Church Women United Members Enjoy Fellowship at First Presbyterian

Church Women United at Coffee -- Colleen Shannon greeting CWU sisters (l-r) Terry Burns and Monica Reed.

Women from churches across Knoxville gathered at First Presbyterian Nov. 1 for the monthly meeting of Church Women United. Hilda Lipe coordinated the event. The Rev. Ann Myers represented pastors in greeting CWU members, who included State Chair Gussie Cherry and Knoxville CWU President Monica Reed. The Rev. Dr. Gordon Gibson, a longtime civil rights and voting rights activist, was speaker. A retired Unitarian pastor, the Rev. Gibson served as the only Unitarian Universalist minister in Mississippi 1969-1984, and co-founded the Living Legacy Project, which leads pilgrimages to civil rights sites in the South, among other achievements. He described the bravery of civil rights pioneers and urged everyone to vote.

Members of Effie Rule Circle provided delicious food and served as greeters. Linn Acree and Sharon Patton led the food service. Jean Mayer was registrar and Jane Armstrong, Joan Holladay and Judy Cagle were greeters. The Mission Market led by Colleen Shannon sold Christmas items and beautiful purses made by Afghan refugee Khatija Muradi. The Mission Market supports low-income artisans and farmers all over the world.

We extend our thanks to everyone who attended the Church Women United event and to all the volunteers who helped host and welcome women from churches across Knoxville.