P.W. Innovator. Presbyterian Women in Grace Presbytery. Volume 128 Pam Dotson, Editor 4th Quarter 2013

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1 P.W. Innovator Presbyterian Women in Grace Presbytery Volume 128 Pam Dotson, Editor 4th Quarter 2013 O Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining, It is the night of our dear Savior s birth. May you find quiet moments in the middle of this busy season to hear Jesus whisper to your heart, I am here. I am with you. You are my precious child. Surely I am with you always. Matthew 28:20 NIV

2 Keynote Speaker, The Reverend Dr. Joan H. Watson Mo Ranch Women s Conference Session I: May Session II: May 30-June 1 Every life lived fully is a sacrament to God" Worship Leader, The Rev. Ashley Hood Music Leader, Kathlene Ritch Designer, Deda Garlitz Chaplain, The Rev. Denise Odom Director, Rita Odom Co-Director, Liz Anzaldua Joan s deep commitment to ministry began as a young person growing up in the Presbyterian Church, and over the years it has found many forms of expression. She embraces the rich tradition of Reformed faith and has particular interest in worship, preaching and Christian formation. I believe we are created for God and find our completion and purpose only in God, Joan says. As a pastor I am called to proclaim the good news of this Gospel in its saving, healing, and transforming power through Jesus Christ. And I do so gladly. Conference registration will be 4-6 p.m. on the day of arrival, followed by dinner from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Conference concludes with lunch on the day of departure. What to Bring: Bring a Bible, notebook, flashlight, hair dryer, rain gear. Linens are provided. Bring shoes suitable for Mo-Ranch s rocky, uneven terrain. Scholarships: Mo-Ranch has a need-based scholarship fund to assist persons in being able to attend these conferences. Scholarship applications are available through or contact the Mo-Ranch Program Office at ext. 239 or program@moranch.com for details. Registration/Cancellation Policy: A deposit must accompany your registration. The balance of all fees will be due 60 days prior to the start of the event or upon registration if within 60 days. Full refund less $25 administrative fee per person will be made if cancellation is received more than 60 days prior to the conference. There are generally no refunds for cancellations received on or after 60 days prior to the start of the event nor any applying of the deposit toward other charges or future deposits. Cost and Housing : Total cost includes tuition, housing for 2 nights and all meals. Meals begin with dinner on the day of arrival and end with lunch on the day of departure. Women's Conference I: May Hotel Housing: $283 Wynne/Flato, Pheasant Run Group Housing: $273 Nicklos Place Women's Conference II: May 30-June 1 Hotel Housing: $302 Westminster, Wynne Flato, Pheasant Run Group Housing: $277 Milk Barn, Nicklos Place, Guest Lodge Dorm Housing: $249 Log Lodge Early Registration ends March 24. If registering after 3/24/14, please add $25 to all rates. For more information go to and click on Women s Conferences or call

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4 Save the Date! January 25, 2014 Too Busy Not to Pray A Women s Retreat Keynote Speaker The Rev. Katie Cummings Adult Ministries Pastor Grace Presbyterian Church, Houston It seems that the pace of our lives is faster than ever. As a result of this crazy busy pace, we are chronic sufferers of what author Bill Hybels calls hurry sickness the inability to intentionally slow down. Join us as we examine the biblical invitation to be still in God s presence; to pray for healing of our hurry; and to slow us down so we can listen, talk and walk with God to the fullest! The retreat will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Athens. Mark your calendar now for Saturday, January 25, 2014! Contact Carol Grainger at wgrain5238@aol.com or call for more information. Attitude is everything. Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly. Life isn t waiting for the storm to pass it s about learning to dance in the rain Global Exchange to the Caribbean Colleen Cates, Presbyterian Woman from First Presbyterian Church Athens, Texas, will be the first Global Exchange Representative from Grace Presbytery. Colleen heard God asking her to respond to the invitation to fill out an application for the 2014 Global Exchange and she answered yes! to His call. She has been accepted and asks for our prayers as she spends this year preparing to leave early next November. Colleen is 59 years old, married to Dr. Ron Cates, and they have two adult children. She is an RN currently working at their medical practice three days a week. She also is the primary caregiver for her mother, who is in Assisted Living due to dementia. She is responsive to the voice of God in her everyday life and is an advocate for women in all areas of their lives, encouraging them in their faith. One Heart, One Love, One Community The 2014 Global Exchange will take a group of U.S. Presbyterian Women to the Caribbean November 4 20, The trip will include visits to Trinidad, Curaçao and the Dominican Republic. While celebrating their partnership, U.S. and Caribbean women will explore issues of shared concern, including violence and reconciliation, witness and evangelism and leadership development. The PC(USA) s World Mission office, the Caribbean and North America Council for Mission (CANACOM) and the United Church of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands (UCJCI) are helping Presbyterian Women identify the most significant mission projects and church partners to visit during this fact-finding, relationship-building program. The U.S. women will be available to speak in their synods about the trip upon their return, and the January/ February 2015 issue of Horizons will detail the trip. Caribbean women will complete the exchange part of the trip by attending the 2015 PW Gathering. submitted by Carol Grainger

5 United Presbyterian, Cleburne On Sunday, October 20th, PW of United Presbyterian, Cleburne hosted Nancylee Hadley, a six-time missionary to India with Rahab's Rope. Following a delicious lunch, Nancylee shared the story of her calling to serve with Rahab's Rope. She shared stories of the women and children that have been served by the organization. As we collected our 2013 Thank Offering, it was exciting to hear how Rahab's Rope was one of the 2009 Thank Offering recipients. Nancylee told us of the many ways the grant gave them the foundation to benefit the women in India for years to come. We were also given the opportunity to purchase beautiful scarves, jewelry and other items to benefit the women and work of Rahab's Rope. Submitted by Jennifer Rigoulot, Moderator, United PC-Cleburne Stuffing Christmas stockings! PW at United Presbyterian in Cleburne met to stuff stockings for the teens and cottage parents at the Presbyterian Children's Home in Itasca. We filled the stockings to the brim and had fun bringing Christmas blessings to the teens and cottage parents!

6 PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP CATHY HENDERSON OAK CLIFF PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AUGUST 29, 2013 Cathy Henderson was surprised August 29, 2013 by the Presbyterian Women of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. with an Honorary Life Membership. Glennis Parker, 1 st Vice Moderator, presented the plaque and pin to her and high-lighted many of the activities and offices she has held in PW, including being an excellent Bible Study Leader. Cathy grew up in Oak Cliff Presbyterian Church. Her grandfather, Dr. Thomas F. Gallaher, served as minister of OCPC from Cathy followed the examples of her grandmother, Irma Gallaher, and her mother, Sarah Cramer, in serving in various leadership roles in PW. She was Moderator twice in her 20 years of PW service as well as holding other offices over the years. She helped revise the job descriptions for each officer and the Constitution and By-Laws for PW-OCPC. She has been our pianist in PW. She is a member of the Choir of the Celtic Cross. Some of her other volunteer work includes working with a group at OCPC called Together in Mission which makes gifts for the Presbyterian Children s Home, service men and women serving overseas, and jewelry for Grace Presbyterian Village. Cathy helps with activities at Grace Presbyterian Village and at World Day of Prayer Services. Her mother Sarah Cramer (now deceased) also received an Honorary Life Membership several years ago. Cathy and her husband, Arthur Henderson, have been married for 33 years. Arthur spoke at the award presentation about how deserving she is of the honor. Cathy continues to faithfully serve her church and her Lord. Submitted by Charlotte Strom Ways to Stay Connected by Jennifer Rigoulot, Grace Presbytery PW Communications Coordinator As your new Communications Coordinator for Grace Presbytery PW, I wanted to make sure that everyone knows how to stay connected, up to date, and get information in all ways PW. To find information you can go to gracepresbytery.com or gracepresbytery.org, click on Ministries, then Presbyterian Women. Here you will find links to resources, forms to be submitted, past issues of the PW Innovator and upcoming events. We have also started a Grace Presbytery PW Facebook page that can be found by logging into your Facebook account and searching for "Presbyterian Women of Grace Presbytery". Feel free to invite all of your PW friends to join and post pictures and information about what your local group is doing. We will also use this page to post reminders about upcoming events. Technology these days gives us many ways to stay connected!

7 Mission by Carol Grainger If you have not read the 2013 Thank Offering Dedication available online, I encourage you to look it up and read it. The scripture selected was like a light bulb going on. PW Mission is following the directions given to us. When PWs around the country work together, we make a difference in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus set the example of caring for the least of these for us to follow. As we move into Advent, let us be reminded of the hope of Christ s returning and our hope of living up to His expectations. As Heather Mclaughlin Sigler wrote in the dedication, It is my fervent hope that Jesus will be able to look at the work of Presbyterian Women and say, Come you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kindom prepared for you. To God be the glory. Amen. Matthew 25:31-40 from The Message by Eugene Peterson The Sheep and the Goats When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left Then the King will say to those on his right, Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what s coming to you in this kingdom. It s been ready for you since the world s foundation. And here s why: I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me Then those sheep are going to say, Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you? Then the King will say, I m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me you did it to me. Wishing you the peace, hope, love and joy of the Advent Season, Carol Grainger, Grace Presbytery PW Interpretation Mission FPC, Kilgore PW Mission Fair Scheduled in the Fall Our annual PW Mission Fair was Sunday, November 17, A homemade soup luncheon was served in our Fellowship Hall immediately after the eleven o clock worship service. We had representatives from our six projects giving a short program on their particular mission project including Helping Hands of Kilgore, Saturday Bread, Longview Interfaith Hospitality Network, Camp Gilmont, Presbyterian Children s Homes and Services, and Evergreen Life Services. Another of our plans was our fall cleaning of the sanctuary and chapel. This is a workday where our women come together to work joyfully for our church home. Submitted by Jackie Fout, Moderator, FPC, Kilgore

8 As of October 15, Rahab s Rope was established by the Presbyterian Foundation and the Presbyterian Mission Exchange as a mission partner. This allows everyone who visits the exchange to make an online donation, a single one or a recurring one. It will also allow the sharing of the news of Rahab s Rope ministry via the social media connections found on the exchange. What is exciting about this is we didn t approach them, they approached us! After the Big Tent in August and the World Mission Conference, everyone was hearing and wanted to hear about Rahab s Rope. Nancylee Hadley FPC, Grapevine Mission Advocate for Rahab s Rope. Love in Action Mission Ministry Report November, 2013 Nancylee H. Hadley *Mumbai *Goa *Bangalore Why India? Why should we support Rahab s Rope? Here is just ONE reason.. Of the 29 million trafficked in the world, "Almost half of the people enslaved worldwide are in India" million in India alone with most in forced marriages or prostitution. After India, China has the most with 2.9 million, followed by Pakistan (2.1 million), Nigeria (701,000), Ethiopia (651,000), Russia (516,000), Thailand (473,000), Democratic Republic of Congo (462,000), Myanmar (384,000) and Bangladesh (343,000). The USA ranked 131 of the 161 countries tagged. 10/17/13 Rueters News Buying and selling human beings is larger now than any other time in history, and it includes a global industry built on forcing children into sex. India is the epicenter of human trafficking. It tops the list of countries when it comes to transit, destination and source of human trafficking victims. According to the United Nations, the most dangerous place in the world to a girl or woman is India. Two hundred thousand Indian children a year are sold into slavery, many by their parents for a mere 17 dollars. Rahab s Rope is answering God s call to serve and share His Love and His Grace in India. Rahab s Rope is Love in Action Consider signing up to host a Rahab s Rope Party or shopping online ( (All money goes to Rahab s Rope. What a wonderful Christmas present to both the recipient and the mission.. twice a gift); Consider having a program about Rahab s Rope for your church or your PW; or Consider asking your Mission committee to pray or contribute at PC/USA World Mission Website. For information or questions, contact Nancylee Hadley (FPC-Grapevine) at Hnancylee@aol.com. (PC/USA Mission Advocate for Rahab s Rope & member of the PC/USA India Network Group)

9 Greetings Friends, This quote is a perfect expression of the many feelings and emotions I am experiencing right now. After a long period of prayer and discernment, many, many discussions with both Louisville and Presbyterian Church of South Sudan staff, the decision has been made that I will not be returning to Akobo or to South Sudan. It is with a broken heart that I type these words. If I was writing, you could see my tear stains on the paper. Being the eternal optimist that I am, I held out hope until the very last second that something could be worked out that would allow me to live there with the restrictions that would have been imposed to prevent or at least minimize the health risks associated with malaria for me and for the violence to subside that would allow for my return. As the quote says, I didn t want it to happen, but I have to accept it. I know I can t live without the people of Akobo and South Sudan, but I will have to let them go. They will always be a part of my heart and soul, and I am eternally grateful for the opportunities I had in sharing their lives if only for a short time. Paul Coelho says, If you are brave enough to say good bye, life will reward you with a new hello. In the coming weeks and days, we will begin looking for my new hello and to explore options for placement in other places in non-malaria zones. I don t know where God will be calling me next, but I do know that it will involve mission and ministry in some way. That is the one constant in my life. I know many of you have joined us on this journey of discernment through your words of encouragement, your prayers and your support. I can t thank you enough and invite you to continue as we move forward to a new phase of prayer and discernment for the future. I will be available for speaking during the next few months and would love to come and share the story of God s work with you and your congregations, and thank you in person for your support of our work in South Sudan and throughout the world. There is more information about that in this newsletter. May God bless you and keep you, my friends, and may the peace of Christ be with you all. Sharon Happy Birthday, Jesus! Each Christmas a family celebrated by holding a birthday party for Jesus. To remind themselves of Jesus presence, they placed a chair of honor for Him at their dinner table. The highlight of the party was singing Happy Birthday to Jesus and then blowing out the candles on a special cake. One Christmas a visitor asked the family s 5-year old daughter, Did you get everything you wanted for Christmas? The girl paused and then answered, No! It s not my birthday! from FPC, Grand Prairie, December newsletter

10 Two PW members of First PC, Commerce, visit CAM store in Maryville, Tennessee Two members of First, Commerce, Presbyterian Women recently took a trip to Maryville, Tennessee, to deliver a load of quilting materials to the Coalition for Appalachian Ministries (CAM). This ministry gives women and men an outlet to sell crafts and earn a living in a five-state area, all within the Appalachian Mountains. The Presbyterian Church is one of the churches that sponsors this mission project. Our PW member, Lindsey Priest, who at one time owned a quilt shop, had seen an article about CAM in Presbyterians Today a few years ago. She had planned to donate much of the inventory of her quilt shop to CAM when it was time to downsize. The Coalition operates a small store in Maryville. So on October 25 th, Lindsey Priest and Bettina Zvanut, drove to Maryville in a Suburban packed with quilt material, thread, needles and pins. It was the peak season to view the fall foliage, and it was also a busy time at the store with so many tourists around. Homemade weavings, knitted items, quilts, chimes, birdhouses, dolls and aprons----these are some of the items that are sold at the store which is operated by a lady whose name is Therica Brazeal, the Craft Cabin Manager. Other items sometimes donated are school supplies and clothing for women s shelters. Therica, the only employee, operates the store six days a week, overseeing the donated materials and keeping track of the sales of the items made by the crafters. In fact, she had to hurry to help Lindsey and Bettina unload the Suburban as she was busy with customers at the time. Therica assured them that the quilters will have tears in their eyes when they receive the materials since cotton quilting fabric sells for over $10.00 per yard in Tennessee. If you are interested in the store, their website is submitted by Toni Deaton Celebrating PW s 25th Anniversary at Fall Gathering- Eastminster, Dallas Many thanks to our gracious hostesses at Eastminster, Dallas. What a day of celebration as over 100 Presbyterian women gathered for our annual business meeting at Fall Gathering on October 19th. New officers were installed and the budget for 2014 was approved. The keynote speaker, Joy Durant, Moderator of Synod of the Sun, spoke about her experiences in India as part of the Churchwide PW Global Exchange of Carol Grainger, Grace PW Mission Interpretation dedicated the gifts of blankets for the Single Mothers ministry at Presbyterian Children s Homes. During lunch, several mission opportunities were displayed at tables around the room. Following lunch, a service of worship was led by Eastminster pastor, Rev. Sherry Holloman. Music was led by Melody Davis. A truly wonderful day was shared by all.

11 Dear Sisters in Christ, As we enter the Advent Season in preparation for Christmas, we rejoice in this special time in the life of our Church. I know many of you are involved in planning for family as well as working on special projects for the church. Hopefully you have found a booklet of Advent meditations to enrich this season and draw us closer to one another and to Christ as we reflect on hope, peace, joy and love. Many of you will be attending the womens retreat at Gilmont, and we look forward to renewing friendships there. If you have not made plans, consider making your reservation for this very special time for women. Also, begin to make plans for our Spring workshops. We will have many new workshops this year, including a workshop on the use of technology in our PW groups. What a concept we re entering a new age!!! We continue to be thankful for the blessing bestowed upon Colleen Cates, who will represent Grace Presbytery and the Synod of the Sun PW on the 2014 Global Exchange to the Caribbean. As a member of 1 st Athens, Colleen has answered the call and will be available to speak at your individual PW events. Lastly, a special thanks to the PW of Eastminster Presbyterian, Dallas, who hosted our Fall Gathering. It was truly an inspirational and meaningful experience to those who attended on that glorious fall day. In closing, Rusty Edwards, a Lutheran minister, wrote the text for We All Are One in Mission as a response to a bishop s letter stating that mission is to touch the lives of others with Christ s love. This hymn is found in our new hymnal on page 733. The theme recognizes that shared purposes are enriched by diversity and the last stanza reads: Now let us be united and let our song be heard. Now let us be a vessel for God s redeeming word. We all are one in mission, we all are one in call, our varied gifts united by Christ the Lord of all. May we have this spirit of reconciliation and mission during this Advent Season. Grace and peace, Mary Alice A Message from Mary Alice 2014 Grace Presbyterian Women Calendar of Events DATE EVENT January 25, Saturday February 7-9, Friday-Sunday February 28-March 1, Friday-Sat. March 29, Saturday April 5, Saturday May 27-29, Tuesday-Thursday May 30-June 1, Friday-Sunday May 31, Saturday August 9, Saturday September 27, Saturday October 25, Saturday November 1, Saturday November 21-22, Friday-Saturday Too Busy Not to Pray, Women s Retreat, at First, Athens. For more information, see details in this issue. Camp Gilmont Women s Retreat. See related details in this issue of PW Innovator. Grace Presbytery PW Coordinating Team will attend and have a Spring Workshop planning meeting. Stated Grace Presbytery Meeting, TBD Grace Presbytery PW Spring Workshops, United PC, Greenville. Grace Presbytery PW Spring Workshops, Central PC, Waxahachie Women s Conference I, Mo-Ranch, The Sacramental Life, Living Your Sacred Story. Keynote speaker is The Rev. Dr. Joan H. Watson. See related article in this issue. Women s Conference II, Mo-Ranch, The Sacramental Life, Living Your Sacred Story. Keynote speaker is The Rev. Dr. Joan H. Watson. See related article in this issue. Stated Grace Presbytery Meeting, TBD Grace Presbytery PW Coordinating Team meeting, TBD Stated Grace Presbytery Meeting, TBD Grace Presbytery PW Fall Gathering, TBD Grace Presbytery PW Coordinating Team meeting, Mission Center, Irving Stated Grace Presbytery Meeting, TBD

12 ATTENTION ALL HISTORIANS!!! A Note from Pam Dotson: Serving as editor of the PW Innovator newsletter for the women of Grace Presbytery for the last six years has been such a joy for me. By receiving your church newsletters and your articles and pictures, I have seen firsthand just how creative and industrious you, the women of Grace Presbytery, are. You are concerned about the people in your community as well as the people in our own country and those people around the world. The PW Innovator newsletter is a wonderful communication tool for all of us. The newsletter serves as a venue for: notifying PW of upcoming events, sharing with other PW groups our missions and activities, and celebrating our differences as well as our commonality. Karen Groman, who has been the Vice Moderator- Cluster Leaders, is the new editor. Karen also believes that the PW Innovator is a vital communication tool. Her first PW Innovator issue will be the lst quarter newsletter in 20l4. Please see that your church newsletters are forwarded to her either at her mailing address or by . Her information can be found at the bottom of this page. The PW Innovator is YOUR newsletter. It is only as informative as the information the editor receives from YOU! So please continue to send articles and pictures about your special events and projects. Now is the time to start gathering your PW history for your PW group. Don t wait until the last minute! Articles published in your church newsletter and PW minutes of your meetings are great resources for your church history. We want to have a record response this year from the Grace Presbytery churches. Your histories will be due by January 31, Send them to: Special Collections Historian John Bulow Campbell Library Columbia Theological Seminary P.O. Box 520 Decatur, GA You will also send a copy to Grace Presbytery PW Coordinating Team Historian: June Tinsley 108 Point O View St. Gun Barrel City, TX Remember to retain a copy for your files. I thank you for your encouragement and support these last six years. I look forward to our visits at Spring Workshops and at the Fall Gathering in October. It truly has been a privilege for me to serve you in this capacity. Fondly, Pam The deadline for submitting pictures and articles to the PW Innovator for the 1st Qtr. issue is February 1, Submit to: Karen Groman, 2009 Ruidoso St., Waco, TX 76712, kgroman@mygrande.net The PW Innovator is online at It 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 Are you looking for a special program? Do you want to know more about our work in South Sudan? Are you interested in learning more about World Mission? I would love the opportunity to come and share our story with you! It s been one of the greatest joys in my life to get to know you through sharing my stories, letters and blog, and through your letters and s. I would love to come for a visit if you would consider inviting me. As my time in South Sudan comes to an end, we will be spending the next few months discerning next steps. During that discernment process I will be available to come and share our story with you. If you re interested in having me come share with you, please let me know as soon as possible so I can work out a schedule.* I ll do this on a first come, first served basis, while also trying to be a good steward of time, money, and fuel by grouping visits together geographically. If you can help me connect with other churches or interested groups in your presbytery or synod, I ll be extra grateful! I love to participate in any of your church activities worship, preaching, giving a minute for mission or a children s message, etc. I also love to spend time with you during the Sunday School hour combined classes, breakfasts, fellowship time, etc. When possible, it s best to have space other than (or in addition to) Sunday morning worship to share with greater depth and focus, and share the stories of what God is doing in South Sudan. I can do this through a variety of formats, from simple storytelling to full Power Point presentations, and they can be adapted to any time frame you have available. I always look forward to sharing about my time in Presbyterian World Mission and the amazing work God is doing in this part of the world, along with stories of the lives people lead. I know that your community s interests and experience are unique, so I would love to work with you in planning what topics, formats, etc. to plan a program that will be special for you and your members. Here is a mix-and-match menu of ideas but these are definitely not the only possibilities! Settings: Sunday school (any age group) Special church event (potluck or otherwise) Choir practice (if the director is willing to give up a rehearsal! But please don t ask me to sing, I am so bad my grandkids tell me not to.) Confirmation class Youth group Young adult group Clergy Bible study Men s or women s groups Prayer breakfast Retirement home or nursing home Classroom (elementary, high school, college, seminary) Campus ministry Mission committee meeting Presbytery or synod meeting Church camp or vacation Bible school

14 Topics (I can focus on a couple of these, or give a broad overview of Presbyterian World Mission engagement in South Sudan): One of our Critical Global Initiatives : Addressing the root causes of poverty, especially as they impact women and children Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, seeking reconciliation amidst cultures of violence, including our own Doing mission in partnership with the global church Advocacy as Christian witness Opportunities for mission service, short and long term along with Young Adult Volunteers A note on expenses: The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will pay my salary during this time, so I neither need nor expect any kind of honorarium. My food, lodging, and travel expenses are not covered, however, and I will need your support in meeting those needs. We can discuss specifics as we plan, but please know that I will try to group visits by region and share the cost of airfare or car rental among several churches or organizations where possible. I m also happy to work with you if you have frequent flyer miles to donate for airfare, a borrowed car available for transportation within the area, etc. If you would like to invite me but cannot provide for my travel, please consider working with other churches or groups in your area to combine activities in the same week and share costs. If that is not possible, let me know and I ll look for other ways to cover those expenses. Thank you for your faithfulness in supporting me with your prayers, s, and financial gifts. They are truly essential in making our work possible. I am excited about sharing the story with many of you in person during the coming months! * You can reach me by (sharon.curry.south@gmail.com or sharon.curry@pcusa.org) or by phone (817)