United Christian Women’s Ministry (UCWM)

 

Origin: In the early 1800’s, the first Baptist missionary organization among women in the country began. During Antebellum Days, Negro women worked with their white counterparts in laying the rails of the great Underground Railroad, which was an enterprise of the purest missionary effort.

In the 1900’s the Women’s Auxiliary Convention was organized. Since that time, women’s organizations have been a viable and integral part of the church. Christian women have organized to promote awareness and involvement in the work of mankind and the church.

In August 1906, Sisters’ Meetings, Bible Bands, or Prayer Bands were a part of the Church of Christ Holiness U.S.A. (COCHUSA). During the National Convention in 1909, Sister Fannie Jones, wife of Bishop C. P. Jones, organized the “Christian Women Willing Workers (CWWW).” During the National Convention in 1912, the organization was received as a national auxiliary.

There were Sunbeams, Standard Bearers, and Junior CWWW’s under the oversight of the CWWW’s senior women, for the purpose of nurturing and training girls and young women. In 1995, in Dearborn, Michigan, the challenge was given by the Board of Bishops that the women’s groups would merge. The idea was adopted by the Parent Body. In April 1997, in Chicago, Illinois, the executive board of the women’s groups met to activate the merger process. Bishop Emery Lindsey and Bro. Earmon Irons assisted, the then President Geraldine Drake, 1^st Vice-President Charlotte Parker, 2^nd Vice-President Regina Washington in facilitating this meeting.

On August 7, 1997, the executive boards of the women’s groups met in Crystal City, Virginia to finalize plans and nominate officers for the unified group. On August 12, 1997, final merger plans and a slate of officers were presented to the women’s groups for ratification; presented to the Board of Bishops for approval on August 13, 1997 and presented to the parent body of the National Convention on August 14, 1997 at the conclusion of this process, the merger plans were ratified. Therefore, on August 15, 1997, the women’s groups of the Church of Christ Holiness USA became the United Christian Women’s Ministries (UCWM).

 

MISSION STATEMENT

The purpose of the United Christian Women’s Ministries is to do the work of the Lord, to exalt Him in a spirit of oneness by providing Christian ministries, outreach, and wholesome activities; to encourage and train future generations in the ways of the Lord.

 

MINISTRIES

Family Ministry – addressing the needs and concerns of the family as a unit and its individual members

Missions Ministry – to reach out for the purpose of evangelizing at home and abroad

Christian Education Ministry – supporting and providing education opportunities

Senior Citizens Ministry – to honor and support those who laid the ground work for serving and ministry.

United Christian Women's Ministry

For more information on the UCWM, please email ucwm@zionchapelchurch.org.