Senate Resolution No. 488

BY: Senator PARKER

COMMENDING Church Women United of Brooklyn upon
the occasion of hosting its 35th Annual Prayer
Breakfast on March 11, 2023

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Since our nation's earliest days, Americans have prayed as
a way of guiding, uniting, and healing; in times of peace and
prosperity, tragedy and joy, prayer has provided comfort and sustenance;
and

WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and Nation to pay tribute
to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to the
ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Church Women United of Brooklyn upon the occasion of hosting its
35th Annual Prayer Breakfast, featuring Minister Kenesha Traynham-Cooper
as the guest speaker, on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at El Caribe Country
Club Caterers in Brooklyn, New York; and

WHEREAS, 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; and

WHEREAS, Since 1941, women of the Church Women United (CWU)
movement, previously named the United Council of Church Women (UCCW),
have held a vision of Christian unity and prayerful action; CWU was
founded as a racially, culturally, theologically, inclusive Christian
women's movement to celebrate unity, diversity, and work for peace in
the world; and

WHEREAS, Women of faith from three interdenominational women's
groups representing 70 denominations convened in Atlantic City, New
Jersey in December of 1941, while bombs were being dropped and the world
was at war; the former United Council of Church Women's first action was
to circulate a petition signed by 84,000 church women urging the United
States at the signing of the United Nations Charter to join and take its
full responsibility in a world organization; and

WHEREAS, The action received wide publicity in the media and Eleanor
Roosevelt later involved the UCCW in a conference at the White House
discussing "how women may share in post war policy making"; and

WHEREAS, Such action remains typical for Church Women United today,
as the organization's quest for information and prayerful action
continues; women of the movement affirm that prayer and action are
inseparable and that both have immeasurable influence in the world; and

WHEREAS, The success of Church Women United is in direct correlation
to the efforts of its dedicated staff and Board of Directors, including
its president, Sheila Davis, who has served in this capacity for 10
years, and whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by
an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising
standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the organization
and the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, Church Women United stands on the threshold of tomorrow,
prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades while retaining
that spiritual resolve which characterizes its past; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Church Women United of Brooklyn upon the occasion of hosting its
35th Annual Prayer Breakfast, fully confident that this commendation
reflects the belief in those values which enhance the dignity and
purpose of life; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Church Women United, Brooklyn, New York.