In a time of world conflict, three large Christian women’s groups came together to pool their efforts to promote justice and health for all women.

Church Women United, initiated at the beginning of World War II in 1941, brought together 70 different Christian denominations to be a “racially, culturally, and theologically inclusive Christian women’s movement to celebrate unity in diversity and to work for peace in the world.”

Eleanor Roosevelt admired the organization and brought it national notoriety. Church Women United is recognized as a non-governmental organization by the United Nations. More than 1,200 state and local units comprise the organization.

On Saturday, Sept. 27, Platteville will be the site of the annual state assembly of Church Women United. This is the first time that a Southwest Wisconsin church has been the host for this meeting.

The day-long meeting will be held at Lutheran Church of Peace from 8:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. A display and sale of Fair Trade items such as coffee and breads from Sinsinawa will be available at the meeting.

The conference will feature a keynote presentation by Mary Mezera, regional manager of the Southwest Wisconsin Aging and Disability Resource Center, who will be speaking on aging and disabilities. Bev Doll, a member of the Grant County Homeless Task Force, will discuss issues about the homeless in the state.

Sister Mary Ellen, OP, and Sister Anita, OP, members of the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters, will present a history of their order and speak about their founder, Father Samuel Mazzuchelli.

In keeping with the purpose of the organization, Church Women United has asked that people  attending the meeting bring school supplies to help students in need in the Platteville School District. These supplies will be put into homemade school bags, donated by the CWU members and the Dominican Sisters.

The meeting will highlight the four aims of the CWU — to work for health, a safe environment, and legal and economic justice worldwide — keeping the theme of the 2014 May Friendship Day before its members: “We are in God’s hands and we are God’s hands.”

The assembly will be preceded by a tour of the Mitchell–Rountree Stone Cottage Friday, Sept. 26 at 6:45 p.m.
Lunch is included with the $25 assembly registration. The deadline to register is Sept. 8.

The meeting is open to all women.

Area churches will have information available about the conference, or attendees can call Carol Lange, 348-4588.