Source/Author: By Lila Chelliah

General Conference of Methodist Women (GCMW)

The General Conference Methodist Women (GCMW) organized a Christian Education Seminar on 12th July 2014 at the Wesley Heritage Centre in Kuala Lumpur. The seminar was planned because of the concerns that had arisen in the Christian community, that affects our faith, beliefs, values, stands, and lifestyle. The objective of the seminar was to ‘Empower Women To Be The Salt and Light of Society’, as women are the key people who mould hearts and minds, instil norms, values and stands, build faith and create a Christian lifestyle.

The seminar was a call to women to come together to be preservers, as salt preserves, our Christian faith, values and stands in a changing society. It was also a call to be beacons of light, to illuminate the truth of God and His Word in our life and in the life of our families, to the society around us. The thrust of the seminar was to enable women to be peacemakers, to be agents of change, and to be spiritual nurturers, who would sustain and strengthen Christian families to be a distinct people.

About a hundred women from the 6 Conferences gathered for the day’s seminar that began at 9.00am with Praise and Worship. The Speaker for the first session was Professor Dr. Jayum Anak Jawan, Professor of Politics and Government of Universiti Putra Malaysia. He spoke on ‘Women As Peacemakers In A Multi-Racial Society.’ He led us through a brief history of our nation and what constitutes the present Malaysia, current developments in our country, and the need to know our rights and make right decisions for the common good.

The second Speaker was Associate Professor Dr. Madeline Berma of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. She spoke on ‘Women As Agents Of Change In The Home And Society.’ She spoke on the various roles of women not only in nurturing and caring in the home but also in society and in the labour force. She highlighted the various new features in modern families that have added to women’s responsibilities, that compel women to be agents of change in their own lives and in the lives of their families and society.

The third Speaker was Rev. Dr. Sirirat, a Pastor and Founder of an orphanage in Chaingrai, Thailand. She spoke of her role as a nurturer to young girls and women forced into prostitution. Her message was that women need to look like light and taste like salt in a changing society.

Some time was given for Group Discussion, for the participants to discuss the 3 topics, to bring the message and formulate plans in their respective women’s fellowships. The Organizing Committee of this seminar is grateful to God that the participants were blessed by the seminar and said an overwhelming ‘Yes’ to more of such seminars. All glory to God.

By Lila Chelliah
Chairperson, Organizing Committee
GCMW Christian Education Coordinator