The Newtown/Danbury unit of Church Women United is planning its annual Human Rights Celebration.

The theme of this year’s celebration, which will take place Saturday, March 8, at 10 am, at Newtown Congregational Church, is “Through God Our Hands Can Protect.”

At the national level, Church Women United has constructed three programs for 2014, with all three following an idea found in Isaiah 49:15-16 (“We are in God’s hands and we are God’s hands.”) The March celebration will celebrate protection, while May Friendship Day will celebrate service, and World Community Day in the fall will celebrate healing.

Michelle Weinstein, the residential and clinical services manager for Ability Beyond, and a resident of Newtown, has been invited to offer the keynote for the March celebration at NCC. All are welcome to attend.

The celebration will also include the presentation of a CWU Human Rights Award, to a recipient that has not yet been announced.

There will be a freewill offering, which will be shared with National CWU; and Fellowship of the Least Coin (FLC), an offering that asks guests to donate their country’s smallest denominational coin while also praying. FLC is an international ecumenical movement of prayer for peace and reconciliation in the world.

Light breakfast refreshments will be served. Reservations are requested so that organizers can prepare an appropriate amount of food and beverages.

Attendees are asked to bring nonperishable donations, which will be divided between the town’s two food pantries.

Bible Study, February 7

In preparation for the Human Rights Celebration, CWU-Newtown/Danbury will also offer a bible study on Friday, February 7. The program will begin at 1 pm at Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street.

The program will focus on Psalm 95:1-7, Matthew 25:35-40 and 1 Peter 5:1-2, 6-7. Linda Manganaro, the celebration chairperson for CWU Newtown/Danbury, will lead the study.

All are welcome to attend one or both programs; the bible study is not a requirement for attendance at the Human Rights Celebration.

For additional information contact Mrs Manganaro at 203-417-2701.