June 23, 2002 U.C.W. Service
Today we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Women of the United Church of Canada
U.C.W. History
Although we are celebrating 40 years of U.C.W. this morning, the women of the church have been working for the church since the late 1800’s in some places and since 1913 for Westminster when the Fifth Avenue minister decided a mission was needed on the South-east hill in the area of Central Park and the Presbyterian church began. In 1925 we became Westminster United Church.
According to an article in the latest issue of Touchstone by Marilyn Whitely, the predominantly male boards sometimes consulted with ‘the ladies’ and regularly thanked the ladies. But in the minds of most, “the church” was identified with those official, male committees and boards, while women’s groups represented “the other”, perceived as having auxiliary standing, helping out the “real” church.
Now, for the most part, this is no longer true. In many instances, women seem to have taken over and this is not good. We both need to work on an equal basis.
Celebrating the Foundation of Our Faith - Square Circle Unit (Irene Fekete – Marg Smith)
(The cloth is placed over the table)
This cloth represents the foundation of our faith: God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The cloth also represents the foundations of the Women of the United Church of Canada. We remember the Ladies Aid, the Women’s Association, and the Women’s Missionary Society.
Prayer
Ever-Gracious God, you call us from near and far into the fellowship of our church, building upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, upon Jesus Christ, our companion and Lord, and upon all the saints who have gone before us. We give you thanks especially for the ministries of the United Church Women.
We give you thanks for all in our midst today. Continue to watch over our groups, we pray: disturb our complacency; fill us again with your Spirit; deepen our faith and our relationship with you, so that we might continue to be faithful co-workers with you – “that all the world might see” and praise you. In the name of Jesus, our Cornerstone. Amen.
U.C.W. History
In 1962, the Ladies’ Aid which was later the WA and the WMS were united into one large organization called the U.C.W.. In many ways this union made sense as one church leader recalls the situation at a church where her husband served in the 1950’s and I quote “The women would come and meet first as the WA for a couple of hours, have a tea break, and then go on as the WMS”. Unquote.
When the proposed union was being talked about, the anxiety expressed, especially by WMS women, was the loss of power base. They administered their own budget of 1.5 million dollars and had their own staff of 400. In a sense, it was their own empire. During WMS days, they made sure they had the money on hand before spending it. For example, the WMS spent in 1939 what was obtained in 1938. In those years the church was still dominated by men, so it was a risky business.
Change didn’t come immediately. Through the 60’s and 70’s, church people continued to worry that women were being discriminated against. According to our United Church History it was Ernest Long,
Secretary of General Council who said in 1967 and I quote, “Many of our laymen and ministers still regard women as second class citizens within the church, able to teach Sunday School and attend mission societies, but not to be regarded as capable of the same responsibilities as men. We have come a long way since then, but we must remember to work together.
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the U.C.W. - Louise Layton Unit (Flo Gardner – Vi Foster)
(The candle is lit)
This lighted candle represents the U.C.W. formed in 1962, 40 years ago.
The Purpose (all)
“To unite women of the congregation for the total mission of the church and to provide a medium through which they may express their loyalty and devotion to Jesus Christ in Christian witness, study, fellowship and service.”
In the Handbook from the 1970’s, it stated that “local U.C.W.’s and other women’s groups be encouraged to maintain their work and to continue the policy of flexibility and a creative approach to the changing needs of adults.
You are like light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead he puts in on the lampstand, where it gives light for everyone in the house.
U.C.W. History
As women’s participation at the Presbytery and Conference level increased, so did women’s leadership. When Norah Hughes became President of B.C. Conference in 1962, she was the first woman to hold any office in any United Church Conference. Lois Wilson was the first woman elected as Moderator and Anne Squire the first lay woman.
The U.C.W. had a parallel organization with the church – U.C.W. Locals, Presbyterial, U.C.W. Conference, and National Consultation. We have representatives on each one and have committees taken from each Presbyterial. We have delegates that attend U.C.W. Conference, chosen at Presbyterial meetings and we are also represented at A.N.W. Conference. We have 3 meetings a year; Annual, Spring and Fall.
Celebrating Our Witness and Service - Square Circle Unit (Irene Fekete – Marg Smith)
(The cup and saucer are placed on the table)
This cup and saucer represent our witness and service within our homes, churches and into the world.
(Water is poured into the cup)
Jesus answered, “Whoever drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water that I shall give; will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give, will become in them a spring which will provide life-giving water and eternal life.”
U.C.W. History
When the Ladies Aid, Women’s Auxiliary and Women’s Missionary Society was discussed at St. Stephen’s in Edmonton, Mrs. A. MacRae and Mrs. E.L. Morris were there from Medicine Hat.
The first Executive of the South Alberta Presbyterial for 1961-62 included Marg Morris, Mrs. A. MacRae, Mrs. C. Davis and Mrs. W. Ferris. The first Executive of the Westminster U.C.W. in 1962 was:
President: Mrs. D.J. MacLauchlan
1st Vice President: Mrs. William Ferris
2nd Vice President: Mrs. J.R. Johnston
Recording Secretary: Mrs. Don Medhurst
Correspondence Sec’y: Mrs. E. Felesky (Lydia)
Treasurer: Mrs. E.L. Morris
In the early 60’s, Westminster Teas started at 2:30 and lasted until 5:00 p.m. and one I found to 5:30 p.m. Now we keep them from 2-4 p.m.
Westminster U.C.W. now has 3 or 4 active units, down from 6. We support M & S Fund, Burns Society, Women’s Shelter, Refugees, Alma Reynolds and Clara Thompson Bursaries. From 1962 – 1986, the U.C.W. underwrote the Observer for the congregation. We support our church financially and are active on the Church Board and the various committees. You can even find us in the pulpit at times and once a month we usher, greet, be coffee hosts and/or scripture reader. We are involved in Bible studies, retreats, camps, and mid-week groups. We raise funds by having 2 teas a year – in the Spring and Fall. This includes a Bake Table, crafts, etc. We have had to cut back on our catering because our members are getting older, but we still serve at Funerals, Birthdays and Anniversaries. We visit the sick, the hospitalized, the lonely and at senior homes. When someone enters the ministry from our congregation we help them if at all possible.
Celebrating Being Fed and Feeding Others – Electra Unit (Alice Felesky – Clare Crews)
(A plate with bread is placed on the table)
This bread represents our being fed as we come together. As we are nourished, so we too nourish others.
Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up to heaven, thanked God for them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. They all ate and had enough, and the disciples took up twelve baskets of what was left over.
God has shown us the meaning of generosity in the beautiful diversity of creation, in the overflowing love of Jesus Christ, and in the never-ending gift of the Holy Spirit! God has abundantly blessed us and called us to be a community that blesses others through the sharing of our love, our talents, and our material possessions. Let us rejoice now in what we have been given and in what is ours to give as we receive our morning offering.
May these gifts bring light to those who walk in darkness, hope to those who live in despair, and justice to those who are oppressed. Grant to each giver a sense of participation in the most important opportunity of all time; to share your love with the world. To this end, we dedicate our offerings and ourselves. Amen.
Celebrating God’s call to be co-creators - Edythe Hewitt Unit (Lil Iwanicki – Marion Shand)
(The flowers are placed on the table)
These flowers represent all of creation of which we are a part, and our call to be co-creators with God, ever changing, ever new.
The next day, as they were coming back from Bethany, Jesus was hungry. He saw in the distance a fig-tree covered with leaves, so he went to see if he could find any figs on it. But when he came to it, he found only leaves, because it was not the right time for figs. Jesus said to the fig-tree, “No one shall ever eat figs from you again!” And his disciples heard him.
Early next morning, as they walked along the road, they saw the fig-tree. It was dead all the way down to its roots. Peter remembered what had happened and said to Jesus, “Look, Teacher, the fig-tree you cursed has died!” Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. I assure you that whoever tells this hill to get up and throw itself in the sea and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. For this reason I tell you: When you pray and ask for something, believe that you have received it, and you will be given whatever you ask for.
Reflection
Think of how we can be signs of God’s new growth. How do we envision our future as we stand and work side by side with all women and with Jesus. (This may be done in silence or shared among the group).
Commissioning of the Spirit -Edythe Hewitt Unit
Go with joy, thankful for this gathering.
Go with vision, inspired by the hopes of countless generations of women.
Go with strength, renewed by God’s powerful spirit.
Go in love, assured that we are beloved of God.
Go with courage, challenged by what we have seen and heard.
Go in peace, soothed by the gentle breath of God. Alleluia!