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Bureau Co. Republican, Thursday, Nov. 19, 1981 Page 8 By SHIRLEY COATES Church Women United Everything seemed to come together to bring about a true sense of community for Prin ceton Church Women United this year on World Community Day. All knew they had been a part of something special, had shared a beautiful experience. Later that day and the next day and the next, people were still mentioning it. What made it happen? The fragrant air of the autumn morning, sparkling, clean and clear was a helpful beginning, surely. Mary Davidson and Loraine Crouse of Hampshire Colony Congregational UCC greeted and registered the people as they arrived at First United Methodist, this year's host church for World Community Day. From 9:30 until 10 a.m. everyone gathered informally in a cheery Fellowship Hall, where Pat Anson, Julie Mec Cutchan and Elvina Pohlmann of First Methodist served a continental breakfast of coffee, rolls and doughnuts furnished representatives of each of the 10 local churches par ticipating. At 10 a.m. a pleasant hum of conversation quieted as, on entering the sanctuary, each lit a candle and prayerfully placed it with the cluster of lighted candles before the Cross. This candlelighting cere mony, conducted by Patrlee Grace of First Christian, assisted by Jo Regal of St. Louis Catholic Church, was in the tradition of the Orthodox Church, “. . . Spiritual preparation for a passover into the Kingdom of God, symbolizing the Light of Christ who illumines our way into the Kingdom of Peace where there is no violence.” Doris Carlson of First Lutheran briefly welcomed everyone, introduced special guests, and told of the events leading to the celebration of this day, each year since 1943 during World War II. Then, with the bright morning sunshine streaming in, bringing to life the moments of Christ's life depicted in stained glass, the great room was filled with glorious music provided by the 85-member concert choir of Princeton High School, meticulously directed by Tom Crane, with Joanne Swan at the pipe organ. There was a celestial, an ethereal quality to the music as the choir sang, Augsburg Publication’s ‘‘Sing Unto God,’ by Paul Fetler; “Almighty God of Our Fathers,” by Will James; and ‘The Lord Bless and Keep You,” by Peter Lutkin. Sharing the beautiful surroundings within the church, spirit-lifting music, and a service made inspiring by in spired people of varied Christian backgrounds, served as preparation for earnest commitment to the celebration theme, ‘“‘The Last Com mandment: Put Away Your Sword.’ In his remarks, the Reverend Father Theodore Filandrinos of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, Peoria, emphasize that, according to its true, historic meaning, the word “peace’’ does not signify simply the absence of what is hurtful, hateful and ugly, but the presence of all that is helpful, beautiful, loving. Peace is not a neutral or passive state but is a dynamically energetic ac tivity. Practicing what he preached not simply filling a chair, and a “guest spot’’ on the program, Father Filandrinos became actively involved with the spirit of the occasion. Chant ing, he held the Call to Wor ship, and led the congregation in singing, first, The Litany of Peace, and, later, the hymn, “‘O Splendor of God's Glory Bright.”’ He introduced The Divine Gift of Peace in Scripture, in which Princeton women of the Or thodox Church served as ‘readers: Electra Tarsinos, Appie Velon, and Christina Anholz (formerly of Athens, Greece). Referring to his own Christian background as well as that of the Greek Orthodox women who authored this year’s in ternational World Community Day service. Father Filan drinos described the Greek Orthodox as the fourth largest Christian church. Amplifying on the peace theme, he spoke of the many Biblical references to peace and the high value placed on peace by God and God’s peoples, explaining some of the passages. “Blessed are the Peacemakers for they are children of God,’ means, he said, “‘.. . for they are doing a God-like work.” “Shalom,’’ or ‘Peace’ in Hebrew, .. . “Shalom” in Greek, means not just the ab sence of evil things, but the presence of all good things. This word is part of the traditional, usually rather lengthy greeting between people when they meet. God wants us to be not so much peace-lovers, but peace makers, he continued. It is not just the absence of discord, violent action, but the actively doing something about peace; not the evasion of issues, but the facing and dealing actively with issues, even if struggle is in volved. The ‘Desert Father’’ (monk), St. Macarius of Egypt, whom Father Filandrinos described as a spiritual wrestler against evil, said, ‘‘Die when I may, I would like it said of me that I more than just pulled up a weed, that I planted a flower.’’ Father Filandrinos said that we are each a walking civil war, and that, for the Jewish person, the highest task a man can perform is to establish right relationships between man and man, and to not, himself, cause trouble to others, or between others. He who unites men is truly doing God’s work: man and man, family and family, nigh bor and neighbor, nation and nation, promoting love for one another... . agape, actively waging peace whatever the situation. Father Filandrinos ad monished that science can be used for peace and plenty, that prudence be exercised in proportion to power, that humanity be in proportion to wealth and might. Peace, he said, is to be found in God’s will. Faith Williams of First Baptist presented the in terpretation of the offering. On behalf of the local Pantry program and of the variety of programs which enable in ternational CWU members, individually and as a group to express commitment to work for a more peaceful world, Mrs. Williams accepted the of ferings collected by ushers, Mrs. Regal, Mrs. Davidson, Mrs. Crouse, and Mrs. Barbara Mueller of Hampshire Colony Congregational UCC, planning chairwoman of ecumenical celebrations. Mrs. Williams then led in the singing of the Doxology. Carol Rowe of Evangelical Covenant Church led the presentation of Wisdom from the Fathers and Mothers of the Church, assisted by readers, Randy Kline of First United Presbyterian and Janet Castner of St. Matthew’s Lutheran. The celebration concluded at 11 a.m. with the congregation singing the hymn, ‘Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies,”’ led by Father Filandrinos. Marie Enberg of St. Chris topher's Episcopal Church, president of CWU of Princeton, reports that Princeton CWU will respond to an invitation to send, to the national office, along with the offerings given to support, the programs of CWU, the, Signatures of all persons registering their attendance at the local celebration, that they may be placed together with those of others from across the nation, to in this way be a part of the Fortieth Anniversary Festival of Celebration and Worship of Church Women United, Sunday afternoon, Dec. 6, in Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine (of the Episcopal Church), in New York City. Following this recognition and vicarious participation, the’ signatures will be placed pn rmanent, ‘‘You Are there,” record in the national office CWA, in New York City. Princeton area women will be attending the annual meeting of CWU, Friday morning, Jan. 22, 1982, in First Baptist Church, Princeton, beginning at 12:30 p.m. with a salad luncheon.
Newspaper Details
Princeton Bureau County Republican
Princeton, Illinois, US
Thu, Nov 19, 1981
Page 20
Full Page
Clipped by
Panos P.
USA 18 Aug 2026
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