Ripples. One Body, One Spirit: Building an Inclusive, Caring Community

Transcription

1 PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN IN THE SYNOD OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND HAWAII VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 Ripples One Body, One Spirit: Building an Inclusive, Caring Community Moderator s Message A Message from Susan Skoglund, Moderator of Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii Hello Everyone! I am pleased to be speaking to you from the pages of our new PWS newsletter! A special thank you to Kelsey Law, our Member at Large for Mission, who is the person making this happen. Kelsey has been working with Anita Coleman, our Churchwide representative and Carol Valentine, our historian, to improve communications among PWs. Also new this year is a PW Synod Moderators network who will be meeting by conference call and hoping to arrange a national face to face meeting. I had to miss the first call because of a previous commitment. In reviewing the minutes of the meeting, I noted that 13 moderators participated sharing their joys, challenges and hope for the network. All of us can see the benefit in sharing ideas, supporting each other and learning what is new at the Churchwide level. Stay tuned for more from this group! On March 3 rd, PWS supported two World Day of Prayer services held at Calvary Presbyterian Church in Wilmington. The country whose women wrote the service was the Philippines. Calvary is the largest Filipino congregation in the PCUSA. Our sisters at Calvary are not organized as a PWC in name but have a vibrant intergenerational group meeting on a regular basis. They handled all the roles in the service and were fantastic. Please check out our Facebook page for pictures of the event. The women did a magnificent job of decorating the sanctuary. Pastor Orendain and the men of the congregation were especially supportive of the event. A number of PW from across the synod attended. I hope we can make this an annual event at one of our churches. I hope you have received word about the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance training scheduled for from noon on July 6 until noon on July 7 (right before our summer conference) at Chapman University. Their trainers will be training PWs to serve as trainers within their locations on disaster preparedness. As we are all too aware, disasters have a habit of showing up in our area. PWS sent Kelsey to this training this fall and she tells us it is very worthwhile. We will need a number of women to sign up so that it will be available to us. Please remember to send in a donation for Jenny Mambu to participate in the Global Exchange to Indonesia this September. This is a very important part of the world and it will make a fascinating program for your PW and/or congregation. Donations are to be sent to Pam Hodges, our treasurer. Speaking of our PWS coordinating team, they are the best. They are working hard to deliver on the goals we set for ourselves for this triennium. We will have a number of leader roles to fill for the 2020 term. Can that even be possible ? Time flies when you are having fun and it seems to me, we are! Looking forward to seeing all of you at summer conference! Blessings, Susan Vision Page 2 PWP News Moderators Reports Pages 4-6 PWS News, Events & Announcements Summer Conference, Global Exchange, Horizons and Churchwide Gathering Pages

2 RIPPLES VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 Pictured: PWS Coordinating Team, Fall/Winter 2016 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body Jews or Greeks, slaves or free and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. - 1 Corinthians 12: Welcome to Ripples! Ripples is the official newsletter of Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii. Presbyterian Women is the national women s organization of the Presbyterian Church (USA). With more than 300,000 members and 29 years as an organization, Presbyterian Women is organized at all levels of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves: to nurture our 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 (U.S.A.) and witnesses to the promise of God's kingdom. Through the Presbyterian Women Purpose and our Triennium Vision, Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii seeks to create Ripples of Impact by promoting vital connections, inspiring possibilities, and everlasting legacies of ministry within the church and throughout the world VISION One Body, One Spirit: Building an Inclusive, Caring Community Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii deeply roots our faith and commitment to the PW Purpose by: Taking care of creation Adapting to meet the needs of Presbyterian Women in the Synod Strengthening connections between PWS, PWPs and PWCs Promoting Anti-Racism and radical hospitality Addressing the needs of women and children 2

3 RIPPLES VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 #P-DubPics Presbyterian Women, PC(USA) Leaders and Our Commitment to the UNiTE Campaign LEaD: Leadership, Education, and Discipleship Presbytery of Riverside Pictured (L to R): Kelsey Law, Mary Bolanos, Rev. Jan Edmiston; Co-Moderator of the 222nd General Assembly, Susan Skoglund; Moderator of PWS, and Debbie Law; Moderator PWP Riverside Happy Retirement, Doska! PWS thanks Doska Ross, Synod Executive and Stated Clerk for her support and commitment to Presbyterian Women! Pictured (L to R): Debbie Law, Jerri Rodewal, Doska Ross, Susan Skoglund, and Lynette DuClos UNiTE - Ending Violence Against Women - Orange Day PWS Coordinating Team - February 25, 2017 Back (L to R): Carol Valentine, Virginia Lundstrom, Eloisa Velasquez, Carole Wheeler, Jerri Rodewal, Susan Skoglund, Penny Silva and Linda Palmer Front (L to R): Karen Dwight, Judith Muller, Kelsey Law, Debbie Law, Anita Coleman and Janice Takeda 3

4 RIPPLES VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of San Diego Co-Moderators: Brenda Major and Ardelle Matthews Presbyterian Women's December Gathering included the Gathering of Children. The Program was the Voices of 140 Angels singing songs of Christmas. Presbyterian Women were hosted by the women of Trinity Church, in Spring Valley. Owning a Christian School allowed us to hear the music of the Bible and the Church unfold into the Birth of Baby Jesus. The students presented our Program. The Program started with Preschoolers and continued through Eighth Grade, each grade level joyously singing their hearts out as they sang the Christmas Story. Our Presbyterian Women were delighted with the Angelic sounds of the youngest to the oldest students. Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of Los Ranchos Moderator: Sharon Wakamoto Invitation for Fellowship, Learning and Lunch You are Invited to join the San Gabriel and Los Ranchos PW Gathering on April 29 th. Mary Danforth will be coming from Arizona to tell us about the PW Mission Experience to the San Francisco Bay Area last September. The issues of immigration, human trafficking, and domestic violence are encountered not only in the bay area, but also in southern California. We all share challenges in being part of God s beloved community. We would like to have every Presbytery represented at this event. Look for more details on the registration flyer on page 15 4

5 RIPPLES VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of Riverside PWC Moderators Moderator: Debbie Law Beverly Hartnett Desert Hills Presbyterian Cathy Calhoun Beaumont Presbyterian Gail Renz Hemet/San Jacinto Valley Marjie Boyer Calvary Pres. - Riverside Debbie Law First Pres. -San Bernardino Women of Victoria Linda Schachtel Victoria Presbyterian Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of Riverside, with six active Presbyterian Women in the Congregation groups, continues to be renewed as Sisters in Christ as we fulfill our Presbyterian Women Purpose. Our PWCs are using the Horizons Bible Study, Who is Jesus? In 2016, PWP celebrated our Annual Spring Gathering and Fall Prayer Retreat. The Spring Gathering featured House of Ruth and a Call to Action with Purses with a Purpose. House of Ruth assists families victimized by domestic violence and Purses with a Purpose collects gently used purses, fills them with feminine hygiene care items and gifts them to local women s shelters. PWP collected and filled 50 purses and gifted 25 to House of Ruth. PWP celebrated our Fall Prayer Retreat and Gathering, Reflections and Ripples, with featured guest speakers Rev. Claire Schlegel and Morgan Craig speaking on their experience at General Assembly. With six prayer stations, PWP centered ourselves in prayer as we answered: Who is Jesus? How do we reflect Christ-like love? How is Jesus reflected in us? Desert Hills: PW sponsored a Fall Luncheon with a Bake Sale at Hawks Landing. With other gatherings featuring guest speakers Bev Schmuckle from International Foot-Printers Association and Evan and Terri Hughes from Guide Dogs of the Desert. PW continues to sell white elephant items each meeting and continues to encourage more women to join Presbyterian Women. Beaumont: October Gathering- Guest Speaker Nandi Dyalchand from the non-profit organization that provides education to young lower-cast women of India. With a Christmas Gathering featuring a Barbershop Quartet, PW was entertained with a Christmas Carol sing-a-long. February Gatheringguest speaker son of a missionary serving in Africa and China. May Gathering- guest speaker Opal Singleton on local human trafficking. 5

6 RIPPLES VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of Riverside Victoria: PW has changed to Women of Victoria and continues the legacy of strength to meet the needs of those most vulnerable. Long-time PW, Rev. Nancy Richmond joins the Victoria family as Stated Supply for the next six months. Hemet/San Jacinto: Nov./Dec. Fall Festival- Includes a rummage sale with donations from their Family Life Center along with a full lunch/bake sale with recipes from their cookbook we had published a few years ago! Financed and completed all missions and ministry; The Open Table Lunch Ministry, The Community Pantry, Valley Restart Shelter, Habitat for Humanity, The Heifer Project, Journey Out, PWP Mission Pledge and other PWP support. During the Season of Advent, Sewing Circle made 44 Afghans and lap blankets for seniors in nursing homes and participated in Operation Christmas Child. OCC is from from Franklin Graham s Samaritan s Purse, which fills shoe boxes with toys, socks, and crayons for children around the world. Calvary: Also featured Nandi and Alda Dyalchand and their mission with the education of East Indian young girls. January featured guest speaker and Conscious Creative Coach Marianne Wagner of Overeaters Anonymous. In February and March, Celena Diana Bumpus, Leadership Chair of the American Cancer Society and the Leadership Council spoke to cancer prevention, detection and treatments. San Bernardino: PWC celebrated the 2016 Birthday Offering with guest speaker Dr. James Appleton of Foreman Christian College, who spoke to the strength of an intercultural/interfaith university in Pakistan. Our five Circles responded to a Call to Action with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and created 50 hygiene kits for the Ecumenical Gifts of the Heart Program. Our Thank Offering Gathering featured Rev. Eric Law of the Kaleidoscope Institute who spoke of the Seven Holy Currencies and how we can utilize relationships to develop gracious leadership. The 2016 PWC Alternative Christmas Market, A Journey of Memories, supported our Child Care Center, Lifeskillz/ Updraft, Forman Christian College, Living Waters for the World, and Presbyterian Mission Giving. 6

7 RIPPLES VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii sponsored World Day of Prayer-USA 2017 at Calvary Presbyterian Church-Wilmington, the largest Filipino congregation in the PC(USA). World Day of Prayer 2017 Am I Being Unfair To You?" Based on the parable of the laborers in the vineyards from Matthew 20: 1-16 Wilmington, CA - March 3, 2017 "Let justice roll like a river...for we shall go out with hope of resurrection." World Day of Prayer is a worldwide ecumenical movement of women of many faith traditions that promotes justice and equality for women through prayer, partnerships, service and celebration. The women of the Philippines invites us to consider these words, "Am I being unfair to you?" as they share in their stories of intergenerational wisdom, traditions, and experiences of God's profound love and acceptance. Come to the Circle "Come to the circle and tell your story. Come sing and share the world inside you. Come to the circle; your friends are waiting to listen and share their stories too." Informed Prayer, Prayerful Action Initiated and carried out by women in over 170 countries and regions, WDP brings together women of different races, cultures, and traditions. WDP affirms that prayer and action are inseparable and have immeasurable action throughout the world. 7

8 RIPPLES VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii Summer Conference Dean s Letter Dean of PWS Summer Conference, Rev. Judith Muller, invites Presbyterian Women and Their Friends to Chapman University in July You won't want to miss the upcoming Summer Conference, July 7-9, 2017 at Chapman University!!! Hello and Hola to all Presbyterian Women, This summer we will be meeting at Chapman University in Orange, CA for an inspirational and stimulating time together. The Rev. Melissa Bane Sevier, the author of the Bible Study on Hebrews, will be with us! As with other studies, this one promises to inform our faith and inspire our sense of Christian community. I hope you received your study book with your Horizon subscription. We will have some other wonderful guests. Carol Winkler, the national PW Moderator will be with us to bring us news of the Churchwide Presbyterian Women's activities. So will Kathy Reeves who will tell us about the Global Exchange program. The Rev. Eugenia Gamble from the Nipomo Presbyterian Church will update us on the ministry in Santa Maria. The workshops all sound so intriguing and will lead us into greater depth. The Mercado will have special opportunities to "meet and greet" which you won't want to miss. We have some wonderful surprises up our sleeves which will delight and engage you, singing with Shari, times of worship and times of fun. The best part will be having YOU with us! Registration forms will be out soon. Check with your local PW Moderator. Ask her about plans for the celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Fellowship of the Least Coin, then talk to your friends and make your plans. I'm looking forward to seeing you this summer at Chapman University, July 7-9. Judith Muller Conference Dean 8

9 RIPPLES VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 Presbyterian Women and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance In partnership with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Presbyterian Women are trained by National Response Team Instructors to prepare congregations and presbyteries in disaster preparedness. This collaboration between PDA and PW brings mission focused women to PW and increases the visibility of PW in congregations and presbyteries. PDA is able to expand their volunteer base, enabling them to prepare and respond to disasters in local communities. For more information on this collaboration and training visit: PW/PDA Disaster Preparedness Training Comes to Our Synod! The two-day PW/PDA Training will be on Thursday, July 6, 2017 from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. Friday, July 7, 2017 from 8 a.m p.m. This training precedes PWS Summer Conference at Chapman University in Orange, CA. This training is for women only, by application only. Training expenses will be reimbursed by PDA. You must attend the entire 8-hour training to be certified and commissioned as a PW/PDA Trainer. The PW/PDA Preparedness Training Flyer, Application, and Reference Form are attached and can be downloaded: From PWP Moderators On the PDA Website On the PWS Blog On the PWS Facebook Page Presbyterian Women recently sent Kelsey Law to this training. For more information or questions about applying contact Kelsey at law_kelsey@yahoo.com To Apply for PW/PDA Training: Complete All Forms Application and 3 References Completed Forms to Beth Snyder Beth.Snyder@pcusa.org Ext 5806 FAX to Deadline: June 23,

10 RIPPLES VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 Global Exchange and Fellowship of the Least Coin Global Exchange to Indonesia and Meet Jenny Mambu! Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii have been honored by the selection of Treeyse Jenny Mambu to participate in Presbyterian Women s 2017 Global Exchange in Indonesia. Jenny who works with her husband at the Indonesian Presbyterian Church of Fullerton as the Sunday School Director and is also an assistant director of Kids Connections of the First Presbyterian Church of Fullerton. Every three years, a group of Presbyterian women travels to another part of the world to hear the joys and pain of our sisters there, and share faith stories and ministries with one another. It is a global exchange because, the following year, a group of women from the same part of the world is invited to itinerate in synods and participate in the Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women, to share their stories. The cost of the trip is $5, for each participant. It is a hope that PW in each church and every presbytery in our synod will contribute as they are able to the 2017 Global Exchange. All donations must include a notation that the donation is for Global Exchange and all money must be forwarded from your presbytery to the synod treasurer, Pam Hodges. You may reach Jenny at jennymambu@gmail.com with questions regarding the Mission Experience and about scheduling a program. Fellowship of the Least Coin: Shanti Means Peace Celebrating 60 Years! Fellowship of the Least Coin links prayer and least coins in a very significant way, as the least coin becomes the symbol of prayer for peace and reconciliation. Fellowship of the Least Coin, an ecumenical prayer movement, was begun in 1956 by Shanti Solomon of India who believed that women anywhere could have a sense of being part of a worldwide family of faith as they prayed for peace and reconciliation and set aside the least coin of their country as a symbol of that prayer. As coins are gathered from around the world, they become a sign of our oneness in the common quest for peace, justice and reconciliation. FLC matters prayer and least coins are making a difference all over the world. Prayers and least coins allow us to envision a brighter future for many. For more information visit: Look For Presbyterian Women s Fellowship of the Least Coin Tubes at Gatherings, in Presbyteries, and in Congregations! FLC Tubes will be collected at the 2017 PWS Summer Conference 10

11 RIPPLES ISSUE 1 VOLUME 1 Honorary Life Membership and Commission of the Status of Women 2016 Honorary Life Membership Recipients and A Collaboration for Women s Empowerment 2016 Honorary Life Membership Recipients Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii Honors, Celebrates and Gives Thanks for: Doska Ross Pam Hodges Jean Vieten An Honorary Life Membership in Presbyterian Women honors an individual s faithful service in some area of church The caring, supportive hands represent women who seek to build an inclusive community of Presbyterian Women. The leaf represents growth of our personal and corporate response to Jesus Christ as we nurture our faith.the dove indicates our work for peace in our own lives and throughout the world, shown in the globe. At the center of the design is the cross, by which our sins are forgiven and we are freed to live in Christ who is at the center of our lives. The overall design is of a butterfly, a symbol of newness in Christ. A special Thank You from Unzu Lee to Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii for a donation to the World Student Christian Federation which aided in the attendance to the 61st Commission on the Status of Women Again, on behalf of WSCF, I give you my heartfelt thanks for the donation in the amount of $500 that was made by your PWS. I actually met one of the young women who came to CSW with the knowledge about where her help came from. Her name is Aude and she's from Rwanda. She is a survivor of the Rwandan genocide in which both of her parents were killed. What an incredible person she is! She is currently working for a women's empowerment project in Rwanda but is planning to relocate to the US in the near future. I hope she'll have a chance to share her experience and wisdom with PW once she's relocated. It's fun collaborating with you for women's empowerment! Be well, Unzu 11

12 RIPPLES ISSUE 1 VOLUME 1 Churchwide Gathering and Horizons Magazine Celebrate Presbyterian Women s 30th Anniversary at the 2018 Churchwide Gathering in Louisville and Subscribe to PW s Horizons Magazine The 2018 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women will be held August 2 5, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky at the Galt House Celebrate Presbyterian Women s 30th Anniversary!!! Nightly room rates are $149 per room and Gathering registration is $425 Horizons magazine provides information, inspiration and education from the perspectives of women who are committed to Christ, the church and faithful discipleship. Horizons brings current issues dealing with family life, the mission of the church and the challenges of culture and society to its readers. A Bible study is produced every year for individual or small-group study. Written by leading theologians and pastors in the Reformed tradition, it provides contemporary research and background information along with probing questions for what the texts have to say to us today. The publications produced by Horizons follow a 130-year tradition of publishing by women in the Presbyterian Church. Subscribe to Horizons Print Edition- 1 Year (6 Issues) - $ Years (12 Issues) - $44.00 (12% Savings) 3 Years (18 Issues) - $63.00 (16% Savings) Print Subscriptions receive: A free copy of the annual Bible Study and access to Digital Editions Digital Edition - Go Green! 1 Year (6 Issues) - $

13 RIPPLES VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 Connect With Presbyterian Women Who s Who - Connect and Stay Up-to-Date With All Things Presbyterian Women: You can find Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii here: Like our Facebook page and Subscribe to our blog for information on events, news, and pictures of our P-Dubs! f FACEBOOK Find us on Facebook! W WORDPRESS Subscribe to our Blog for Current PWS News pwsynod.wordpress.com DL ANTI-RACISM DIGITAL LIBRARY #AntiraceDL PWS Coordinating Team Susan Skoglund Moderator Rev. Judith Muller Vice Moderator, Synod Conference & Gatherings Carole Wheeler - Secretary Pam Hodges - Treasurer Carol Valentine - Historian Anita Coleman - CCT Representative Ruth Mandernach and Lynne Jackson Co-Membaers at Large - Justice and Peace Kelsey Law - Member at Large - Mission Virginia Lundstrom and Brenda Major Search Committee Co-Moderators Janice Takeda and Linda Palmer Search Committee Members Ardelle Matthews Member at Large - African American Women Eloisa Velasquez Member at Large - Hispanic/Latin Women Suzy Ramzy Member at Large - Middle Eastern Women Rev. Ann Hayman Theologian in Residence Presbyterian Women Liaisons Jerri Rodewal F.A.N. Leticia Morales Mujeres Hispanas Presbiterianas Shin-Hwa Park Korean Presbyterian Women Nermine Hanna MAL Middle Eastern Women to CCT PWP Moderators Sharon Wakamoto Los Ranchos Shari Stump Pacific Debbie Law Riverside Brenda Major and Ardelle Matthews San Diego Virginia Lundstrom San Gabriel Noni Patchell, Diane Kirkpatrick & Judith Muller Santa Barbara 13

14 RIPPLES VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 Presbyterian Women Stay Connected Links to Resources and Connecting with Presbyterian Women in the PC(USA) Call: (884) Save the Dates, Invitations, Scholarships, and Applications PWP Los Ranchos/SanGabriel 2017 Spring Gathering Invitation Page 15 PWS Summer Conference Save the Date Page 16 PWS Summer Conference Scholarship Application Pages PW/PDA Training Flyer, Application, and Reference Form Pages

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