CWF kicks off new year

CWF Members of First Christian Church gathered together August 18, 2008 to kick off their new year. Members were greeted by co-presidents Louise Harrison and Marada Early and served a delightful dinner of chicken salad sandwiches, fruit, chocolate cake, and fruit tea.

As members settled down to business, the meeting opened with the CWF prayer after which Peggy Bowne presented an update on club finances. Mrs. Bowne reporting the club was in good shape financially recommended using some of the funds from savings to support any one of the various programs the CWF group supports. Members discussed the idea and decided that some funds from savings should be used to support a project that follows the club's ministry mission.

One project supported by CWF members every year is the School Supply fund. The club starts collecting donations in August and then presents the funds in early September to area schools for the purchase of school supplies. Peggy reminded members there was still time to donate to the fund.

In another area of discussion, members were asked to give some thought for future fund raising projects. Ellen Watson's idea for a baked potato supper was immediately second by other members and it was decided that plans would be forth coming.

Co-president Marada Early encouraged the group to support the Church's Youth in their fund raising efforts. The youth group is collecting aluminum cans for recycling.

Pam Pipkin presented members with an idea for a very special project. Pam explained the Prayer Shawl Ministry. The Prayer Shawl Ministry was started by two women in 1998 in Hartford, Connecticut. In the Prayer Shawl project, women begin with the love of knitting/crocheting and prayers and blessings for a recipient. The actions are continued throughout the creation of the shawl. Upon completion, a final blessing is offered before the shawl is sent on its way. The shawls are meant to provide comfort and solace for those in need. Many Churches across the country have started Prayer Shawl ministries and as people receive the shawls word of the ministry and its effectiveness spreads.

Pam said she herself found out about the ministry through her Mother who was a recipient of one of the shawls. Pam said, "Seeing the effect the shawl had on my Mother encouraged me to want to start the project in my Church".

Anyone interested in learning more about the Prayer Shawl ministry can contact Pam or one of the CWF members through the First Christian Church.

CWF members enjoyed Pam's presentation on the Prayer Shawl and Co-President Louis Harrison asks Pam to take the lead in getting the project started.

Members attending the meeting were Louis Harrison, Marada Early, Nan Mitchell, Wilma Cooke, Geraldine Cox, Ellen Watson, Carolyn Gunn, Pam Pipkin, and Peggy Bowne.

Every woman who is a member or friend of the First Christian Church is invited to participate in the worship and outreach programs of the Christian Women's Fellowship. The next CWF meeting will be September 15, 2008 at the First Christian Church. Anyone interested in attending should contact the Church office or a CWF member.