Presbyterian Women of the Presbyterian Church (USA)

Purpose

Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves:

To nurture our own faith through prayer and Bible study,
To support the mission of the church worldwide,
To work for justice and peace, and
To build an inclusive caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (USA), and witnesses to the Promise of God’s kingdom.

All adult female members of First Presbyterian Church are also members of Presbyterian Women. FPC has seven active circles which meet monthly on Mondays or Tuesdays from September through April. The times are arranged to meet the needs of each circle’s membership, with some circle meetings held in the morning, some in the afternoon and one at night. Circles meet at the church, in members’ homes, and one circle meets at Covenant Village.

Women who are unable or do not wish to participate in an active circle are enrolled in one of four service circles. Service circles do not meet, but contribute to the service of the Church, of Presbyterian Women, and provide financial support to Presbyterian Women.

Contact: Judy Planer, Moderator jplaner@bellsouth.net

2010-11 Presbyterian Women Officers

2009-2011 Service Circle Moderators and Vice Moderators

2009-2011 Circle Moderators, Bible Leaders

Missions of Presbyterian Women

Crisis Care

Under the direction of the Crisis Care Committee, at the death of a church member, each circle is called upon on a rotation basis to provide a meal for the family.

Contact: Martha Rockett, 704.865.0428

Sewing for Missions

The Sewing Room is staffed by volunteers who provide handwork and machine stitched items for a variety of causes. Emphasis is given to answering local needs. Volunteers provide the Gaston County Health Department and Crisis Pregnancy Center with flannel baby blankets and caps, county-owned nursing homes with toboggans and lap robes for wheel chair residents, friends in need with walker bags, Gaston Memorial Hospital with pillows for surgical patients, American Red Cross with afghans for Warm Up America, and Gaston Hospice with shawls for patients. Opportunities also exist for working at home.

Contact: Petty Kunkle kunklecc@juno.com

Meeting Time: Wednesday mornings September to May from 10:00 a.m. - noon

Location: Sewing Room. Enter the doors left of the Chapel to the lower level.

Casserole Care

Through each circle on a monthly rotation, Presbyterian Women deliver casseroles to church members who have been hospitalized, have had an extended illness, injury or surgery, or have recently had a new baby.

Tool and Blanket Sunday

A Sunday in February is designated to remember those in primitive areas of the world with an offering used to provide them with essential tools and protective blankets, as tokens of love and support.

Other Services Provided by Presbyterian Women

Servers for Mid-week Prayer Luncheon
Visits, cards and gifts to shut-ins throughout the year
Cards and gifts to members attending college
Making and donating themed gift baskets for auction to benefit the Presbyterian Home for Children at Black Mountain, NC
Saving and donating Campbell’s food labels for Barium Springs Home for Children for cash refunds
Sponsoring college scholarships for students within the Presbytery of Western North Carolina

Financial Contributions

Presbyterian Women provide over $13,000 in benevolence giving annually to the following organizations: Crisis Assistance Ministry, Barium Springs Home for Children, Grandfather Home for Children, Presbyterian Home for Children, national and international mission projects, Presbyterian Weekday School, The Shelter of Gaston County, and With Friends.

Special Events

Bake Sale

An annual Bake Sale in March offers to members and the community baked goods, soups, and casseroles donated by Presbyterian Women. The Bake Sale is the chief fundraiser for all missions and service projects.

Presbyterian Women's Sunday

Held annually, Presbyterian Women’s Sunday recognizes the leadership and service to First Presbyterian and the community by Presbyterian Women, with female members of the church playing a prominent role in the service.

Annual Birthday Luncheon

Annual Birthday Luncheon. Presbyterian Women celebrate the conclusion of the year’s activities with a luncheon and program in May during which they honor a woman or women with an Honorary Life Membership to recognize faithful service to the church. The luncheon provides a time to remember women who have passed into the Eternal Fellowship during the previous year. It is also the time to identify causes, both national and international, as recipients of the annual Birthday Offering taken at the luncheon.

Click here for a List of Honorary Life Members.