Report to the 2007 Metro Association Fall Meeting
UCC Metro Women's Association

The UCC Metro Women met last October 13, 2007 for its Fall Retreat at the Corona Congregational Church, UCC. Fifty-five women from 14 churches attended the retreat. The theme was "Unity and Diversity in One Body".

The Rev. Ruby Wilson was the preacher and Bible study leader. Due to family emergency, Rev. Wilson had to leave early. With our deep and sincere gratitude, the Rev. Marian Buckman came to the rescue. Within 24 hours she prepared the sermon for the closing worship and installed the newly elected officers.

There were two workshops: "Overcoming Obstacles To Your Faith" (based on her latest book), led by Louise Manigault and "Each One a Minister", led by Deborah Dee Brayton.

The new officers for 2007-2009 were elected. They were:

President - Vatsala Ponnuraj - Bedford Park
Vice-Pres. - Melva Victorino - Garden City Community Church
Treasurer - Edith Houston - St. Albans
Recording Secretary - Lillian Ayala - Bedford Park
Corresponding Secretary - Cynthia Smith-Jackson - Grace Congregational Church

All Resource Leaders are appointed positions and will serve two years and can be reappointed only for another term as stipulated in the By-laws.

From the evaluation, this was another uplifting and a blast of a retreat. Thanks to our guests and leaders.

The Metro Women's Spring Retreat will be in May of 2008 at Christhava Tamil Koil. Exact date TBA

Please, put the UCC NY Women's Event at Watson Homestead in your calendar:

Date: May 1-3, 2008
Theme: "Living Out God's Dreams Faithfully"
Preacher & Keynote Speaker: Rev. Laurie Tiberi, Interfaith Chaplain of the Univ. of Rochester.
Worship Leader: Rev. Laurie Craig, Pastor of Phoenix Church.
Bible Studies: Rev. Jan Mahl

Workshops:

• Education for All Christians - Rev. Sprite Johnson
• Journal Writing - Leader TBA
• Sacred Space Denied: Bethlehem and the Wall - Leader TBA

Presentation: Our UCC Identity (Global Mission, Stewardship in the Metro Association, and the new office of the NY Conference)

Submitted by:
Melva Victorino