I have never been a member of a United Church Women’s group, but throughout my ministry I have long admired and appreciated their work. Each unit had its own focus. Some emphasized support for world missions, some prayer, others study and still others local needs. All contributed to welcoming newcomers and building up friendships. And who could number all the teas, dinners and other fundraisers that supported the congregation financially and brought people together in community?
At its founding in 1962, the UCW had 260,000 members. This represented 30 percent of the denomination’s total membership at the time, making the UCW the largest adult organization within the United Church.
While membership has declined by 80 percent to 52,000, the UCW is still a significant presence. In 2012, 80 percent of pastoral charges had UCW groups. The average size of each group was 18, and the threshold to be among the largest 10 percent was 54. And together, these women raised $13.7 million for their congregations, and $1.7 million for the Mission and Service Fund.
Over their 50 years, the total amount raised — adjusted for inflation — is $1.5 billion for congregations, and $340 million for the M&S fund.2 Wow. Wouldn’t it be great if we could somehow bring these women — the living and the dead — all together, all at once, and say thank you?
A study of the UCW would reveal much about how Canadian culture has affected the United Church. Those changes that opened greater opportunities for women are to be celebrated. Perhaps not so welcome are the changes that now require all adults to work where they can, when they can. What kind of world we are headed for when too many of us no longer have the time or energy to meet together to study, pray, change the world and form life-long friendships. A church where 30 percent of its members still did this would rock the foundations of our world.
Rev. David Ewart is a United Church minister in Vancouver.
Published in the July/August 2014 issue of The United Church Observer, page 41. The Observer now operates as Broadview magazine.
Reality Check Revisited.
In 2014 I wrote a series of articles for The United Church Observer magazine called "Reality Check." They were based on projecting what the United Church would look like in 2025, its 100th Anniversary. Given that we are now engaged in Toward 2035, I wondered if what I said then might have relevance for where we are now.
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Notes:
- The graphic was copied from The United Church Observer. The Observer now operates as Broadview magazine.
- And make that a double "Wow." As of 2025, the UCW has raised — adjusted for inflation — $2.2 billion (that is not a typo, yes, it is "billion" not "million") for communities of faith; and $476 million for the M&S Fund.
