If you watch the news or look at social media too long, you might think we live in an uncaring world; however, the reality is that most people want to help their neighbors. One such group is Church Women United (CWU). According to their website, the women of the Church Women United movement hold a vision of Christian unity and prayerful action. CWU was founded as a racially, culturally, theologically, and inclusive Christian women’s movement to celebrate unity and diversity and work for peace in the world.
“Originally called the United Council of Church Women, the organization was founded in 1941 by women who shared a Christian vision of unity in diversity,” said Yvonne Shenuski, president of the Lycoming County chapter of Church Women United. “Women of faith from three denominational women’s groups, representing 70 denominations, convened in Atlantic City while the world was at war and bombs were being dropped. Generously, the United Council of Church Women’s first action was to circulate a petition, signed by 84,000 church women, urging the United States, at the signing of the United Nations charter, to join and take full responsibility. The action received much media attention and even included Eleanor Roosevelt, who later became involved with the UCCW, who held a conference at the White House on how women may share and post-war policy making.”
“CWU is a place for all women, no matter your denomination, your age, or race. Anyone interested in working on behalf of women and children throughout the Lycoming County community is welcome,” said Shenuski. “For years, we have been making Christmas stockings to give to the nursing homes in Lycoming County; we usually distribute close to 1000 stockings. Starting last year, in 2024, women in our Lycoming County unit have personally distributed the stockings to individuals; formerly giving them to managers. Giving the stockings out directly to residents has been very rewarding for our ladies.”
Shenuski went on to say that they also have numerous women who make walker bags, catheter bags, and lap robes that are handed out as needed to the nursing homes throughout the year. “We have also been distributing busy bags to the pediatric unit at UPMC. A mother wrote us a very nice thank you, as her child received one of our busy bags while she was a patient at UPMC, saying what a comfort it was at that difficult time,” said Shenuski. “Our members have also made fidget quilts, which we also hand out to nursing home patients with dementia and the pediatric unit at UPMC. I feel CWU is extremely important as these services are not provided by any other organization.”
CWU holds three celebrations per year. “Our first celebration is the first Saturday of March, World Day of Prayer, where we collect walker bags, catheter bags, and lap robes that area churches make to give to our nursing homes,” said Shenuski. “Our second celebration is May Friendship Day, which is held on the first Friday in May. During this event, we gather specific products to help with our projects or work with the Food Pantry or Shepherd of the Streets. Our third celebration is World Community Day, which is held on the first Saturday in November. At this celebration, we ask for donations for our Christmas stockings. This year, World Community Day is being held on Saturday, November 1, at 10:00 a.m. at St Mark’s Lutheran Church. Also, we will be meeting at First Church on November 3 at 9:00 a.m. to stuff our stockings for the nursing homes. We would love to have people come and help us stuff these stockings.”
Church Women United is always seeing new members. “We would love to have more women join us in completing our projects,” said Shenuski. “We would like to start making pillowcase dresses to send to other countries, but we need more members to help.”
For more information or to join CWU, the group meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 1:00 p.m. (except December, June, and July) at First Church, Ross St. in Williamsport, at the fountain entrance.
If you have any questions or would be interested in joining, phone or text Yvonne Shenuski at 570-546-7786.
