Winter Institute

President Frances Hope often quotes Psalm 118:24. "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it" and that was January 19, 2013, a joyous day! On that day the Western North Carolina Conference Branch held its Winter Institute.

St. Matthews AME Church in Burlington was host to more than three hundred eighty-five registered missionaries on January 19, 2013. Missionaries gathered from four areas; Ethyel Anderson, Minnie Pearson, Martha McCauley, and Vera L. Holt, to fill the church to an overflowing capacity of four hundred fifty attendees. WOW! 

The joy and expectation of the day was unity and teamwork. Missionaries dressed in a touch of purple attire to symbolize Alzheimer's and Domestic Violence Awareness, which were the topics of discussion for the two workshops scheduled for the institute. The praise team stimulated the assembly with songs of thanksgiving, "I Thank You Lord, You let me see Another Year." Then Host Pastor, Vernell Mcdoo greeted the gathering with words of inspiration through a brief sermon, which started the day on a high note. Ms. Louise Butler, Ethyel Anderson Area Chairperson, and Mrs. Marilyn Williams, Host President of the Alston-Lee Women's Missionary Society completed the welcoming salutation which made the attendees feel at home. There was recognition of WNCC 2012 Dorcas Queens by President Frances Hope with a small gift and many thanks for a job well done. Sister Shirley Sheares encouraged the group to get geared up for 2013, and they to increase the amount raised. The group sang a verse of "What a Mighty God We Serve."

The vision of the workshops was to share personal experiences then have experts to explain and inform attendees about the topics. This structure kept the audience mesmerized and empathetic with the topics  of Alzheimer's and Domestic Violence. The first workshop, "Face(s) of Alzheimer's" presented a human portrait of three missionaries experiencing the effects of the disease. Sister Doris Bridges told of the surprise of the diagnosis of Alzheimer's afflicting her husband when she thought he was having symptoms of normal expected aging. Doris talked about the surprise that her very active accomplished husband who although retired and maintaining a lawn care business could not answer a simple task of naming as many animals as one could in one minute asked by the doctor without much hesitation. Sister Alice Hillman told about the challenges and restrictions in care giving of mother suffering with Alzheimer's. Reverend Debra Brown told of the joy and funny times in caring for her mother, however, she has renewed diligence in checking herself with memory exercises knowing that Alzheimer's is hereditary.

After the testimonies of these missionaries, the expert Ms. Heather McKay, Dementia Care Specialist verified the testimonies of all three. Heather is the Dementia Care Specialist, OT & Dementia Care Program Manager, Hospice Palliative Center of Alzheimer's and Life Path Home Health. Heather gave an energetic and informative presentation complete with slides of a healthy brain and a brain affected by dementia. She explained and pointed out places in the brain that supported the stories told by the three missionaries who shared their stories. Heather also identified by definition and example the three most common types of dementia: Alzheimer's, Dementia and Lewy Body Dementia.

The performance of two brief skits grabbed the attention of the audience after a brief bread and the workshop on Domestic Violence began "When Love Hurts-Domestic Violence"-was an eye opening, tear jerking, emotional experience for many as Sister Carol Taylor gave her testimonial of domestic violence. She spoke about threats, intimidation, physical and emotional abuse at the hand of an older husband in front of her children, which kept her in the relationship for years. The love, care and concern for her family along with not knowing what to do stopped her from making a move. However, by the grace of God she was able to leave the relationship with enough stamina to attend Alamance Tech and is looking forward to obtaining a degree. This testimony was followed by a general discussion of the expert, Ms. Susan C. Taylor, Systems Advocacy Coordinator, North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Ms. Taylor gave information on where to find help and who to contact if faced with domestic violence.

A question and answer session was offered after each workshop. After a light lunch everyone left informed on two subjects and most commented that the Winter Institute was the best one ever presented. President Hope is right in reminding us of Psalm 118:24. "This is the day...let us be glad."

Report by:
Ms. Faye B. Bynum
Historiographer/Statistician
Western North Carolina Conference