CHURCH WOMEN UNITED IN ATLANTA

March 2017 Number 2

The Nineteenth Church Woman of the Year Awards Luncheon sponsored by Church Women United in Georgia was held Saturday, February 11, 2017, at Riverside United Methodist Church, Macon, Georgia. Honorees from eight of the ten units throughout the state were honored. Each honoree came forward and received a red rose and a certificate following the sharing of biographical information about her particular witness and service. The “Woman of the Year” for CWU in Georgia was announced as Claudia M.Maryland, member ofthe Augusta, Unit. A member of Antioch Baptist Church, Augusta, Maryland is involved in Christian Haitian Outreach. She also picks up discarded pennies in the shopping mall and other places for the Fellowship of the Least Coin Offering. Tryphenia Speed, president of United Methodist Women in the North Georgia Conference, represented CWU in Atlanta as our “Woman of the Year.” See her biographical data in this newsletter.

Following the greetings and introductions of the honorees, a hearty lunch was enjoyed by all. Prizes were won by many in the gathered community.Lana Adams added to the ambiance with her musical talents.

“Agreed to differ, resolved to love, and united to serve”

Church Women United is a racially, culturally, theologically inclusive, ecumenical Christian women’s movement, celebrating unity in diversity and working for a world of peace and justice.

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Thirteen persons (including Jesse Milner, Sr., spouse of Annie Milner who drove the van to Macon for many of us) represented CWU in Atlanta. These persons included Claudette Rainey, Annie Milner, and SherrieWilson. Lana Adams, Verdine Benn, Sheila Louder, Gertrude Adams, Lillie Hercules, and Bettie Durrah.Tryphenia’s sister, Pauline Sumter Morgan andher college friend, Gail Mack,were present. They are not in the groupphotograph, but they are in the center picture above.

Tryphenia Sumter Speed is a native of Sumter, South Carolina where she attended public school and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1961. She graduated cum laude from Claflin University, Orangeburg, South Carolina in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. Shortly after graduation, she made history as the first African American to be hired in a professional position at the Barnett National Bank in Cocoa, Florida. She worked there for three months before landing a job with the Social Security Administration in September 1965. She started in an entry level position and held numerous technical and managerial titles throughout her 38-year career. Time after time, she was recognized for exemplary service before retiring in November 2003.

Church Involvement | Tryphenia was a member of Mt. Zion Methodist Church in Sumter from birth until she graduated from college. She is currently a member of Cascade United Methodist Church, Atlanta, GA. She sings with the Gospel Choir and Women’s Chorus and she has served as a Cascade and District Lay Delegate to the North Georgia Annual Conference. Currently, she is a member of the Staff, Pastor-Parish Relations Committee, Coordinator for the Zeta Phi Beta Award given annually as a part of the Cascade Higher Education Scholarship Program and a member of the noonday Wednesday Bible Study Class.

A committed member of Cascade United Methodist Women since 1989, she has held leadership positions in her church unit, the Atlanta College Park District, the North Georgia Conference and the South Atlantic Regional School Planning Team. She was honored in 2011 as a Woman of PURPOSE by the Cascade Unit. In October 2016, Tryphenia was elected as president of the North Georgia United Methodist Women for 2017-2018.

Community Involvement | Tryphenia served on the Wesley Community Centers’ Board of Directors for 10 years and was president of the Board. The organization recognized her outstanding service by bestowing the St. Frances Award to her in 2012. In addition, she served as a volunteer coordinator for the Bethlehem Senior Center, where she solicited volunteers monthly to serve lunch and provide activities. Tryphenia serves on the Asbury Harris Epworth Towers Advisory Board--a residential housing agency for seniors and Disabled individuals--as Secretary and Vice Chair. She is a member of the Atlanta Chapter, Claflin University National Alumni Association and has served in various roles with the local chapter.

Since 2010, she has been an active member of Church Women United, Atlanta. Presently, Tryphenia serves as chairperson of the Finance Committee and works with the executive team, awards committee and the celebration committee. In 2016, the Finance Committee encouraged members to pledge over and above annual dues to increase the unit’s income.

Personal Statement | She enjoys reading, walking, watching basketball and football, and gardening. Tryphenia loves God and His people and strives to 1) be a disciple of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world; 2) live out the PURPOSE of United Methodist Women; and 3) “remember to give thanks to God at all times and for everything.”

MAKING CONNECTIONS…

Charter Member of Chi Phi Chapter-Augusta
Claudia M. Maryland - CWU 2017 "Woman of the Year"


It’s that time of year again! Spring will be here, and soon it will be Valentine's Day, but today Feb 11, 2017, date of the 19th Annual Church Women United Awards Luncheon. Tryphenia Speedwas the nominee from the Atlanta Unit as I was in February 2016. However, for me the most exciting moment came after listening to eight amazing biographies of women who were changing the face of the towns in which they live was when the biography of Claudia M. Maryland was read, and she was declared the"The Woman of the Year" from Augusta Georgia. Not only that, but she was a Charter Member of Chi Phi Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority Inc. of which I have been a member for 45 years. In addition to the many things that she has accomplished, Claudia is actively involved in (CHO) Christian Haitian Outreach a mission that serves the impoverished and under privileged in Haiti. She has been a member of Antioch Baptist Church for 70 years.

In Photo: L to R Claudette Rainey, Claudia M. Maryland and Robbiestine Berrien Chair of the State of GA Awards Committee
Submitted by Claudette Rainey
Life member of Chi Eta Phi Sorority Inc.

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Christine Darden, one of the women featured in the book, Hidden Figures, spoke at Columbia Theological Seminary, February 8, 2017. A mathematician, engineer, and eventually manager at NASA, shetalked about her role in sonic boom miminalization and her work in the church. She came to work at Langley (NASA) in 1967, too late for the years covered by the movie, “Hidden Figures.” Both Dr. Darden and Kathryn Johnson(featured prominently in the movie and in the picture bekiw with Darden) are members of Carver Memorial Presbyterian Church, Newport News, VA. Sheila Louder and Bettie J. Durrah attended the lecture.Melva Lowry (in picture above) is a student at Columbia Theological Seminary. A member of Rice Presbyterian Church, her father and brother are Presbyterian ministers. Christine Darden was chosen as a “Woman of Faith” when the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) met in Richmond, Virginia in 2004, whenBettieDurrah was serving as staff for the Women of Faith Breakfast sponsored by Women’s Ministries Program Area.

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Church Women United in Georgia

September 22-23, 2017, Savannah, Georgia

CHURCH WOMEN UNITED IN ATLANTA CELEBRATES WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

World Day of Prayer is a global ecumenical movement led by Christian womenwho welcome you to joinin prayer and action for peace and justice.

An evening celebration will be held Thursday, March 2, 2017, at Faith AME Zion Church, Hamilton E. Holmes Drive, 7:00 p.m. The Friday celebration will be held at Peachtree Christian Church (Disciples ofChrist), Peachtree/Spring Streets, 10:00 a.m. Mary Martin, ruling elder, St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church, Dunwoody and chair of the World Day of Prayer, USA Committee, will bring the meditation for a second year.

​Am I Being Unfair to You?

Program written by the
World Day of Prayer Committee of thePhilippines
Matthew 20:1-16

Mabuhay! Come to the circle and tell your story!
In the story Jesus told about the kingdom of heaven, he saw no wrongdoing in giving equally. However, the workers who felt entitled to receive more greatly complained. This dialogue is turned into a question for the 2017 WDP theme - “Am I Being Unfair to You?”
As we prepare for worship, women and girls from the Philippines enter carrying symbols with a story. Merlyn, Celia, and Editha represent the lives of many Filipino women and girls who are victims of domestic violence or sex trafficking, migrant domestic workers in the country or abroad, and survivors harmed emotionally and economically by disasters in the environment or unsustainable development policies.
How can we hear these stories and not realize the sinfulness of structures that consolidate economic inequality? We are called to confess and take on our ethical responsibility to answer God’s call for justice.

60,000 PERSONS MARCHED IN ATLANTA, January 21, 2017

World Day of Prayer is a worldwide, ecumenical all people are welcome.

United Methodist Women in Headland Heights UMC used the Super Bowl

to raise funds to fight human trafficking.

  • the
  • Through W, women affirm Have you purchased any Dorothy Height stamps prayer and action are inseparable and have immeasurable influence in the world.
  • The motto

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Have you seen the picture of Lucy Craft Laney in the State Capitol Building? It is “hidden in plain view,” but her story is told over and over by former members of the Georgia Teachers Association and women in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as well as other constituencies.

HIDDEN FROM PLAIN VIEW

In celebrating Black History Month, CWU in Atlanta, invited Grace Cheptu to tell the story of Lucy Craft Laney, whose portrait hangs in the State Capitol Building of Georgia. Through song and words, the speaker

told about the witness and service of Lucy Craft Laney, who was born into slavery, and how she overcame, and eventually opened a school, Haines Normal and Industrial Institute in Augusta, Georgia. Weaving songs like “Young Gifted and Black,” “Hold On,” “Keep Your Hands on the Plow,” and “Amazing Grace”throughout the story, Cheptu kept the community intrigued withnuggets aboutLaney’s life.

When Jimmy Carter was governor of the State of Georgia, he commissioned Laney’s portrait to be hung in the State Capitol—the first portrait of an African American woman to find a place in the Capitol Building.

Laney opened her school in 1896 in the basement of Christ Presbyterian Church, Augusta, and began to seek funding from the Presbyterian Church. She traveled on a one-way ticket to Minneapolis in 1896, to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church to seek funding. She did not receive funding from the group, but after returning home, Mrs. F.E. Haines, who had heard her plead provided the funding and the school was subsequently namedfor her. She taught Latin and Algebra, and she sacrificed her salary so that she could bring leaders to the campus like Roland Hayes, Marian Anderson, and Mary McCleod Bethune. She also opened the first school for nurses. The Delta Sigma Rho Sorority in Augusta restored herhome and made it into a museum. Her grave is on the campus of Laney High School on Laney-Walker Boulevard. When she died in 1933, over 10,000 persons attended her funeral. Read more about Lucy Craft Laney from the Internet, Black Presbyterians m Ministry, and some Georgia Historytextbooks.

Grace Cheptu is ordained as a minister of Word and Sacrament, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), a musician, educator, vocalist and dramatist. Cheptu wrote in a note to Bettie Durrah after the event, “I’ve grown a lot over the years...finally had my "breakthrough" and can now genuinely feel the love and support that's always been there for me. I loved preparing for and doing the presentation...things like that have been scary for me in the past...I could get the job done, but somehow I wasn't all the way connected in some way. But I could feel how this experience was different and I like the growth I'm feeling and seeing, and what a way to embrace it, in the circle of all the powerful divine female energy in CWU...and while remembering the legacy of Lucy Craft Laney! Researching and prepping the presentation was in itself, empowering.”

Lana Adams briefly continued the celebration by asking individuals to tell about a person who influenced their lives. We, then, heard from Natasha Anderson, D.Ed., dean of School of Education and News Media, for Georgia Perimeter College. She told about a number of programs in which students can become involved. A Q&A session followed her presentation.

Following the meeting, individuals enjoyed a potluck luncheon… The program was coordinated by Angela Harrington Rice,who was unable to attend because she was traveling to Guatemala.

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Adrian Ford,President, Women’s Missionary Society,AME Church, North Georgia Conference,6th Episcopal District, brought greetings and joined CWU with a promise to get more involved.

FOOTNOTE:

  • Bettie J. Durrah interviewed Louise Laney (sister of Lucy Craft Laney) many years ago and wrote an article for Concern Magazine, former publication of the Presbyterian Women. She also attended the opening ceremony inAugusta when Lucy Craft Laney’s grave was moved to the campus of the public school that bears her name. In the picture is Otis Smith, pastor at the time of Christ Presbyterian Church(where Laney first opened her school) and Bettie Durrah. This picture was taken at the site on this special occasion.
  • Additionally, when the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) met in Minneapolis in 1986, Bettie J. Durrah shared information regarding Lucy Craft Laney’s trip to Minneapolis on a one-way ticket in 1896, to seek funding for her school. This sharing was done during the Women of Faith Breakfast
  • A Lucy Craft Laney Luncheon is held biennially during the meeting of the National Black Presbyterian Caucus. Her legacy is always shared during this luncheon as Laney Craft Laney Awards are given to women.
  • See Sheila Louder or Bettie J. Durrah for additional information about how the Presbyterians celebrate the legacy of Lucy Craft Laney.

Outgoing president, Lana Adams, receives a token of appreciation from Claudette Rainey, new president, at the January meeting.

CELEBRATIONS…

  • Alison Newman sponsored a “Woman, You Are Loved” Conference, January 21, 2017, at the Performers Factory, Butner Road, Atlanta. The movie, “The Tree Widow,” produced by her was also shown as part of the program.
  • Margaret Koehler (above)posted pictures during the Christmas Season with great-grandchildren.
  • The Open Door Community, with EdLoring and Murphy Davis (and two others) moved to Baltimore, Maryland, February 15, 2017. Part of their work will continue as Open Door Community Baltimore. According to a letter that was send out announcing the move, “We shall work to practice a shared life of radical/progressive discipleship, Bible Study, Culture Critique; worship with Eucharist and foot washing. We will have a new focus on involvement with Democratic Socialism and on-violent movements to disrupt the American Empire.”

“Murphy Davis will continue to lead us and others in our Georgia Prison Ministry. The monthly Hardwick Prison trips will continue. Death Row letters, support and occasional visits are part of our Works of Mercy as well as our Journey for Justice. We will come to Atlanta quarterly to perform these works…” Murphy’s other work will be to write her book, Surely Goodness and Mercy.”

  • Brenda Tilman and Bettie J. Durrah met in Dallas, Texas, February 17-20, 2017, as part of the national Celebrations Committee of Church Women United. They made plans for 2018 Celebrations.

You will have to ask them to share what their assignments for 2018 are. The National Nominations Committee also met in the same setting. Members of both committees prepared worship services for the combined group. In the picture below, Brenda Tillman and Molly Dean (Connecticut) provided some of the worship services. The group met for the second year at the Nazareth Retreat Center, Egyptian Way, Grand Prairie, Texas. This center, run by the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, exhibited gracious hospitality to our group. Meals were excellent!

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