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Church Women United members reflect on 75-year history
By LINDA M. LINONIS
youngstown
Church Women United of the Youngstown Area remembered the past and rededicated themselves to the present during the celebration of World Community Day earlier this month.
The observance, “Sharing Gifts at the Table,” took place Nov. 4 at Wedgewood Park Evangelical Church, 1944 S. Meridian Road. At the gathering, about 20 members of the organization also paid tribute to its 75-year history.
The Rev. Dr. Robin Woodberry moderated a panel of longtime members of Helen Underhill of Faith Community Covenant Church, Christine White of Third Baptist Church, Florence Simon of New Bethel Baptist Church, Elaine Dory Cain of Faith Community Covenant Church and Joyce Rettenmier of Boardman United Methodist Church.
“What I remember most of members was that everyone tried their best,” said Underhill, a 50-year member. “I started as a denominational representative.”
White said she was asked to join in 1993 and became a member the following year. “I also ended up as assistant treasurer and membership chairman,” she recalled. “Enrollment was tremendous ... we were blessed.”
Simon, a member since the 1960s, said she remembered a representative of CWU coming to New Bethel and discussing the organization. “I volunteered to be a part of the organization and worked on the project committee,” she said.
In 1944, CWU established Protestant Family Service as its biggest project. “I remember when PFS became a separate entity and working on that,” Simon said. “It was a big step.” PFS became a private foundation in 1970.
Cain, who became involved in the 1960s, said she was “so impressed with devotions.” The group, she noted, deftly combined a faith element with positive work in the community. “CWU energized women,” she said.
Cain said she remembers “being drafted as vice president.” “I was frightened and wondered how I could do this,” she recalled. “But it was a step out in faith. Over the years, she served in various roles. “I enjoyed it all so much and loved these people ... women of faith. I learned so much about love from them.”
Rettenmier, who came to Youngstown in 1962, was director of Boardman UMC preschool for 25 years and during that time attended some CWU meetings. She took note of CWU and its mission to be part of God’s reconciling love. “They just didn’t talk about peace, they believed in it,” she said.
She served as treasurer. “I liked being involved with CWU ... they were fine people who devoted themselves to worthwhile projects,” Rettenmier said.
The Rev. Mrs. Woodberry added, “I remember a CWU interfaith tea at New Bethel and I did the benediction. I liked its ecumenical presence,” she said. “I met Shirley [Megown, a longtime member who served as president] and the next thing I knew, I was vice president.”
Cain said the most memorable part of CWU was its “reflections on television” that the organization had for a time. “I’ll always remember how talented each woman was and how special programs were.”
For White, her most enduring memory is “the Christian atmosphere” of the gatherings. She noted members always worked well to “cooperate and coordinate” programs.
“I’ll never forget the Pearl Street Mission and doing hearing tests there,” Rettenmier said. (The mission evolved into United Methodist Community Center.)
Simon said she was always impressed with how CWU “brought together women as one and didn’t feel like different denominations. We were serving for a shared purpose.
“We had good cooperation and worked well together,” Simon said. “I think everyone tried to be a blessing to one another.”
Underhill recalled how the women were known for years as Mrs. and their husband’s first and last names. Megown noted women’s lib changed that and women “wanted their own identities.”
The panel addressed the current state of CWU, which liked so many churches and other organizations, has seen dwindling membership and participation. “I wish more were involved,” Underhill said.
Simon observed the changing times have impacted groups like CWU. “Most of us were homemakers and had more time. Now it’s hard to get young women involved because they’re working mothers,” she said.
Cain countered with the idea that “busy women always take on new things and fit it in.” White added, “CWU is a good way to share time and knowledge.”
Megown added, “CWU has blessed me more than anyone would know. This is a wonderful movement.”
At the meeting, officers were installed by Jackie Bursey, executive director of PFS. They are the Rev. Gwendolyn Johnson, president; LK Williams, vice president; Janet Smart, recording secretary; Cossell Burton, corresponding secretary; Harriet McAvoy, treasurer; and Jackie Aduma, assistant treasurer and membership.