by
Marcia Slentz-Whalen
*OUR EXHIBIT BOOTH*
For the second consecutive PW Gathering, VOW hosted a booth in the Exhibit
Hall, offering words of encouragement to our sisters in the faith who are
concerned about upholding the historic faith of the PCUSA. Conversations at
the booth can begin in a variety of ways: Sometimes with a visitor’s boldly
inquisitive ‘What’s VOW?” Sometimes with our simple ‘Hello” to one who has
slowed her steps as she passes by, pausing long enough to take a cautious
look at the materials on our display table.
Three years ago the usual response to our explanation of who we are was,
‘Oh, thank God — I thought I was the only one at this Gathering who has a
problem with what’s going on here.” Now, three years later, our greeting,
‘Are you familiar with our ministry?” frequently brought a smile and a warm
affirmation, ‘Oh yes, I know all about you — keep up the good work!” What
a blessing it was to us to have our network partners stop by and share such
kind words of encouragement! Thank you.
*OUR HOSPITALITY SUITE*
So many of our conversations were with women whose hearts were heavy with
the disappointment of a Gathering that was falling far short of their hopes
for a ‘mountaintop experience”. Some of our visitors already were involved
with our network while many others were discovering VOW for the first time.
In either case, it was great to be able to invite them to stop by our
Hospitality Suite in a nearby hotel.
This place of refuge was available during the day for prayer and
conversation with the VOW team. It also was the site for evening fellowship
with kindred spirits, and for many of us these evening mini-gatherings were
the high point of each day. We began each evening session with a brief hymn
sing, including many of the great old hymns of the church that are
systematically excluded from the plenary worship services. We shared prayer
and Scripture and much helpful discussion about the often-troubling events
of the day.
This Hospitality Suite, which is made possible by the many donations of
network supporters, was utilized by ever-increasing numbers of women as the
week progressed. We had to deal with the delightful ‘problem” of finding
more chairs to accommodate the growing numbers as word spread about this
special gathering place — an oasis in the desert of another disappointing
Triennial event where, once again, faithful women of the church were being
stunned by the dramatic disconnect between Gathering planners and the
majority of women in PW Circles and congregations around the world.
*OUR MESSAGE*
The VOW team communicated a consistently positive and proactive message to
our sisters to stay involved, to stand firm, and to hold accountable those
in positions of leadership. Those evening debriefings always included words
of encouragement to the attendees to prayerfully consider and to thoroughly
respond to the Gathering evaluation form, adding specific comments to the
mostly-multiple-choice questionnaire. Women were encouraged to take the
forms home and mail them back to Louisville in order to have sufficient time
to be thorough and specific in expressing their concerns.
We are hopeful that the women in positions of national leadership will hear
and respect the voices of all those orthodox women — each of whom expended
precious resources of time, money and energy to be there for Gathering ’03.
And, with trust in the transforming power of Christ alone, we look forward
to a much better experience for all in 2006.