Celebrations Overview 2008
All our Celebrations are annual events that unite Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and other Christian women in experiencing building common worship, strengthening friendly relationships within our community, and providing awareness for social action. Each has a specific theme and a Leaders/Planners Guide that includes background material, helpful hints, Bible studies, and Action plans. Units are encouraged to go beyond the worship and carry out plans for ecumenical action within the local communities and beyond.
National Ecumenical Celebrations Committee
Marilyn Lariviere, Massachusetts, Chair
Joan Brown, Ohio
Kathleen Clark, Iowa
Kristina Peterson, Louisiana
Pauline Robertson, Texas
Cathy Smith, New Jersey
Anne Griffis, Washington DC, Liaison Action/Global Concerns
Gail Mengel, Missouri, National President
MAY FRIENDSHIP DAY
May 2, 2008 - "God's Wisdom Inspires Hospitality"
What does it really mean to provide hospitality as faith-filled women? This theme calls us to look at hospitality from different perspectives. Through sharing scriptures and discussion, it is our hope that all will be called to a deeper understanding of what it truly means to provide hospitality. Writers Pauline Robertson and Joan Brown invite us to look at this topic in three focus areas: In Your Home, In Your Community, and In Sharing Your Skills, Knowledge and Talents. The logo for MFD features a pineapple, a universal sign of hospitality dating back to the days when sea captains returned from voyages with exotic fruit, including pineapples. The pineapples would be displayed on a picket fence as an indication that the home was open for visitors. Today, we may give other signs of "openness" through the way we interact with others. If we "plant a seed of hospitality, we reap a bouquet of friendships!" The Bible Study written by the Rev. Pamela J. Cole takes a look at the story of the "Great Woman" of Shunem and the hospitality she extended to the prophet Elisha. It is a program in itself and could be used at any time.
The talents of Anne Griffis and the Action/Global Concerns Committee have prepared another excellent Action Guide for your use. The goal of ALL our celebrations is to inspire some type of action.
The annual dedication of offerings to the Fellowship of the Least Coin is also part of the service, as is the opportunity for your unit to honor a certain woman with a Valiant Woman pin and certificate to convey the Unit’s gratitude for her efforts. This is also a time to intentionally invite and honor loyal and promising Young Church Women.
The offering taken at MFD is traditionally kept for the Local Unit with a portion sent to the State unit.
WORLD COMMUNITY DAY
November 7, 2008 “God's Wisdom Sets Us Free"
Many Church Women United Local and State units long histories of involvement in prison ministry. Cathy Smith of New Jersey and Rev. Kathleen Clark of Iowa, members of the National Ecumenical Celebrations Committee, have written this service, calling us to look at the struggles in our own lives as we reflect on how we are called to minister to others, especially those in prison.
Rev. Arnette Pint, pastor of the Women at the Well United Methodist Church, a congregation within the walls of the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women in Mitchellville, Iowa, prepared the Bible Study. We are called to take a look at the "Golden Rule" as exemplified in different religions, giving us an opportunity to look at our commonalities, rather than our differences.
While this WCD Service is not specifically written as an Interfaith Service, it would be very suitable to invite women of all faiths to participate following our pattern of having more inclusive services every two years.
"God's Wisdom Sets Us Free" whether we are bound by our own human failings or by prison walls. All of us need to change and grow, just like caterpillars change into cocoons or chrysalises before they can become beautiful butterflies with wings that will let them soar high and free. This celebration explores how we can reach out with God's wisdom and love to those behind bars, whether made of steel or of human limitations.
The offering taken at World Community Day is sent to the National Office to
help the Church Women United movement with operating funds .
HUMAN RIGHTS CELEBRATION
“God's Wisdom Honors Children”
The Human Rights Celebration MAY be held at any time during the year. Logical dates may be around December 10, Human Rights Day; September 21, International Day for Peace; or in January near Martin Luther King Jr. Day. However, any date is fine that works best for the Local Unit. This Celebration is an opportunity to present the Human Rights Award to honor individuals who have been active in working for human rights in their communities. This year's service calls us to reflect on the needs of children, and suggests having teenagers and youth share in the service. It might be appropriate (but not necessary) to look for Honorees who work with and/or for children and children's rights.
Writers Marilyn Lariviere and Kristina Peterson call us to reflect on these words of theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer: "The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children." This is an opportunity to look at the services (or lack of services) for children available in your community. Action relating to children is a natural follow up to this celebration.
The chorus of the hymn, "When God is a Child" by Brian Wren, tells us "When God is a child, there's joy in our song, the last shall be first, and the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid." This should be a joy-filled celebration!
The offering taken at the Human Rights Celebration is sent to the CWU National Office to support the movement.