Church Women United Collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: 2017.003

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains materials related to the activities of Church Women United of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and surrounding areas. It includes newspaper clippings related to the group’s four annual meetings and other projects; scrapbooks of events, including photographs, programs, letters, and newspaper clippings; meeting minutes; histories; a book; fliers; reports; correspondence; attendance records; planning guides for World Day of Prayer; and CDs. This collection is organized into 4 series: (I) Organizational Histories, (II) Meeting Materials, (III) Scrapbooks and Scrapbook Materials, and (IV) Events.

Dates

Creation: 1942-2016

Conditions Governing Use

Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code).

Biographical / Historical

The Church Women United of Cape Girardeau, Missouri and Surrounding Areas organization is part of the national Church Women United organization, founded in 1941, which describes itself as “founded as a racially, culturally, and theologically inclusive Christian women’s movement to celebrate unity in diversity and work for peace in the world.” The national organization has had three different names: United Council of Church Women (1941 to 1950), the General Department of United Church Women of the National Council of Churches of Christ (1950 to 1966), and Church Women United (since 1966). The Cape Girardeau group has been active throughout the history of the national Church Women United organization.

As established in its constitution and by-laws, the Cape Girardeau branch of the Church Women United organization has always held four annual events: an annual meeting to elect officers, share reports, and discuss local projects; World Day of Prayer; May Fellowship Day; and World Community Day. World Day of Prayer, observed on the first Friday in Lent, is a special day for united prayer in the members’ communities. May Fellowship Day, observed on the first Friday in May, is primarily a meeting to stress Christian Unity. World Community Day, observed on the first Friday in November, is a day set aside to pray for peace.

Planning meetings for the four annual events are scheduled in advance and are open to all church women. Other events such as collections of items for those in need; visiting speakers; and national conferences; are organized throughout each year and vary.

Due to changes in organizational structure over the years, Church Women United is referred to by many different names in the collection. These names include: Cape Girardeau Council of Church Women, Cape Girardeau Council of United Church Women, Council of United Church Women, Missouri Church Women, The Cape Girardeau Branch of the Missouri Council of Church Women, United Church Women, United Church Women of Cape Girardeau, United Church Women in Missouri, United Church Women of Missouri, and United Council of Church Women.

Extent

4 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Organizational histories, newspaper clippings, meeting materials, scrapbooks and scrapbook materials, photographs, a book, and other materials documenting the history of Church Women United in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the local branch of a nationwide religious organization. Documents the organization’s history, its regular business, and planning for its four annual events.