Our History

CHURCH WOMEN UNITED OF CAPE COD

Where have we been?

The following article reflects the language of the times. It is included to give a sense of our history. Women are known by their husband’s names, and 25¢ was considered an appropriate registration for a meeting! But the history of how we began shows that from the beginning, women were committed to living out our motto, “Agreed to Differ, Resolved to Love, United to Serve.” The name “United Church Women” was changed in 1967 to “Church Women United” to conform to the National movement. That change made the word “United” a verb” We ARE united … to serve, to pray, to share, to be sisters with one another.

History of United Church Women of Cape Cod

Summarized by Mrs. Edward Nicholson, June 1960

Early in the spring of 1951 Mrs Charles Gilkey of South Yarmouth called a meeting , in her home, of women from all over the Cape, and presented the idea of Interdenominational cooperation. Among the women present were:

Mrs. Stephen Smith, Chatham       Mrs. Charles Packard Woods Hole

Mrs. Everett Lewis, Hyannis Mrs. Bacon, Barnstable

Mrs. Arthur Dewey, Provincetown Mrs. Pardue, Cotuit

Mrs. Loring, Hyannis

As a result of this meeting: On May 1, 1951, 80 women met at the Federated Church in Hyannis. The idea of a Council of United Church Women was presented by Mrs. Glkie and the officers of the State Organization. Luncheon was served by the women of the host church. Later it was decided that box lunches should be brought by the women, and the host church serve coffee.

The idea of organizing a Council of United Church Women was accepted, on May 29, 1951 a planning committee of fifteen met with Mrs. Gilkie. Mrs. Arthur Dewey became general chairman; Mrs. Packard recorder; Mrs. Stephen Smith chairman of committee to plan, study and nominate.

The Council would sponsor three meetings a year:

World Community Day First Friday in November

World Day of Prayer First Friday in Lent

May Fellowship Day First Friday in May

On September 26, 1951, the Planning Committee met in Chatham. Finances were discussed. $2.00 to be asked from each member society, and 25¢ per person registration at the meeting.

On October 26, 1951, Committee on Constitution met at West Yarmouth Congregational Church. Mrs. .Smith, Young, Paine, Coziere, Packard.

On November 2, 1951, the Cape Cod Council of United Church Women was organized at the First Baptist Church in Hyannis. Mrs. Stephen Smith opened the meeting introducing Mrs. Hartl, State President, who presided; Mrs. Packard acted as recorder. 122 were present, 26 societies, 24 churches, 8 denominations. Mrs. Stephen Smith was elected President.

In 1952 it was decided that the May and November meetings would remain Cape-wide; but the World Day of Prayer meetings would be held locally, as had been the custom for years. 34 societies were now members.

In 1955, the by-laws were revised, to make the annual assembly the Second Friday in January, to abandon the Planning Committee (so few women came) and to enlarge the executive committee and empower it to do the planning.

The Executive Committee to include:

President

Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

3 Directors (Lower, Central, and Upper Cape)

3 Chairman

(Christian World Relations, World Missions, and Social Relations)

Publications

Public Relations

Nominations (Auditor was added later)

In 1956 Mrs. Stephen Smith proposed a Pen Pals project which has grown and expanded under the leadership of Miss Nannette Harlow, into Concern for Senior Citizens and Barnstable Hill Project (1959).

In 1957 the Council voted to become United Church Women of Cape Cod, a General Department of the Cape Cod Council of Churches.

We have had numerous fine speakers on varied subjects of interest to Christian Women.

On World Community Day each fall many pounds of materials have been collected for overseas distribution:

Clothing

1958 Yarn and Yardage

1959 Layettes and children’s clothing

1960 Home Medical kits and Children’s nightgowns

We have contributed a portable communion service and a tape recorder to our Institutional Chaplain.

We have given gifts of money to: International College in Japan, Dr Laubach, Mrs. Induk Pahk, the West Barnstable Memorial Fund in honor of Mrs.Wilkie.

These is addition to our contributions to State UCW; National UCW; Migrant Fund; Cape Cod Council of Churches, etc.

PRESIDENTS OF CHURCH WOMEN UNITED

(United Church Women from 1951 to 1967)

Mrs. Stephen H. Smith 1951-1953

Mrs. Harold Clark 1953-1955

Mrs. Gerald Smith 1955-1959

Mrs. Ernest Saunders 1959-1961

Mrs Charles Randall 1961-1963

Mrs. A.L. Chander 1963-1965

Mrs. Wiliam Austill 1965-1967

Mrs. Vernal Phillips 1967-1969

Mrs. Leonard Heap 1969-1971

Mrs. Ladora Blowen 1971-1973

Mrs. Alice Wilson 1973-1975

Mrs. Melva Jimerson 1975-1977

Mrs. Hope Hardy 1977-1979

Mrs. Marilyn Lariviere 1979-1981

Mrs.Charlotte Neves 1981-1983

Mrs. Lucia Barber 1983-1985

Mrs. Bonnie Goodwin 1985-1987

Mrs. Charlotte Neves 1987-1989

Mrs. Lois Taylor 1989-1991

Mrs.Marilyn Lariviere 1991-1993

Mrs.Florence Funch Bartlett 1993-1995

Mrs. Lois Taylor co 1995-1997

Mrs.Marilyn Lariviere presidents

Mrs. Carmen Dejdar 1997-1999

Mrs. Melva Jimerson 1999-2000

Ms. Bettie Lynch 2000-2002

Mrs. Marilyn Lariviere 2002-2009