THE SUNDIAL

Volume XVIII No. 5 January 2008

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2008

Celebration.......................................................... Month.................. Location

World Day of Prayer............................................ March................... Mt. Olivet Baptist Church

E.I.A. (Education)............................................... April..................... Aldersgate UM Church

May Friendship Day & E.I.A. (Initiative)............. May...................... First Congregational UCC, Fairport

Picnic & E.I.A. (Action)....................................... June...................... Brighton Town Park

Day of Reflection................................................. October................ Greece Baptist Church

World Community Day....................................... November............ 12 Corners Presbyterian Church

Advent Celebration/Annual Meeting................. December............. Ogden Presbyterian Church

Details will be printed each month in The Sundial.

ANNUAL MEETING - ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Newly-Elected Officers

Lura Masters............... Vice President

Mary Discher.............. World Day of Prayer Chair

Odessa Lybrand.......... April EIA Chair

Betty Allinger............... June EIA (Citizen Action) Co-Chair

Ellie Newell................. June EIA (Citizen Action) Co-Chair

Sally Dodgson............. Nominating Committee

Eleanor Pope............... Nominating Committee

Re-Elected Officers

Audrey Davidson............ President Nominating Committee

Eloise Mulligan............... World Community Day Chair Frances Garrett

Esther Hammer............... Secretary Gail Mason

Ellen Kimbrough............. Treasurer, continuing service Eloise Mulligan

Sally Dodgson................ Day of Reflection/Spiritual Leader Marian Sweeting

Jean Murphy.................. Advent

Diana DeBruycker.......... May Friendship Day/EIA

Mary Ann Henry............ Finance Chair

Retiring Officers

Alberta Latimer Hunt......... World Day of Prayer

Duk Sun Lyu..................... Rochester Korean Presbyterian Church Chair

Many, many thanks to everyone who has served

and will continue to serve Church Women United.

The Sundial -2- January 2008

From The President

The Advent Celebration, chaired by Jean Murphy on December 7, 2007, was a blessed event. The

Bible Study leader, Sheryl Zabel, challenged us to AHope@, even as we face situations which seem to be hopeless. Thank you Jean and committee for a job well done.

As I begin the first year of the second term of presidency, my goal is to continue implementing the criteria and goals set by National CWU, and continue strengthening and expanding our Rochester CWU goals by:

_ Combating social injustice;

_ Increasing our ecumenical dominations;

_ Increasing the Rochester Unit with exciting and effective programs which will attract young women and also attract more women of diverse races.

Again, thank you and God bless each of you for your encouragement, support, and the many effective ways in which you have allowed me to grow.

As we focus on the upcoming celebrations, programs and projects for 2008, may we covenant to maintain and strengthen the teamwork and the deep faith and commitment which empowered and inspired our predecessors to achieve extraordinary tasks.

Audrey Davidson

From the Executive Director

An Executive Thumbs Up: A Billboard That Has a Lot of HEART

This past fall, marked the unveiling of an important and empowering billboard ad in the city of Rochester. Its creation was the brainchild of a collaboration of the HEART Coalition, Brandi Remington (AmeriCorps Volunteer), Artist Shawn Dunwoody and nine community‑minded youth members of the Junior Recreation Leaders 2, a program of the Rochester Department of Recreation.

In its Winter 2007‑2008 Newsletter, the HEART

Coalition reported that A[in] an effort to remind youth that drug and alcohol abuse is a slippery slope that can have devastating consequences, this billboard is just one aspect of a large, long‑term counter‑marketing campaign...@ And from the looks of things we can expect much more to come, not only from the HEART Coalition, but also from the inspirational young people who took part in this courageous HEART‑felt community crusade.

Thumbs Up and Hats OffY.to a job well done. To see this one of a kind display of concerned compassion, I suggest you go and visit the corner of Joseph Avenue and Clifford Street. In addition, to become involved with the HEART Coalition=s counter‑marketing campaign, please contact Kristina Heiligenthaler, HEART Coordinator, at (585) 428‑7371.

The Sundial -3- January 2008

The 2007 Advent Celebration Report

The 2007 Advent Celebration, "Hope in the Coming of the Lord!" was held on Friday, December 7, at the newly-renovated facilities of Mt. Rise Church, in Fairport, NY, and attended by approximately 44 participants. The time constraints of a very busy agenda was very challenging but did not deter the success of the program. At the annual business meeting, the 2008 budget was accepted and the new vice president, Lura Masters, as well as the committee chairs, were elected and later installed at the Worship Service.

New Committee chairs are the following: !World Day of Prayer, Mary Discher; !April EIA Education, Odessa Lybrand; !June EIA Initiative (Citizen) Action, Betty Allinger and Ellie Newell; !Sally Dodgson and Eleanor Pope, Nominating Committee.

Re‑elected for 2009 are President, Audrey Davidson and World Community Day Chair, Eloise Mulligan.

Sheryl Zabel, Pastoral Associate of Church of Assumption, Fairport, presided at the Bible Study, with emphasis on Advent as a time of great hope; and where would we be without it? Selections for reflections were from the Prophet Isaiah and the Letters of Paul. Two groups were formed who then, using the given citations, shared their insights on hope and blessings from their faith.

The Worship Program reinforced the Advent theme with readings from: Psalm: 71:14‑16; Romans: 8:18‑25, and Micah 5:1‑3. We thank Linda Moore and the CWU choir members for leading us with their gifted voices in the Hymns and Anthems. Also, a special Thank You to all of you who did the readings and helped in any way to make the event very meaningful, particularly, Betty

Allinger in surprising us with her delicious homemade bread; Esther Hammer for all her hard work in welcoming us to Mt. Rise and for her preparations of hospitality. Your efforts, dedication and support are also reflected in the generous total of $424.50.

Thank you One and All! Have a Holy, Happy, Healthy New Year!

Gratefully submitted by, Jean M. Murphy, Advent Chairperson

CWU SHORT SUBJECTS

There is no board meeting in January. The next Board of Directors= meeting is February 15, 2008.

The office will be closed on January 21, for Martin Luther King Day.

Thank You Joan Palmer, Eleanor Pope & Diana DeBruycker for assembling the December Sundial

GRCC Annual Meeting and Assembly Monday, January 28 11-3 @ Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 141 Adams Street

Women=s Interfaith Coalition

Wednesday, February 27 Welcome and Coffee 10 am; Program 10:30-11:30

At the Jewish Community Federation, 441 East Avenue

Event: Book Review facilitated by Jewelle Gayle-Jones. Please read the book Plain and Simple by Sue Bender; it is a short-read book about a woman=s journey to the Amish. Questions? Connie Fedorchuk 586-5609 or Jewelle Gayle-Jones 506-9618

The Sundial -4- January 2008

CHURCH WOMEN UNITED ALERT

"Promoting ways to diminish violence." CWU Quad Priority 2004‑2008

Imagine a world where women are free to thrive; With your help, this world can be a reality.

ASK YOUR SENATOR TO SUPPORT THE International Violence Against Women Act (S. 2279) Make a phone call, send a letter, AND sign the petition!

Support the International<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/840/t/51/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=617

> Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA), a new bill developed by Senators Joe Biden and Richard Lugar, and take a stand for women's opportunities worldwide.

To Sign--<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/840/t/4142/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=6 17> the IVAWA petition! Click on: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/840/t/4142/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=617

Be sure to enter your name and address to sign the petition (scroll down the page)

BACKGROUND

On October 31, 2007 a bill that would help empower millions of women to escape violence and poverty, the International Violence Against Women Act (I‑VAWA, S.2279) was introduced in the U.S. Senate. Help make it a reality for women worldwide!

To learn more about the International Violence Against Women Act read the Sample letter below! Or go to:http://www.womensedge.org/index.php?option=com_content

<http://www.womensedge.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=366&Ite

mid=4> &task=view&id=366&Itemid=4

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Congressperson,

We call on you to support the International Violence Against Women Act (I‑VAWA), a groundbreaking piece of legislation that would incorporate and make consistent efforts to reduce violence against women and girls in U.S. foreign assistance programs.

Violence against women is a cause of poverty and a huge barrier to women's economic opportunity ‑ it can keep women from getting an education, working, and earning the income they need to lift their families out of poverty. Moreover, research has shown that giving women in poor countries economic opportunity empowers them to escape and prevent violent situations. In Kerala, India, for example, a study showed that only 7 percent of women who owned property suffered from physical violence, compared to 49 percent of women with no property. The United Nations Development Fund for Women estimates that one in three women around the world will be beaten or abused in her lifetime. If the U.S. wants its efforts to reduce poverty to be as effective as possible, this has got to stop.

By promoting women's economic opportunity, addressing violence against girls in school, encouraging legal reform, working to change public attitudes, and supporting health programs and survivor services, especially in crisis situations, the I‑VAWA could have a huge impact on improving the effectiveness of our foreign assistance programs and reducing poverty.

Women in poor countries already face enough barriers to lifting their families out of poverty. Violence should not be one of them. Please join us in supporting women's opportunity worldwide by supporting the International Violence Against Women Act.

Sincerely,

Patricia Burkhardt Church Women United Legislative Office 100 Maryland Ave NE RM 100 Washington DC 20002 202 544 8747, fax 202 544 9133

The Sundial -5- January 2008

COMMUNITY NEWS

Looking Ahead

Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - CRCDS - 1100 S. Goodman Street - J.C. Wynn Lecture, featuring Rev. Tom Porter, Executive Director, JUSTPEACE Center for Mediation and Conflict Transformation, UMC.

Details: Call CRCDS

Moving Beyond Racism Book Discussion

"Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom" by Catherine Clinton

Monday, February 4^th at 7:00 pm ‑ Barnes & Noble ‑ Pittsford Plaza ‑Upstairs Community Room ‑ Free Info: 872‑6276

The Interfaith Forum of Rochester Presents the 2007-2008 Interfaith Journey

Experience the richness of Rochester=s religious diversity through this unique opportunity to hear about and witness a wide variety of faith traditions. Each evening will allow participants to learn more about the particular faith through a presentation and question and answer period. All programs run from 7 pm to 9 pm. You may attend one or all, but please RSVP to michaelcboucher@netscape.net so we will have an idea of the number attending.

Wed. Jan 23, 2008 - Judaism at Temple Beth El, 139 Winton Road South, Rochester

Wed. Feb. 20, 2008 - Christianity - Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 141 Adams Street, Rochester

Tues. March 11, 2008 - Hinduism - Hindu Temple of Rochester, 120 Pinnacle Road, Pittsford

Sat. April 19, 2008 - Baha=i -Baha=i Center of Rochester, 693 East Avenue, Rochester

"Blessed are the Peacemakers‑‑Shalom With the Whole Shebang"

As we move through winter and into Lent, we find ourselves in a season where light and darkness, death and life, are wrestling with each other. This season reflects our world, where the light of hope struggles against looming crises that threaten human civilization and the planet that supports us all. Many of us are sensing a rising energy for a peaceable kingdom right now. We are rediscovering the deep wisdom of Jesus' Beatitudes, that show us how to live into a hopeful future by living in shalom with ourselves, each other, creation and our Creator.

The Worship and Discipleship Team of the Greater Rochester Community of Churches will be sponsoring a provocative five‑session series to help us explore and shift into a new, life‑giving orientation to life that Jesus envisioned for us.

"Blessed Are the Peacemakers‑‑Shalom With the Whole Shebang," will be held 7:00‑9:00 pm on the five Thursdays, February 7 through March 6, at Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1000 North Winton Rd. in Rochester (about 2 mile north of Atlantic Ave./Browncroft Blvd.). There is no charge or registration. All are welcome to attend, learn, and join others in becoming bearers of Christ's hope, light and life in our world.

For more information, please contact Rev. David Inglis, 334‑0030.