Challenging testimonies and good fellowship have marked the resumption of a western Sydney institution. It has been five years since the Sydney Anglican women of the Western Region met together and a relaunch has proved better than expected. 

The region had a long history of an annual autumn dinner, previously held in Blacktown, but for 2024 the committee revamped the format to Saturday afternoon tea.  

As well as an inspiring talk by Jenny Salt on 1 Peter 2, the gathering gave local women an opportunity to hear a series of Christian women telling their stories.

Indigenous woman Kayleen Manton shared about her passion for ministry in Mount Druitt and Sharon Smith gave a heartfelt testimony of the challenges she had faced because of her Indigenous heritage, and how she had finally found peace and hope through Jesus at her local church in western Sydney. 

I feel privileged that God can use me...

“I should have been an alcoholic, because that was my family upbringing, gambling, all that,” Mrs Manton told the group. “But only because of Jesus that he's changed me and led me on a different direction and path. And I'm proud and I feel privileged that God can use me, somebody from an Aboriginal community, to break that stereotype.”

Mrs Manton spoke of an incident the previous week when she was refused service in a shop. “I don't want to be that angry Aboriginal woman that they expect,” she said. “You might have gotten this from somebody else, but you're not getting it from me. So, that's the challenge as an Aboriginal. Most of us who are Christians do go through those situations. 

“Sometimes I give my[self a] pat on the back and say, ‘Good on ya. You walked away and you wasn’t angry’. I'm glad the Lord Jesus, you know, you can help me to be that person. I'm glad that I can reflect you in that situation.” 

The regional committee is planning to keep the momentum going, with its next event in the new format to be held on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2025.