MIDDLETOWN – Lake County Church Women United (CWU) will celebrate World Day of Prayer on Friday, March 5, at the Middletown Community United Methodist Church.

There will be a gathering of women at 10:30 a.m., a meeting at 11 a.m., lunch at noon and a beautiful programmed prayer service with music at 1 pm.

Over three million people worldwide will pray and worship together during this annual day of prayer, using a service prepared by Christian women in Cameroon.

Church Women United is an international ecumenical Christian women’s movement representing Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox and other Christian women.

This organization has more than 1,200 local and state units in the United States and Puerto Rico. CWU's members represent 26 supporting denominations and organizations.

A great wave of prayer sweeps the world, beginning when the first service is held in Tonga and continuing around the world until the final service takes place, some 35 hours later, in neighboring Western Samoa.

“Each year the three major celebrations of Church Women United are created by women from different countries and backgrounds. These wonderful offerings allow us a glimmer into the lives of Christian women of other nations. What is most amazing is the richness and the diversity of the celebrations which ultimately shows our real connection in faith.” said Pastor Voris Brumfield, the 2010 president of Lake County Church Women United.

Women who attend the service will also have an opportunity to experience a “Sanctuary Prayer Walk” which was created by The Rev. Peggy Thompson. The walk, which takes 10 to 20 minutes, will be available for Lent through April 5.

“There are 11 interactive stations, each of which allow a deep sense of relationship and purpose,” Brumfield said.

The creators of the World Day of Prayer program are from the Republic of Cameroon which is said to be Africa in miniature. It is a country of great cultural diversity with more than 240 ethnic groups and languages.

“Cameroon faces many challenges as its people seek to move forward into a modern age without losing their distinctive characteristics. But at all times, in all circumstances, Cameroonians are able to praise God with joy and exuberance and the service reflects this,” Brumfield concluded.

World Day of Prayer is annual ecumenical (inclusive) service that will take place at the Middletown Community United Methodist Church at 15843 Armstrong Street in Middletown.

Participating church groups bring salads and desserts while the host church provides the main course. A $2.50 donation is collected for lunch. It is not necessary to come with a church group as you are welcome if you are a woman who believes in the love and saving grace of Christ Jesus.

For more information call 707-295-7174.