As the 70th birthday of its 1941 founding approaches, the Church Women United organization is looking back to its past and forward to its future.

“Prayers for peace and justice are needed more now than ever,” according to a news release. “Unlocking action requires first admitting our shortcomings while at the same time inspiring others to join in creating a better world for tomorrow.”

The group will host a World Community Day 2011, “Living Our Faith: Unlocking Action,” at 9:15 a.m. Friday at First Lutheran Church.

Church Women United is an ecumenical movement of Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox and other women and men from Christian traditions. Celebration services encourage dialogue with people of faith on contemporary issues.

For more information, contact Hazel Senske at 373-9535.