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NECF Women Commission hosting a Retreat for Widows in Asia in conjunction with International Widows Day in June

March 27, 2023 NECF Women Commission; Asia Evangelical Alliance; Christianity Malaysia Events, News, Upcoming Events 0

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The NECF Women Commission will be hosting a retreat for Widows in Asia in conjunction with International Widows Day from June 22-24, 2023 in Kampar, Perak. This is an event under the Widows Connect Asia initiative.

Grace Hee, spokesperson from the NECF Women Commission, conveyed the background of Widows Connect Asia, ‘Widows Connect Asia was birthed out of the COVID-19 pandemic when the Women Commission of AEA (Asia Evangelical Alliance) saw a need to encourage widows who lost their beloved husbands during the traumatic pandemic period.’

The Asia Evangelical Alliance is a partner of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) that has an established history spanning close to two centuries, currently serving more than 600 million evangelicals worldwide. WEA was formed in 1846 to unite evangelicals across the world and across denominations, while the AEA was founded in 1983 to empower “National Alliances to be agents of transformation in Asia, by uniting evangelical churches for dynamic action in the areas of mission and Church Planting, Theology and Church Renewal, Religious Liberty, Social Concern, Women’s Ministry, Youth Ministry and Leadership Development“.

The retreat will be held in conjunction with the International Widows Day

‘The first gathering of Widows Connect was at the height of the pandemic lockdowns on June 25, 2021 in conjunction with the International Widows Day,’ Grace explained. The International Widows Day is a ratified Day of Action by the United Nations, which takes place every year on 23 June to address “poverty and injustices faced by millions of widows and their dependents in many countries”.

‘That first gathering was conducted over Zoom with the theme of “Joy In the Desert” where 120 widows and supporters from over 16 nations across Asia and beyond attended. The event was to bring to light the plight of widows in our midst and also to celebrate their presence and importance in the church.

‘God’s mandate to the church has always been to reflect his heart and role as “a father to the fatherless and a defender of widows, in his holy dwelling.” The sense of togetherness was palpable amongst the participants and brought joy and identification to the widows. In the Zoom breakout rooms, many poured out their griefs as they related painful circumstances of loss,’ she shared.

The two previous Zoom events were valuable time of healing, friendship, and unity for many women

The following year, another gathering was held, also on June 25, 2022 with the theme of “Rejoice with Might”. The gatherings were a valuable time of healing and unity among women who had suffered similar immense losses.

‘Like the first gathering, there were many heart-breaking stories of husbands and sons taken away suddenly by Covid-19 or unjust situations or accidents. Despite these painful losses, it was inspiring to hear how many of these widows were able to move on by serving the family and communities. In all these, it pained us to also see that many are still grieving,’ Grace relates. ‘Much prayers and encouraging words were offered during the Widow Connect meeting which brought much comfort to the attendees. It was a wonderful event with the widows requesting for another such event in the future.’

This year, with COVID-19 entering the endemic phase, it was felt that it was perhaps time for a physical gathering of widows across Asia. It is the hope of the organisers that a physical event would elevate the unity and shared connection that had already been so strong even when the gathering had been done remotely during the MCO period.

This year’s retreat is the first physical one since the pandemic and will be held over an extended 3-days period at the Grand Kampar Hotel.

The organiser for this year’s gathering is Pastor Geetha, the founder of Widows With Mission Malaysia. The 2023 Retreat themed “Love Never Fails” will be held from June 22-24 in Grand Kampar Hotel, Perak, and similar to previous years, in conjunction with the International Widows Day. An estimated 100 widows from across Asia is anticipated to attend.

The event organisers are extending the invitation to all widows to come for a time of fellowship and healing, and where bonds of new friendships that will last for many years beyond the retreat can be built.

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