wonderful conference and I really feel blessed to have been able to have spent time together with you Ladies at the Springbrooke retreat centre. Thank-you once more to Sheila our coordinator and all her Ladies from the Diocese of New Westminster that did their part hosting us and making us feel very welcome & deeply cared for:) Blessings to all........
With this year speeding by we find ourselves entering already the Season of Advent!
What is Advent to YOU personally??
As I have grown -aged over the years in my own Christian walk - journey, I have seen those who take part in the traditions of shopping, chocolate calendars, etc. Also to some the story of Advent can be a considerable to-do list, where gifts need to be made/bought/wrapped/shipped and where cooking and baking needs to be planned/shopped for/prepared/presented! Also where household chores are continually underway to make sure the home is spotless, totally missing out on the "Joy of the Season"
I am so proud and pleased to say also that, the Story of Advent is the story to many of us of watching, waiting, and praying. We are preparing our heart and mind and soul to delight in the” Holy Presence” that is to come and the “Holy Presence”, that is already here. It’s is our own story of expectant patience, of hopeful and joyful faith while we personally can delight in the "Presence of our God" here on this earth..... Now that our daylight hours have shortened it makes me think that it’s the story of watching the light grow out of the darkness……
Dear Sisters in Christ, may you during this Blessed Season of Advent, make it your own personal journey, being that example of a true " Disciple of Christ” within your own families, parish family and throughout your Diocese across this beautiful country of ours!
Here is a favourite Irish Christmas blessing for you!
The light of the Christmas star to you
The warmth of home and hearth to you
The cheer and good will of friends to you
The hope of a childlike heart to you
The joy of a thousand angels to you
Love and God's peace to you
When Love was born - sung by Mark Schultz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKSU9Dbxvrw
Blessings and love always,
Susan Kinney
National ACW President
Wow, this year seems to be flying by more than any other! It's been just over a month ago now that most of us were together in Langley for our National ACW conference. What a wonderful conference and I really feel blessed to have been able to have spent time together with you Ladies at the Springbrooke retreat centre. Thank-you once more to Sheila our coordinator and all her Ladies from the Diocese of New Westminster that did their part hosting us and making us feel very welcome & deeply cared for:) Blessings to all........
With this year speeding by we find ourselves entering already the Season of Advent!
What is Advent to YOU personally??
As I have grown -aged over the years in my own Christian walk - journey, I have seen those who take part in the traditions of shopping, chocolate calendars, etc. Also to some the story of Advent can be a considerable to-do list, where gifts need to be made/bought/wrapped/shipped and where cooking and baking needs to be planned/shopped for/prepared/presented! Also where household chores are continually underway to make sure the home is spotless, totally missing out on the "Joy of the Season"
I am so proud and pleased to say also that, the Story of Advent is the story to many of us of watching, waiting, and praying. We are preparing our heart and mind and soul to delight in the” Holy Presence” that is to come and the “Holy Presence”, that is already here. It’s is our own story of expectant patience, of hopeful and joyful faith while we personally can delight in the "Presence of our God" here on this earth..... Now that our daylight hours have shortened it makes me think that it’s the story of watching the light grow out of the darkness……
Dear Sisters in Christ, may you during this Blessed Season of Advent, make it your own personal journey, being that example of a true " Disciple of Christ” within your own families, parish family and throughout your Diocese across this beautiful country of ours!
Here is a favourite Irish Christmas blessing for you!
The light of the Christmas star to you
The warmth of home and hearth to you
The cheer and good will of friends to you
The hope of a childlike heart to you
The joy of a thousand angels to you
Love and God's peace to you
When Love was born - sung by Mark Schultz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKSU9Dbxvrw
Blessings and love always,
Susan Kinney
National ACW President
"I am the vine, you are the branches"
National ACW Conference 2016
Diocese of New Westminster
National ACW Conference 2016
Diocese of New Westminster
September, 2016
Greetings to all Diocese Presidents/Coordinators,
I' m hoping you all are enjoying our last few days of summer!
On behalf of my Executive Board of the National Anglican Church Women of Canada I would like to welcome you to our "2016 conference in Langley BC", hosted by the Diocese of New Westminster. It's hard to believe it is just about one year ago now sense I wrote my last year's "welcoming letter" to those of you attending our National annual meeting in beautiful St. John's Newfoundland! Days seem to fly by:)
I know that our coordinator Sheila Puls this year, and her team have been very busy for months now preparing for our visit and 3 nights stay for our conference @ Spingbrooke Retreat & Conference center. I know they are looking forward to welcoming us all on Oct. 26th.
Our theme for this year that our hosts have chosen is: *I am the vine, you are the branches*
Here are some things to remember for our trip to this year's conference :
NOTE: there are no in-room hairdryers, but we will make sure there are a couple there for your use.
Before I close this welcome letter to you all I wanted to send over this poem over to all you ACW Sister's! It really seems fitting, being we are having our conference in the beautiful Fraser Valley "Wine Country")
The True Vine
From many wild vines come many bitter grapes. Only from a vineyard that is well tended and nurtured will you find sweet fruit. As it is with earthly fruit, so it is with the spiritual fruit. Only from the true vine of Christ will the grapes of righteousness come with the sweet savor that only redemption can bring to the soul.
May you all also be blessed with God's love and strength daily and may "God's Speed" be with you ALL and your Travels by land, water or air to our National ACW 2016 conference in Langley, BC.....
Love and many blessings sent your way and looking forward in seeing old friends and making new ones,
Your National ACW President,
Susan Kinney
Greetings to all Diocese Presidents/Coordinators,
I' m hoping you all are enjoying our last few days of summer!
On behalf of my Executive Board of the National Anglican Church Women of Canada I would like to welcome you to our "2016 conference in Langley BC", hosted by the Diocese of New Westminster. It's hard to believe it is just about one year ago now sense I wrote my last year's "welcoming letter" to those of you attending our National annual meeting in beautiful St. John's Newfoundland! Days seem to fly by:)
I know that our coordinator Sheila Puls this year, and her team have been very busy for months now preparing for our visit and 3 nights stay for our conference @ Spingbrooke Retreat & Conference center. I know they are looking forward to welcoming us all on Oct. 26th.
Our theme for this year that our hosts have chosen is: *I am the vine, you are the branches*
Here are some things to remember for our trip to this year's conference :
- Please bring a pair of slippers or indoor shoes to save the flooring would be appreciated.
- Don't forget to pack light (linens, soaps, shampoos, conditioner, lotion, toothbrush and toothpaste supplied)
- Swimming pool, hot tub & sauna, so bring your swimsuit.
- Bring an item for a layette (under 2 years) which we will pack and send in one of the bales to the North
- Bring along your $35.00 for our Outing/Tour
NOTE: there are no in-room hairdryers, but we will make sure there are a couple there for your use.
Before I close this welcome letter to you all I wanted to send over this poem over to all you ACW Sister's! It really seems fitting, being we are having our conference in the beautiful Fraser Valley "Wine Country")
The True Vine
From many wild vines come many bitter grapes. Only from a vineyard that is well tended and nurtured will you find sweet fruit. As it is with earthly fruit, so it is with the spiritual fruit. Only from the true vine of Christ will the grapes of righteousness come with the sweet savor that only redemption can bring to the soul.
May you all also be blessed with God's love and strength daily and may "God's Speed" be with you ALL and your Travels by land, water or air to our National ACW 2016 conference in Langley, BC.....
Love and many blessings sent your way and looking forward in seeing old friends and making new ones,
Your National ACW President,
Susan Kinney
Greeting to all,
I find it hard to believe that August has already arrived, which means we are pretty well half way through our summer! I'm hoping this letter finds you all doing well and having a great summer as well. Here in Terrace we have been having beautiful sunshine for just about three weeks now which I'm really enjoying after having half of the month of July with rain everyday:( The sun makes my bones feel much better and I love that our days are longer and less darkness!
Last week we all got a reminder from our coordinator Sheila Puls from the Diocese of New Westminster reminding us that the deadline of registration to attend this year's National ACW conference in Langley BC was yesterday August 1st......So I'm hoping you Ladies that have had your Diocese ACW annual's have registered. I know there are possibly some that don't meet till closer to October, so they have contacted to say they will register ASAP.
Our theme this year that the Ladies in the Diocese of New Westminster have chosen "I am the Vine, you are the branches", I believe is very fitting for where our National conference is to be held this year in the beautiful Fraser Valley in our beautiful province of British Columbia! I know I am looking forward to our fall conference to enjoy the fellowship of my Christian Sister's in Christ and the glorious scenery.....
I found this youtube video of Carrie Allwine" We are the Branches on your Vine" and I wanted to share it with you all!
We all "ACW Sisters" are indeed branches on his precious Vine:):)
I must close for now but my love & many prayers are with you all across this beautiful country of ours!!
Here is my special prayer for you all:
Loving Lord Jesus, the True Vine
Keep us abiding in you throughout our ACW Dioceses…
In the business of life…
From morning till night.....
"You are the vine
We are the branches" AMEN
Blessings to all from,
Your National ACW President,
Susan Kinney
I find it hard to believe that August has already arrived, which means we are pretty well half way through our summer! I'm hoping this letter finds you all doing well and having a great summer as well. Here in Terrace we have been having beautiful sunshine for just about three weeks now which I'm really enjoying after having half of the month of July with rain everyday:( The sun makes my bones feel much better and I love that our days are longer and less darkness!
Last week we all got a reminder from our coordinator Sheila Puls from the Diocese of New Westminster reminding us that the deadline of registration to attend this year's National ACW conference in Langley BC was yesterday August 1st......So I'm hoping you Ladies that have had your Diocese ACW annual's have registered. I know there are possibly some that don't meet till closer to October, so they have contacted to say they will register ASAP.
Our theme this year that the Ladies in the Diocese of New Westminster have chosen "I am the Vine, you are the branches", I believe is very fitting for where our National conference is to be held this year in the beautiful Fraser Valley in our beautiful province of British Columbia! I know I am looking forward to our fall conference to enjoy the fellowship of my Christian Sister's in Christ and the glorious scenery.....
I found this youtube video of Carrie Allwine" We are the Branches on your Vine" and I wanted to share it with you all!
We all "ACW Sisters" are indeed branches on his precious Vine:):)
I must close for now but my love & many prayers are with you all across this beautiful country of ours!!
Here is my special prayer for you all:
Loving Lord Jesus, the True Vine
Keep us abiding in you throughout our ACW Dioceses…
In the business of life…
From morning till night.....
"You are the vine
We are the branches" AMEN
Blessings to all from,
Your National ACW President,
Susan Kinney
Hello and Blessings to all,
I'm hoping that you all are doing well and enjoying our last few weeks of winter. I know that I love that our daylight hours these days are getting longer and with this I think of the sun in the sense of "God’s warmth and light created for us all to enjoy". It also makes me think of our growing in "Christ" and the words ‘sun’ and ‘son’, which are pronounced identically. By thinking this it can provide both you and I with a warming never ending comfort for us in our busy everyday modern world....
During Lent God’s grace can direct and guide us to feel the need to relax in the presence of Him our "Heavenly Father". It is important to remember that Lent is a season of both hope & joy. In my daily reading today it said "The season of Lent has a twofold character", one to recall our baptism and two our penance. We as faithful disciples need to listen and hear the words of God and devote ourselves to prayer daily. A time to renew our mind and heart. The Lord blesses each of us with the Spirit of loving reverence for him. We also need to be ever mindful to help those needy around us and by doing this we recall the great events that gave us a "new life in Christ"!
As Lent leads us to Easter by way of the cross we remember the true joy of knowing that we live for God, with God and that God's love is an eternal - agape love there for each and every one of us women as we do our ministry within our ACW'S across this beautiful country:)
Each year we are given this paschal mystery to celebrate.
I am enclosing this link below (for you to copy & paste) to a beautiful hymn & video of "In Christ Alone" which has always moved me no matter what time of the year but definitely has special meaning at this season of Lent and Blessed Easter!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8welVgKX8Qo
May you all enjoy a wonderful spring in a few weeks and Blessed Easter as well:) Please know that you all are in my daily prayers no matter how far the distance may be between my home here in Terrace BC and yours......
Blessings always from your,
National Anglican Church Women's President,
Susan Kinney
I'm hoping that you all are doing well and enjoying our last few weeks of winter. I know that I love that our daylight hours these days are getting longer and with this I think of the sun in the sense of "God’s warmth and light created for us all to enjoy". It also makes me think of our growing in "Christ" and the words ‘sun’ and ‘son’, which are pronounced identically. By thinking this it can provide both you and I with a warming never ending comfort for us in our busy everyday modern world....
During Lent God’s grace can direct and guide us to feel the need to relax in the presence of Him our "Heavenly Father". It is important to remember that Lent is a season of both hope & joy. In my daily reading today it said "The season of Lent has a twofold character", one to recall our baptism and two our penance. We as faithful disciples need to listen and hear the words of God and devote ourselves to prayer daily. A time to renew our mind and heart. The Lord blesses each of us with the Spirit of loving reverence for him. We also need to be ever mindful to help those needy around us and by doing this we recall the great events that gave us a "new life in Christ"!
As Lent leads us to Easter by way of the cross we remember the true joy of knowing that we live for God, with God and that God's love is an eternal - agape love there for each and every one of us women as we do our ministry within our ACW'S across this beautiful country:)
Each year we are given this paschal mystery to celebrate.
I am enclosing this link below (for you to copy & paste) to a beautiful hymn & video of "In Christ Alone" which has always moved me no matter what time of the year but definitely has special meaning at this season of Lent and Blessed Easter!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8welVgKX8Qo
May you all enjoy a wonderful spring in a few weeks and Blessed Easter as well:) Please know that you all are in my daily prayers no matter how far the distance may be between my home here in Terrace BC and yours......
Blessings always from your,
National Anglican Church Women's President,
Susan Kinney
Blessed greeting to you all,
I can't believe that soon another year of ministry with the Anglican Church Women is coming to an end. I would like to take this time as your National President to thank all of you that have supported our National Women's Ministry this year with your continued prayers daily. God has truly blessed me with a wonderful executive board at this National level of ACW to be there at my side as we work well together as your leaders! I marvel and give thanks & praise continually to God who has uniquely placed each and everyone one of us in the positions of leadership as "Anglican Church Women" throughout all our Diocese across our beautiful country of Canada!!
Now with that being said about our "beautiful country", most of you along with myself got to experience as a "gift from God" this by traveling a few weeks ago to our 2015 National Anglican Church Women's conference in St. John's Newfoundland hosted by the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland & Labrador... Wow, what a beautiful place & beautiful people!!! At this time I would like to say again a "BIG" thank-you to our host coordinator Wendy Pilling who along with her team( & wonderful husband David) who welcomed us all with open arms at the beautiful Lavrock camp & conference centre:) We were treated like a true family member there with a bed to rest our weary heads; wonderful food; great conference room & chapel; great social area; drivers; gifts and much more! Also who can forget our outing on the " Party Bus" and the great music with Sheila onboard with us; a great time despite the rain and leaky bus roof!Ha! Our times in prayer & praise that weekend were so wonderful and the memories of that and our great entertainment nights will always be special for me, and I'm sure you all as well. We even got "Screeched" and became officially "Honorary Newfoundlanders”!!
Also another "Big" thank-you to Bishop Michael Hawkins who took the time from his busy schedule as Bishop of Saskatchewan and chair of the Council of the North( and probably much more:) to attend our National ACW conference again this year and bless us with his God given talents( I'm sorry that I missed the Sunday Eucharist because of my early flight, not to mention the serving of breakfast from our brother in Christ Michael)!
This brings to mind to ask if anyone has photo's that they took at our conference this year, I would love to see some. Thanks....
As I have shared before with you, I would like to share this once more "Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own". God is indeed good and I feel truly blessed to be your National President and to be able to share with you at our National conferences!!
Today the "Blessed Season of Advent" is upon us. It is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the birth of Jesus. Advent also symbolizes the spiritual journey of you and I as we affirm that Christ has come, that He is present here where we are and that He will come again! We need to be faithful stewards for what God has entrusted us all with as Presidents/ Coordinators within our Diocese. Being ever mindful daily to "love the Lord your God with all you heart" and to "love your neighbor as yourself"! Each of the 4 weeks of Advent help us to recall our many gifts from our Heavenly Father - hope, love, joy, and peace. We need to be ever mindful that these gifts are "unbreakable and they are everlasting"!! In closing I have enclosed a favorite Irish Blessing of mine for this "Holy Season".....
Irish Christmas Blessing
The light of the Christmas star to you, The warmth of home and hearth
to you, The cheer and good will of friends to you, The hope of a
childlike heart to you, The joy of a thousand angels to you, The love
of the Son and God’s peace to you.
Merry Christmas to you all and May the Peace of Christ our Savior always be with you wherever you live.... Happiest of New Years ahead in 2016 as well.....
Love from Your Sister in Christ,
Susan Kinney
National ACW President
I can't believe that soon another year of ministry with the Anglican Church Women is coming to an end. I would like to take this time as your National President to thank all of you that have supported our National Women's Ministry this year with your continued prayers daily. God has truly blessed me with a wonderful executive board at this National level of ACW to be there at my side as we work well together as your leaders! I marvel and give thanks & praise continually to God who has uniquely placed each and everyone one of us in the positions of leadership as "Anglican Church Women" throughout all our Diocese across our beautiful country of Canada!!
Now with that being said about our "beautiful country", most of you along with myself got to experience as a "gift from God" this by traveling a few weeks ago to our 2015 National Anglican Church Women's conference in St. John's Newfoundland hosted by the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland & Labrador... Wow, what a beautiful place & beautiful people!!! At this time I would like to say again a "BIG" thank-you to our host coordinator Wendy Pilling who along with her team( & wonderful husband David) who welcomed us all with open arms at the beautiful Lavrock camp & conference centre:) We were treated like a true family member there with a bed to rest our weary heads; wonderful food; great conference room & chapel; great social area; drivers; gifts and much more! Also who can forget our outing on the " Party Bus" and the great music with Sheila onboard with us; a great time despite the rain and leaky bus roof!Ha! Our times in prayer & praise that weekend were so wonderful and the memories of that and our great entertainment nights will always be special for me, and I'm sure you all as well. We even got "Screeched" and became officially "Honorary Newfoundlanders”!!
Also another "Big" thank-you to Bishop Michael Hawkins who took the time from his busy schedule as Bishop of Saskatchewan and chair of the Council of the North( and probably much more:) to attend our National ACW conference again this year and bless us with his God given talents( I'm sorry that I missed the Sunday Eucharist because of my early flight, not to mention the serving of breakfast from our brother in Christ Michael)!
This brings to mind to ask if anyone has photo's that they took at our conference this year, I would love to see some. Thanks....
As I have shared before with you, I would like to share this once more "Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own". God is indeed good and I feel truly blessed to be your National President and to be able to share with you at our National conferences!!
Today the "Blessed Season of Advent" is upon us. It is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the birth of Jesus. Advent also symbolizes the spiritual journey of you and I as we affirm that Christ has come, that He is present here where we are and that He will come again! We need to be faithful stewards for what God has entrusted us all with as Presidents/ Coordinators within our Diocese. Being ever mindful daily to "love the Lord your God with all you heart" and to "love your neighbor as yourself"! Each of the 4 weeks of Advent help us to recall our many gifts from our Heavenly Father - hope, love, joy, and peace. We need to be ever mindful that these gifts are "unbreakable and they are everlasting"!! In closing I have enclosed a favorite Irish Blessing of mine for this "Holy Season".....
Irish Christmas Blessing
The light of the Christmas star to you, The warmth of home and hearth
to you, The cheer and good will of friends to you, The hope of a
childlike heart to you, The joy of a thousand angels to you, The love
of the Son and God’s peace to you.
Merry Christmas to you all and May the Peace of Christ our Savior always be with you wherever you live.... Happiest of New Years ahead in 2016 as well.....
Love from Your Sister in Christ,
Susan Kinney
National ACW President
National ACW President's Report
October, 2015
Blessed greetings to all,
I would like to begin my report by thanking all you ACW Ladies that were at our National conference last year in Saskatoon:) Needless to say I was a bit nervous as my flight touched down thinking to myself, " well God, here I am and I haven't even had a chance to get my 1st year in as National Vice President and now for some reason you have put me in the position of stepping up with faith to lead all these Ladies as their National President"! In those beautiful warm September days, God did surely blessed me as your leader and I believe all you Ladies as well at last year's annual with a great fun - spirit filled conference with lots of memories for us all to cherish.
In November of last year I emailed out my first Advent email to you all. And sadly shortly thereafter I took ill with Kidney problems and was hospitalized briefly, not knowing then that this would end up being an ongoing /current issue for me, right to this day.....
In early December I sent out by email a website "youtube video" called "New Christmas Song" ( about keeping Christ in Christmas) to you all to view and then forward on.......
Early in January of this year I was pleased to get a call from Wendy Pilling from the Diocese of Eastern Nfld & Labrador in regards to her Diocese hosting our 2015 National ACW conference in Lavrock camp & conference center (St. John's). I must say it was a true answer to my prayers as I had been just thinking now that the New Year was here it would be nice to have a "host contact" to talk too! Well now after literally dozens and dozens of planning emails I feel like Wendy and I have known each other for a long time! She continues to work side by side with me even though the miles between us are as far across Canada as one can go!!She is such a dear - hard working Lady that is working hard with her host team daily/weekly/monthly. My National Treasurer Joanna and I have also worked side by side with many emails throughout these past several months and because of that I feel a special sisterly bond and for that I am feeling truly blessed :) In January as my own Diocese ACW President of Caledonia I was busy getting our brochure created for our Diocese Annual in April in the Native village of New Aiyansh BC and also creating a welcome letter and mailouts to active as well as non active branches throughout my Diocese. As Diocese ACW President I have been to two Diocese Executive meetings sense last November and have had several email where I had to vote on Diocese Executive matters and in September this year I attended our Diocese Synod. I am blessed as Diocese ACW President to have both a voice and a vote in my Dioceses!
In early February I reached out once again to Delorie Walsh who created a few years ago and had been in control of our National ACW website. I was able with Delorie and my son Nicholas to get access and control of the website. Now I'm sort of a "trial and error" computer person so it pretty well took me over several days, weeks & months to get our National website updated. Yeh!! In February I also sent out my first Lenten letter to you all.
In March I was truly blessed to be able to go on a 38th wedding anniversary trip(with my husband Perley) & 50th wedding anniversary trip(my eldest sister Barb & husband Darrell from New Brunswick) to the beautiful Hawaiian island of Maui. We were there together to celebrate a beautiful unforgettable Sunrise Easter morning Chapel service @ the Calvary Chapel in South Kehei:)
Also in early spring Rosemarie (President) from the Diocese of Fredericton invited me to her Diocese of Fredericton annual for May 2015. I sadly had to declined her invitation because of my ongoing kidney problems and also the weekend in May when their annual was to be was also the due date of my daughter in law in Prince Rupert. This was to be Ellie's first child and I really wanted to be close by. But like sometimes in this life there are curve balls thrown our way and we are taught that lesson once again that we are not in control and that God totally is. Sadly my overdue grandson died at birth and my whole family was heartbroken, devastated and still now the tears continue:( But with my faith(remembering to let go and Let God) and love and strength of our heavenly Father (and many of your prayers) I continue in this ministry as your ACW Leader with Courage....
At the end of May I did up another email to you all letting you know our National ACW website address : www.acwcanada.com as well as reminding you all of certain things that aren't covered by National ACW when booking our flights to conferences...
In late July I did up another email letter to you all reminding us all to get our registrations for our National conference filled out and mailed off to Wendy. In July also a dear family friend of mine who is more like another older sister of mine blessed me with a Holland American Cruise to Alaska for 7 nights with her. After day 2 (seasickness) I was blessed with a great remembered trip!! What a beautiful cruise ship( like a big shopping mall/hotel in one). The weather was great and the scenery was breath taking and unforgettable! But sadly my camera did not do well thru x-rays and did not work so I don't have photo's to share with you. I will hopefully get some of my friends photo's when I see her in New Brunswick after this conference....
I am very pleased to say that not only did I get our National ACW website updated this year, but I also with our good Lord's help have been able to do research & updates on other National ACW guidelines, policies, motions and funds and have created binders( that will stay with the National ACW President so they can continue to update annually if needed)and I also updated our "National ACW Constitution & By-Laws" and I am hoping to have copies of this for you all to take back to your Diocese!
In September I sent out my last email before our National conference, welcoming all you that are registered......
I would like to Thank all of you that hold me your National President up in prayer and I would ask if possible that you continue those prayers for me as well as my family. And may the Love & Strength of Christ be with us all and may we as "ACW Sisters" continue to be Leader's of Courage, Serving Strong in our Faith as we do our daily work in each our Diocese across this beautiful country of Canada..........
Here are items listed below for your info:
Susan Kinney
National ACW President
October, 2015
Blessed greetings to all,
I would like to begin my report by thanking all you ACW Ladies that were at our National conference last year in Saskatoon:) Needless to say I was a bit nervous as my flight touched down thinking to myself, " well God, here I am and I haven't even had a chance to get my 1st year in as National Vice President and now for some reason you have put me in the position of stepping up with faith to lead all these Ladies as their National President"! In those beautiful warm September days, God did surely blessed me as your leader and I believe all you Ladies as well at last year's annual with a great fun - spirit filled conference with lots of memories for us all to cherish.
In November of last year I emailed out my first Advent email to you all. And sadly shortly thereafter I took ill with Kidney problems and was hospitalized briefly, not knowing then that this would end up being an ongoing /current issue for me, right to this day.....
In early December I sent out by email a website "youtube video" called "New Christmas Song" ( about keeping Christ in Christmas) to you all to view and then forward on.......
Early in January of this year I was pleased to get a call from Wendy Pilling from the Diocese of Eastern Nfld & Labrador in regards to her Diocese hosting our 2015 National ACW conference in Lavrock camp & conference center (St. John's). I must say it was a true answer to my prayers as I had been just thinking now that the New Year was here it would be nice to have a "host contact" to talk too! Well now after literally dozens and dozens of planning emails I feel like Wendy and I have known each other for a long time! She continues to work side by side with me even though the miles between us are as far across Canada as one can go!!She is such a dear - hard working Lady that is working hard with her host team daily/weekly/monthly. My National Treasurer Joanna and I have also worked side by side with many emails throughout these past several months and because of that I feel a special sisterly bond and for that I am feeling truly blessed :) In January as my own Diocese ACW President of Caledonia I was busy getting our brochure created for our Diocese Annual in April in the Native village of New Aiyansh BC and also creating a welcome letter and mailouts to active as well as non active branches throughout my Diocese. As Diocese ACW President I have been to two Diocese Executive meetings sense last November and have had several email where I had to vote on Diocese Executive matters and in September this year I attended our Diocese Synod. I am blessed as Diocese ACW President to have both a voice and a vote in my Dioceses!
In early February I reached out once again to Delorie Walsh who created a few years ago and had been in control of our National ACW website. I was able with Delorie and my son Nicholas to get access and control of the website. Now I'm sort of a "trial and error" computer person so it pretty well took me over several days, weeks & months to get our National website updated. Yeh!! In February I also sent out my first Lenten letter to you all.
In March I was truly blessed to be able to go on a 38th wedding anniversary trip(with my husband Perley) & 50th wedding anniversary trip(my eldest sister Barb & husband Darrell from New Brunswick) to the beautiful Hawaiian island of Maui. We were there together to celebrate a beautiful unforgettable Sunrise Easter morning Chapel service @ the Calvary Chapel in South Kehei:)
Also in early spring Rosemarie (President) from the Diocese of Fredericton invited me to her Diocese of Fredericton annual for May 2015. I sadly had to declined her invitation because of my ongoing kidney problems and also the weekend in May when their annual was to be was also the due date of my daughter in law in Prince Rupert. This was to be Ellie's first child and I really wanted to be close by. But like sometimes in this life there are curve balls thrown our way and we are taught that lesson once again that we are not in control and that God totally is. Sadly my overdue grandson died at birth and my whole family was heartbroken, devastated and still now the tears continue:( But with my faith(remembering to let go and Let God) and love and strength of our heavenly Father (and many of your prayers) I continue in this ministry as your ACW Leader with Courage....
At the end of May I did up another email to you all letting you know our National ACW website address : www.acwcanada.com as well as reminding you all of certain things that aren't covered by National ACW when booking our flights to conferences...
In late July I did up another email letter to you all reminding us all to get our registrations for our National conference filled out and mailed off to Wendy. In July also a dear family friend of mine who is more like another older sister of mine blessed me with a Holland American Cruise to Alaska for 7 nights with her. After day 2 (seasickness) I was blessed with a great remembered trip!! What a beautiful cruise ship( like a big shopping mall/hotel in one). The weather was great and the scenery was breath taking and unforgettable! But sadly my camera did not do well thru x-rays and did not work so I don't have photo's to share with you. I will hopefully get some of my friends photo's when I see her in New Brunswick after this conference....
I am very pleased to say that not only did I get our National ACW website updated this year, but I also with our good Lord's help have been able to do research & updates on other National ACW guidelines, policies, motions and funds and have created binders( that will stay with the National ACW President so they can continue to update annually if needed)and I also updated our "National ACW Constitution & By-Laws" and I am hoping to have copies of this for you all to take back to your Diocese!
In September I sent out my last email before our National conference, welcoming all you that are registered......
I would like to Thank all of you that hold me your National President up in prayer and I would ask if possible that you continue those prayers for me as well as my family. And may the Love & Strength of Christ be with us all and may we as "ACW Sisters" continue to be Leader's of Courage, Serving Strong in our Faith as we do our daily work in each our Diocese across this beautiful country of Canada..........
Here are items listed below for your info:
- I would like to ask each Diocese to prayerfully consider hosting a "National ACW Conference". The next year available 2018 and after that......
- Did you know that a National ACW President if invited to any "Dioceses ACW Conference across Canada" has her flight covered by National; but the accommodation there would need to be covered by the host Diocese.....
Susan Kinney
National ACW President
Sept. 13th, 2015
Greetings to all Diocese Presidents/Coordinators,
I' m hoping you all are getting to enjoy our last few days of summer. Like I have found most years lately this one seems to be flying by with record breaking speed, as it seems not long ago I dropped you all a note wishing you a good summer!! Even harder to believe it is just about one year ago now sense I wrote my very first "welcoming letter" to those attending our National annual meeting in beautiful Saskatoon.
I must say now that September is just about half over I am as I'm sure you all are, counting the days till your flights(travel)to beautiful St. John's Newfoundland where we will be together for our National ACW conference at Lavrock camp/conference center. I know that our coordinator this year, Wendy Pilling and her team ( Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland & Labrador) have been very busy for months now preparing for our visit and 3 nights stay for our conference and they look forward to welcoming us all on Oct. 1st....
Our theme for this year as you probably remember is: *Leaders of Courage, Serving by Faith*
Here below is a youtube video/song that I would like to share with you all.
https://youtu.be/r9WXUlERHKc ( just highlight this link and copy and paste on your google or internet site). Enjoy.
Here are some things to remember for our trip to this year's conference :
Before I close this letter to you all I wanted to send over this "traditional blessing" for all you Wonderful ACW Sister's across our Beautiful country.....
May there always be work for your hands to do.
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine upon your window pane.
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near to you and
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you
May you all also be blessed with God's love and strength daily and may "God's Speed" be with you ALL and your Travels by land, water or air to our National ACW 2015 conference in Newfoundland.....
Love and many blessings sent your way and looking forward in seeing old friends and making new ones,
Your National ACW President,
Susan Kinney
Greetings to all Diocese Presidents/Coordinators,
I' m hoping you all are getting to enjoy our last few days of summer. Like I have found most years lately this one seems to be flying by with record breaking speed, as it seems not long ago I dropped you all a note wishing you a good summer!! Even harder to believe it is just about one year ago now sense I wrote my very first "welcoming letter" to those attending our National annual meeting in beautiful Saskatoon.
I must say now that September is just about half over I am as I'm sure you all are, counting the days till your flights(travel)to beautiful St. John's Newfoundland where we will be together for our National ACW conference at Lavrock camp/conference center. I know that our coordinator this year, Wendy Pilling and her team ( Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland & Labrador) have been very busy for months now preparing for our visit and 3 nights stay for our conference and they look forward to welcoming us all on Oct. 1st....
Our theme for this year as you probably remember is: *Leaders of Courage, Serving by Faith*
Here below is a youtube video/song that I would like to share with you all.
https://youtu.be/r9WXUlERHKc ( just highlight this link and copy and paste on your google or internet site). Enjoy.
Here are some things to remember for our trip to this year's conference :
- Your $35.00 for our Friday outing & walking shoes
- umbrella/rain gear if needed
- flashlight
- comfortable clothes
- toiletry items as it's Not a hotel or we are not near shopping areas(45 minute drive to airport)....
Before I close this letter to you all I wanted to send over this "traditional blessing" for all you Wonderful ACW Sister's across our Beautiful country.....
May there always be work for your hands to do.
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine upon your window pane.
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near to you and
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you
May you all also be blessed with God's love and strength daily and may "God's Speed" be with you ALL and your Travels by land, water or air to our National ACW 2015 conference in Newfoundland.....
Love and many blessings sent your way and looking forward in seeing old friends and making new ones,
Your National ACW President,
Susan Kinney
Dear Diocese ACW Presidents/ Coordinators,
Hoping that you all are keeping well and have been enjoying your summer where you live in this beautiful country of Canada....
With just over one week left in this month of July, I thought I had better sit down and drop off a note to you all....
A few weeks ago you should have received an email from Wendy Pilling( our National ACW annual conference coordinator) from St. John's Newfoundland reminding you of the following:
Speaking of return flights, it would be best if, when choosing your air travel, you stayed away from any flights leaving St. John's between 5:00 and 7:00AM as it's a one-hour drive from the conference centre and it would mean having to leave in the very wee hours of the morning.
The blessing of being on Newfoundland shores is that you gain time going west!
Until we met in Newfoundland, may God continue to bless you as you make plans to join us.
Wendy Pilling
National Conference Coordinator
As you all are aware the theme of this year's National ACW conference is:"Leaders of Courage, Serving by Faith"
I wanted to share below my bible reading for today July 23, 2015 with you as it reminds me of this year's National ACW theme. All are one in Christ In Christ we are all children of God. As the apostle Paul wrote: “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26-28).
Paul’s significant words, especially where they concern women, are bold even now, and certainly were astonishing in the time he wrote them. This was another of Paul’s transitional statements showing that a new covenant relationship through Christ had begun.
Now we have a new life in Christ. All Christians have a new relationship with God. Through Christ, we—both male and female—have become God’s own children and one in Jesus Christ. Christ is calling all—men and women—to repentance and a new way of life. Jesus showed through personal example that it’s time to put aside the old biases, the feelings of superiority over others, the feelings of resentment and anger, and to walk in newness of life with him and through him.
Many of you are striving to be women of faith. Many of you, like the bent-over woman healed by Christ in the synagogue, have to overlook some discrimination as you faithfully worship God and serve him. Don’t get discouraged and give up. Jesus Christ calls you equal in every way in his sight, and heirs to his promises. And, as you humbly follow him, Christ will use you in his service.
So fellow Sister's in Christ, please always remember - YOU ARE A LEADER OF COURAGE, Serving by FAITH as we each Minister in our "ACW Ministries" in each Diocese across Canada :)
As I close this letter to you all, may God's never ending love and strength be with you all and guide you always in each of your Diocese!
Hoping and praying to see you this coming October 2015 in St. John's Newfoundland!
Blessing Always from Your,
National ACW President,
Susan Kinney
With the help of the Holy Spirit, keep in step with the godly woman in you.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid;
do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
Hoping that you all are keeping well and have been enjoying your summer where you live in this beautiful country of Canada....
With just over one week left in this month of July, I thought I had better sit down and drop off a note to you all....
A few weeks ago you should have received an email from Wendy Pilling( our National ACW annual conference coordinator) from St. John's Newfoundland reminding you of the following:
- Plans are well underway, but there are still lots of last-minute details to consider - one being organizing transportation for all delegates; we're hoping to have all registration in by August 1st so that we can ensure you are picked up on time and taken back to the airport in ample time for your return flight.
Speaking of return flights, it would be best if, when choosing your air travel, you stayed away from any flights leaving St. John's between 5:00 and 7:00AM as it's a one-hour drive from the conference centre and it would mean having to leave in the very wee hours of the morning.
The blessing of being on Newfoundland shores is that you gain time going west!
Until we met in Newfoundland, may God continue to bless you as you make plans to join us.
Wendy Pilling
National Conference Coordinator
As you all are aware the theme of this year's National ACW conference is:"Leaders of Courage, Serving by Faith"
I wanted to share below my bible reading for today July 23, 2015 with you as it reminds me of this year's National ACW theme. All are one in Christ In Christ we are all children of God. As the apostle Paul wrote: “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26-28).
Paul’s significant words, especially where they concern women, are bold even now, and certainly were astonishing in the time he wrote them. This was another of Paul’s transitional statements showing that a new covenant relationship through Christ had begun.
Now we have a new life in Christ. All Christians have a new relationship with God. Through Christ, we—both male and female—have become God’s own children and one in Jesus Christ. Christ is calling all—men and women—to repentance and a new way of life. Jesus showed through personal example that it’s time to put aside the old biases, the feelings of superiority over others, the feelings of resentment and anger, and to walk in newness of life with him and through him.
Many of you are striving to be women of faith. Many of you, like the bent-over woman healed by Christ in the synagogue, have to overlook some discrimination as you faithfully worship God and serve him. Don’t get discouraged and give up. Jesus Christ calls you equal in every way in his sight, and heirs to his promises. And, as you humbly follow him, Christ will use you in his service.
So fellow Sister's in Christ, please always remember - YOU ARE A LEADER OF COURAGE, Serving by FAITH as we each Minister in our "ACW Ministries" in each Diocese across Canada :)
As I close this letter to you all, may God's never ending love and strength be with you all and guide you always in each of your Diocese!
Hoping and praying to see you this coming October 2015 in St. John's Newfoundland!
Blessing Always from Your,
National ACW President,
Susan Kinney
With the help of the Holy Spirit, keep in step with the godly woman in you.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid;
do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
Greetings from Your ACW National President Susan Kinney
Dear Diocese President's and Coordinator's of Canada,
I'm hoping that this letter finds you all doing well and also hoping that this winter has not been too hard on you all!
As you all are aware we are about to set out once again on the forty-day journey called "Lent". Our focus of Lent needs to remain constant with disciplines of prayer, fasting and focussing on family, church and volunteering where God directs us daily. We also have learnt that Lent also calls us to "slow down" and to take a good look at our lives and how we are living them, so as to become a more generous, open and joyful person. Lent helps us to repent and to let go of the things that take us away from living for God. Lent leads to Easter, by way of the cross. Easter is our destination, with the true joy of knowing that we live for God, with God and that God loves us unto death itself.
I'm enclosing below a favorite Lenten prayer of mine for each of you. May you all be blessed daily as you continue with your Ministry with the Anglican Church Women across our beautiful country!!
Blessing for Lent
Merciful God, you called us forth from the dust of the earth;
you claimed us for Christ in the waters of baptism.
Look upon us as we enter these Forty Days bearing the mark of ashes,
and bless our journey through the desert of Lent to the font of rebirth.
May our fasting be hunger for justice; our alms, a making of peace;
our prayer, the chant of humble and grateful hearts.
All that we do and pray is in the name of Jesus.
For in his cross you proclaim your love forever and ever..............
Dear Diocese President's and Coordinator's of Canada,
I'm hoping that this letter finds you all doing well and also hoping that this winter has not been too hard on you all!
As you all are aware we are about to set out once again on the forty-day journey called "Lent". Our focus of Lent needs to remain constant with disciplines of prayer, fasting and focussing on family, church and volunteering where God directs us daily. We also have learnt that Lent also calls us to "slow down" and to take a good look at our lives and how we are living them, so as to become a more generous, open and joyful person. Lent helps us to repent and to let go of the things that take us away from living for God. Lent leads to Easter, by way of the cross. Easter is our destination, with the true joy of knowing that we live for God, with God and that God loves us unto death itself.
I'm enclosing below a favorite Lenten prayer of mine for each of you. May you all be blessed daily as you continue with your Ministry with the Anglican Church Women across our beautiful country!!
Blessing for Lent
Merciful God, you called us forth from the dust of the earth;
you claimed us for Christ in the waters of baptism.
Look upon us as we enter these Forty Days bearing the mark of ashes,
and bless our journey through the desert of Lent to the font of rebirth.
May our fasting be hunger for justice; our alms, a making of peace;
our prayer, the chant of humble and grateful hearts.
All that we do and pray is in the name of Jesus.
For in his cross you proclaim your love forever and ever..............
Note of from
Your ACW National President
Susan Kinney
Blessed greeting to you all,
Another year of ministry with the Anglican Church Women is coming to an end soon and I would like to take this time as your National President to Thank all of you that have supported our national ministry this year! Some of you I know can't always get to our annuals but do take the time to Pray for your National ACW and because of this and the hard work of many, we have been blessed this year.
Many of you Sisters that were with me at our 2014 National ACW conference in beautiful Saskatoon this past September will no doubt echo what a wonderful conference we had and how the three Diocese hosting us made us feel so welcomed & blessed. Thanks again to Elaine and her team:)
An old saying comes to my mind at this time: "You have 2 hands, one to help yourself and one to help others".
I believe we Anglican Church Women definitely do this within our Parish branches, Diocese level as well as at our National level as we work side by side with all our sisters doing the Lord's work in the ministry that we all love so Very Much.....
Someone once shared this with me so I would like to now share with you. "Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own".
Sisters, the "Blessed Season of Advent" is upon us. It is a time when we get ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The word advent as we know means "coming". It is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the birth of Jesus, and a time we look forward to the day He returns for His church. We are preparing for the coming of Jesus!!
Each of the four weeks helps us remember a gift – the gift of hope, the gift of love, the gift of joy, and the gift of peace. These are gifts are unbreakable, they will last forever!
We can ask ourselves during this season.......
* What are some ways that I can show God that I love Him?
* What is a gift that I can’t buy in a store that I can give to someone to show them that I love them?
* What are some ways I can show thanks this year for the gifts I will receive?
A Christmas Prayer for you all......
The day of joy returns,
Father in Heaven, who will provide another year with peace and good will.
Help us
rightly to remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men.
Close the doors
of hate and open the doors of love all over the world?
Let kindness
come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us
from evil, by the blessing that Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clean hearts.
May the Christmas morning
make us happy to be thy children,
And the Christmas evening
bring us to our bed with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus? sake.
As I close this letter I would ask for your continued prayers and may our good Lord grant us all another year to walk together as we do our ministries of the Anglican Church Women throughout Canada....
May each and everyone have a Very Blessed Christmas ahead and the Happiest of a New Year in 2015......
September 10th, 2014
A warm hello, to all you Diocesan Presidents and Coordinators across our Beautiful Country!
I hope everyone is keeping well and enjoying our last few weeks of summer. Here in the Diocese of Caledonia in the northwestern part of BC(Terrace) where I live we have had a remarkable summer; to which I am very grateful for as I love warm weather as it makes me feel so much better physically(from the 2 arthritis that I suffer with) as well as mentally....
As many of you may have heard by now that in a matter of a little more than 10mts I went from being your newly elected National ACW Vice President last October in Halifax, Nova Scotia to now your President; thus this letter to "Welcome" you all to our 129th National ACW conference September 25th - 28th @ Queen's House Retreat and Renewal Centre in beautiful Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
I believe this year's annual to be a very unique one as we are hosted by three Diocese: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and Qu'Appelle. I would like to take this time to thank this year's coordinator Elaine Hrycenko and all those others who have been faithfully working beside or prayerfully supporting them as they organize to host us all this year. Our theme that the three hosting Diocese have chosen for this year's annual is:
John 6:35 - "I am the bread of life", Jesus told them."He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never be thirsty".
It will be wonderful as "Sisters in the ACW" to come together at this annual this year and I look forward as probably many of you as well do, in renewing old friendships and making new ones!
I know that it is true that without our "Good Lord’s" help, many prayers and the kind help of the National Executive committee; my smooth transition as your President would not have been possible.
I feel truly blessed and it gives me great pleasure to work as a disciple of Christ within the ACW ministry. I look forward to the path that God leads me this next year!
Again, I look forward to meeting everyone in Saskatoon @ the end of September and I Pray that God’s love and daily guidance encircle us all each and every day!
God's love, prayers, blessings & speed to all.....
Respectfully Submitted By,
Susan Kinney
National ACW President
A warm hello, to all you Diocesan Presidents and Coordinators across our Beautiful Country!
I hope everyone is keeping well and enjoying our last few weeks of summer. Here in the Diocese of Caledonia in the northwestern part of BC(Terrace) where I live we have had a remarkable summer; to which I am very grateful for as I love warm weather as it makes me feel so much better physically(from the 2 arthritis that I suffer with) as well as mentally....
As many of you may have heard by now that in a matter of a little more than 10mts I went from being your newly elected National ACW Vice President last October in Halifax, Nova Scotia to now your President; thus this letter to "Welcome" you all to our 129th National ACW conference September 25th - 28th @ Queen's House Retreat and Renewal Centre in beautiful Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
I believe this year's annual to be a very unique one as we are hosted by three Diocese: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and Qu'Appelle. I would like to take this time to thank this year's coordinator Elaine Hrycenko and all those others who have been faithfully working beside or prayerfully supporting them as they organize to host us all this year. Our theme that the three hosting Diocese have chosen for this year's annual is:
John 6:35 - "I am the bread of life", Jesus told them."He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never be thirsty".
It will be wonderful as "Sisters in the ACW" to come together at this annual this year and I look forward as probably many of you as well do, in renewing old friendships and making new ones!
I know that it is true that without our "Good Lord’s" help, many prayers and the kind help of the National Executive committee; my smooth transition as your President would not have been possible.
I feel truly blessed and it gives me great pleasure to work as a disciple of Christ within the ACW ministry. I look forward to the path that God leads me this next year!
Again, I look forward to meeting everyone in Saskatoon @ the end of September and I Pray that God’s love and daily guidance encircle us all each and every day!
God's love, prayers, blessings & speed to all.....
Respectfully Submitted By,
Susan Kinney
National ACW President
National ACW President's Report
September 2014
As many of you know I have only been your National ACW President for the last few weeks due to Delorie Walsh stepping down from this position. So needless to say I don't have any traveling to different Diocese to report on as past Presidents have. I do know that I have been on my computer nonstop sense Delorie phoned me and stepped down trying to prepare myself for this new found position I find myself in 2 years early!
I wanted to share a little something with you all about how now I am actually living a " it's all in God's time moment", Susan and not yours"!
Some of you that attended the 2010 National ACW conference in Duncan BC may remember I let my name stand along with Delorie for Vice President. Delorie won the position and became the National VP for 3 years, then President last Oct. in Halifax where I was elected VP. Well, you all now know how this scenario has played out for me as Delorie never even got to chair as President her 1st National ACW conference but for some reason our Good Lord has me this year here in Saskatoon as your President instead! Crazy..
What keeps going thru my head in these last few weeks of emails and confusion is "be careful what you wish for"!
Update - 2016
I think what I should do is tell you a little about myself and where being an Anglican Women all began for me.
I was born in 1957 in Perth New Brunswick and grow up on a farm in Bairdsville New Brunswick which is just south of Perth-Andover on the Trans Canada 130 highway. I was baptized & confirmed Anglican @ St. Georges Anglican Church, Bairdsville NB. I was in JA’s as a teenager at our mother church "Trinity" in Andover NB.
In November 1975 @ the age of 18 I travelled by train to Terrace BC. In 1977 I married my childhood sweetheart Perley Kinney who also grew up in Bairdsville NB. We celebrated our 39th wedding anniversary this past spring April 7th, 2016 in Maui:) We have 4 children; 3 sons and 1 daughter. We are blessed with 3 grandsons (13yr old Ethan in Surrey BC & 7 year old Trey and 3 year old Coen in Terrace) and 1 granddaughter Brianna who’s 9 years old in Prince Rupert BC.
I do many volunteer activities for our St. Matthew’s Anglican Church (Diocese of Caledonia) here in Terrace and I have been the President / Bookkeeper of the Red Raven Art Gallery located at the Lazelle Mall in Terrace for the past 13 years. Retired Jan. 2016...So between being a homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother, ACW volunteer & the Art Gallery work I’m kept quite busy………
Mrs. Susan Kinney – Diocese of Caledonia
As your new National ACW President I look forward to the next several years and the opportunity that this positions holds for me. I ask that each of you pray for me and all my executive board members as we go forward leading the ANGLICAN CHURCH WOMEN across this beautiful country.....
God's Blessings to all,
Sincerely Yours,
Your sister in Christ,
Susan Kinney
National ACW president
September 2014
As many of you know I have only been your National ACW President for the last few weeks due to Delorie Walsh stepping down from this position. So needless to say I don't have any traveling to different Diocese to report on as past Presidents have. I do know that I have been on my computer nonstop sense Delorie phoned me and stepped down trying to prepare myself for this new found position I find myself in 2 years early!
I wanted to share a little something with you all about how now I am actually living a " it's all in God's time moment", Susan and not yours"!
Some of you that attended the 2010 National ACW conference in Duncan BC may remember I let my name stand along with Delorie for Vice President. Delorie won the position and became the National VP for 3 years, then President last Oct. in Halifax where I was elected VP. Well, you all now know how this scenario has played out for me as Delorie never even got to chair as President her 1st National ACW conference but for some reason our Good Lord has me this year here in Saskatoon as your President instead! Crazy..
What keeps going thru my head in these last few weeks of emails and confusion is "be careful what you wish for"!
Update - 2016
I think what I should do is tell you a little about myself and where being an Anglican Women all began for me.
I was born in 1957 in Perth New Brunswick and grow up on a farm in Bairdsville New Brunswick which is just south of Perth-Andover on the Trans Canada 130 highway. I was baptized & confirmed Anglican @ St. Georges Anglican Church, Bairdsville NB. I was in JA’s as a teenager at our mother church "Trinity" in Andover NB.
In November 1975 @ the age of 18 I travelled by train to Terrace BC. In 1977 I married my childhood sweetheart Perley Kinney who also grew up in Bairdsville NB. We celebrated our 39th wedding anniversary this past spring April 7th, 2016 in Maui:) We have 4 children; 3 sons and 1 daughter. We are blessed with 3 grandsons (13yr old Ethan in Surrey BC & 7 year old Trey and 3 year old Coen in Terrace) and 1 granddaughter Brianna who’s 9 years old in Prince Rupert BC.
I do many volunteer activities for our St. Matthew’s Anglican Church (Diocese of Caledonia) here in Terrace and I have been the President / Bookkeeper of the Red Raven Art Gallery located at the Lazelle Mall in Terrace for the past 13 years. Retired Jan. 2016...So between being a homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother, ACW volunteer & the Art Gallery work I’m kept quite busy………
Mrs. Susan Kinney – Diocese of Caledonia
- Active ACW member for 36 years with the Terrace ACW
- ACW President of the Terrace branch for 22 years (between 1990 & 2016)
- Diocese of Caledonia ACW President from 2004 to 2007 & 2012 till present 2016
- National ACW Vice President 2013/ President 2014, 2015, 2016
- Have attended 9 National ACW conferences (2005 – Montreal, Quebec) (2006 - Edmonton, Alberta) (2007 - Terrace BC) (2010 - Duncan BC) ( 2011- Ottawa, Ontario) (2012 - Calgary, Alberta) (2013 - Halifax, Nova Scotia) (2014 - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) (2015 - St. John's, Nfld)
- Sunday school Teacher at St. Matthew’s Church for 16 years (Sept.1988–June 2004) & Sunday School Superintendent for 6 of those years….
- Peoples Warden of St. Matthew’s Church for 3 years (1993-1996)
- Diocese Of Caledonia “Camp Caledonia” Board member from 1995 till 2009; Camp Cook during 1 or 2 weeks each summer for 13 years from 1992 – 2005; and Camp Caledonia Registrar from 1996 till 2009.
- Altar Guild Member from Spring 2004 till 2012
- Bible Studies Sept – June annually for 30yrs, 1984 to present 2016; have been the bible study leader now for 9 years.
- Board member of St. Matthew’s Church Committee for 15 years from 1991 till 2008; also Chairman of 2 church sub committees over the years (Fellowship & Educational); Worship committee member for 3 years.
- Secretary for St. Matthew’s church committee from 2004 till 2008
- Prayer line member sense 1983 till present 2016
- Board member of Diocese of Caledonia Executive committee 2005 thru 2010 & 2013-2016
- Board member of Christian Samaritan purse Christmas Shoe Boxes Terrace branch 2000 till present 2016
As your new National ACW President I look forward to the next several years and the opportunity that this positions holds for me. I ask that each of you pray for me and all my executive board members as we go forward leading the ANGLICAN CHURCH WOMEN across this beautiful country.....
God's Blessings to all,
Sincerely Yours,
Your sister in Christ,
Susan Kinney
National ACW president
