The mission that drives us . . .Church Women United, an ecumenical movement of Christian women impassioned by the Holy Spirit, advocates on behalf of women and children throughout the world. We find unity in diversity, and we work for a world of peace and justice.
Our monthly forums reflect the commitment of participants to spiritually-guided action, explore issues of concern to local and state governments and to the citizens of Lane County, Oregon, and bring folks together to work toward a better world. Select the first link below to discover what you can do today. Join with Church Women United of Lane County friends to make this world a better place. Select HERE for a Special Announcement |
YOU ARE INVITED TO World Day of Prayer! |
Here is a word from our outgoing President ... Anne O'Brien My dear women of Church Women United of Lane County: This is my farewell president’s message. I’ve been your president since 2013. That’s 10 years! So it is time to pass the gavel. I had no idea I would grieve the loss of the office. I’ve been so looking forward to retiring and now I feel a bit sad. Through the years, I’ve remarked “I hate to admit it, but I really enjoy being president.” Even though it was quite demanding until Nancy Vrij-moet and Charlotte Maloney swooped in and took many responsibilities off my plate and made it quite doable. I do get to remain on the Board as the chair of Ecumenical Development which is responsible for recruiting and communicating with as many local churches as possible. If you know of a church that might be part of CWU Lane County if they were asked, let me know. aobdob@gmail.com I’ll also remain as NW rep on the National CWU Nominating Committee until summer and then our own Nancy Vrijmoet will be voted in. So, I say goodbye to being president and I leave the position knowing that you are in the best of hands with Mary Sharon Moore- Spiritual Dire ctor, Elder Guide, author and pretty special person- and the rest of the Lane County CWU board. Thank you for all the wonderful times and God bless you all. .I leave you with a positive thought: “May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace, as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13) Agreed to differ. Resolved to love. United to serve. |
President
Mary Sharon Moore Offers a Message of Peace and Hope for 2024 We are “lanterns in shadowy times” I feel grateful for the season of Lent this year, the sobering 40-day stretch when Christians consider what we, and the world we inhabit, do to Love. My heart has never felt so heavy, as large chunks of humanity fall off like ice bergs calving into an icy sea. So, I feel especially grateful for sisterhood in Church Women United of Lane County. We need each other, especially in fraught times, to give ear, heart, and encouragement to one another as we struggle to make sense of a world in endless turmoil. And I feel grateful for these encouraging words from Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Jungian analyst and writer with deep insight into the human soul: My friends, do not lose heart. … One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul. [It] throws sparks, sends up flares, builds signal fires. … To display the lantern of soul in shadowy times like these, to be fierce and to show mercy toward others, are acts of immense bravery and greatest necessity. … If you would help to calm the tumult, this is one of the strongest things you can do. You and I will be called upon, perhaps daily, to shed light on the path and to calm the tumult which those around you may feel. “Shedding light on the path” is a first work of transformative justice, which is top-of-mind for us now. This year will be heavy on opinionating and disparaging remarks. Personally? I refuse to participate in these forms of violence. Rather, let’s shed light, point the way to something better, and share with others the invitations which we ourselves receive: to BE hope and possibility in a world that urgently needs both—this world which GOD still so loves. We are one among hundreds of units nationally coming together to become Church Women United. You are invited to join the movement Explore the national organization here:
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