The Monck Church Women have had a busy and interesting year.
The January 2010 meeting was held at the home of President Marlene Medhurst who welcomed everyone with dessert and tea.
 Fellowship was enjoyed, followed by the devotion – “The Great Canadian Bible Study – From Disgrace to Dignity – A Woman by the Well” which Marlene presented in a very interesting way. The woman’s name is not known, but she was in great need. Jesus recognized this and gave her ‘living water’.
Discussion and plans for the months ahead proved interesting. The devotional study book will be “Adventurous Prayer”. It was decided to order five new reading books for circulation.
As this was the annual meeting Marlene presented the report for 2009. She said it was a rewarding time of study, fellowship and serving the church family and those in need.
Members participated in presenting monthly devotions from the “Cultivating Contentment” study book. In January “The Great Canadian Bible Study on Dorcas” was used and donations were given for Toonies for Tuni, India. The Baptist Women’s Day of Prayer program was observed in November. Learning about, and praying for the needs of missionaries, was another focus of the meetings. Nicole Bizcot from Best Baa Farms was guest speaker in April, with show and tell as part of the meeting.
The group undertook the project of knitting and crocheting lap robes, slippers, hats and mittens for patrons of Oasis Community Centre and Yonge Street Mission in Toronto. Ingrid Wiggins attended the October meeting and was presented with the items, along with personal items to give to the ministries. Ingrid has a great passion for helping those in need.
Mildred Little, the Association Link also attended the October meeting along with Ruth Thomas who shared the work of Ontario Christian Gleaners. Members brought food bank donations to the meeting as well.
Another project was saving Pennies for Mission and the church family was invited to participate. At the November meeting the pennies collected were sent to Ontario Christian Gleaners Ministry.
Gleaning is a Biblical concept in which God commanded farmers to allow the poor to gather food from their already harvested feels. Today people can feed the hungry by gleaning from the surplus fruit and vegetables from farms, food processing and food distribution companies. With the help of many volunteers the Ontario Christian Gleaners, in their new plant in Cambridge, process surplus food products such as onions, tomatoes, carrots, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, beans, lentils and various fruits, dehydrating these foods and making them into a nutritious soup mix and fruit snack, ready for distribution to reputable relief organizations to use where needed around the world.
The Monck Church Women’s annual project of making Valentines for friends and shut-ins and throughout the year cards were sent to people on special occasions. Cheer boxes or meals were prepared and delivered to five church families who were in need of hospital care.
The group again hosted a lunch booth at the Arthur Fall Fair in September, earning a profit. This revenue, together with the money from grocery tapes, allowed the group to purchase practical items needed by the church, contribute to meals and provide Daily Bread Devotional booklets. A donation was also sent to World Day of Prayer.
A video “Gospel for Asia” was shown at the September meeting, an outdoor plant exchange trimming stamps for the Bible Society was held in May, a cookies and squares exchange in December and enjoying a meal with others from the church members. A mystery tour to the Grey Roots Museum and Archives was held in June. Secret Sisters were remembered throughout the year and revealed in a gift exchange a Christmas.
The church congregation held its annual meeting following the worship service on Jan. 21, followed by a potluck luncheon.
The Women’s Group got together at the home of Dianne Orr on Feb. 3. Fern McLean gave the devotion “Call to Me”, following dessert and tea, and the new reading books were distributed.
The ladies then made Valentines to be sent to former members, friends and winter shut-ins.