CELEBRATIONS
2023: “Living a Legacy of Love: Doing God’s Work”
World Community Day
World Community Day began in 1943 from discussions at a meeting of denominational presidents and executive secretaries asking that a day beset aside in the fall for the study
of peace by church women. Although many denominations were printing their own studies on the new world order, it was determined at this meeting that their unity would be
strengthened on one day of united study.
2023: “Living a Legacy of Love: Doing God’s Work”
May Friendship Day
May Friendship Day dates back to May 1933, when two
independent groups planned luncheons to focus on “Child Health” and
“Children of Migrant Families.”
The first event was sponsored by the Women’s Council for Home Missions
in New York City and the second one, called “Dedication Day,” was
sponsored by the
National Council of Federated Church Women in order to bring the
group’s dream of unity into full expression in each local community.
Under a variety of names,
this event continued and expanded until 1939, when they merged
under the National Council of Church Women, which called for an annual
observance
“to strengthen a growing sense of unity, the joy of Christian
fellowship, and the power of Christianity in the day of need.” In May
1945, a few years after the founding
of Church Women United, the celebration was formalized as May
Fellowship Day. In 1999, the movement of Church Women United changed
the name of
the celebration to May Friendship Day, as we continue to celebrate
unity in our journey toward wholeness in all communities.
May Friendship Day 2023 – "Labor with Love - A Heart to Care"
Human Rights Day
Church Women United remembers 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 1943 and will continue to be
one of the pillars that supports and drives our movement.
Human Rights Celebration 2023 – “Labor with Love - Respect to Heal"
World Community Day
World Community Day began in 1943 from discussions at a meeting of denominational presidents and executive secretaries asking that a day beset aside in the fall for the study
of peace by church women. Although many denominations were printing their own studies on the new world order, it was determined at this meeting that their unity would be
strengthened on one day of united study.
World
Community Day continues to emphasize peace but has been broadened to
include justice, a vital partner of peace. The once clear categories of
“domestic” and “foreign” were consciously blurred so the global scope of the wide range of problems could be emphasized on World Community Day.
World Community Day 2023 –"Labor with Love - Hands to Heal"
“domestic” and “foreign” were consciously blurred so the global scope of the wide range of problems could be emphasized on World Community Day.
World Community Day 2023 –"Labor with Love - Hands to Heal"
Church Women United in Virginia 2023
Our Themes
2022: “It’s Up to You in 2022”