Minute for Mission: May Friendship Day

May 3, 2024

May Friendship Day, a Church Women United initiative, is most often celebrated on the first Friday of the month of May around a theme of shared concern for Christian women and their communities. The predecessor to May Friendship Day, May Fellowship Day, began in 1933 after two Christian women’s groups planned gatherings based on similar concerns: child health and children of migrant families. These groups united and, over the years, eventually became what we now know as Church Women United. The May celebration has been continually observed since 1933; in 1999, Church Women United changed the name from May Fellowship Day to May Friendship Day.

The 2024 Church Women United celebrations — including Human Rights Day, World Community Day and May Friendship Day — share the theme “What Does the Lord Require of You?” The focus for May Friendship Day is “Love Mercy.” In a world that cries out for healing and justice, the profound act of extending mercy heals hearts and transforms lives, even over generations.  

Christian women’s groups from many denominations (including Presbyterian Women, which encourages participation in and support of Church Women United) will participate in May Friendship Day throughout the United States during the first days of May. For more information, visit churchwomenunited.net or call 212-870-1030.

Carissa Herold, Marketing Associate for Presbyterian Women in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Today’s Focus: May Friendship Day

Let us join in prayer for:

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Paul Grier,  Vice President, Project Regeneration, Presbyterian Foundation 
Laurie Griffith, Associate Director, Constitutional Interpretation, Office of the General Assembly

Let us pray

On this day of friendship, help us, God of all mercy, to put our love into action through kindness and care. Soften our hearts as we humbly and joyfully demonstrate your transformative and merciful love for all. Amen.

Minute for Mission: World Community Day

November 4, 2022

World Community Day began in 1943 as a day for church women to study peace. After World War II, church leaders felt that they should set aside a day for prayer and ecumenical study. The leaders thought that while believers were performing peace and justice work by themselves, a day when they could study across denominations would be beneficial to all. The theme for this year’s World Community Day is “A Call to Prayer.”

As Christians, we are known by God. With thanksgiving, we commit our hearts and hands to demonstrate this love in action, working purposefully for peace, justice, and reconciliation. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” — Ephesians 2:10 (NIV). As God’s own, we are called to pray, comforted in knowing that God hears our prayers of lament and joy alike.

Resources for World Community Day are available from Church Women United. Write to 3605 Campbellton Road SW, Atlanta, GA 30331; email info.churchwomenunitedinc@gmail.com; call 678/705-3711; or visit churchwomenunited.net/cwustore.

Carissa Herold is marketing associate for Presbyterian Women in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Inc.

Let us join in prayer for:

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Susan Jackson-Dowd, Executive Director, Presbyterian Women
Linda Jacobsen, Executive Vice President, Church Engagement, Board of Pensions

Let us pray

God of grace, we are grateful for the blessing of good work to do for your good world. Thank you for the gifts of prayer and study, loving ways we stay close to you and your call on our lives. Amen.

Minute for Mission: May Friendship Day

May 6, 2022

May Friendship Day, a Church Women United initiative, is most often celebrated on the first Friday of the month of May around a theme of shared concern for Christian women and their communities. The predecessor to May Friendship Day, May Fellowship Day, began in 1933 after two Christian women’s groups planned gatherings based on similar concerns: child health and children of migrant families. These groups united and over the years eventually became what we now know as Church Women United. The May celebration has been continually observed since 1933. In 1999, Church Women United changed the name from May Fellowship Day to May Friendship Day.

The 2022 Church Women United celebrations — including World Community Day and May Friendship Day — share the theme “It’s Up to You in 2022.” The focus for May Friendship Day is “A Call to Serve.” In a world that cries out for healing and reconciliation, it’s up to each of us to reflect God’s generous love through prayerful advocacy and compassionate service.

Christian women’s groups from many denominations (including Presbyterian Women, which encourages participation in and support of Church Women United) will participate in May Friendship Day throughout the United States during the first days of May. For more information, visit churchwomenunited.net or call 678-705-3711.

Carissa Herold, Marketing Associate for Presbyterian Women in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Let us join in prayer for:

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Kerry Rice, Deputy Stated Clerk, Office of the Stated Clerk, Office of the General Assembly
Meg Rift, Associate for Curriculum Development, Presbyterian Publishing Corporation

Let us pray

Loving God, on this day of friendship, help us to live in such a way that reflects your love to your people. We humbly pray that our actions and words bring healing and reconciliation to all, on this day and all days. Amen.

Minute for Mission: May Friendship Day

May 7, 2021

May Friendship Day, a Church Women United initiative, is most often celebrated on the first Friday of the month of May around a theme of shared concern for Christian women and their communities. The predecessor to May Friendship Day, May Fellowship Day, began in 1933 after two Christian women’s groups planned gatherings based on similar concerns: child health and children of migrant families. These groups united and over the years eventually became what we now know as Church Women United. The May celebration has been continually observed since 1933; in 1999, Church Women United changed the name from May Fellowship Day to May Friendship Day.

The 2021 Church Women United celebrations — including World Community Day and May Friendship Day — share the theme “Becoming One in 2021.” The focus for May Friendship Day is “Making Room at the Table.” In a world that cries out for healing and reconciliation, the simple and profound act of welcoming all to the banquet heals lives and transforms communities.

Christian women’s groups from many denominations (including Presbyterian Women, which encourages participation in and support of Church Women United) will participate in May Friendship Day throughout the United States during the first days of May. For more information, visit churchwomenunited.net or call 212-835-1507.

Carissa Herold, Marketing Associate for Presbyterian Women in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Let us join in prayer for: 

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Debra Jones, Administrative Services Group (A Corp)
José jones,   Presbyterian Mission Agency

Let us pray:

Loving and Generous Creator, we are deeply humbled by your extravagant and all-encompassing welcome. Heal our hearts and help us extend ourselves in love and welcome to others, as you have extended yourself to us. Amen.

Minute for Mission: May Friendship Day

May 1, 2020

May Friendship Day, a Church Women United initiative, is most often celebrated on the first Friday of the month of May around a theme of shared concern for Christian women and their communities. The predecessor to May Friendship Day, May Fellowship Day, began in 1933 after two Christian women’s groups planned gatherings based on similar concerns: child health and children of migrant families. These groups united and over the years eventually became what we now know as Church Women United. The May celebration has been continually observed since 1933; in 1999, Church Women United changed the name from May Fellowship Day to May Friendship Day.

The 2020 Church Women United celebrations — including World Community Day and May Friendship Day — share the theme “Vision for the Future.” The focus for May Friendship Day is “Vision for the Future: Agree to Differ.” In a world of suffering, the time is now for us to serve as the hands and feet of Christ, no matter our differences. Christian women’s groups from many denominations (including Presbyterian Women, which encourages participation in and support of Church Women United) will participate in May Friendship Day throughout the United States during the first days of May. For more information, visit churchwomenunited.net or call 212-835-1507.

Carissa Herold, Marketing Associate for Presbyterian Women in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Let us join in prayer for: 

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff

Debbie Cassady, Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program
Molly Casteel, Office of the General Assembly

Let us pray:

Loving Creator, in a world of suffering and need, we respond to your call for mercy. Guide us as we advocate, nurture, support and serve “for just such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). Amen.

Minute for Mission: World Day of Prayer

Artwork from Zimbabwe. (provided)

World Day of Prayer is a global ecumenical movement that is celebrated in more than 170 countries and led by Christian women who welcome all to join in prayer and action for peace and justice. The day’s motto is “informed prayer and prayerful action.” World Day of Prayer is celebrated on the first Friday in March; this year, that is today, March 6.

This year’s theme — “Rise! Take Your Mat and Walk!” — was selected by the World Day of Prayer Committee of Zimbabwe, which also prepared this year’s worship materials. Reflecting on the turmoil within Zimbabwe as well as the world at large, they were guided by Jesus’ response to the lame man at Bethzatha: “Do you want to be made well?” (John 5:6)

As people of faith, we are called to act in love, confident in God who offers personal and social transformation. “To be made well” is a choice. World Day of Prayer 2020 invites each of us to reflect on Jesus’ question for our own lives.

To learn more about World Day of Prayer and order resources, visit wdp-usa.org.

Carissa Herold, Marketing Associate for Presbyterian Women in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Let us join in prayer for: 

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Kris Valerius, Office of the General Assembly
Miguel Vargas, Office of the General Assembly

Let us pray:

Compassionate God, too often we feel immobilized by the turmoil of this world. As people of faith, we understand that we are called to respond affirmatively to Jesus’ question: “Do you want to be made well?” Be with each of us who pray this prayer as we rise, as we take our mat, and as we walk toward healing and wholeness. May our courage to act be a blessing to you and your world. Amen.