CWU Friendship Day: May 20 At NUMC

Church Women United of Newtown and Bethel (CWU/Newtown-Bethel) will sponsor its annual May Friendship Day this month. The ecumenical event is open to all ages and faiths, and is an opportunity to worship together as well as to highlight the contributions and gifts of outstanding Christian women in the community.

The local chapter is trying something new this year. With the hope that more people will be able to attend the short event (programs generally last about one hour, with additional time set aside for coffee and dessert following), CWU/Newtown-Bethel will present its May Friendship Day worship service on a Saturday morning instead of the traditional Friday afternoon or early evening service.

The 2006 May Friendship Day service will begin at 9 am on Saturday, May 20. It will be held at Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Road in Sandy Hook. It will include readings by members of CWU/Newtown-Bethel, along with hymns and short prayers.

There will also be information about The Fellowship of the Least Coin, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The worldwide movement is based on the willingness to set aside just the “least coin” of a country — in the United States, a penny — to support initiatives that promote peace and reconciliation in families, work places and governments.

The worship speaker will be Shannon Hicks, who will speak on “Signs of Growth,” which is the international theme for this year’s May Friendship Day. Miss Hicks is an associate editor for Bee Publishing Company. She is a member of Newtown Congregational Church, where she serves as a deacon.

This year’s theme explores the mentoring relationship portrayed in the biblical story of Naomi and Ruth. Written by representative from Young Church Women United — an initiative engaging younger women in the mission and heritage of CWU — the service seeks to discern true signs of growth that come from deeper connections and relations between generations.

These strengthening bonds nourish and nurture the ability and courage to meet the personal difficulties as well as the larger social injustices that plague women and their families locally and nationally. Through readings, members of CWU/Newtown-Bethel will personify Ruth with African, Asian, and European heritages, celebrating the Naomi in their lives — their elder female mentors.

As each Naomi is rejuvenated by her Ruth, each Ruth is strengthened and matured by her Naomi. Yet there are still Ruths searching for a mentor, and Naomis alone without a daughter to cherish. The worship service, it is hoped, will offer a connecting point between all generations of women in all cultures and all places.

There is no admission charge for May Friendship Day. A freewill offering will be collected during the service, and the opportunity to offer a least coin will also be available.

For additional information contact Darlene Jackson, the president of CWU/Newtown-Bethel, at 426-5192.