by Mike Roberts, Church Historian
One of the books in our archives is the minutes of the Thursday Club, a group of women church members, who met monthly at the homes of its members. The minutes cover a period from 1936 to 1948. Attendance averaged 8 to 10 women.
Typically, the meetings would open with a short devotional message, then the minutes of previous meetings would be read and accepted. A financial report was offered and the balance in their account usually ranged from $20 to $50. When the balance approached the high range, donations were made to a number of worthwhile causes.
Occasionally, music offerings were presented by a member, either on a piano or by song. These offerings were usually from the classical music genre. The group was also involved in charitable activities. On one occasion the group collected jellies and jams to be given to a local nursing home.
The group was also actively involved in book discussions. During the last months of World War II, they were discussing a book by Carl Becker entitled, “How New Will the Better World Be?” It was reported that the discussion of one chapter became quite animated.
They also attended a conference in Cincinnati discussing post-war life which was aimed at arousing support for the meeting in San Francisco and the Dumbarton Oaks proposals. For some time, the group actively read books and attended meetings on Africa. In 1940, the group read about Nehru.
This was a group of women who met regularly for years and appeared to be quite close friends. At the end of the journal are a number of tributes to members who died during the twelve-year period covered by the minutes. These tributes shed some light on the religious beliefs of these women.
One such resolution was offered for Mrs. Cora T. Molloy, “who passed to the higher life June 27, 1942.”
“Our Heavenly Father called home to Himself our beloved friend, Mrs. Cora Molloy, who was a devoted member of the Cincinnati Universalist Church for many years. She was a faithful member of the Women’s Universalist Missionary Association, always eager to do anything that was asked of her. She was our very efficient president for several years.
Mrs. Molloy was also deeply interested in the work of the Sunday School and was member of Mrs. Ellerbrock’s Bible Class. Mrs. Molloy was very much devoted to her family. She had an attractive personality and was a good conversationalist, humorous and witty.
To those who have suffered this bereavement, we extend our sincere sympathy.”