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Central City Friends Meeting
Centennial Celebration, 1899-1999
In 1948, Erna Mesner was asked to present a history of Central City USFW at the mid-year meeting in Deer trail, Colorado. This is a copy of her notes.
My assignment at the June meeting of our Women, was to write a history of the SFW of Central City Meeting. Being neither writer nor historian, I shall simply talk and read a bit - quite informally, about our women over the years.
The United Society of Friends Women was organized in 1948, but in Central City, Friends Women, in the original WFMS, had been active for nearly a half century before 1948. These years must be included in this story.
If records were kept in those early years, they are not available now, so I have relied largely for information and dates in the Nebraska Friend. In our Meeting library are two huge, bound volumes which contain an almost complete file of the issues of this publication for the 16+ years of its existence - June 1899 thru 1915. It was published by the Nebraska Church and Educational Association of friends, which organization preceded by 10 years the setting up of Nebraska Yearly Meeting.
I don't have a chronological account, only some rather isolated incidents and, I hope, facts and I shall do little quoting. (anyone seeing errors, speak up then!)
From the very start of Central City Meeting, which, incidentally, was some 8 months before it was a Monthly Meeting, foreign missions were a vital concern to the women. They held regular meetings, in homes, using missionary books for study, chapter by chapter, a different leader for each. References to the raising of funds included such projects as managing the "dining tent" at annual meetings of the Association, quilting and "April eggs"
Here I should like to quote from the Nebraska Friend.
1. - May, 19011 found this: The WFMS of Platte Valley Quarterly Meeting have undertaken the support of a girl in training school in Jamaica for one year, which will amount to "$40.00". Central City raised $10.00 with entertainments, quiltings, teas and Easter eggs!
Later, perhaps by a year, a letter from this girl was printed in the paper. In rather quaint English, it was a warm and sweet expression of gratitude for the help given her.
2 - This from Oct. 1902 "By far the most important experience our meeting has had for years was the visit of Willis Hotchkiss - a real live missionary, a thoroughly consecrated Christian."
3 - 1908. "WFMS at a recent meeting discussed the philanthropic mission, those among lepers and other outcasts."
4 - In Nov. 1911, (not a quote) a project carried out by the women of all Central Churches talk about it. It ended thus: "This means either lack of previous effort or enthusiastic zeal at the present time, or both.
In these early years, three
missionaries went into mission fields from CC Meeting. they were
Jennie Joyce, who went in 1908 to Cuba. Sarah Ellis, 1908 and Mary
Ellis, 1910, sisters, went to Japan (Mention Estella). There were
others to whom CC Friends laid some claim by virtue of their
services in the Meeting after their term of missionary work Some
of these were Charles and Orpha Haworth, NCC, who were the first
Friends to go to Cuba - in 1902. Inez Taber was known in CC before
going to Japan in 1905, and coming later, just as a NCC
student,
later as wife of Harry_____. They resided here for many years. Raymond and Minnie Holding in the '2Os. Our pastors some years after their work in Cuba. Ruth Bennett, who spent years in India. All of these, except Ruth, wrote letters to the Nebraska Friend, and most did visitation in monthly meetings. Two other women's organizations were formed, probably in the teens.
The College Auxiliary raised funds, largely through quilting for needs at the college which its income could not cover, such things as re-decorating of rooms, furnishing a dorm room and rest rooms.
The Friendly Circle was a SS class of women which organized, held monthly meetings for business and self-planned programs, managed money-raising projects.
In the years 1933 to 1938, a group of teen aged young Friends, under the leadership of Clara Ferguson, became the Margaret Fell girls. It was an educational and a pleasurable expression for them - a junior WFMS.
Now, 1948, and USFW (Minutes book) - I have really almost finished the story. Under a new name and somewhat different format, the work which had been carried on for so many years continued uninterrupted. Now programs are provided by Blueprints, made up at National Headquarters. This magazine has two, sometimes three lessons on Missions. Some on a wide variety of other interests, such as Prayer, home life, parents, children, living patterns for guiding us in our daily lives. There are also lessons Equal Rights, Prisons and the Bail Fund, Migrant workers, Race relations, Right sharing of the World's Resources and on many other subjects which broaden our interest and knowledge of world problems
The United Society of Friends Women - USFW - was first known as the Women's Foreign Missionary Union, organized in 1909, in Central City.
In 1911 a box of garments and materials was sent to the Friends Cuban Mission Center. That same year they distributed literature to their members for a Reading Project.
By 1914 the record shows an outline of steps toward their goals. Reading was encouraged and the plan of "Prayer at 9" was encouraged.
Eliza Armstrong Cox, who had attended the official opening of Nebraska Yearly Meeting in 1908, returned as guest speaker for the Womens Missionary Union, in 1918.
Jennie Grieve, of Central City Meeting was a leader in the work of Central City Friends Women's "College auxiliary". They worked to earn money to provide for the needs of the College dorms and the Boarding Club for students. She encouraged other women's groups in the Yearly Meeting to form Auxiliaries. This same year the name "Home and Foreign Missions" was adopted.
Nancy Mesner, an early mother of the Mesner, who have been strong leaders in Nebraska Yearly Meeting, gave the 1921 missionary address, "Women in Mission Work, at First and Now" By 1923, Jenny Grieve's dream came true and a College Auxiliary canned food, served banquets and did quilting - at one cent per yard of thread. they used the money to keep the College dormitories in good repair. One interesting project was to give the value of the Sunday Eggs, to the Auxiliary budget. This "EGG" giving averaged about $20.00 each year, and in 1923 that amount would buy quite a lot.
The College Auxiliary records that by 1931, $1,106 had been earned by quilting, and $2,735 by serving banquets. In later years they charged more for quilting, but this "quilting" at one cent per yard of thread, must have finished many quilts. The beautiful stitching was widely admired and quilts came from various eastern Friends to be finished.
In 1924 the report was more specific. That year they earned $82.65 with quilting, $59 by serving banquets, and they canned and brought 275 quarts of food for the College Boarding Club. The Women's Missionary Union activities were growing each year. Mae Replogle served as a missionary in Alaska. She spoke at the Mission sessions. A Junior Missionary Society was organized and active. Supply packages wee sent to Jamaica and Cuba Mission Centers.
The next newsworthy item was dated 1933, when Vivian Watson and Elizabeth Haviland toured the women's groups of Nebraska Yearly Meeting, to report on the mission work at Kaimosi, Kenya. Elizabeth had just returned from serving as a teacher in the Friends Schools at Ramallah, Jordan and in Kenya. She was currently teaching at Nebraska Central College.
The 1930's were hard years for Nebraska farmers and shared service was deeply appreciated. Comforts and mattresses for the dormitories and paint for class rooms and offices were the practical and needed help by the College Auxiliary.
By 1939 the Four Funds and the Reading Course lists of books were adopted and of high interest to the Friends Women.
In 1941 the minutes note that Margaret Fell youth groups were being formed. Friends were in active service in the Yearly Meeting. In the CC local society, the theme of Stewardship was emphasized. It is interesting to note that the emphases being then developed have come to be departments of USFW.
In 1944, nine Friends women had completed the Reading Course and received Certificates.
Recognition of individuals was a rather new and interesting item in the Annual minutes. Four Life Memberships were given in 1945, two were in Honorary appreciation and eleven in Reading Course Certificates earned. Ava Maris served as President (of the Yearly Meeting USFW) for several years. Mable Young, Pearl Schaaf, and Grace McHargue attended Mission conferences, and Nebraska leaders attended training sessions in Muncie, Indiana in 1946. "These opportunities to meet and work with Friends Women in other areas, kept our local groups in touch with wider Christian Womens' concerns and broadened our perspectives." Blueprints were mentioned in 1947 and welcomed by all -- a valuable connecting link.
by 1948 seven Friends Women of Nebraska Yearly Meeting went to Poughkeepsie, NY for the General Conference of Womens Missionary Union. Our Ruth Hull Bennett who had served as a Friends Missionary Doctor in India, helped to establish a Hospital for the Women of India. She was a representative to that conference from our Meeting. In that year, 1948, Nebraska Friends Women reorganized as a "United Society of Friends Women". This title has continued to the present.
It took some time for all of the local Societies to change to the new organization plans, but as they did they found it helpful. The new form of organization was contagious and the acceptance was comfortable. Economic times were better by 1949 and the statistics showed 1.052 pounds of AFSC clothing packages were sent. Also a CARE package. Bedding, bandages, toys and gifts were sent to our American Indian Missions in Oklahoma. Garden seeds were sent to Japan. Members of USFW also made use of Handbooks.
The World Day of Prayer was observed in each local meeting.
A Nebraska Yearly Meeting USFW Handbook was issued in 1951 which was mimeographed for local Meetings. Twelve boxes of clothing were sent to the Navajo Indians. Most of the local Societies shared in the Thank Offering. This year, 13 Nebraska Friends Women attended the USFW Triennial Conference in Marshalltown, Iowa. Ava Maris became the Nebraska USFW President this year (1951)
The 1953 minutes showed 19 local Societies in our Yearly Meeting with 14 using the Blueprint lessons. Clothing and comforters sent to AFSC during 1953 and '54 totaling 2,220 pounds. In addition, 300 pounds were sent to the American Indians.
In 1954 the Triennial Conference of USFW was held at Whittier, California. Fourteen Nebraska women attended. By 1955 there were 21 Nebraska USFW Societies, all using the Blueprints. Two queries were proposed by Freda Hadley. 1. Have I grown in love and knowledge? and 2. Has my Society a plan to help women be better Christians and Friends? The giving to National USFW had grown to $1,056. This was the high point for Nebraska USFW.
1957 Rocky Mountain Yearly Meeting was "set off' by Nebraska Yearly Meeting, leaving a small number of Monthly Meetings. At the USFW Session of Yearly Meeting, Dan and Mildred Neifert were with us and spoke of their service on the Rose Bud Indian Reservation of the Lakota Tribe, in South Dakota, under appointment of AFSC. The bond of fellowship was warm and rich as we faced the smaller but important responsibilities.
In 1958 Ava Maris again became president of USFW with 7 local societies with about 100 members. Of these, two societies were active in Church Women United, and all observed the World Day of Prayer and World Community Day.
25 comforters and 400 pounds of clothing were sent to AFSC. All of the Service Projects supported, were given contributions, Migrant Work, and help for a Children's Home were added.
A power lawn mower was sent to the Mission at Kaimosi, in Kenya.
In that year (1958) six Friends women from Nebraska Yearly Meeting attended the USFW Triennial Conference at High Point, North Carolina.
During the 1960's the collection of Buffalo nickels project was adopted, and became popular. About 1/3 or the members completed the Reading Course requirements. In 1967, 9 Nebraska women attended the USFW Triennial Conference at Whittier, California. Ava C. Maris was given a Life Membership, with deep appreciation by the Friends Women.
In 1969, Evelyn Smith was the banquet speaker for our USFW banquet at Yearly Meeting time. She had served with her husband Harold, in Jamaica. Their years of careful and dedicated service in the mission fields for Friends have strengthened these our Friends Foreign Mission fields.
In 1970, the sessions of Nebraska Yearly Meeting were held at Council House, in northeast Oklahoma. Linda Pribbenow, in native Kenya costume, gave our USFW Special program. Throughout the 1970's, Nebraska USFW was an active responsible group. In 1973, Maxine Beane came and inspired us with her report of the National United Council of Church Women's programs.
In October of that year, 8 women from Central City USFW, drove to Ovid, Colorado and stayed overnight with Ruth Bennett. Next day they drove on to Deer Trail for the Fall Gathering of Nebraska USFW. This was the first of several annual gatherings at Deer Trail.
In 1974 at the USFW banquet, Margaret Rumsey was our Visiting Speaker.
In 1975, Margaret Jump of Pacific Yearly Meeting gave the evening inspiration - as she told of the Spiritual Journey of Margaret Fell.
At the Yearly Meeting USFW banquet session in 1976, Anne Shope, our National President, gave our annual inspirational talk.
Alison Blunson, from Africa, was our special guest speaker in 1979 at Yearly Meeting.
In 1980, Nancy English of Iowa was our USFW speaker at the Council House Yearly Meeting.
Edna Smith, the 1982 president of USFW spoke in the afternoon sessions for our women.
Three of our Nebraska USFW members have served on the National Executive Committee.
At the Fall Gathering in Deer Trail, Colorado, Loida Fernandez, FWCC appointee in Mexico City spoke of her work with Spanish speaking people.
Mike and Margaret Yarrow told us of their healing ministry in a year in Belfast, Ireland.
1981 Ardis Cunningham was our President. She attended the executive meeting of USFWI. Nebraska USFW accepted the invitation of Iowa USFW to co-host the next Triennial to be held at Wm. Penn College. We accepted the request to make 300 potholders with the inscription "We in Nebraska prayed for you while we made this potholder. Will you pray for us as you use them?" Both the making and comparing was a fun experience.
A letter of appreciation was received from the Rosebud Sioux Reservation. The letter of thanks was read telling of the situation there. It is listed as the 8th poorest community in the United States; where life expectancy for males is 46 years. Needs are warm clothing, blankets and books.
In 1982 The Quaker Exchange Round Robin was dreamed up, then became reality. This brought news to all of the units. During the following years, it had growing pains but grew to be valuable to all groups. The stamp collection program has been continued. The used stamps are sold and the money was given for cancer research.
Our group welcomed Peggy Baxter, our national president, who explained that USFW contributes to United States area of need as well as foreign. Her story was highlighted when Jo McConnell presented Grace McHargue and Evelynn Schutz with Eliza Armstrong Cox Fellowship Certificates. Essie Platte was named Secretary as Marian Krause moved away.
Beatrice Kimball, Editor of the Advocate, was our guest speaker the next year. Bea asked Grace McHargue to tell of the early days of the John Sarrin connection. Central City USFW is proud of many other things Grace has done for our group.
During 1988, outreach programs included: The Ramallah Emergency Fund (USFW helped purchase a heating unit for the girls school), gifts and used clothing to the Sinte Gleska College of the Rosebud Sioux on the Reservation. ACFIA projects, and health care packages for Sadie Vernon for her work in Belize.
Another program is BLANKET SUNDAY. Our USFW for some years purchased blankets to be sent to Church World Service. It was well received so our Meeting became involved and this year I believe over $200 was given.
One year we each chose a favorite quote and Jeanne Davies organized the many poems, Biblical quotes, and reminiscences of our USFW members making a memorable booklet. It has proved to be a treasure.
This year a "silent auction" proved financially helpful to the organization, as well as fin gifts for purchasers. Wilma Jensen was presented with an Eliza Cox Armstrong Certificate.
In 1991 our president, Marian Krause, expressed appreciation for the moneys sent to our USFWI treasury. These cover The Four Funds; Love, Faith, Hope and Joy. Other areas of giving include the United Thank Offering, and Christian Service. In total, more than six thousand dollars may be received by USFWI to make these several service programs effective. We are thankful to be able to rely on Mildred Mesner, our careful treasurer.
One year our special speaker was Ardith Talbot, Editor of Friends United Press, who with humor as well as sincerity gave us this challenging message "Become involved with other people we CAN help carry one another's burdens. What we say or do WILL affect someone. Forgive unceasingly, yes, seventy times seven - May we remember.
During this century, Wilma Jensen and June Webb have been presented with Eliza Cox Armstrong Certificates.
One Sunday morning, when Lloyd Boyce was absent, our USFW led the Sunday Morning Worship.
We were saddened by the death of Ida Penn, of Hominy, Oklahoma, who has been a leader in our Nebraska Yearly Meeting USFW.
Our president usually opens the meeting asking for a message from the Least Coin booklet. Occasionally Jo, Mildred or Kay bring an individually chosen quote. Always interesting.
On a lighter note, our President found information allowing us to contribute an additional penny to the Least Coin program for each additional prayer concern.
Our President's father now lives with her, so we get to visit him when stopping for help at Selma's home, which we do frequently.
I would like to quote Martin Luther's statement found in one of the Blueprints lessons.
"It is not my love I give, but the love I have received from God. In this way each of us is called to be a Christ to a neighbor."
USFW history compiled by June Webb
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© 2002 for NEGenWeb Project by Selma Mesner, Ted & Carole Miller