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Church Women UnitedIn Rochester & Vicinity, Inc."Celebrating 90 years of Ecumenical Prayer and Service"
Come Help Us Write the Next Chapter...
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Highlights from the 2010 Human Rights CelebrationOn April 9, 2010, Church Women United of Rochester and Vicinity held its first Human Rights Celebration at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Pittsford. The program, Living the Challenge: “Differently Enabled, Uniquely Called,” challenged us to be a part of creating more accessibility for people with disabilities and gave us some insight on how to treat them with the dignity they deserve.We were especially blessed with our speaker, Rev. Shirley Pudney-Eilers, Pastor of Brighton United Church of Christ, who challenged us to think about what our churches can do to help address some of the issues. Her talk, coupled with discussions in small breakout groups, really started us thinking on what we as individual church members can do to make a difference. Thank you to Ruth Howard and Barbara Alexander for their help in presenting this program, and to Sue Siegmund, Choir Director of Durand United Church of Christ for playing the piano for us. A special thanks to the Dorcas-Rachel Women of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church for the delicious desserts and beverages that they prepared for us, and to all of the people in St. Paul’s church that helped make this celebration possible. - Shirley London, Vice President
2009 EIA Project Update Report: "Seeing The Possibilities of Change""Seeing the Possibilities in Change" was the theme for our Education, Insight, and Action Celebrations. The challenges we take and the choices we make, effect change. We in CWU explored our history of innovative problem-solving working for peace and justice. It is not possible to have just one solution to the issues of the day, but many. Our speakers talked on health, education and environment. We used boxes for building blocks as Sally Dodgson described CWU's history and we heard about young people thinking “out of the box” as they solved problems and made innovative projects; as Pat Everett described the “Odyssey of the Mind” Program in the schools. Another school program that helps to build community was Rochester Roots, an Urban Garden Program. We saw how local doctors and dentists volunteer their time and equipment to help meet the health needs of the poor and working poor in our local community, without public funds, and with individual support in money and volunteer hours.Our Insight Day was Friendship Day, which National Church Women United suggested this year be to tell our story. We have a past full of reform and innovation. As an organization we do "See the Possibilities in Change." We see many ways to solve problems and we act on those solutions, as we are able. With good will and God's will, it will be done. Thank you to our celebration leaders Odessa Lybrand, Diana DeBruycker, Betty Allinger and Ellie Newell. Thank you to our speakers Rev. Deborah Swift of St. Joseph's Neighborhood Center, Nick Basch, Marva Boone, Pat Everett, Sally Dodgson and Jan McDonald of Rochester Roots for their dedication and interesting programs.
- Lura Masters, CWU Vice President
2008 EIA Project Update Report: "Jesus, Children and Beyond the 3R's"The third year of our Education, Insight and Action initiative which we call EIA was focused on the needs of children. April's Education meeting Irene Ingram and Sadie Hill spoke on the importance of reading to children and family time. We saw many new children books that delighted us all. They showed us the importance of thinking "Beyond the three R's." Odessa Lybrand was our Celebration leader. May was both our May Friendship Day and EIA - Insight meeting. We enjoyed a fine meal and a program of music by the Glimpse of Heaven, Mt. Olivet's Children Choir, led by Donnell Johnson. The rafters of Twelve Corners Presbyterian Church rang in joy and praise!! Diana DeBruycker, our Celebration leader, reminded us of the Fellowship of the Least Coin and how it started. So much from so little. June found us at Brighton Town Park enjoying a picnic and White Elephant auction. Teisha Maldonado, School Coordinator at East High School, and Debra Tandai. Assets Coordinator from Fairport School District, spoke to us on ways we could help young people as part of the Action initiative. We heard about Biz Kids. Betty Allinger and Ellie Newell were the leaders and organizers of this day of celebration. - Lura Masters, Vice President
2007 EIA Project Update Report2007 has been a big year for CWU. We arrived at our 85th Anniversary Year and culminated the year with the fabulous event orchestrated by a large committee of volunteers. We also finished a second year of our three part EIA (Education, Insight, Action) Initiative.
Information on all these tours was shared at the May Friendship Day Celebration with discussions and ideas of areas that could be served by CWU women. The June meeting reflected on theses suggestions and ways to help. It was suggested that we have clothing and "Dollars for Diapers" collections. There where carried out. We also provided "Health Kits" to agencies needing them (tooth paste, hair brushes, shampoo, etc.). The "Health Kits" shared with Monroe County Correctional Facility continued with more than 400 delivered there. Warm clothing was collected for women being discharged, without coats, gloves, etc.., in the winter months of 2007. Donations were collected and packed by CWU women in several churches across the Rochester area. The reading program continued with "Reader Mentors" working with children at School #4 (city school district). It was a close relationship between mentors and children, who looked forward to the weekly sessions. We look forward to 2008 with anticipation or more. - Betty Allinger
2006 EIA Project Update ReportOliver Wendell Holmes (Physician and author) We had an exciting spring working our way through E - I - A. "E" and "I" broaden our knowledge of the community’s needs and that laid the ground work for "A". The "A" in June turned into an ‘alert’ for action on pending migrant legislation and how it affects the many workers in the U.S. Legislative issues headed the list with 22 votes. Education concerns and youth mentoring both ranked next with 21-17 votes in that order. Parenting skills drew 19 votes. Interest in revival of a pre-school reading program and support for babies both were 14. Also much interest in mentoring was indicated. Mentoring programs cover many of the above areas. The Executive Board and staff reviewed the above and have come up with some ideas for action in all areas. These will be presented to the CWU board at the September meeting. We will share their action at Day of Reflection (October 2006) in a written form. The Executive Board sees the first step that can begin now as a plea for new active members for our working committees and for everyone to look for interested people ready to commit to mentoring. There are so many organizations needing mentors that the Executive Board will contact anyone indicating an interest to clarify the mentor role, depending on the area of the volunteer’s interest. Spread the word for the need within your groups. We will be looking for someone to chair a reading program and act as the coordinator with the agency with whom we will work. We have met with Catholic Family Center (CFC) volunteer coordinator for working with their homeless and housing services that has contact with mothers and babies. We will be ready to offer a plan very soon.
August 25 there was a Congressional hearing on the bill to be proposed. Call your legislator. Ask for outcome and let him/her know your position.
...needs sheets and towels (new or used, all sizes). Can be dropped of at CWU office.
Rochester Education Foundation Book Drive begins October 6. Pat Braus will be at the September Board meeting with lists of suggested books and further information. New books will be given to school children. Bring books to the Day of Reflection. Ask for friends and church members to share and bring them to the September Board meeting* or to the CWU office. *Remember board meetings are open to all. Join us at this meeting. Hear the latest news for new program planning.
Update September/October 2006This spring we began a new three part initiative to educate ourselves to gain insight on a particular social issue and take action. This year we are focusing on the family.
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The results of programming in '06 showed a strong concern for the homeless in Rochester. Following the concerns in '07, we gave emphasis as to where and who our homeless are and how we can help them. In April, at our we reviewed with county and city staff the housing and services that are offered to our homeless men, women and children. In May, we visited two Salvation Army shelters for women and children and, also, a shelter for women and their children under the Catholic Family Center umbrella. Tours were also provided to interested church women at two senior citizen housing projects.