First Presbyterian Church
Morehead City, North Carolina
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OUR PURPOSE
Forgiven and freed by God in
Jesus Christ,
we commit ourselves to:
- nurture our faith through prayer and Bible study,
- support the mission of the church worldwide,
- work for justice and peace, and,
- build an inclusive caring community of women
that strengthens the Presbyterian Church(USA) - and
witnesses to the promise of God's kingdom.
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The meaning of our symbol
- Forgiven and freed by grace through faith, the central figure
stands in
praise.
- Rooted in faith, the trio of women emerge. The outline of the
central
figure
forms a cross. We are Presbyterian women, engrafted in Christ by the
power
of the Holy Spirit. It is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives
in
us.
- The right figure holds a book to guide her reading, studying,
praying,
and meditating.
- The left figure reaches out to care for others, as she shares,
nurtures,
and heals. The circle represents the church worldwide where women offer
their gifts and talents in the midst of the global community.
- The uplifted arms of the central figure reach out to embrace a
just
peace
for the world. The relationship among the three figures depicts lives
of
wholeness rather than turmoil.
- The three have no distinct features and represent all women. The
shapes
surrounding them express energy, strength, and openness.
- Our name, Presbyterian Women, ties us to our denomination. The
Bible
resembles
the Bible depicted in the PC(USA) Seal.
- Guided by the four parts of our Purpose, Presbyterian Women
witnesses
to
the reality of God's present realm.
How we accomplish our program
of
study, service and spiritual growth
Our Bible Study for 2007-2008 is "Above and Beyond -- Hearing
God's call in Jonah and Ruth". Volunteers
within each circle lead the discussion for each month's lesson.
Church circles are the heart of our organization. This is where we
"nurture
our faith through prayer and Bible study", fulfilling our first
commitment.
We also support the ongoing work of the church ministries to the
congregation
and to the community, both with our giving and through our volunteer
services.
As smaller units of the church family, our circles are able to know
their
members in a very personal and caring way.
Circle 1 - meets on the first Monday of each month at 9:30 am in the
church parlor. Moderators: Jerry White and Jeannette Lindgren .
Circle 2 - meets on the first Monday of each month at 1 pm, in
Classroom
2 of the church. Moderators: Beth Watkins and Barbara Hoffman.
Circle 3 - meets on the first Tuesday at 12 Noon - 1:00 pm for lunch
at Floyd's. Child care available. Moderator: Sandy
Rickabaugh and Mary Jane Rogers.
Circle 4 - meets the first Tuesday of each month at 10:30 in the
church
parlor, enjoys going out together for lunch afterwards.
Moderators: Dee Quigley and Martha Palmer.
Members-at-large are those women in our congregation who are unable
for a variety of reasons to participate in circles. Many are holding
other
church responsibilities already. This group has been wonderful in
responding
to special requests for help with church receptions and other important
occasions in the life of our congregation.
A little bit of history
Before 1932 (for our own church from 1929 to 1932) the church
women's
organization was called the Ladies Aid Society.
From 1932 to 1949 it was the Women's Auxiliary.
From 1948 to 1988 it was Women of the Church.
From 1988 to the present it has been Presbyterian Women.
Our leadership for 2007 -
2008
Presbyterian Women Officers
Moderator - Janet Eshleman
Vice-Moderator - Sandy Rickabaugh
Secretary - Lucia Stanley
Treasurer - Lenna Easter
Historian - Flo Scheible
Search Committee - Cathy Smith
Advisor - J.J. Johnson
Communicators
Missions - Mary Tripp
Special Giving - Jean McElvein
Spiritual Nurture - Martha Palmer
Service Committee Moderators
Emergency - Elaine Jones, Helen Pearce, Lois Hutchison, Floranne
Passino
Fruit Baskets - Beth Johnston
Flower Distribution - Lucia Stanley
Kitchen - Alice Dye and Lenna Easter
Parlor Committee - Lenna Easter
Sanctuary/Narthex Flowers - Reba Stamp and Paula Stewart
Flower Distribution - Lucia Stanley
Holiday Flowers - Pam Anthony
Mitten Tree - Katherine Bailey
PW Handbook Coordinator - Mary Tripp
Bible Moderator/Coordinator - Marguerite Piper
We are in the Presbytery of Coastal Carolina. Marguerite Piper of
our
congregation serves as Enabler for Region 1, Cluster A.
A Few of Our Activities...
- providing lunches for Habitat for Humanity workers;
- cleaning the church kitchen on a monthly basis;
- contributing supplies, financial support and volunteer time to
the
Domestic
Violence program in our community;
- providing meals for special occasions,
- being available to the Emergency Committee for receptions or
luncheons
for families of the bereaved following memorial or funeral services in
our congregation;
- participating in the ecumenical World Day of Prayer services held
with
our sisters throughout the Christian community in March;
- supporting with our financial gifts several local programs:
Martha's
Mission,
Soup Kitchen, Domestic Violence, Habitat for Humanity, Helpline;
- corresponding with our away-from-home students;
- providing volunteers and prizes for New Horizons activities;
- supporting the mission projects of our Presbytery and Synod:
Presbytery
Scholarship Fund, Presbytery Historical Foundation, Grandfather's Home
for Children;
- contributing, through the creative talents of our members, to the
physical
needs of nursing home residents; gifts have been made also by this
group
for new babies in our congregation, as well as table decorations and
"take
home gifts" for our guests attending the Christmas Cheer Luncheon;
- contributing, along with our sisters throughout the General
Assembly
and
through our annual Birthday Objective Party in April, to projects among
people in need both in our own country and overseas;
- participating in Presbyterian Women meetings and workshops of
Coastal
Carolina
Presbytery;
- providing decorations during the Christmas season in our
sanctuary,
narthex,
Fellowship Hall and on the church doors;
- participating fully in the Christmas Cheer Luncheon activities;
- and being available for helping with unexpected crises .. and
opportunities..
in our congregational life!