The Messenger
We Are All Presbyterian Women
Message from the PW Moderator
Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
When I was invited to be Moderator of Presbyterian Women here at Village Church, I accepted the position knowing I was doing so without a co-moderator. I am just one of many previous moderators who have done so. One might think I am therefore performing my duties flying solo, but that absolutely is not the case. I have the immense pleasure of leading this PW Board whom I had no part in choosing, but boy was the Holy Spirit good to me. Coming from the corporate world, I know a cohesive team and one that is not. This one definitely is.
This group of faithful, intelligent, wise, and fun women respects each other, listens to each other’s points of view, supports each other, and enjoys each other’s company. That is a winning combination. These are volunteers, except Reverend Sally, who take their positions seriously and with great energy. I am incredibly grateful I have the privilege of collaborating with them on PW issues. I would like to introduce them to you below.
September is the month PW kicks into full gear again. I encourage all of you to go to https://www.villagepres.org/pw to find your people and your connections. On the front page of the site is a link to a new document titled “Women of Village Presbyterian Church, Let Us Help You Find ‘Your People’ Through Connectional Opportunities.” Hopefully this document will help bring women together in meaningful and wonderful ways.
I’m grateful for all of you and for all that we can do together.
Patty Slentz-Howard
Moderator
2023-24 Village Church Presbyterian Women Board Members
Patty Slentz-Howard
Denise Ray
Susie Latas
Lisa Mann
Barb Brown
Dee Couch
Linda Alley
Stephanie Morrison
Kate Unruh
Meredith Reynolds
Kay Findlay
Marvie Sneegas
Karen A. Reimer
Cindy Henderson
Susan Satterlee
Sarah Thomas
Carol Are
Rev. Sally Wright
PW Fall Kickoff: "Untangling Our Faith"
Saturday, September 16
9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Friendship Hall - Mission Campus
Sometimes it can seem that our faith has become a tangled mess, leaving us unsure of what we believe about God in light of difficult and uncertain circumstances in our lives and in our world. Though our situations may be different, the questions we ask when life is difficult are amazingly similar. Join us as we explore these questions and some that Jesus asked with a panel of community leaders.
Register at villagepres.org/pw by Monday, Sept. 11. Continental breakfast is included, and childcare is available. This event is supported by free will contributions. Contact stephaniemorrison132@gmail.com with questions.
From the PW Treasurer's Corner
Thank you for your generous donations this past year. We received over $13,000, which was used towards program expenses and mission giving. Through your generous giving at several of our events, 100% raised went to the groups below:
- Advent Celebration - $2,952 for Veronica's Voices
- Celebration of Faithful Women - $710 for Emergency Assistance
- $200 donated to Food Pantry
Lisa Mann
Treasurer
All are Welcome to PW Circles!
Our first PW Circle meetings for this new year will be coming up in September.
Please come and join us in one of our 8 Circles as we gather for fellowship and discussion of the new Horizons Bible Study, Sacred Encounters – The Power and Presence of Jesus Christ in Luke-Acts.
Most Village on Mission Circles meet the 2nd Tuesday of the month at various times of day. The Village on Antioch Circle meets at 6:00 p.m. the 2nd Monday of the month. All are invited to attend the Circle of your choice.
For questions and information regarding meeting times and locations for the Circle meetings, please contact Dee Couch, PW Circle Activities Coordinator (deecouch@kc.rr.com) or 913-707-7291.
For those who would like to order a copy of the Horizons Bible Study, it can be ordered directly from Presbyterian Women USA at https://www.presbyterianwomen.org/bible-study/sacred-encounters/; the cost is $10.00 plus shipping costs. We are looking forward to another exciting year with PW Circles.
Village on Antioch Women's Bible Study to Meet on September 14
After a summer break, the long-standing Village on Antioch Women's Bible Study group is starting back up! We will meet from 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. on Sept. 14 to begin a 6-week study called Breaking the Code: Understanding the Book of Revelation, by David deSilva in Antioch's Fellowship Hall. Rev. Anna Owens will guest-teach one session. Contact Jan Zimmerman with questions at janpricezim@gmail.com.
Amazing Graces Book Club Announces Selections for Remainder of 2023
The Amazing Graces Book Club choice for Sept. 6 is The Violin Conspiracy, by Brendan Slocumb. At our August meeting we made our picks for the rest of 2023.
The books to be discussed October – December are:
- Oct. 4 – The Rose Code, by Kate Quinn
- Nov. 1 – The First Ladies, by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray
- Dec. 6 – The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, by Gabrielle Zevin
Feel free to join us whenever you are able. All are welcome! We meet year round, usually on the first Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. Bring an appetizer, dessert or a beverage to share. We meet in homes, so please contact Sara Wallace at swallace01@gmail.com to be added to the email distribution.
Page Turners Book Group to Meet September 26
The Page Turners Book Group will start the fall season with a discussion of The Book of Joy.
In 2014, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the 14th Dalai Lama spent a week together. They exchanged ideas about ways one can find peace and joy even among the stresses and challenges of modern life.
Please join us! We'll meet in Room 127 at Village on Mission, Sept. 26 at 10:00 a.m. Contact Barbara Lee, lhlee@att.net or Ann Raikula, ann.raikula@sbcglobal.net with questions.
Save the Date - An Evening of Music with Mike Ashley!
Habitat for Humanity Women Build Event on October 28
Join a team of Village women for Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build on Oct. 28 for a full day of work. We’ll have meet-ups at both church campuses around 8:30 a.m. and carpool to the site. Bring a sack lunch and your favorite work gloves. If you’d like to participate, email lisa.harrison@villagepres.org.
Presbyterian Women's 2024 Churchwide Gathering in St. Louis - August 2024
“Do Everything in Love” will be the theme of Presbyterian Women’s 2024 Churchwide Gathering. Save the date: Aug. 8–11, 2024. Village Church women are planning to road trip to St. Louis, MO for the event. Save these dates, share these dates and plan to join women from around the country!
The gathering's theme is based on 1 Cor. 16:13–14, with daily themes such as: What Does Love Have to Do With It?; Loving Our World; Loving Our Neighbors; Loving Ourselves; and Loving Out Loud.
Connect with Rev. Sally Wright (sally.wright@villagepres.org) to show your interest in this once-every-three-years event!
Presbyterian Women
Email: laura.hobbs@villagepres.org
Website: villagepres.org/pw.html
Location: 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS, USA
Phone: 913-262-4200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PWofVC