The convention took place at the Nixon Memorial Hospital, Segbewema in the Kailahun District with delegates drawn from the three administrative areas of Kono/Kailahun District, Bo/Kenema District and the Western Area on the theme ‘Chosen People Called To Proclaim’ taken from 2nd Peter 2: 9-10. This was also the theme of the General Assembly of the World Federation of Methodists and United Church Women held at the Hilton Hotel, Houston, Texas, United States of America in September last year in which six delegates from the Women’s Network of the Methodist Church Sierra Leone attended. The six delegates were Sister Lillian Lahai, a past World Officer of the World Federation, Sister Amelia Garber, Sister Elizabeth Davies, Sister Hawa Juana Tucker, Sister Anwo Tengbeh and the wife of the Bishop of the Methodist Church Sierra Leone, Sister Rosaline Beah.
The convention was declared open by Sister Mary John Sao, Principal of the Girls Vocational School in Njaluahun while Paramount Chief James Sheriff Jajuah the V, Councilor Amos Kaikai, Haja Musu Samai and Gladys Hastings-Spaine, Secretary General of the Women’s Forum, delivered fraternal greetings.
A foundation member of the Network and its third President, Sister Maude Regina Peacock gave a training on Women’s Leadership which she emphasized must produce extraordinary results.
The convention was for the women to take stock of activities over the years, examine their strengthens and weaknesses and chart the way forward into the future while reports from the various regional coordinators were received and discussed.
The 28 year-old organization has as one of its foundation members, the Women’s Forum
The newly-elected executive members of the Women’s Network are Sister Ruby Pearce of Warren Society as President, Isatu Turner of Saint Augustine Bo and Sister Elizabeth Barnett of Buxton Society as Vice President 1 and II, Sister Keturah Wilson of Zion on the Hill, Treasurer, Sister Elizabeth Davies of Balmer Memorial. Regional Coordinators are Western Area-Sister Rosaline Lewally of Grace Brethren, Sister Marianna Gbow of Segbewema, Sister Millicent Bartholomew of Bo, Sister Elizabeth Bangura of Ebenezer Church, Circular Road and Sister Dolcie Bangura of Kenema as Public Relations Officer.
The preacher at the thanksgiving service, Sister Janet Lahai, a local preacher from Segbewema dilated on the theme from 2nd Peter 2: 9-10 ‘Proclaiming The Message of God. She appealed to the women to be prayerful and be evangelists as Christ admonished Christians to go and tell adding that as women they have qualities and that they are all one firmly united family.
Highlight of the convention was the presentation of Certificates of Appreciation to delegates by the Network’s past Presidents, Sister Miranda Showers and Sister Maude Peacock.
