Candle Lighting for a UCW 50th
Anniversary Meeting
1962-2012
“Our Tapestry
of Love”
Lighting of the Christ Candle
Hymn : “Dear Weaver of our Lives’ Design” VU #623
Scripture: Colossians 2: 2-4
Purpose of the UCW: (please stand as you are able)
The purpose of the United Church Women is 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.
First Reader – I remember the early years of the UCW. After 10 years of discussion the Woman’s Association better known as the WA and the Woman’s Missionary Society, known as the WMS joined together to become United Church Women, UCW in 1962. . More women were home full time. The church was the center of life for many of the people. The world seemed simpler and safe, but there were issues and concerns for which we worked and prayed. The organization was young, and we were enthusiastic and filled with hope. We worked and studied together and accomplished great things.
I light this candle in Thanksgiving for all the women who were part of the history of UCW. They began the weaving of a tapestry of love.
Loving God, we thank you for the women who have given their time, energy and talent in your service in the UCW in years gone by. We honour them and the work they have done. We remember their courage and their hope and we pray that we have been true
to their vision and their dream. Amen
The UCW today is one organization within The Women’s Ministries Network which includes Christian women of faith. We gather to continue to find ways to be faithful to the purpose of the UCW. Our world is different from the world of 1962. Sometimes these changes mean that some of the old ways are difficult to continue. Change is never easy. We cherish what others have taught us. There are times when we need to find new ways of doing God’s work in our modern world. We do our tasks with joy and hope, seeing God’s presence and guidance in all that we do. We are weaving our tapestry within the Women’s Ministries Network.
I light this candle to represent all the women who today juggle many roles and tasks. May this light be a source of energy and hope for us as we continue to follow the way of witness, study, fellowship and service that is our heritage. We are weavers of a tapestry rich and colourful.
Loving God, we thank you for the energy that is present in our UCW today.
We give thanks for the women who carry on the tasks of this organization.
Give us joy in our work, hope in our vision, and love in all that we do.
In Jesus’ name. Amen
I represent the future.
We do not know what lies before us, or what the world will be like. We are challenged by the women of previous
generations, by their faith and their commitment to the tasks they
undertook. Many UCW’s have disbanded but
a few new UCW’s have sprung up across
Our
to foster Christian faithfulness, spirituality, commitment and devotion,
and to promote love and respect
by living generously and giving joyfully to all God’s people
and to affirm and strengthen ourselves creatively.
I light this candle for the future. May our way continue to be lit by the example of women who have gone before us and women of other faiths. We will follow and we will be faithful to God.
God of the past, God of today, God of tomorrow,
we ask for your blessing upon all those whose lives are touched by the work done here in your name. Help each one of us to do our part as Christian women of faith by reaching out with commitment and devotion to all God’s people so that the tapestry we weave
may be beautiful, strong and woven in compassion and love. Amen.
Hymn “A Tapestry of Love”, Diana Chappell
Sending
The threads
of our lives are in the Weaver’s hands.
The pattern
of our work is in the Weaver’s care and keeping.
The texture
of our being is made beautiful by the Weaver’s grace.
As we form a
tapestry of love, know we are upheld, by the grace of God,
the power of the Holy Spirit, and the love of Christ. Amen.