CHURCH WOMEN UNITED IN AUSTIN
ANNUAL REPORT
Church Women United continues to be a strong racial,
cultural, theological Christian women’s movement, celebrating unity in
diversity and working for a world of peace and justice in Austin. All board positions were filled and the
board was diligent and deliberate in planning programs to address the needs
of our local unit, state and national Church Women United organizations.
The board “leadership development training” was held
prior to the regular November board meeting.
The Ecumenical
Planning Groups presented Forums and Celebration programs that were
spiritually rewarding and increased our awareness to the human needs of
those suffering in our local and global communities. We had an increase in first time
attendees, individual and church memberships. Recognition was given to persons who
helped in this effort. Our budgetary
needs were met through the offerings and donations from individual and
church memberships.
Jail
Committee members
lead prayer services, abbreviated versions of Celebrations programs
and a special Thanksgiving
service was held for women in the Travis County Correctional Complex in Del
Valle, Texas. We thank God for
increasing member participation in this worthwhile ministry.
Service Project* items
were collected at each meeting and delivered to the specified recipient by
members of the Ecumenical Action committee .
SUMMARY OF OTHER
ACTIVITIES
February 4
Annual Meeting held at
United Christian Church. Adoption
of the 2010 budget, Prison Fellowship Ministry
presentation by Simpson United
Methodist Church,
presentation of board members, and a
historical achievement questionnaire about African Americans was
distributed..
March 5 World Day of Prayer Celebration held at Northwest
Hills United
Methodist Church. “Let All That Have
Breath Praise the Lord” program created by women in Cameroon. A special slide show presentation on Cameroon
was shown, participants wore beautiful native wraps and we were reminded to
always give praise to God even in difficult times because life is God’s
greatest gift to us.
April 4
Ecumenical Development Forum
held at Grant AME
Church. Topic on “Diabetes” was
presented by Loretta Hill. Definition of diabetes, types of diabetes,
treatment methods, and disease impact on total body was presented. She also
shared son’s life struggle with diabetes from birth to death. First time church hosted a meeting.
May 7
May Friendship Day
Celebration held at Hyde Park
Presbyterian Church. Theme:
“Living the Vision”. Small
group discussions, sharing, and recall of past CWU activities. Ingathering of Least Coin and
presentation of Johnnie M. Grattan as CWU’s 2010 Valiant Woman .
June 5 Wellspring Bible Study held at Austin
Mennonite Church. Jo Ella Ellison and Jackie Brown led
bible study class from Nehemiah 1- 2. Discussion on how Nehemiah responded to the plight of Jerusalem
while in exile and exhorts the people to rebuild the Jerusalem
walls. Brown bag luncheon. First time church hosted a meeting.
September 3
Ecumenical Action Forum held
at Ebenezer Baptist
Church. “Peace-Make It Happen-Pray,
Love, Forgive” topic was
presented by Mary Berwick. She focused on the peace building blocks format
and distributed relevant reading materials.
October 1
Human Rights Celebration
held at Memorial United
Methodist Church.
“Living
the Challenge” ( Subtitled “Differently Enabled,
Uniquely Called”) was
theme. Panel discussion and personal reflections
on “autism” by Rene Craft and Gail Dalrymple, mothers of children with autism. Human
Rights Award presented to Ann Hart,
longtime local autism advocate and the mother of a son with
autism. 2011-12 slate of Class 1
officers presented.
November 5 World
Community Day Celebration held at David
Chapel Baptist
Church. “Building the Beloved Community” was theme. Three local
organizations described how they
reach out to those outside of the traditional definition of
community and ways the local community can help them with their
ministries.2011-12late of Class 1 officers installed.
November 12-13
29th Annual International Holiday Market was held at Genesis
Presbyterian Church. Many members
volunteered to help artisans from Latin America, Africa,
and Asia sell their handcrafted products.
*Service Project
Recipients: Christian Medical
Missions, Zambia,
Medical Mission, Volunteer
Health Care Center,
Micah 6, Rainbow Room, Partnerships for Austin Children in Crisis, Blankets
Plus, and Austin Children’s Shelter.
Community
Involvement and Global Outreach:
Members volunteered many hours working with local and global
outreach ministries. They include: Austin Area Inter-religious Ministry,
Blue Santa, Lucille Mayberry Memorial Sewing Room, CROP Walk, Gray
Panthers, International Holiday Market, Texas IMPACT, Travis County
Correctional Complex, United Nations Assn. of Austin, Model UN Conference,
and Women in Black Standing for Peace.
We thank God for the support and faithful service given
to Church Women United in 2010 by each member and member church. And, we look forward with great
anticipation to your continued support in 2011.
Humbly submitted,
Elizabeth A. Sanders, President
Church Women United in Austin