United Church Women Celebrating 50Years!

United Church Women Celebrate Golden Anniversary

The United Church Women,formed in 1962 when two organizations with impressive legacies combined:Woman's Association and the Woman's Missionary Society . Over the last 50 years the UCW has upheld the faith and commitment of the women of the past while taking on the challenges of each new decade and forming an equally impressive legacy for women of the future. True to their multi-talented and energetic record, the women of the UCW are celebrating this 50-year milestone in a number of ways.

UCW Anniversary Song :Tapestry of Love

Watching and listening to the UCW Anniversary song 'A Tapestry of Love' reminds me of the many quilting bees I attended with my mother at Bethel United Church in Omemee, and the many women who contributed and continue to contribute to the life of our churches. What an inspiring video.

Anniversary Book: Ordinary Heroes

'From the introduction to the book - Living Out Our Purpose by Betty TurcoTT:

An anniversary is a time to look back, around, and hopefully ahead. The book,'Ordinary Heroes gives a wonderful snapshot of UCW work over the past 50 years. It offers an excellent opportunity to look at what the United Church Women, have been doing over the last half century and also to ask how they might adjust their course as we move into the future.'

The forward goes on to briefly critique how the UCW have been faring over the past 50 years in living up to their four pillars of the UCW purpose: witness, study, fellowship, and service. Betty looks briefly at the challenges the UCW has faced over the years, and the current challenges facing the UCW as they work together for justice.

Anniversary Project:Funding Midwife Training Courses for Women

The National UCW Anniversary project is to raise $50,000 to fund midwife training courses at the Morogoro Women Training Centre in Tanzania.These training courses also help support women in the fight against female genital mutilation. In Tanzania,there are over 1000 deaths each day due to complications from pregnancy and childbirth. 80%of these births do not take place in a hospital or clinic.  Many traditional birth assistants have had no formal training,, and most alarming, the same women who attend births also perform Female Genital Mutilation of girls and young women despite it being illegal.  The maternal health care worker courses will have an anti-FGM and anti gender violence message.  The course content will professionalize birth assistants and provide additional training in nutrition as well as training in Emergency First Aid and CPR.  The goal is to equip women, from remote communities,with skills like community health care workers or First Responders. 

The course will also provide the Maternal Health Care Workers with strategies to replace income lost when they stop performing FGM procedures.  $50,000 will fund Midwife training for more than 60 women in Tanzania including:travel, accommodation, food, classes, a medical kit, and a solar LED lighting system. If you would lke to help with this project,donations can be made by cheque to The United Church of Canada, mark it for the UCW 50th Anniversary Project, and mail to: Dorothy Amos, NUCW Administrator, 3250 Bloor Street West, Suite 300, Toronto, ON M8X 2Y4. (Ensure that your name and address are clearly shown so that a taxable deduction receipt can be sent. What a great way to celebrate the birth of a healthy baby into your family!

United Church Services Celebrate UCW Golden Anniversary

Trinity United Church Omemee UCW will celebrate their 50th Anniversary with a special service and luncheon Sunday, May 27th, beginning at 11:15 a.m. Trinity United Church 2 King Street West, Omemee, is fully accessible,with a lift to all three floors,and accessible washrooms. Nursery and Sunday School during services is available for children. All are welcome. Trinity United Church Omemee Women meet at 7pm, the first Monday evening of each month on the lower level of Trinity United Church 2 King Street West, Omemee.
I hope some of our Kawartha Lakes Mums will be able to join me at today's event.
How is your local UCW marking this Golden Anniversary? Please share the details of your event in the comments below,
Resources:
UCW Celebrates 50 Years in 2012
Mogoro Women Training Centre