By STEVE EIGHINGER
Herald-Whig Staff Writer

Darlene Kerber says one of the goals of Church Women United is to quietly draw attention to certain issues through prayer, advocacy and occasional public forums.

The interdenominational group, which currently has representation from 15 different churches in Quincy, will meet at 1 p.m. Friday at Union United Methodist Church, 1101 State.

The gathering is one of four Church Women United has during the course of a normal year and coincides with World Community Day, which has been celebrated annually on the first Friday in November since 1939.

The public is invited.

"We encourage awareness, and we are always trying to get more of the different churches to join us," said Kerber, who serves as president of the organization.

"This is a wonderful bunch of women."

The group prides itself in monitoring public policies, educating women about issues, relating faith to action, and thinking globally and acting locally.

The group's theme for Friday is "Piecing Earth Together."

"This provides an occasion for Christian women to pray and work for lasting peace," Kerber said.

Kerber said the theme "will focus on the environment and working to be good stewards of the gifts of the Earth."

Church Women United is a nationwide ecumenical volunteer organization that originated in 1941 and is headquartered in New York City.

The Quincy branch is one of 1,200 that try to support dialogue with all faith groups.

Church Women United is a recognized United Nations nongovernmental organization.

-- seighinger@whig.com/221-3377