May 6, 2022
May Friendship Day, a Church Women United initiative, is most often celebrated on the first Friday of the month of May around a theme of shared concern for Christian women and their communities. The predecessor to May Friendship Day, May Fellowship Day, began in 1933 after two Christian women’s groups planned gatherings based on similar concerns: child health and children of migrant families. These groups united and over the years eventually became what we now know as Church Women United. The May celebration has been continually observed since 1933. In 1999, Church Women United changed the name from May Fellowship Day to May Friendship Day.
The 2022 Church Women United celebrations — including World Community Day and May Friendship Day — share the theme “It’s Up to You in 2022.” The focus for May Friendship Day is “A Call to Serve.” In a world that cries out for healing and reconciliation, it’s up to each of us to reflect God’s generous love through prayerful advocacy and compassionate service.
Christian women’s groups from many denominations (including Presbyterian Women, which encourages participation in and support of Church Women United) will participate in May Friendship Day throughout the United States during the first days of May. For more information, visit churchwomenunited.net or call 678-705-3711.
Carissa Herold, Marketing Associate for Presbyterian Women in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Daily Readings
Morning Psalms 96; 148
First Reading Exodus 24:1-18
Second Reading Colossians 2:8-23
Gospel Reading Matthew 4:12-17
Evening Psalms 49; 138
Today’s Focus: May Friendship Day
Let us join in prayer for:
PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Kerry Rice, Deputy Stated Clerk, Office of the Stated Clerk, Office of the General Assembly
Meg Rift, Associate for Curriculum Development, Presbyterian Publishing Corporation
Let us pray
Loving God, on this day of friendship, help us to live in such a way that reflects your love to your people. We humbly pray that our actions and words bring healing and reconciliation to all, on this day and all days. Amen.