The date of Feb. 1, 1962 was a celebration of my pre-teen birthday.
That date was also memorable for another reason: My Mother, Mildred Steele, became a charter member of the newly formed church organization, United Church Women.
Prior to that, she was actively involved with the two church groups run by the women of the church — Ladies Aid (sometimes known as the Women’s Auxiliary) and Women’s Missionary Society (WMS) — first at Parkbeg United Church which met in the school and hall, and then as Parkbeg Zion United after the church building was moved into the hamlet.
Later her membership was transferred to Zion United Church in Moose Jaw when my parents moved to the city.
During my growing-up years it was a ritual in the community for the Ladies Aid to meet from home to home, and I was particularly excited when it was “our turn” to host the ladies.
That meant I could help serve the lunch to the ladies who held on their laps those once-famous clear-glass plates with the indentation for a tea cup, leaving room for fancy sandwiches, open-faced buns and enough sweet dainties to make the arteries clog.
It might not have been true to the rule of church teachings, but there was no doubt a competition among the members to see which of them could produce the most impressive lunch. Store-bought cookies didn’t come close to those homemade morsels but it was explained to me that the older members couldn’t bake themselves so I should be thankful for any kind of cookie.
That explained why we always delivered home-baked goods to them at Christmas.
Prior to lunch, discussions I overheard at the meetings always included ways to raise money to help pay the minister’s wages, support for charitable causes, and of course the WMS support for church missionaries around the world and in obscure locations on this continent.
Bake sales and bazaars, fowl suppers and teas were planned and organized, lunches were served at farm auctions and funeral receptions to help “make ends meet” within the church. Election day teas happened in the general store, taking any political discussions and debates away from the church. The baking always sold out.
My Mother, as part of the Ladies Aid and later the UCW, was always part of delegations to attend workshops and retreats in Banff and at PCTC (Prairie Christian Training Centre) near Fort Qu’Appelle.
I grew up hearing about some of the other women who became her travelling companions: Elsie Lanks, Dora Crozier, Amy Lancaster, Bea Young, Winnie Johnson, Kay Owens, Julia Fisher and Jean Wagg. I’m sure there were others but those names have stuck with me. In fact, we still have the set of bath towels given to us as a wedding present by Elsie Lanks.
Mom was eventually elected president of the new Presbyterial UCW, and spent countless hours researching and putting together programs for her area of responsibility. She spent hours at the typewriter, with several layers of carbon paper in place to have enough copies to share.
With my new driver’s licence in hand I was often prevailed upon to be the designated driver whenever school didn’t interfere.
When I left home to work for a living, my Dad became the chauffeur, going here and there and making his own friends with the husbands while the women met for church business. On one trip to Strongfield, he met a man who turned out to be a second or third cousin, and visits back and forth resulted.
I don’t recall if women from the Ladies Aid and WMS were enthusiastic about being moved into a new organization. Surely there was much discussion and consultation. I do recall the complaints and sometimes outrage when the new United Church hymn book was unleashed on congregations.
I’m not sure why some members were unhappy but I do know the Lord of the Dance hymn became a favourite piece of music outside church sanctuaries.
As a youngster I wasn’t supposed to hear some of the discussions, but I couldn’t help but take interest in comments about certain ministers and the quiet hope expressed that their sermons would improve or their stay in the charge wouldn’t be extended.
My memories of United Church Women were awakened when I learned there would be a 60th anniversary celebration on Nov. 13 at Minto United Church, organized by our friend, Vivian Wilson, herself a member for all those years.
The celebration will likely follow the theme on the charter membership card: “To unite all women of the congregation for the total mission of the Church and to provide a medium through which they may express their loyalty and devotion to Jesus Christ in Christian witness, study, fellowship and service.”
Congratulations to those who were there at the beginning and are there now, and welcome to all who joined in the ensuing years.
Joyce Walter can be reached at [email protected].
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
