Learning and laughter: Women’s Connection offers support

By Molly Gunther

Laughter filled Silverton Methodist Church on Aug. 14 when Judy Glenney, a former National Weightlifting Champion and Olympic judge, shared a humorous and reflective look at her milestones of womanhood, starting when she was a girl.

“I could see no practicality in a dress,” Glenny said. “You can’t cross the monkey bars in a dress.”

Glenney described the trials of her changing body like a store motto with “new arrivals everyday,” and the audacity of a health pamphlet referring to a certain milestone as her “little friend.”

Glenney’s presentation at Silverton Methodist was put on by the Mount Angel/ Silverton Women’s Connection, one of many non-profit, non-denominational organizations seeking to impact and connect women in their communities throughout the U.S. and around the world in collaboration with Stonecroft Ministries.

Mount Angel/Silverton Women’s Connection has created a space for women to share their faith, their ideas and their bumps in the road.

“We’ve been getting together for over 40 years with different denominations knowing that we all share common faith in God,” Silverton member Sheryl Amstutz said. “It’s a good feeling. I always feel up-lifted afterwards.”

Every month, the Mount Angel/Silverton Women’s Connection invites women to gather for a light luncheon and two speakers. The first is a feature or something of interest. On Aug. 14, Patty Kileen from the Oregon Tourism Commission shared little- known Oregon day trips and highlighted the Seven Wonders of Oregon.

The second speaker provides inspiration and motivation. Glenney is currently a physical education instructor at Clark College and she had no problem pantomiming the struggles of womanhood to the delight of her audience.

Silverton resident Cathy Prince is the area representative and the chair for Mount Angel/Silverton Women’s Connection.

“The training through Stonecroft Ministries gave me a lot of confidence,” Prince said. “As well as the experience of speaking in front of a lot of people.”

Prince meets monthly with eight women to brainstorm future outreach events. Past events have included speakers from California, Idaho and Georgia. Features have been done on gardening, fashion and integrative medicine.

“They all have their special quality,” Prince said. “We try to do interesting things that are of interest to women.”

There are several events coming up in the next few months. On Sept. 18, the feature will be an accessory fashion show, presented by Christopher and Banks with a special demonstration on the many ways to tie a scarf. Speaker Dr. Andrea Larson will share how her life as a mother and family physician was altered by a brain infection in 2003, which forced her to give up her medical practice.

On Sept. 27, a nationwide prayer walk will begin at Coolidge McClaine Park with refreshments and a walk through  Silverton. In November, there will be a presentation from The Fussy Duck, the antique mall in Salem. And the annual cookie exchange will take place in December.

Prince believes Women’s Connection benefits and builds up the community by creating one-to-one friendships between women of different backgrounds, highlighting new businesses and producing fresh ideas to increase outreach.

“It encourages me to hear stories of how women have changed,” Prince said. “Through the years that I have been involved with Silverton Women’s Connection I have seen so many women that have been encouraged through the friendships that they’ve gained.

“I am there to help build up women and support them through the rough seasons of life and to see lives changed for the better.”