Unit Spotlight

Church Women United—Centralia Community Unit

The gallery of the Centralia Community Arts Center was the site for the local unit’s special luncheon on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Sixty ladies were in attendance (20 more had registered but were unable to attend for various reasons). The theme was “A Basket of Blessings” which was featured at each table with a music-lined basket accented with a red silk rose. The attendees were encouraged to write personal blessings on paper and add to the baskets. About ½ were read aloud after the meal. All written contributions will be listed and distributed at the next business meeting on September 25 th being hosted by 1st United Methodist Church women.

Cynthia Spencer brought two of her own harps to play (one for background music) and the bigger one for accompaniment on selected hymns that include blessings, blessed, etc. She answered several questions about the harp. Most of the group admitted that they had not seen or heard a harp before. Spencer also plays the organ at two churches of different denominations as well as the bassoon in the local orchestra.

A delicious buffet meal was prepared by one of the members, who is a certified caterer. Many door-prizes were awarded to respective winners. The audience was given the opportunity to share about an upcoming event at their specific churches. This was also the observance of the 79 th year that Church Women United-Centralia Community Unit has been active.

The unit was most pleased to have the new South Area Coordinator of CWU-IL, Ginger Rye-Sanders from Carbondale, present who also shared some comments. She reminded all of the CWU-IL Fall Institute on September 20 th at the Regency Conference Center in O’Fallon (for more centralized location) and thanked the Centralia Community Unit for hosting such.

A $1,000.00 grant was received from CWU-IL’s special fund to help defray the event’s expenses in addition to each attendee playing $5.00 @. Thus, the unit is most grateful for such grant.

The gathering concluded at 1:30 p.m. with closing circles around the tables and singing “Blessed Be the Tie That Binds”.

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See photos --program presenter, Cynthia Spencer, at her ornate harp.

--overall view of the entire group while waiting for a possible prize to be delivered.

--South Area Coordinator, Ginger Rye-Sanders (in green) at head table with

President Norma Borgmann and Vice President Karen Walsh.

--closing circles showing a partial view of the audience.

Photos were taken by Alethea Kemp, a young member of the unit and wife of the local Episcopalian priest.