March 20, 2021 | St. John’s, Antigua | Ercille Caines & Kay White
During the month of March, there is special emphasis on women worldwide. In light of this, the Women’s Ministries department of the South Leeward Conference (SLC) conducted a number of activities to acknowledge the integral role that women play in the church and in society.
International Women’s Day, observed on March 8, is a day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Since 1990, the Department of Women’s Ministries at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, promotes a special day, International Women’s Day of Prayer. This is celebrated on the first Sabbath, in March annually.
The SLC Women’s Ministries department hosted a prayer hour of power on the YouTube channel (SLC Adventist) on Sabbath, March 6, 2021. The theme of the program was “I will Go Change My World”. The Women’s Ministries director, Pastor Kay White, in her remarks, outlined the challenges women face in the society. Some of the major challenges noted were poverty, illiteracy, health threats and intimate partner violence.
The prayer hour of power featured Women’s Ministries island coordinators, Sisters Ercille Caines, Brenda Ashe, Anthea Nedd, Bernadine Collins, and Daughn Williams. The women sought God’s intervention to alleviate the challenges previously mentioned. The program also featured two beautifully rendered musical items by two young Adventist women, Ebony Baptiste and Leela Louis. The president of the South Leeward Conference, Dr. Carson Greene, encouraged the women to help shape and even change the societal perspectives of women and to become change agents. The highlight of the prayer hour of power was a powerful devotional feature by Pastor Nicola English-Newsam, from the Tobago Mission. She emphasized the importance of women answering the call to change societies.
The Women’s Ministries emphasis was extended to the island of St. Kitts. The department leaders there, emphasizing the importance of education in making positive change, conducted general assembly at the St. Kitts Seventh-day Adventist Primary School. It is recognized that school is where relationships, including those between genders, are modelled, taught and formed. During the assembly, the students were encouraged to be the best version of themselves through the example of the biblical character, Esther. The students were also challenged to consider gender inclusion, since they will become the decision makers in the society.
On the same day, the St. Kitts Women’s Ministries leaders also recognized four Adventist women for their outstanding achievements and contribution to the community. Dr. Daveen Wilkins was recognized in the area of health; Mrs. Yvette Blanchette in education; Ms. Marilyn Johnson in finance and Mrs. Taryn Archibald in the Adventist Community Services.
It is evident that there are many challenges and critical issues that impact women worldwide, but the Women’s Ministries department of the South Leeward Conference remains committed to empowering and encouraging women to accomplish their God-given potential as they embrace the call to “Go!”