Local Units
 District of Columbia
CWU Voice
 East-West Montgomery
County
 Prince George’s County
 Upper Montgomery
County
Newsletter Editor
February 2016
Janet Vernon, 301-452-4778
[email protected]
Copy Editor
Sharon Smith, 202-412-5708
A Message from the President of Greater Washington CWU
[email protected]
.
Inside this issue:
President’s Message
1
$500 Student Award
1
2016 CWU Theme
2
Women’s Legislative
Briefing in Montgomery
2
DC Unit CWU News
3
Ecumenical
Celebrations Reports
3
Nickels for National
4
East-West Montgomery
Unit CWU News
4
Prince George’s Unit
CWU News
5
Upper Montgomery
5
National CWU News
6
Calendar
7
CWU Quadrennial
8
Priority, Motto & Mission
Happy New Year!
God’s blessings to you
as we begin 2016.
As
your newly elected
President, I’m honored,
excited and motivated to
serve with you in this
position. Having served
four years as your Vice
President this is indeed an
honor. As we begin this
journey,
working
collaboratively as CWU in
the Greater Washington
area, I’m confident we will
continue to meet the
spiritual and physical
needs of those within our
community.
As your President, I
seek your support, and
input as we work to grow,
maintain and accomplish
the goals and tasks set
before us. As we begin
this year I encourage
churches to be inclusive of
our youth in your planning
and programs.
I look
forward
to
our
informative meetings and
inspiring programs.
I
$500 Student Award for 2016
Church Women United in
Greater Washington will
offer a qualified young
woman graduating from
high school in 2016 an
award of $500 to put towards her college or vocational school expenses.
Each CWU unit may submit one name to the Student Award Committee by
April 11, 2016, at which
time the Committee will
choose the winner. The
check will be presented at
the sponsoring unit’s May
Friendship Day celebration.
Forms are available from
the Unit Presidents. Please
get the word out!
Diane Tabatabai, Chair
Page Hawk, Co-Chair
would greatly like to
encourage all members to
attend our Annual State
Assembly meeting on
October 7, 2016. The DC
Unit of Greater Washington
will host this event this year.
Let me take this
opportunity to thank our
immediate past President
Rev. Blanche Simmons and
the Executive Board of
Greater Washington for
their support and continued
commitment.
Let us continue to be
steadfast in the work of the
Lord, for indeed he is good.
Sincerely Yours,
Leila M. Kendrick
Leila M. Kendrick, President
CWU Greater Washington
If you are a
young
woman
graduating from
high school in
2016, then we have a $500
student award for you. You
must have a 2.5 GPA, write
an essay, and submit your
transcript and references by
March 28, 2016. Contact
the unit president listed on
page 2 for an application.
Page 2
CWU of Greater
Washington
President
Lelia Kendrick, 202-829-0856
[email protected]
Vice President
Vacant
Secretary
Page Hawk, 202-966-6127
[email protected]
Treasurer
Rev. Blanche L. Simmons
301-735-0708,
[email protected]
Coordinators
Joan Oxendine
Anna Smith
Historian
Antonell Aikens-Thompson
Advisors
Rev. Blanche L. Simmons
Margaret Williams
Unit Presidents
District of Columbia
Janet Vernon, 301-452-4778
[email protected]
East-West Montgomery County
Lee Viccellio, 301-593-7180
[email protected]
Connie Blake, 301-438-2667
[email protected]
Prince George’s County
Joan Oxendine, 301-577-6849
[email protected]
Upper Montgomery County
Margaret Williams
301-428-0524
[email protected]
Mid-Atlantic
Regional Coordinator
Jill Smeltzer
[email protected]
CWU Voice
Women’s Legislative Briefing in Montgomery County
This year’s Legislative Briefing convened Sunday, January 31, 2016 at The Universities
at Shady Grove, Building II, 9630 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville, Maryland, 12:30-6:00 pm.
Pre-registration was $25; $30 at the door. Coordinated by the Montgomery County
Commission for Women, the Legislative Briefing has grown from approximately 200
participants in 1981 to over 700 in 2015. It includes local and state officials as well as
representatives of Federal government and the U.S. Congress. Nearly 60 sponsors
and co-sponsors of the 2016 event have been published. The topic: Pioneering Justice for Women and Girls through Advocacy, Policy and Legislation. Plenary Session: Welcome and remarks from Senator Ben Cardin, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker III, and others.
The Keynote Panel discussion featured Congresswoman Donna Edwards, and Congressmen Chris Van Hollen, John Sarbanes, and John Delaney, all of whom represent
parts of Montgomery County. Seminars 2:30-3:45 pm: Health & Safety for Women: Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Trafficking; Advocacy: Lessons Learned
by Some of Maryland’s Top Advocacy Campaigns; Emerging Population: How to Address the Needs of Unique Populations; Caring for the Caregiver: Health Care &
Senior Women; EMERGING LEADERS – Session I: The Legislative Process 101.
Seminars 4:00-5:15 pm: Economic Justice & Opportunity: Paid and Safe Leave,
Schedule Flexibility, Equal Pay for Equal Work, Women and Poverty; Women in
Leadership Breaking the Glass Ceiling; Women in STEM: Supporting Women and
Girls; Documentary Screening of A Path Appears: Sex Trafficking in the USA; Making
a Difference in Your Community. The gathering closed with a reception. CWU was
represented by Antonell Aikens-Thompson, Connie Blake, Anna Smith, and Janet
Vernon. To obtain reports or additional information contact Jodi Finklestein at the
Montgomery County Commission for Women, 240/777-8333.
The Prince George’s County Women’s Empowerment Conference is September 10,
2016.
Submitted by Antonell Aikens-Thompson
2016 CWU Theme
“Gathering at
God’s Table”
Deuteronomy 30:4
Left: Anna Smith who served as a host with Antonell Aikens
-Thompson.
Right: Antonell Aikens-Thompson, Connie Blake, Catherine
Leggett, (wife of County Executive Isiah Leggett) and Janet
Vernon.
Page 3
CWU Voice
District of Columbia Unit, Church Women United
World Day of Prayer was March 13, 2015, at the Metropolitan Baptist Church, Janet Vernon and Peggy
Everheart, Key Women. The theme was Jesus said, Do Your Understand What I Have Done for You? Written by the
Women of the Bahamas, the celebration reflected “radical love” and Christ as the Servant-Leader washing feet.
Minister Sharon Clark of the Ministry Without Walls, a native of Guyana, shared testimony of her journey from
spiritual warfare to deliverance and also provided a demonstration of native foods.
May Friendship Day was May 1, 2015, at the Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church, Beverly Macon, Key
Woman. The theme was Journey of the Caregiver. Mrs. Melanie Gilliam of the D.C. Office on Aging shared the
various programs the D.C. government has to assist caregivers and family members. She also emphasized
caregivers taking care of themselves in order to care for others. A member remarked, “This was one of the most
useful programs she had attended.” DC Unit donated over 140 ditty bags to Camp Bennett, a Central Union
Mission program, which were received by Ms. Tracy Duncan.
DC Unit’s third Human Rights Celebration and Annual Assembly was September 18, 2015, at Turner
Memorial AME Church, Velmenia Stanley, Key Woman. We were privileged to honor Rev. Dr. Carolyn BoydClark of Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ with the 2015 Human Rights Award. Dr. Boyd-Clark’s
work takes her to the frontlines supporting efforts to bring justice at home and around the world. Her life and
passions are aligned with the CWU priority Bringing God’s Shalom/Salaam to our World – Journey Toward Peace. She
spoke of the senseless violence in our communities and how people of faith can be heard.
The following 2015-2016 officers were elected at the Annual Assembly: President Janet Vernon, Metropolitan
Baptist Church; Vice President Patricia Johnson, Mount Bethel Baptist Church; Recording Secretary Christine
McDaniel, Asbury United Methodist Church; Corresponding Secretary Jeneal Ball, Metropolitan AME Church;
Financial Secretary Antonell Aikens-Thompson, First Agape AME Zion Church; and, Treasurer Sharon Smith,
Israel Metropolitan CME Church.
World Community Day was November 6, 2015, at Union Wesley AME Zion Church. Adwoa Beidleman
Aggrey is the Key Woman. The theme was Our Journey Together. Dr. Helen Scott-Carter from Johnson Wesley
AME Zion Church, who is also the Founder/Creator of Zion’s Finest Youth Pageant, was the Bible Study Leader.
The Annual Children’s Christmas Party was December 10, 2015. DC Unit provided 120 gift bags to the
Edward Mazique Child Development Center, the Harmony Public Charter School, and the Ballou Senior High
School Child Development Center in DC, representing three quadrants of the city. Each bag contained a hat,
gloves, toy and book. We toured the Mazique Center; then met the parents, infants and toddlers at Ballou and
received a giant Christmas thank you card. We also hosted a party for the first grade class at Harmony. Sharon
Smith coordinated this event. Antonell Aikens-Thompson, Loretta Goff, Beverly Macon, Janet Vernon, and
volunteer Thaddeus Nelson helped distribute gifts.
Janet Vernon, President
Ecumenical Celebrations Reports
The Ecumenical Celebrations of Greater Washington, Church Women United occur in our units and consists of
World Day of Prayer, May Friendship Day, Human Rights Celebration and World Community Day. At these
meetings faithful members and guests interpret and present the celebration material. We then are enabled to
grow our spiritual awareness of communities worldwide. Please inform Ecumenical Celebrations chair of
attendance and of monetary offerings. A peaceful and caring society is a goal of Church Women United.
Anna P. Smith, Ecumenical Celebrations Chair
CWU Voice
Page 4
East-West Montgomery County Unit, Church Women United
Supporting the
movement
Nickels for
National
Church Women
United, Inc.
Units and unit
members are asked to
donate a nickel a day
to support the
national operations of
CWU. You may save
nickels in a jar or
donate $18.30 which
is a nickel a day. Unit
Treasurers should
forward contributions
to National by
September 15th of
each year. Check
should note “Nickels
for National.”
Mail to:
Church Women United
The Interchurch Center
475 Riverside Drive
Suite 243
New York, NY 10115
The East-West Montgomery Unit has had a busy autumn and winter schedule! On Friday,
October 2, 2015, we hosted the CWU Greater Washington State Assembly at Millian
Memorial United Methodist Church in Silver Spring, with the theme, “Our Journey as Care
Givers—Sister to Sister.” Special thanks to Edith Williams, longtime CWU and Millian member
for coordinating this special event! Thanks as well to our East-West Co-President Evangelist
Connie Blake for arranging our speakers for this occasion. Sister Mary Bader, CEO of St. Ann’s
Center for Children, Youth, and Families, in Prince George’s County, gave a wonderful
overview of the services St. Ann’s offers to needy area women and their children; and Connie
gave an excellent overview of the functions and services of Helping Hands Shelter in Rockville.
Our business meeting included the election and installation of our new officers, followed by a
delicious luncheon created, prepared, and hosted by the women of Millian.
Then on Friday, November 6, we enjoyed celebrating World Community Day with a lovely
breakfast buffet at the Leisure World Bistro Café in Silver Spring, where we developed our
CWU theme, “Our Journey Together.” At this meeting we honored our 2015 Valiant Woman,
Ginny Hagberg, of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. Ginny’s outstanding work with our East
-West Montgomery Unit of CWU, her church, MCPS, the Boy Scouts, and other service
organizations in the area made her an excellent choice for this honor. Many of the St. Paul’s
church family attended to help honor Ginny and make this a very special occasion.
On Saturday, December 12, our unit celebrated the Christmas season with a Sister-to-Sister
Christmas Breakfast featuring our theme, “Our Journey toward Peace: A Celebration of Human
Rights.” Special thanks to Co-President Evangelist Connie Blake for arranging for both World
Community Day and Human Rights celebrations. At this meeting we honored our 2015 Human
Rights Award recipient, Nettie Hailes of Shepherd Park Christian Church and our East-West
Montgomery Unit of CWU. Nettie’s activism in support of human rights is truly inspiring, and
she has been at the forefront of the human rights movement throughout her life. We were all
honored that her daughter, the Reverend Patricia Fears, spoke to us about Nettie’s influence
on her life and the importance of speaking up, speaking out, and making a difference in this
world for the good of all. Nettie then shared her appreciation for our acknowledgement of
her work and for those who had been a blessing in her life. Many family and friends turned out
to celebrate her life of commitment to human rights. At the meeting we also collected warm
hats, gloves, scarves, and canned goods and signed inspirational and activity books for needy
women and children. What a wonderful conclusion to our journey of celebrations for 2015!
World Day of Prayer is fast approaching, and the East-West Montgomery Unit will hold its
celebration on Friday, March 4, at Oakdale Emory United Methodist Church at 3425 Emory
Church Road in Olney, Maryland 20832. Special thanks to Doris Lyerly for arranging this
location and event! A continental breakfast will be served at 9:30 a.m. followed by our
meeting.
The East-West Montgomery County Unit will honor Doris Lyerly and others at an
event Celebrating Women in recognition of Women’s History Month on March 5, 2016, 11
a.m., Clubhouse 1 Ballroom. The theme is “Honoring Women Who Dare to Make a
Difference.” Tickets are $20. For information contact Evangelist Connie Blake, 301-438-2667.
We are currently planning May Friendship Day for Friday, May 6 at Leisure World for our
luncheon. At that time we plan to collect the Least Coin offering; ditty bags for needy student
campers; toiletries for Crossway Community; and stuffed animals, toys, and dolls for needy
children around the world. Please call Lee Viccellio, at 301-593-7180, for details concerning
the meetings. God’s blessings for a healthy, happy, and productive 2016!
Submitted by Lee Viccellio, Co-President and Celebrations Chair
Page 5
CWU Voice
Prince George’s County Unit, Church Women United
In March, we held our Annual Meeting at the Ager Road United Methodist Church. Our guest speaker was
Ms. Valyncia Graham from the Family Violence Intervention Clinic of Prince George’s County. Their focus is
on violence against women and men. The Unit donated paper plates, napkins, plastic eating utensils, and paper
cups per the Center’s wish list. We shared lunch with our guests at the close of the meeting
In May we celebrated May Friendship at the Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington, Maryland. The
theme was “Journey of the Caregiver”. Our guest speaker was Ms. Shirley Whitley from the Prince George’s
County Family Services Area Agency on Aging. She shared the various programs and plenty of literature.
There were various workshops that she emphasized; Elder Abuse, Social Security Fraud, Reverse Mortgage
Basics, Aging in Place, Guardianship and Legal Issues Involving Seniors. We celebrated the event with a
delicious lunch.
In August we celebrated Human Rights at Campbell AME Church in Washington, DC. Our honoree was
Mrs. Amy Mosley who is the owner of Each One Feed One, Inc. along with her husband Roger. The
organization is responsible for feeding homeless families in need and fighting hunger. We were honored to
have in attendance Ms. Jeanette Hite, the newly elected President of the Washington Conference Branch of the
African Methodist Episcopal Church Women’s Missionary Society. Joan Oxendine lead a discussion about;
“What is the Difference between Civil Rights and Human Rights.” The focus was on the “Human Right to
Have Health Care.”
World Community Day, was celebrated on Friday, November 6, 2015, 10 AM Gethsemane United
Methodist Church, 910 Addison Road, Capitol Heights, Maryland. We had guest musicians who participate in
the Bowie Senior Chorale. We used the Option 2 celebration. The Human Rights honoree, Mrs. Mosley
attended the celebration. We enjoyed a fellowship luncheon after the celebration.
Joan W. Oxendine, President
Upper Montgomery County Unit, Church Women United
Upper Montgomery is prayerfully preparing for the new year of 2016; however, we had a wonderful 2015. In
August we celebrated Human Rights Day with a wonderfully chosen honoree, Patsy Marks. Our theme was
“Our Journey Toward Peace.” The celebration was held at Epworth U.M. Church, Gaithersburg, MD.
Our Annual Meeting was held in September at Jerusalem/Mt Pleasant U.M. Church, Rockville, MD. It was
hosted by Annie Rhodes and Evelyn Buford, President of the United Methodist Women. Our theme was
“Strengthening Our Relationship with God through Church Women United.”
World Community Day was celebrated at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Gaithersburg, MD. We
journeyed through the year so our last journey was “Our Journey Together.” We had small group discussions
with facilitators using the Adult Bible Study scriptures, from Isaiah, Acts, and Ephesians. The results from the
group were interesting. The Pre-School classes participated with their songs which we always love to hear
from them.
We supported a project benefiting the Montgomery Avenue Women’s Center which is the only Day Shelter
for women in Montgomery County. A coverlet was created by the craft volunteers and other groups as well
as some of the shelter women. We still support the shelter by selling house pins.
Each year we try to grow stronger. God is so good! We know He is always there for us. As Christian
women we want to make disciples of women in order to help other women and children. We have been
Companions on a Journey entrusting that our work has been effective toward supporting our common goals.
Margaret Williams, President
Page 6
CWU Voice
CWU 75th Birthday Celebration
National CWU Quilting Project
Co-Chaired by
Marilyn Lariviere, CWU President 2012-2016
& Patti Polk CWU President Elect 2016-2020
Dr. Thelma Davidson Adair, Honorary Chairperson
Are you planning to donate a quilted piece for our
Quilting Project during our 75th Celebration in Louisville this October? We hope each region; each state
and every local unit will create and donate a piece
that illustrates one of the following themes:
REGISTRATION DETAILS
Early Registration before – March 31, 2016 – $225
Registration – (April 1, 2016 - May 31, 2016) – $250
Registration after May 31, 2016 – $275
FINAL REGISTRATION: August 31, 2016
Registration does not include lodging.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Thursday, October 13, 2016
4:00 PM
Choir Rehearsal
5:00 PM
Dinner on your own
7:00 PM
OPENING CEREMONY
Reception for President Polk following Opening
Ceremony
Friday, October 14, 2016
8:45 AM
Opening Music Worship
9:30-11 AM
Opening Plenary - Racial Justice
Panel Discussion
12:00 Noon
LUNCH
WORKSHOPS
Other planned activities
4:00 PM
Choir Rehearsal
7:00 PM
Dinner and Program
Saturday, October 15, 2016
9:00 AM
Opening worship
9:30-11 AM
YCWU Plenary
1:00 L
UNCH
WORKSHOPS
7:00 PM
Banquet and Birthday Party
Sunday, October 16, 2016
60th Anniversary Worship Celebration with the
International Committee for the Fellowship of the
Least Coin hosted by the Presbyterian Women.
These are preliminary details. More information,
including day/commuter costs, workshop details,
speakers, and festivities are forthcoming.
See January 2016 issue of Church Woman News for
registration form or www.churchwomen.org.
Our 75th Anniversary Celebration theme:
“Remember, Rejoice, Rebuild”









Reflects the local landmarks of your area, your
state or your region.
Shows your artistic quilting ability.
Reflects your CWU passion
Here are some guidelines to consider as you create your masterpiece.
Your quilted piece may be done by machine or by
hand.
Minimum finished size is least 24” by 36”. There is
no maximum size, so let your imagination run
wild.
Submit only those pieces you are willing to donate. You may donate a piece that has been
shown in another quilt show. You may submit
more than one entry, if you wish.
Each piece must have a fabric label stitched to the
back at or near the bottom corner which includes
the exhibitors name and CWU unit location plus
your theme.
If there are special instructions for the care and
cleaning of your item, please include that, too.
When your work is completed, send us a photo via
email so we can post it on our website for everyone
to enjoy prior to our gathering. Send the photos to:
[email protected]. Be sure to include
your name and contact information along with your
photo in case we have a question. We are currently
developing the procedures for receiving your quilted
piece ahead of our meeting so we can display everything ahead of your arrival in Louisville.
If there is something that prevents you from attending
in October, but you wish to submit a quilt, please do
so with our thanks. Your donated gift will be appreciated as we raise funds to benefit YCWU.
Thanks for your participation in this fun project. If
you have questions or suggestions, please contact me.
Roz Collins-Vice President, [email protected]
Page 7
CWU Voice
2016 Church Women United of Greater Washington Calendar of Events
Day
Time
Event, location, and cost, etc. (Please call Unit Presidents if contact info is not listed.)
World Day of Prayer Celebrations—Receive Children, Receive Me
March 4
10:00 a.m.
D.C. Unit World Day of Prayer Celebration, Union Wesley AMEZ Church,
1860 Michigan Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20017. Contact Christine
McDaniel, 301-420-2540 or [email protected]
March 4
9:30 a.m.
East-West Montgomery Unit World Day of Prayer Celebration, Oakdale Emory
United Methodist Church 3425 Emory Road, Olney, MD 20832
March 4
9:45 a.m.
Upper Montgomery Unit World Day of Prayer Celebration, Community of Faith
United Methodist Church, 22430 Frederick Road, Clarksburg, MD
Annual Meeting
March 4
10:00 a.m.
Prince George's Unit Annual Meeting, Ager Road United Methodist Church,
6301 Ager Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782. Outreach: Family Crisis Center of
Prince George’s County, 3601 Taylor Street, Brentwood, MD 20722
May Friendship Day– Finding Grace at the Table
May 6
10:00 a.m.
DC Unit May Friendship Day, Place TBA. Bring Ditty Bags & Least Coins
May 6
9:30 a.m.
East-West Montgomery Unit May Friendship Day and Luncheon, Leisure World
Baltimore Room, Clubhouse 1, 3701 Rossmoor Boulevard, Silver Spring, MD
20906. Bring Ditty Bags, toys, toiletries and Least Coins, $15.
May 6
10:00 a.m.
Prince George’s Unit May Friendship Day, Forest Memorial United Methodist
Church, 3111 Forestville Road, Forestville, MD 20747
May 6
9:45 a.m.
Upper Montgomery Unit May Friendship Day , Place TBA
Human Rights Celebration—Experiencing Blessings at the Table
August 5
10:00 a.m.
Human Rights Celebrations, Marlborough Towne, 1849 Tanow Place,
District Heights, MD 20747
GW CWU Executive Board meets bimonthly at the Lamond-Riggs Library, 5401 South Dakota Avenue,
NE, Washington, DC 20011, at 10:00 a.m., March 7, May 9, June 13, September 12 and November 14.
There will be a special session February 8, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. to finalize the GW CWU Bylaws.
0
Church Women United National Officers
Marilyn Lariviere, President
Patty Polk, President Elect
Margit Hauge, Vice President
Amanda Doescher, Secretary
Celeste Batemen, Treasurer
Djamillah Samad, National Executive
Mid-Atlantic Region
Jill Smeltzer, Mid-Atlantic Regional Coordinator
CWU Motto: “Agreed to Differ, Resolved to Love, United to Serve”
CWU 2012-2016
Quadrennial Priority
“Bringing God’s
Shalom/Salaam to Our
World”
Health, Environmental
Care, Justice, and
Our Mission: Church Women United is a racially, culturally, theologically inclusive Christian
women’s movement, celebrating unity in diversity and working for a world of peace and justice. Founded in 1941, Church Women United is:
 A movement representing Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox and other Christian
women;
 Biblically based, shared Christian faith;
 Organized into more than 1,000 state and local units in the United States and Puerto Rico;
 Supported by constituents in state and local units; and denominational women’s organizations;
 Impassioned by the Holy Spirit to act on behalf of women and children throughout the
world; and
 Recognized as a non-governmental organization (NGO) by the United Nations.
Economic Justice”
Church Women United, Inc.
Website: www.churchwomen.org
Sign up for Action Alerts at
“CWU in Washington” tab
Church Women United is on Facebook
Return Address:
Church Women United in
Greater Washington
Post Office Box 91973
Washington, DC 20090