CWU in Virginia Shares the Common Goals of the National Movement
                Agreed to Differ, Resolved to Love, United to Serve


2021 NEW VISION, MISSION AND CORE VALUES

 

VISION

Women of Faith cultivating Love, Hope and Peace for all Creation.

MISSION

Church Women United is an inclusive ecumenical Christian women's movement celebrating unity in diversity and empowering women to work towards a world of peace and justice.

CORE VALUES
FAITH

We are visible witnesses to God's love and draw upon the power of the Spirit.

SERVICE

We serve our neighbors near and far for the common good.

EDUCATION

We enlighten ourselves to grow and share with others through engagement

across cultures.

ADVOCACY

We act to empower women of all ages and to influence decision makers.

DIVERSITY

We welcome, respect and appreciate others and their God-given gifts.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

We work for a fuller implementation of the Universal Declaration of Human Right


Quadrennial Priorities 2021-2024
                              
Theme: Justice and Righteousness

God’s Word: The Lord God has told us what is right and what he demands: “See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God.” Micah 6:8 CEV
Acting justly is rooted in what is right as it relates to our relationship with God and lived out in our relationship with each other and in our stewardship over creation. God has shown us what is good and what is required to do justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly (under God’s leadership).

 Priority #1: Health and Wellness

God’s Word : On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:12-13 NIV
Church Women United (CWU) acknowledges the decades long, historic impact of racism, discrimination and, poverty in widening the health and wellness gap on the most vulnerable citizens: Blacks, Hispanic/LatinX, Native Americans, rural populations, immigrants, and working poor are likely to die, endure greater suffering and experience higher rates of almost every kind of disease or illness the medical industry tracks. We face again this inconvenient truth as our nation contends with a fast-moving, border-crossing, color-blind and invisible COVID-19 enemy virus.
 
Priority #2: Climate Stewardship

God’s Word: “But ask the animals, and they will teach you. Or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.”
Job 12:7-10
Church Women United believes that our earth is a gift from God entrusted to us to care for. We believe it is our responsibility to pay attention to and offer remedy where the growing climate issues are concerned. In particular we support the idea of Environmental Equity. We affirm the science that informs us. We are committed to raising awareness and educating when we can about environmental issues.

Priority #3: Social Justice

God’s Word: “In the temple courts (Jesus) found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, ‘Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market.” His disciples remembered that it is written, ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’”
John 2: 14-17
Oftentimes this verse is interpreted as if Jesus abhors money or trade as evil in and of itself. However, study about what kinds of activity were occurring makes it clear that Jesus was upset not about business – but business practices that oppressed the already poor and marginalized. Jesus was overturning tables in the Temple because the practices themselves were part of a system which created a direct link between the religious/power system of the day with a social system which oppressed the most vulnerable. Church Women United realize that for the Church to be (and represent) the House of God – it must not collude with social systems which create and protect injustice. Rather, all social oppressive systems must be “flipped” in order for the real work of Kin-dom building to occur.

Priority #4: Hunger and Poverty

God’s Word: He will bring justice to the poor of the people; He will save the children of the
needy, And will break in pieces the oppressor. Psalm 72:4 NKJV

Church Women United recognizes the pandemic worsened work life for many who cobble together several low wage jobs to make ends meet, whereas others thrived. Since WWII, many majority families built wealth primarily from increasing home values, whereas minority families were locked in neighborhoods with declining property values often taken by eminent domain. The result is a disparity in generational wealth along racial lines. This means many families are not able to assist each other during a crisis.
Women of faith strive for a just society that provides a temporary safety net, which includes unemployment compensation or stipends, and training for new careers. Maintaining some income will lessen food insecurity, forestall evictions, and reduce stress. Job loss should not result in losing one’s home, community, and savings thereby lapsing into poverty. Stability fosters a learning environment for children preparing them for success.


Church Women United in Virginia | 2023