Prsebyterian Women

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.

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 2011 - 2012 is "Confessing the Beatitudes."  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: Janet Eshleman and J.J. Johnson
  
• Circle 2 - meets on the first Monday of each month at 1 pm, in Classroom 2 of the church. Moderators: Lenna Easter and Nell Williams.
  
• Circle 3 - meets on the first Tuesday at 12 Noon for lunch at members' homes. Moderator: Theresa Arnold and Linda Etheridge
• Circle 4 - meets the first Tuesday of each month at 10:30 in the church parlor, enjoys going out together for lunch afterwards. Moderators: Leigh Crown and Beth Palmer.
• Circle 5 - meets the first Tuesday of each month at 8:45 in the church parlor.   Moderator: Leigh Crown
  
  

Those women in our congregation who are unable to participate in circles are listed in the PW Directory under Emergency Groups. 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 2011-2012

Presbyterian Women Officers Moderator - Mary Jane Rogers Vice-Moderator - Linda Langheld Secretary - Kay Henley Treasurer - Lenna Easter Historian - J.J. Johnson Search Committee - Jeannette Lindgren Advisors - Past Moderators

Communicators Missions - Mary Tripp Special Giving - Jane Capps Spiritual Nurture - Lou Ann Taylor

Service Committee Moderators Emergency - Lois Hutchison, Faye Bennett, Bobby Riggs,Katherine Woolard Flower Distribution - Lucia Stanley Kitchen - Lenna Easter and Vera Fellows Parlor Committee - Miriam Phillips 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

We are in the Presbytery of Coastal Carolina.

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, Cape Lookout Marine Science High School.


• 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!