90th Anniversary Celebration

On Oct. 19, 1918, Bessie MacMurchy invited members of the denominational Women’s Missionary Societies to come together to organize a national Prayer Meeting. These WMS representatives were enthused by the opportunity to dialogue and find ways of promoting "the spread of Christ's kingdom by united prayer, united action and a stronger voice in national questions." Their first planning meeting was held on Feb. 15, 1919, followed by a mass meeting on May 16, which led in turn to Canada's first National Day of Prayer, in Lindsay, Ontario, on Feb. 20, 1920.

We trace the birth of the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada to that invitation from Bessie MacMurchy. WICC is inviting you to join our birthday celebrations from October 2008 to May 2009.

WICC's 90th Anniversary Committee, led by former President Claire Heron and President-Elect Janet Anstead has been busy planning for an exciting celebration on the theme: “Widening the Circle”. With the help of former Council member and history buff Jocelyn Rait, we’ve been learning more about our history. A small task group, including Jocelyn and former President June Dyer, has been preparing a special commemorative DVD, and additional resources are in the works.

Widening the Circle

WICC has made some specific commitments that relate to widening our circles across Canada, including our commitments:

• to racial justice in how we work as an organization and in our work priorities
• to respond to the changing face of Canada: diversity of race, age, religious and spiritual traditions
• to work in inclusive partnerships or coalition with other organizations and with communities pushed to the margins now and historically

The occasion of WICC’s 90th Anniversary celebration is an invitation for all of us to look for ways to “widen our circles”. We hope groups will take this opportunity to create new connections in their communities, to reach out beyond familiar networks.

To this end, WICC is offering a number of resources. We’ve designed a pin using the WICC logo, we’re working on an anniversary DVD, and we’re preparing a liturgy for groups to use as a service of celebration. There will also be a special issue of Making Waves on the theme “Widening the Circle”. We hope that these resources will be helpful tools as you widen the circle. WICC will also provide some financial support for groups organizing anniversary events.

90th Anniversary Resources

WICC's 90th Anniversary materials will be available on Sept. 1, 2008
Click here to download the 90th Anniversary Resource Order Form.

• 
  WICC pin commemorative DVD
• a pewter lapel pin with bookmark
• a poster
• liturgy
• Bible study
• Making Waves issue “Widening the Circle”

Grant Criteria

Click here to download the 90th Anniversary Grant Criteria and Application Form.

WICC is prepared to offer a grant of up to $250 for groups planning events that meet two or more of the following criteria. It is an event that:

1. addresses the theme of “Widening the Circle” through:
   • a special speaker
   • a panel discussion
   • a workshop (a workshop will be included in the summer issue of Making Waves)
   • a Bible study (a Bible study will be available from WICC)
2. offers an opportunity for young women to take leadership
3. helps work towards WICC’s commitments listed above, by connecting with people of one or more of the following groups in planning and participation:
   • diverse denominations or church affiliations
   • racial/ethnic diversity
   • different ages, especially youth and young women
   • marginalized people in your area
4. brings together a wide cross-section of people from your area for:
   • a service of celebration (a liturgy will be available from WICC)
   • a Bible study (a Bible study will be available from WICC)
   • a social gathering

Download the 90th Anniversary Resource Order Form here (MS Word: 77KB)
Download the 90th Anniversary Grant Application here (MS Word: 78KB)

Download the full 90th Anniversary document here.

For more information, please contact the WICC office.