Church Women United is a local ecumenical organization which sponsors World Day of Prayer on the first Friday of March every year. Area women will be joining with women all over the world to observe a common day of prayer. Women of First Lutheran Church will welcome everyone to attend World Day of Prayer at 9:15 a.m. on March 6 for a time of fellowship and worship.

This year’s worship service was developed by a committee from Papua, New Guinea. The theme is: “In Christ there are many members, yet one body.” New Guinea lies just north of Australia in the Pacific Ocean. Approximately 96 percent of the population is Christian with 60 percent of the female population being illiterate.

Church Women United was founded in 1941 and has been the official sponsor of the World Day of Prayer. Each year CWU prepares and distributes the worship resources for more than 6,000 communities and churches in the United States where the event is held.

Locally, CWU will sponsor events such as May Friendship Day on May 1 at the United Methodist Church, a May Scholarship Luncheon at Ascension Lutheran Church, a Mission Study Day in September at First Presbyterian Church, and World Community Day at Trinity Lutheran Church. CWU officers for 2009 are: Bonnie Schneider, president; Irene Weber, vice president; Cathy Carter, secretary; Donna Ludtke, treasurer; Hazel Senske, scholarship chairman, and Pat Hayek, historian.