Church Women United – 2013 Celebrations
In 2013 we have a common theme for all three celebrations.
This year we are exploring the biblical text, Revelation 3:20, “Behold I stand at the door and knock”.
MAY FRIENDSHIP DAY
“Swinging Wide the Doors of Hospitality”
In our units of Church Women United, in our faith communities, and in our personal lives, we have many opportunities to swing wide the doors of hospitality. Many times we are caught in situations that are uncomfortable and we feel like looking through a peephole instead of opening wide the door. How open are we toward the newcomer, the person who is different because of race, ethnic group, sexual orientation, or physical, mental or emotional handicaps? In the May Friendship Celebration we hope to find ways to grow in relationships and ways to minister to one another, and look for opportunities to open wide the doors to God’s people, whoever they are and wherever we meet them on our faith journey.
May Friendship Day is usually celebrated the first Friday in May.
HUMAN RIGHTS CELEBRATION
“Breaking Down the Doors of Injustice”
The Church Women United Human Rights Celebration was started in 2006 in the hopes of bringing to light those who have and are working towards equality for all. Awards have honored amazing women and men whose work has made an impact on their community or on the world at large. We take this time to remember that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms…without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status” (Excerpt taken from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, written by the UN in 1948.) These words should be in the forefront of our minds as we support, work towards and fight for the rights of all humans. This is the same message that Jesus gave while on earth. When he said, “love one another as I have loved you” he did not mean for us to love just some people, he truly meant for us to love everyone. This has been the message of CWU since our beginnings in 1941, and will continue to serve as one of the pillars that supports and drives our movement.
The Human Rights Day is a floating celebration and can be observed throughout the year.
WORLD COMMUNITY DAY
“Walking Through the Doors of Opportunity”
This theme invites those of who are members of the movement to consider the many missed opportunities we have had as a result of the various barriers or road blocks that have kept us from moving forward in the movement and in our own individual ministries. What are barriers to peace? What are the barriers in our communities? What will bring more unity? How can we honor our diversity and our unity?
World Community Day is usually celebrated the first Friday in November.
2014 Themes!
The overall theme is constructed from Isaiah 49:15-16
“We are in God’s hands and we are God’s hands”.
The celebration titles and teams are:
- May Friendship Day – (service) “Through God our hands can serve”. Writers: Carolyn McCullough and Marilynn Seashore
- Human Rights Celebration -(protection) “Through God our hands can protect”. Writers: Lois LaFon and Kay Huggins
- World Community Day – (healing) “Through God our hands can heal”. Writers: Kathy Zamonski and Carolyn Good
For more information about ordering Celebrations Materials please contact the CWU National Office at (212) 870-2347, prompt #2, or call direct (212)870-1197.
