by Nicole Hackett, Student Public Relations Writer
CU Women, Cedarville University’s women’s organization, will host a spring luncheon for local widows on Thursday, April 11.
Nearly 50 women have been invited to attend. “It is specifically a widows’ luncheon instead of women’s luncheon, so it gives attendants an invitation to talk about their grief,” explained Mary McCulley, service coordinator for CU Women and assistant professor of English. “A lot of women still need to process their grief, and this luncheon gives them the opportunity to do so in a positive and uplifting environment.”
— Tammy Melson
CU Women is an organization that strives to give women who are part of the Cedarville family authentic community and the opportunity to serve the community around them. Members include female staff and faculty as well as the wives of Cedarville staff and faculty.
Attendees will begin the event by viewing Cedarville’s spring theatre production, “Spitfire Grill.” They will then have lunch, which will be catered by Pioneer Food Services.
Cedarville students are also helping with prep work for the luncheon. Alpha Delta Omega (ADO), a student service organization, created the luncheon table cards and a special gift for each widow.
“The fact that we can do something to help the women who have suffered such a loss is just one way that we can make these women feel loved and cherished not only by their community but by Jesus, showing them the source of hope that we have in him, even through trying times,” said Emily Savard, ADO president and junior nursing major from Troy, Ohio.
CU Women hopes that their ministry to widows will grow from the luncheon. “The luncheon is a starting point for what we hope to be a more fully developed ministry for these precious ladies,” explained Tammy Melson, director of CU Women. “I personally love to hear the stories of these ladies; many of them served the university, retired from here and continue to live in the area. Sometimes the greatest gift we can give to another is to listen to their story.”
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,193 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.