World Community Day service reminds group of the needs of others

Church Women United recently met on World Community Day for a special church service at Grace United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau. World Community Day's effort to focus on justice and peace in a global society was made clear in WCD's theme "Embracing Justice Under God's Tent."

CWU members heard the story of a local Hispanic woman who has worked hard to help others through her translation services and learned about how Partners for Just Trade supports global partnerships between impoverished artisans and conscientious consumers. Partners for Just Trade items, including totes, bookmarks, finger puppets and bracelets, were on display at the back of the room.

CWU is a racially, culturally and theologically inclusive Christian women's movement that began in 1941. CWU is a recognized United Nations Non-Governmental Organization. The CWU's 2007 theme, "Strengthening families worldwide in the 21st century," promotes diversity, education and access for all to quality health care.

Reminders of misfortune

The 25 women who met Nov. 2 to share thoughts and prayers also planned to spread the word about World Community Day with others in their network of friends, family and church.

Items from Partners for Just Trade, a not-for-profit Christian organization, were on display at a church service on World Community Day at Grace United Methodist Church.

Vera Koen, a Maple United Methodist Church member and CWU member for more than two decades, said the service reminded her that not all women can feed their children and have a place to take them to at night. "We forget because of all that we have," she said.

Guest speaker and Jackson resident Delia Trejo met with CWU for the first time with hopes for a long-lasting relationship. Trejo, who moved to the United States from Mexico 22 years ago, said when she lived in Texas there was no need to speak much English. But moving to this area, where she has lived for 12 years, presented a real need to learn English.

Language liaison

Her role as a translator for Hispanics at Birthright and in the community at large was strengthened because of the struggles she experienced when English was still new to her. The mother of three girls, ages 4, 9 and 10, said that sometimes her 10 year old daughter "likes to help too," and is called upon in school to help with translation as well. Trejo offered to help CWU with translation whenever needed.

Birthright director Michele Moon said, "At Birthright we can say diapers and communicate simple things to women who come in speaking Spanish, but when we want to be assured of proper prenatal care, Delia is our liaison. As more folks come into this area from Central America, I know CWU will want to befriend them. I think Delia will be their voice. She can speak English well."

Trejo said she believes the United States is a country that helps any nation with any problem. "It seems to me they are united and they also help each other. Being here in the U.S. is a blessing. In Mexico life, is hard. A lot of Hispanics live here by themselves and send money to Mexico so they can someday be together with their families."

In her talk, Trejo explained that when she moved here she was shy because of language barriers. "It was hard for me to keep asking people for help. They don't always have time," she said.

Trejo's days of shyness have been overcome and, in addition to offering services of translation, she has been a cantor at St. Vincent de Paul Church for three years.

Partners for Just Trade

CWU's priority for promoting economic justice was evidenced by the colorful display at the back of the room. The Peruvian artisans who make the items for sale belong to Partners for Just Trade. Selling the items is how the the artists earn their wages. Partners for Just Trade emphasize environmental sustainability, gender equality, safe work conditions and practicing accountable business procedures.

At the meeting's close, the women were reminded to be aware of those in their own families who once were aliens in a foreign land.

cpagano@semissourian.com

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