Caledon East United holds Thankoffering
By Betty Ward

Caledon East UCW celebrated its 45th anniversary (1962-2007) by having a special Thankoffering Tuesday, May 8 in the sanctuary. The Thankoffering is a tradition of the Woman's Missionary Society (WMS) which is a pre-runner of the UCW. The WMS women held two Thankofferings a year and their money was given to mission endeavours.

The speakers for the evening were Cathy MacKinnon and Karin Randoja, who gave a presentation on Shakespeare Link Canada. Cathy is the artistic director of Shakespeare Link Canada and grew up in the Palgrave area. In August 2005 Cathy, Karin and two others traveled to Quelimane, Mozambique to work with a song and dance company, Montes Namuli, to create an AIDS awareness play using Shakespeare. Karen and Bill Butt, who are currently in Quelimane working with the Christian Council of Mozambique, through Mission and Service, were their hosts and liaisons with the company. Last summer they brought 16 members from the company to Toronto to perform at the International AIDS conference and around the GTA. Cathy and Karin will be going back this summer to continue their AIDS awareness and by 2009 they hope to have a theatre built in Quelimane. Both Cathy and Karin teach at Humber College.

The worship theme for the evening was, We are One, with Kay Ford, Molly Hutchinson, Cheryl Smith and Betty Ward taking part. Following the lighting of the Christ candle, candles were lit for the past, present, and future of the UCW. Fay Bailey sang beautifully, Let Your Heart be Broken. Copresidents Mildred Gillespie welcomed everyone and Kay Ford led in a sing-song. There were 51 women present from local UCWs, including Bolton, Mayfield, Palgrave, Salem and Sandhill as well as St. James Anglican and the Community Women's Circle.

The offering for the evening was donated to Shakespeare Link Canada and the UCW 40th Anniversary Award. Refreshments and a social time followed in Friendship Hall. The UCW is one group within The Women's Ministries Network of the United Church of Canada.

Lynn Heeley was chosen as the 2007 recipient of the Toronto Conference UCW 40th anniversary award. She will receive $1,000 from the award fund. Lynn was sponsored by St. Luke's United Church in Toronto West Presbytery. Total donations to the award since it began in 2002 are $42,533. The award assists a student studying at Emmanuel College for ordination within the United Church of Canada.

The Conference is aiming to raise $50,000 this year, and provide for two students to receive $1,000 each.

In June our members along with their spouses are looking forward to having lunch at the Caledon Bistro in Caledon.

The UCW summer service will be Sunday, July 15 and we hope you will support us.