Church Women United

In Rochester & Vicinity, Inc.

"Celebrating 90 years of Ecumenical Prayer and Service"
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Highlights from 2010 May Friendship Day
“Living the Vision”: Prayer, People, Plans

As a first time Chairperson of such an undertaking I have to thank all my CWU colleagues for their help and support in making this program a reality. We started out with a dinner hosted at Baber AME Church. The program was inspiring with music from our Choir under the direction of Linda Moore. The young people of Juda Phase 2 (Praise Dance Group) from Triedstone Missionary Baptist Church, under the direction of Anita Revell and Yulissa Kendrick, were instrumental in the Dedication of the Least Coin and in helping us build our Cathedral to the Glory of God in his Son Jesus Christ as our foundation. 41 building blocks where dedicated by an estimated 81 persons ranging from 3 years old – PLUS. Their Liturgical Dance “Be Blessed” … You Pray for me. I Pray for You. … I see you in the Future. …brought tears and ecstasy to my heart as the foundation we are building here in Rochester is solid; but we must as a united church community look at each of these building blocks; we had many first time participants in this May Friendship Day. With the help of Rev. Evelyn Penn and Rev. Joyce Young I hope we can find most of the participants this night and build on the strong church community we have here in Rochester to see these 41 blocks grounded, cemented, watered and nourished by our CLERGY and LAYPERSONS. I believe CWU is the vessel in which this can happen.

Evelyn received 22 King James bibles that night and 30 more are promised. Thank you to all who were able to contribute.

As Evangelist Evelyn Penn stated: 1) Vision 2) Hear from God 3) Lay plan out – be obedient 4) Blue print has already been laid…signed off by God 5) Build this United (Beloved Community). …. Thank you so much CWU for letting me be a part of your celebration.

-Respectfully, Merilyn Israel, May Friendship Day Chair

2009 May Friendship Day Highlights

Registration preceded a salad buffet put on by the women of the host church (The United Church of Pittsford). The May Friendship Day program immediately followed and was in the sanctuary.

“Reflections on Our Heritage” began with Sally Dodgson summarizing our local CWU accomplishments since its beginning. We used boxes for building blocks as Sally described CWU's history. Our second speaker, Pat Everett, described young people thinking “out of the box” as they solved problems and made innovative projects as part of the “Odyssey of the Mind” Program in the schools.

–Diana DeBruycker, Chair MFD

2008 May Friendship Day Project Update Report

Theme: "God's Wisdom Inspires Hospitality" The Rochester Unit of Church Women United celebrated "combining Hospitality and Children" at a catered dinner meeting. The program began with several words of welcome. A lovely buffet soon followed. Piano dinner music was provided by Linda Moore, CWU Choir Director.

Glimpse of Heaven Children's Choir A special treat of the evening was a musical performance by the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church Children's Choir. They are known as "Glimpse of Heaven" and that they were.

The Fellowship of the Least Coin history review and a brief summary of how "God's Wisdom Inspires Hospitality" to all followed.

The evening program closed with a heartfelt presentation to one of our local unit's two 2008 recipients of the CWU Valiant Women Award, Doris (Dee) Jones. The other recipient of this year's award, Marie Barker, will receive her award in June.

- submitted by Diana Debruycker, 2008 May Friendship Day/EIA - Insight Chairperson

Church Women United is a racially, culturally, theologically inclusive Christian Women’s Movement, celebrating unity in diversity and working for a world of peace and justice.

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