PW Innovator. Presbyterian Women in Grace Presbytery. Schedule for the day:

Transcription

1 PW Innovator Presbyterian Women in Grace Presbytery Volume 125 Pam Dotson, Editor 1st Quarter 2013 The Gift of Hope: Standing on God s Promises You are invited to: Grace Presbytery PW Spring Workshops 2013 Saturday, April 20th, Central PC, Waco, 9191 Woodway Dr., Waco, TX or Saturday, April 27th, FPC, Bonham, 818 N. Main St., Bonham, TX Schedule for the day: Registration: 8:30 a.m. 9:15 a.m. (snacks/light refreshments to be served upon arrival) Gathering (Worship): 9:15 a.m. 9:45 a.m. (offering will be taken for mission) Class I 10:00 a.m. Class II 11:00 a.m. Lunch 12:00 noon Class III 1:15 p.m. Gathering 2:15 p.m. (final group gathering for Benediction/Safe Travel home) REMINDERS: Bring $8 for bracelet kit for craft workshop Bring books you ve read for Book News workshop w/3x5 card saying why you liked them Bring mission projects and patterns to share with others during Missions workshop Bring twin bed sheets for Single Mother s Home in Weatherford Bring 2013/2014 Bible Study Book for Bible Study workshop (if you ve received yours) All officers, whether new at the job or seasoned, please plan to attend officer training (Inside this newsletter you will find more details, registration forms, and a map to each church.)

2 Mission Crafters of Central Presbyterian Church, Waco Mission Crafters of Central Presbyterian Church, Waco, recently toured the new Hillcrest Hospital NICU and donated 17 bags of Heart to Heart squares (large size as requested). The babies were cute! One only weighed about 2 pounds all were under 5 pounds even several sets of twins. They currently have 21 babies in NICU and some stay as long as 3 months. submitted by Karen Groman FPC, Bridgeport, Welcomes PC(USA) Missionary, Cindy Morgan PC(USA) missionary Cindy Morgan visited with Martha's Circle Presbyterian Women Ann Scott and Marie New at FPC Bridgeport in January. The Morgan's serve God and the people of Bangladesh holistically and have for a lifetime. Les Morgan and Pastor Lucia grew up together at FPC Shreveport, where Les remembers her as "this tall!" Immense gratitude to Cindy and Les for heeding God's call to "go and do likewise.". We are all blessed and humbled by your love and light. Prayers go with you. Mark Your Calendars Grace Presbytery PW Fall Gathering will be held Saturday, October 19, The location will be announced later. Please add this event to your calendar and plan to attend. Part of our business will be to install new officers and approve the 2014 budget. We will have worship, fellowship, and good food! You don t want to miss it!

3 Listed here is the selection of workshops you can enjoy when you attend the Grace Presbytery PW Spring Workshops at Central Presbyterian Church, Waco, on Saturday, April 20th, or First Presbyterian Church, Bonham, on Saturday, April 27th. Overview of the 2013 Bible Study entitled: An Abiding Hope: The Presence of God (Exodus and Deuteronomy). The Rev. Dr. Lucia McKee Kremzar, assisted by Kathy Moriarity, will introduce us to our 2013/2014 Horizon s Bible Study. Missions: Sharing of Ideas with Carol Grainger, Grace Presbytery PW Interpretation Mission Coordinator. Those attending will share with each other what their local PW mission projects are. Attendees are encouraged to bring samples of things made or patterns if they would like to share them. Carol will have suggestions, resources and ideas. Officer Training for Grace Presbytery PW Coordinating Team Liaisons with Karen Groman, Vice Moderator, Liaisons. Officer Training for Moderators, Co-Moderators and Treasurers with Mary Alice Harry, Grace Presbytery PW Moderator and Joanne McClendon, Grace Presbytery PW Treasurer. (All PW moderators, comoderators and treasurers are encouraged to attend.) Officer Training for Secretaries and Historians with Pat Taylor, Grace Presbytery PW Secretary and June Tinsley, Grace Presbytery Historian. Crafts Bracelets with Paula (Polly) Adams. Polly retired from her position as secretary at GHS. She lives in Greenville with her husband, Charles Jon, a retired teacher. They are the parents of Holly and Mitch and the grandparents of Katie, Emily, Sarah and Charlie. They are members of United Presbyterian Church-Greenville. Polly enjoys making jewelry and is a volunteer Pink Lady at Hunt Regional Hospital in Greenville. She also volunteers at the Audie Murphy/American Cotton Museum. $8 for kit Note: Kits for the bracelets shown here will be available to purchase. Since the class size is limited to 15, the workshop will be given three times. $5 for kit Book News: Landscapes of Hope in Books Old and New with Rev. Mona Bailey. Mona received her Master of Theology degree from Perkins School of Theology at SMU. She retired in 2005 as Stated Supply Pastor of a 160-year-old rural church, Corinth Presbyterian Church, a church she had shepherded for over 20 years, at Parker, Texas. She has also served in many chaplain positions, has supervised chaplain students, and taught classes at Collin County Community College and at Perkins School of Theology, SMU. She has held positions in Grace Presbytery, the Synod of the Sun and the Presbyterian Church (USA). She was a pastoral counselor in the Middle East at the conclusion of the Gulf War. Mona is a frequent leader of retreats and workshops at conferences and served as Director for the Montreat 1997 Presbyterian Women s Conference. She and her husband, Mike, are the parents of a son and a daughter and currently live in Fort Worth. Note: Participants are asked to bring books they have read, enjoyed and found particularly helpful. If you bring a book to share, please write on a 3x5 card a brief note telling why you liked the book. Mona will also share/describe some books for personal devotions and prayer.

4 A message from Interpretation Mission Coordinator, Carol Grainger SPRING, YES, SPRING is coming and that means our Spring Workshops are coming too. This year we will have a Mission workshop at our meeting, and I need your help. Please invite someone from your PW to bring samples of your Mission projects. This can be an item, a picture, or someone to talk about your mission projects. They can be local, regional or world missions. Even if you do not have a project, please come and find an idea to take back with you. We will have a time to share, to learn together, to listen to Mission Reps, and a time to refresh in God s word on Mission. Do you remember our Fall Gathering in Weatherford? We had a visitor from our Single Mother Home in Weatherford and Sharon Chevalier shared that many of the women were doing well and moving forward with their lives, but the sadness in her eyes when I said what a marvelous job she was doing went straight to my heart. I will never forget her response, You don't know how many I have to turn away! In our small way, Grace Presbyterian Women are reaching out to help. We have worked with a computer store and in February we will donate four computers to the Single Mothers Home. The store is donating two and we are getting a price break on two. These computers will help these single mothers to learn and practice skills they will use in the workplace. Another way we can help is by bringing twin bed sheets to donate to the home. Please bring them to the Waco or Bonham workshops!!! Looking forward to seeing each of you, Carol Grainger PW at FPC, Belton Plan for the New Year PW of FPC, Belton celebrated Christmas by enjoying a luncheon for members at a local restaurant. Eleven women were present. Instead of a Chinese gift exchange, realizing all our individual blessings, we donated additional toiletries for our homeless project we accomplish twice yearly. Our women voted to begin working on a fall bazaar, and the meetings began in January, We have so many ideas and so much talent, we are sure this will be a two-fold project: one, we are looking forward to more fellowship and a chance to share with each other, and two, we look forward to choosing a specific mission to be the recipient of our profits this event. We ve decided to meet twice monthly for 90 minutes to work together to produce products. We donated $1,000 to the Hurricane Sandy disaster, and Team II, led by Melinda Guthrie and Cathy Shoop, were instrumental in preparing the dinner meal for our local Body of Christ medical clinic workers. Over 20 workers are fed weekly by various local churches, and when it s our turn, we receive many compliments because our food is always home cooked! Spring is around the bend, and our heart pillows, muslin dolls, and toiletry bags are ongoing projects we will complete by 15 April. We are blessed by the fellowship of generous and compassionate women, and a loving God who guides us in all we do. Thanks be to God, Karen Fruehan, PW Moderator

5 FPC-Commerce PW Look Forward to 2013 At the January meeting of PW at First, Commerce, members voted to participate in a new mission project. Helon Razniak, one of our members, has been in touch with Peter Crouch with the Itasca Children s Home. Items needed for their new group home included single bed sheet sets. Our group agreed to donate 8 sets of white bed linens (pillow case/ sheets set) for the 8 single beds in the new Itasca Group Home. We are very pleased that we can help in this way. On Friday night, February 8, members of our PW enjoyed another Ladies Night Out activity at the home of Toni Deaton. Eleven ladies met for a book-share event, planned by Susan Reeves, where each person brought at least one book she had recently read and enjoyed. A synopsis of each book Standing are Beverly Housewright, Helon Razniak, Mona Towne, Kay Davis, and Martha Clevenger. Seated are Nila McQuary, Christi Mock, Grace Presbytery Liaison and Irene Humfeld. was given and most of the books were available to be borrowed by anyone who was interested in reading it. At the February circle meeting, a list of these books was given to everyone present. We hope to have another book-share event during the spring months. At the February circle meeting, we were delighted to welcome our liaison, Christi Mock, from United Presbyterian, Greenville, who attended and shared information from Grace Presbytery PW. Prayer from Claudia Anderson, Highland PC, Tyler I had copied this into my copy of a little book entitled A Diary of Private Prayer about 50+ years ago, thus I don t have a title nor do I know who wrote it. Father, where shall I work today? And my love flowed warm and free Then He pointed me out a tiny spot And said, Tend that for Me. I answered quickly, Oh, no not there Why, no one would ever see No matter how well my work was done; Not that little place for me! And the word He spoke-it was not stern- He answered me tenderly, Ah little one, search that heart of thine; Art thou working for them or Me? Nazareth was a little place, And so was Galilee. Bright and Beautiful! 2013 Women s Conference at Mo-Ranch May and May 31-June 2 Cost & Housing: Session I: Hotel $283; Group $273 Session II: Hotel $277; Group $249 After April 1st, all rates increase by $25. Lower your cost! Enter the following in other requests when registering online or contact our registrar. ENTER: NEW CHURCH New church groups can sign up and bring three registrants for the price of two. ENTER: FIRST First-time participants receive a $50 discount. ENTER: REFER + friend s name Been coming for years? Bring a new friend and you both receive a $50 discount. Register online at registrar@moranch.com or call registrar at , x229 Visit for listing of workshops, registration form, scholarship information and more.

6 Can you believe that we are well into 2013 and experiencing the A Message from Mary Alice hope of Lent and the promise of Easter? This season always brings to us hope, excitement and a sense of renewal. As we see the spring flowers begin to bloom, the daffodils are beautiful in my back yard, it truly gives a feeling of newness and excitement for the future. February has been especially inspiring with the opportunity to attend the Women s Retreat at Gilmont, to hear Dr. Mary Mikhael, our Bible study author for , speak on the continuing issues in Syria at the Grace Presbytery Meeting, and to attend the Synod of the Sun Meeting in Houston. Our Presbyterian Women continue to be vital and a recognized asset in our churches as we live into the purpose of PW. As we look forward to our Spring Workshops, encourage your PW members to attend and share information about the wonderful mission projects throughout our congregations as well as to experience leadership development and be introduced to our new Bible study, An Abiding Hope: The Presence of God in Exodus and Deuteronomy. As a new feature we will have tables from area organizations, a resource table, and articles for purchase from Pakistan and Guatemala. We will have wonderful book overviews and our craft activity will be a joy. Challenge yourself to read daily the poem found in this PW Innovator which Claudia Anderson shared with the participants at Camp Gilmont. This Lenten practice will encourage each of us to share our gifts with one another so that God may be glorified. Blessings to you and yours during this wonderful season of promise and hope, and I look forward to seeing you at the Spring Workshops!!! Grace and peace, Mary Alice Grace Presbyterian Women Calendar of Events 2013 DATE April 20, Saturday April 27, Saturday May 1 May 28-30, Tuesday-Thursday May 31-June 2, Friday-Sunday June 1 July 13, Saturday July 18-21, Thursday-Sunday July 24-26, Wednesday-Friday August 1 August 24, Saturday September 1 September 13 and 14 October 19, Saturday November 1 November 2, Saturday November 15 and 16 December 1 EVENT Grace Presbytery PW Spring Workshops, Central PC, Waco Grace Presbytery PW Spring Workshops, FPC, Bonham Deadline for submitting articles to PW Innovator for 2nd qtr. issue. Mo-Ranch Women s Conference I (see related article in this issue) Mo-Ranch Women s Conference II (see related article in this issue) 2nd qtr. issue of PW Innovator published Stated Grace Presbytery Meeting, FPC-Tyler Synod of the Sun PW Gathering, Grace Presbyterian Church, Houston, TX (see related article in this issue) Mo-Ranch PW Bible Study Conference Deadline for submitting articles to PW Innovator for 3rd qtr. issue. Grace Presbytery PW Coordinating Team meeting, FPC, Mabank 3rd qtr. issue of PW Innovator published Stated Grace Presbytery Meeting, Trinity PC-McKinney Grace Presbytery PW Fall Gathering, TBD Deadline for submitting articles to PW Innovator for 4th qtr. issue. Grace Presbytery PW Coordinating Team meeting, TBD Stated Grace Presbytery Meeting, FPC-Ft. Worth 4th qtr. issue of PW Innovator published

7 First, Athens: On Sunday, January 13th, we hosted our Ring in the New Year Tea. The Trinity Valley Community College Dixieland Jazz Band came to help us celebrate the New Year New Orleans style. We extended invitations to our Athens area churches as well as several sister Presbyterian churches in the East Texas area. Our Brown Bag Lunch is back by popular demand! On February 25th we had Recipes for Friendship, a fast-paced hour of food, fellowship, fun, mission and spiritual growth. Our craft fair is scheduled for March 23rd. Proceeds from this fair go to support our children s and youth ministry. First, Grand Prairie: Our Arts & Crafts Bake Sale earned over $700 to be divided between the Grand Prairie Food and Clothing Co-Op and Brighter Tomorrows. Grace First, Weatherford: To help celebrate the gifts of women, on Saturday, March 2, we are having a PW Brunch. We will enjoy scrumptious finger foods, tea/ coffee, a short program, and lots of fun and fellowship. We ask the ladies to wear a hat if they have one or we ll have some available to borrow. On Sunday, March 3, we will have our worship service led by Presbyterian Women. In 2013 Celebrate the Gifts of Women Sunday honors women through whom God is transforming the church in an emerging era. Using liturgy provided by PCUSA, our women will lead worship. The Way to a Happy New Year To leave the old with a burst of song; To recall the right and forgive the wrong; To forget the things that bind you fast To the vain regrets of the year that s past; To have the strength to let go your hold Of the not worthwhile of the days grown old; To dare go forth with a purpose true, To the unknown task of the year that s new; To help your brother along the road, To do his work and lift his load; To add your gift to the world s good cheer, Is to have and to give a Happy New Year. Author Unknown (to Highland, Tyler newsletter by Sue Adee) Wanted: Guitar Players When: At upcoming PW Spring Meetings Saturday, April 20 Central, Waco Saturday, April 27 First, Bonham If you would like to be a part of a fun-loving guitar ensemble, please contact Toni Deaton for more information. jimtoni54@hotmail.com Thank you, Historians!!! To all Historians who submitted their 2012 PW and church histories to June Tinsley in January 2013, many thanks. It s not too soon to start gathering information for next year s report. Be sure your PW has a person assigned as Historian. There will be a special training workshop for Historians at Spring Workshops. Plan to attend!

8 Greetings from Akobo by Sharon Curry, Missionary to South Sudan Greetings! I was reading a book today and the words on the page were such a great description of how I feel about Akobo, I thought I would share them with you. I looked at the people then, and I saw how busy they were, how much industry and energy described their lives. Occasional glimpses into huts revealed astonishing cleanliness and then I saw how beautiful they were. Shantaram, Gregory David Roberts First I see how beautiful the people are. The women are tall, elegant, graceful, their lowallas (long scarves tied over their clothes) blowing in the breeze. They just seem to glide through the air in the business of their lives often times with huge baskets or sticks as tall as they are balanced on their heads. The men are impeccably dressed, walking tall and proud, many with their walking sticks or crutches that remind me we are not so far from the time of war. They walk with purpose as they go from one place to another or gather under the trees to laugh, talk and discuss what it is that is important to men. The children are like children everywhere who are free to romp and roam and play in the countryside and roads throwing rocks not knock the nuts from trees, rolling their wheel down the street with a stick, playing with trucks made from cardboard boxes and old bottle caps. I laugh at the little boy with his arrow made from a stick and piece of string who hides behind our tree every day and hunts the big game in the grass across the road. They are a little dusty and dirty, they run, they play, they laugh and they argue and they work it out. And, that is how it should be. They are all beautiful people, full of love and life and a joy beyond comprehension. What a difference a week makes! Last week I was sitting in a 5 star hotel in Washington DC. This week I am sitting in a small room surrounded by boxes, trunks, parts of tents, water filters and more, praying the electricity will stay on long enough for me to finish writing to you. What an amazing testimony to God s unending beauty and grace this homecoming has been. I arrived in Akobo on Tuesday of last week and each day has been an incredible blessing from the people I have returned to. I know I said before that my arrival in Akobo the first time was as close to arriving in heaven as I could imagine. Except for a little hiccup or two, this was even better. It is hard to describe in words the beauty and the emotions associated with this return. Perhaps the best way is to just tell a story or two Our arrival this time was met with some surprise and many You DID come back. I can t even begin to describe the welcome from the ladies who cared for me at the compound where I stayed before and from the ladies of the church. There was much laughter, tears, singing, dancing, hugging and joy cries (high trilled voices raised in praised). I knew how happy I was to be returning but I could never have anticipated their joy in seeing me again. It has all been repeated when we went to the church to give our greetings. There is joy and there is peace. Those are some words that come to mind to describe the last few days. There is much joy in returning and there is much peace in finding my way back to the places that were familiar and some unsettledness in finding the changes that have occurred that are not always so good more foreign aid workers, more NGO (non-government organization) activities with their increased traffic on the roads, among other things. And there are good things too a community at the compound where I am staying of people committed to serving others in a very tough location. It has been fun to watch the reactions of new people as they arrive and begin to get settled. To see the looks of amazement on their faces as they realize this is all there is. To see their surprised faces as the bats come flying in and out of the dining room. To watch them jump when they walk past the building where the bees swarm or to see the look of realization as they begin to comprehend that the chicken is quiet now and we are having chicken for dinner or lunch. It makes me realize I had all these same reactions last year, and yes, I am still ducking at the bat that is flying overhead as I type this. And, I admit I picked my feet up when the mongoose wandered in, checked things out and left again! I also realize that I knew all of this, and more, and I chose to return to this harsh land full of beautiful people because there is no place I would rather serve God than right here, right now. I had read the reports about the devastation left behind after the flood waters receded. It is one thing to read the words on the page. It is another to hear them first hand. I met with the Presbyterian Women today and one of the things we talked about was what they see in my role here, how can I help them. They want to learn new agriculture methods. The words on the page don t have tears in their eyes as they stand in front of you and say, the floods took all our wheat and all our sorghum. Even the forest where we can go when there is no food is gone. I think back on the young woman who spoke today. She stood proudly and came to the front to address everyone. I was impressed as she spoke with conviction and passion. She said, We are free now. We have a voice. We have never been able to speak before. Always before the men spoke for us. Always before the elders spoke for us. Now we are free, we fought the war and now we can speak for ourselves. We have a voice. We fought for it. Now we will use it. We are young women. What you teach to us we will share with our children and we will change our lives and our country. We thank you for coming. We thank you for helping us. We will teach you and you will teach us. I just wanted to cry! But that is what it is all about, teaching them so they can teach others and change their lives and their country. It is a rare privilege to be a part of history like that and I thank God for blessing me with the opportunity. And I thank you for your part in bringing me here. It is not really me they are thanking. It is you, the people who allow me the opportunity to serve God, you and the people of Akobo through your prayers and support. (continued on next page)

9 Greetings from Akobo continued The Journey Faith that Saves, Akobo Hospital Stabilization Center- Nutrition Program for the Severely Malnourished hospital ward That is the title of my Daily 3- Minute Retreat that I enjoy most days. Part of the meditation today reads, Throughout his ministry Jesus insisted on the importance of faith. We are challenged to see with the eyes of faith. Faith recognizes the light of Jesus presence and provides freedom from all that blinds us. Faith, touched by the gentleness of the Lord, allows us to follow Jesus on the way. I thought I would share today s journey with you and see if you can tell me how many times you see the light of Jesus presence along the way It is not a pretty journey, but it is a journey that will take us from a table with food I was too hot to eat to a visit to the hospital stabilization unit for severely malnourished children and on down the road to see mercy and grace in action guided by a guardian angel, or perhaps, it is Jesus, I will let you decide. See the man in the grey shirt? That is him. The shirt is hiding his wings. There are angel wings there I am sure. I watched him work today. And as I tell you about watching him, I will tell you another story. It starts with a little boy. His name is Dhol. He is three years old with these bright beautiful eyes. I met him sitting on his bed next to a lady in a pink dress with one arm. He is a tiny thing sitting there with his hands peacefully folded in his lap. He never moved, except to turn his head away as I approached the lady in pink to greet her as I made my way through the ward. His eyes would follow me and I squatted down to be eye level with him and he just turned his head. I brushed my finger across the skin on his arm and he just glanced but there was no reaction. He did react when I took his photo. I had started at one end and worked my way to the other where Dhol is sitting. I would snap a picture and show it to the ladies with the children. They would laugh and smile and for a moment their fear slipped away as Sam and I made our way through. It is hard to think something as simple as a photo could bring such joy, unless you have never even seen what you look like except in a ripple of water. Back to Dhol and his photo. He looked straight ahead as I snapped the picture, big eyes full of curiosity. I stooped down so I was eye level to him and showed him the picture. He grinned from ear to ear and his eyes sparkled, for a moment. He just sat and stared until his aunt said kalas (finished) and I took the camera away. As we were sitting in the dining hall Sam came in and said he was going to the commissioner s office to see about a boat. I needed to go there, so I asked him if I could walk with him. Sure, no problem. We stopped at the hospital on the way and that is where I met Dhol and the others. That is where I saw mercy and grace in action led by Sam. First of all Sam is this kind gentle soul with a belief in God that is one of the biggest I have ever seen or experienced. But to watch him with the children and the family members is a dance right out of heaven. When we arrived at the commissioner s office I watched the dance begin again as he quietly and confidently asked the guard to see the commissioner. We learned that he had gone somewhere else today and they didn t know if he would come back today or not. That didn t deter Sam, remember he has a faith that saves. He quietly and gracefully asked if there was another way to make it happen and we were directed to the vice commissioner s home. When we arrived, we waited, for a bit and were greeted by him. The vice commissioner listened patiently to Sam s story and quickly agreed to go back to his office and write the letter granting the lady permission to travel with the child and to waive the fee on the boat. Less than an hour later we were on our way back to the compound, letter in hand. Mercy and grace dancing down from heaven Because of Sam s dance with God, because of his never ending faith and the mercy and grace that draped this day, Dhol will have a chance at life. A chance he would not have had if he had stayed in Akobo. A chance he would not have had if it were not for commitment of people like Sam who hide their wings and go through life committed to serving God confident in the faith that saves. They do it with mercy and grace, with love and commitment, they do it with love in their hearts for the work they are called by God to do. I am so honored and humbled when I am privileged enough to walk with these angels. Thanks be to God! Sharon ***** The Journey-Humbled in Prayer There are moments in time that become a part of the fabric of your life, a piece of the quilt that lasts a lifetime. Some are beautiful, light and airy tapestries and some are dark and heavy. It is in the dark and heavy pieces that we find God is there holding all the pieces together. While I try to share as many of the light and airy stories with you, sometimes I am compelled to share a heavy one or two. Today is such a day I was supposed to have a meeting with the women today and while we were waiting some were gathered around laughing and praising me for how well I can read a 1st grade primer. They don t know that every single person that has tried to teach me Nuer has used that very same book! I never make it to the 2 nd grade primer before I have moved or my teacher has moved. As we were sitting and laughing 2 vehicles went down the road followed by one filled with soldiers and people. A short time later a large group of people came running from the countryside to the town followed by soldiers the whole atmosphere changed! (continued on next page)

10 The women started gathering up their chairs and heading for the church. We always meet outside but I didn't think it was strange when we went inside. (I am a little slow sometimes!) The women usually meet alone, today the pastor in charge came in and sat in the corner by the door. I didn t think much about it. I knew they were upset. I could tell by the tone of their voices and the looks on their faces. Some of us have seen it that abject fear that changes a person s whole demeanor. Some had just shut down that no life behind their eyes kind of blankness the affects of Post Traumatic Stress, I assume. When Rebecca (the leader and my translator) got there I told her I can't understand the words you are saying but I can understand your faces and I see your fear should we cancel our meeting and have a time of prayer instead? She said let me ask the ladies and that is what they decided to have a time of prayer. They decided to pray for one hour and go home. Three hours later we left. All around me women were sniffling and you could hear the sobs and the crying out to God in ways I have never heard in our culture. For those of us who kneel, we kneel with our knees bent and our thighs straight, usually leaning on the pew in front of us. We have padded kneelers or carpet to soften the impact on our knees. These ladies had nothing but a hard, broken concrete floor with chips and stones, holes and cracks, and the air to lean on. We were on our knees, my head and hands touching the floor. I had folded myself into this little ball, as small as I could, and I kept trying to make myself smaller as I prayed. I prayed harder than I think I ever have in my life. After a while my knees were numb to all the tiny stones and chipped concrete and bits of sand and dirt. I felt so humbled by their pain and by their grief; their petitions to God for help and saving. For his mercies on the women and children who have been kidnapped and for the boys and young men who are fired up and excited, ready to go fight for the honor of their people. (We have a report now, more than 500 women and children are unaccounted for). I couldn t pray for just one side or the other. I don t know if they did or not. I just knew that I had to pray for peace for all God s people here. Have you ever prayed so hard that you had sweat pouring from every pore in your body? That is how it was today. I have never prayed so hard for something I didn't know what I was praying for in my life. I just knew there had been an attack, I knew there were groups leaving town in a hurry and some were running back into town apparently being chased by soldiers. I knew it wasn't good. When the people came running back in town I first heard it was the neighboring tribe coming to attack. I found out later it was our youth coming from the countryside to join in the fight. I only pray that they, and more, don t get caught up in the crucify him attitude where the excitement sweeps through the crowd and people are swept up into something they might not have done otherwise. And so, tonight I continue to pray for the kidnapped women and children. For the ones fighting on all sides, for the ones stirring the fighting and the ones who want to stop it. I pray for the safety and the protection of all involved. I pray for the families who have lost loved ones and I pray for those who wait anxiously for word. I pray for the soldiers and I pray for the peacekeepers. I pray for the pastors on both sides who are preaching we cannot win the battle with guns. Guns will not bring back our women, children and cattle. We can only win this battle through God and prayer. And, I invite you to pray with me. With us. It has already been a heavy fighting season and we are just beginning. Shalom, Sharon PS. You may have read or heard about the recent attacks in Akobo. Please know that I am safe. The attacks were in the far reaches of the county. I DO appreciate you love, care, concern and prayers. Thank you!! In Akobo the children are planting seeds given by the Presbyterian Women of Grace Presbytery at their Fall Gathering in October I am attaching a photo of me making a mud stove... I couldn't resist! I had to get in there and play in the mud too.

11 News from Judia Forman, PW Moderator, Synod of the Sun: Synod Gathering in Houston in July Get away from the heat and humidity and traffic as you worship, learn, have fun and fellowship with Presbyterian Women in Synod of the Sun and beyond. Several of the staff from Churchwide in Louisville, Kentucky will be attending as speakers or workshop leaders. Two really cute energetic young, young women will be leading a workshop on Jewelry Prayer Projects for Mission and/or Fun. You will not want to miss that workshop. Mary Marcotte will be leading a workshop on the Horizons Bible Study: On the Horizon: God s Enduring Love and Guidance The People Shaping Story of Exodus and Deuteronomy and there will be room for everyone to hear her as she always has a crowd for her workshop. There will be inspirational worship, many wonderful workshops and speakers including The Reverend Dr. Unzu Lee. Dr. Lee was born and raised in Korea until age 14 when she immigrated to Brazil and at 17 on to the USA. She is not only a captivating speaker but has a beautiful voice and has been known to break out in song during her talk. Mary Cook Jorgenson, PW Churchwide Coordinating Team Moderator, will give the opening plenary address entitled: Better Together. They have thought of everything including a variety of optional activities such as Bridge, stitchery, Tour of Brookwood Gift and Garden Shop and even the Galleria. The part I like best is getting to see all the wonderful Presbyterian Women and some who are from other denominations and even a few men gather in worship, learning, fellowship and just plain fun. Have you registered yet? Go to to register online now! The dates are Thursday-Sunday, July 18 21, 2013 at Grace Presbyterian Church, Ella Lee Lane, Houston, Texas. The theme is Faith, Endurance and Wholeness, James 1: 2-4. I will look for you at the Synod Gathering!! Sum it up in a word: blessed. Women gathered from far and near at Gilmont, February 8-10, 2013 to share stories of God s great love and mercy, to fellowship, and to retreat together, exploring the work of God s angels and how they have touched our lives. Veeda Javaid, Executive Director of Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan (PEB) was in the country and blessed us with her testimonies from abroad. Her witness to the work of the Presbyterian Church in Pakistan was full of stories of God s provision over past generations. Rev. Dr. Lucia McKee Kremzar, pastor at First Presbyterian, Bridgeport and Grace Presbytery PW Bible Study Moderator, was our shepherdess for the retreat. She guided worship, prayer, and our focus on the theme, Whom Shall I Send. Lucia s Gilmont Women s Retreat 2013 heartfelt prayer for her life was answered during our time together as God used her to spread the Good News. Kay Jordan brought a special friend, Rev. Bette Dobbe, who shared a few stories with us about being one of the first female pastors in the U.S. Kay also brought lovely scarves from the S.H.E. project that supports the women of Pakistan who would otherwise have no way to support their families. Another special guest was Mary Alice Harry our Grace Presbytery PW Moderator. Free time on Saturday was enjoyed in a variety ways. Jane Els, hosted Gilmont Afternoon Tea Time with hot tea, cheese crackers and fresh baked orange/cranberry scones, a real treat! Some shared an episode of Downton Abbey, some hiked to the top of the hill, and others opted for time alone for reflection. Women from FPC Tyler, Knit Wits, sold their beautiful knitted scarves, washcloths, baby items, etc., with 100% of collected monies going to support Camp Gilmont ministries. Sunday morning Lucia announced that Main Street Presbyterian Church, Honey Grove had lost their church structure. We prayed and sent our blessings through our worship offering to them. Plan to attend the fifth annual Gilmont Women s Retreat in February next year!

12 Saint Andrew PC, Denton, PW Participate in Market for Mission Elizabeth Hagen Clarice Luce and Barbara Kindred Mary Frances Van Pelt On Sunday, December 9, 2012, Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church in Denton held their annual Market for Mission. Our PWA decided to raise money for a program called Instruments of Change. A member of our neighboring church, First PC-Denton, Beverly Hoch-Steinel was our speaker in January. She visits Haiti with simple musical instruments and teaches leadership and life skills to children at risk by providing instruction, instruments and enrichment. One of our members, Elizabeth Hagen, has participated in many craft fairs and she dedicated many of her creations for our sale. There were hats, purses, hobo bags, Kindle covers and gift card holders. During the year we bought a number of trellis yarn necklaces from a PWA in Birmingham that was supporting children s schooling in the Republic of Congo. These necklaces sold quickly so we learned to make them for our Market for Mission. At the Market they were so popular that we resorted to taking orders to be filled by the following Sunday. We made over $500 and will have enough to fund a second mission project. During 2012 we bought some play equipment for our own Children s Place Preschool. We serve 83 children so perhaps in 2013 we can purchase additional equipment for them. Submitted by Nancy L. Griffin, PWA Secretary, St. Andrew PC, Denton The deadline for submitting pictures and articles to the PW Innovator for the 2nd Qtr. issue is May 1, Submit to: Pam Dotson, 204 Plantation Dr., Kemp,TX 75143, (903) , hpdotson@aol.com The PW Innovator is online at The PW Innovator is in color and can be read online or printed out for later use. To get your PW Innovator by , notify the editor. The PW Innovator is published four times a year; first week in March, June, September, and December. Notify the editor by mail or to remove your name from the mailing list. The newsletter is available by mail, free of charge, to those without access to the Internet. All Moderators and Circle Leaders need the PW Innovator. The Grace Presbytery Coordinating Team communicates timely information to your PW group through this newsletter.

13 The Gift of Hope: Standing on God s Promises Central Presbyterian Church 9191 Woodway Dr., Waco, TX Saturday, April 20th, 2013 Please register by April 12th (see map/directions on back) SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Registration: 8:30 a.m. 9:15 a.m. (snacks/light refreshments to be served upon arrival) Gathering (Worship): 9:15 a.m. 9:45 a.m. (offering will be taken for mission) Class I Class II Lunch Class III Gathering 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 12:00 noon 1:15 p.m. 2:15 p.m. (final group gathering for Benediction/Safe Travel home) Detach & mail with a check for $8.00, payable to: Presbyterian Women-Central PC, Waco Mail to: Martha Ginsburg 4924 Cobbs Dr., #5F Waco, TX (leave message) office@cpcwaco.org attn.: Martha Ginsburg Name: Address: Officer position (if applicable): Church:

14

15 The Gift of Hope: Standing on God s Promises First Presbyterian Church 818 N. Main St., Bonham, TX Saturday, April 27, 2013 Please register by April 19th (see map/directions on back) SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Registration: 8:30 a.m. 9:15 a.m. (snacks/light refreshments to be served upon arrival) Gathering (Worship): 9:15 a.m. 9:45 a.m. (offering will be taken for mission) Class I Class II Lunch Class III Gathering 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 12:00 noon 1:15 p.m. 2:15 p.m. (final group gathering for Benediction/Safe Travel home) Detach & mail with a check for $8.00, payable to: Presbyterian Women-FPC, Bonham Mail to: First Presbyterian Church ATTN: Sharon Terry 818 N. Main St. Bonham, TX info@fpc-bonham.org Name: Address: Officer position (if applicable): Church:

16