UCW

United Church Women

Anniversary Banner

UCW 40th anniversary banner In recognition of the 40th Anniversary of the United church women, the June 1, 2002 church service was conducted by UCW members.

Highlighting the program was a presentation of a banner depicting the UCW purpose: Christian witness, study, fellowship and service. The banner designed by Ruth Ford, was created by Marilyn Mason and Pat Nelson.

Fran Elliot, life member of the Camrose UCW, portrayed the many ways that the Camrose UCW members had fulfilled the UCW purpose over the years. Her interesting descriptions of successful projects undertaken by the UCW, both locally and abroad, illustrated the extent to which the UCW has contributed to the work of the church

Our Group

Our membership of 60 women meets in three groups once a month. We also have a general group which meets monthly to distribute information, plan activities and fund raisers and enjoy programs. Meetings consist of devotion and program (planned and led by different persons each month), business and fellowship. We support the Women's Interchurch Council of Canada by collecting "least coins" through the Fellowship of the Least Coin.

Purpose

To unite the women of the congregation for the total mission of the church and to provide a medium through which we may express our loyalty and devotion to Jesus Christ in Christian witness, study fellowship and service.

Functions

To provide opportunities for fellowship and mutual support.
To encourage growth in Christian understanding, faith and experience through worship, Bible study and involvement in other activities.
To encourage informed participation in the mission of the Church in the congregation, the community, the nation and the world.
To cultivate Christian stewardship in all of life.
To share financially in supporting the national church through the Mission and Service Fund, in meeting the needs of the Congregation through the budget of the church, in sharing the expenses of the Presbyterial and Conference organizations of the United Church Women and in supporting community undertakings.
To develop Christian leadership for church and community.
To encourage ecumenical understanding.
To provide input to the ongoing work of directing and managing the life of the congregation.
To appoint four voting delegates and alternates to the Annual Meeting of the Presbyterial United Church Women (or the number agreed upon to Presbytery if there is not Presbyterial).

The Bissell Tree
Each year during Advent the Bissell Tree donations include numerous items such as mittens, scarves, sweaters, caps, pairs of slippers, knitted sets (caps, mitts, scarves), afghans, quilts, knitted toys, and baby dresses.

History

UCW was formed nationally and locally in 1962 uniting two groups of women of the church. One was the Women's Association (WA) which gathered for fellowship and also raised funds for the church. The second was the Women's Missionary Society (WMS) which studied the work of the missions and raised funds for missionaries.

Annual Events

Camrose UCW has several events occurring annually or on a regular basis.

Month	Event
March	Spring Congregational Supper Coordinated by the UCW.
April	Fashion Show & Dessert Party Including home sewn articles and crafts.
May	Salebration A "glorified garage sale" organized by the Lydia Circle.
October	Fun and Fellowship All women of our congregation and those of neighbouring churches are invited.
November	Fall Congregational Supper Coordinated by the UCW.
December	Bissell Tree Collecting knitted, crocheted or sewn articles made during the year and donated by the congregation for Christmas gifts at the Bissell Centre.

Schedule of Events

Fundraising

Camrose United Church Women support the Mission and Service Fund with donations in the range of $7,200.00 annually. In addition, members give their free will offerings to two thank-offerings each year, one at Easter and Thanksgiving. One thank-offering each year goes to support some worthy national or international project; the other is used for a local program.

Members donate two thank-offerings per year. One is given to an international project of the United Church Mission and Service Fund and the other to a local charity.

Meetings

General UCW meets in the parlour on the first Monday of the month at 1:30 pm. There are no meetings in July and August.

Our three groups all meet in the Parlour on days and times listed below.


Group	Date & Time	Leader

Lydia Circle	2nd Tuesday at 7:30 pm	Bonnie Oliver
Unit L	2nd Thursday at 1:30 pm	Doris Hirsch
Morning Group	3rd Wednesday at 9:30 am	Lena Schnell

All units welcome new members any time of the year. For more information call the church office or Fran at 672-3410.

UCW