The Messenger
New Eyes, Open Hearts, Able Hands: Grow - Connect - Serve
Message from the Co-Moderators
With the beautiful spring days and flowering trees filling our senses, the joy of Eastertide in our souls, and the gratitude of all we have experienced in the last year in our hearts, we are a little emotional in the knowledge that this is our last message to you, our dear PW sisters. We have had the delight of working with you, connecting with you, imagining, and realizing new ways, as Tom says, to “do the good that is ours to do.”
It has been inspiring to see the synergy between women working toward a common vision and what that produces! We are in awe of YOU! Whether you led an event, served on a committee, took a meal to a friend, shared God’s love with a stranger, offered words of encouragement at just the right time, made plarn, or gathered with women in warm fellowship, you made a difference and we appreciate you.
What if we continue to question and challenge,
- to trust and support each other,
- to recognize and honor one another,
- to dream big dreams,
- to reach out and be welcoming,
- to seek and to serve,
- to join together for study and laughter and service and growth?
If we do that, we will share a holy journey. It will be amazing to see all that can be done within this Holy Sisterhood we call PW!
In closing, we share a poem from Sarah Are Speed (@writingthegood):
IF I COULD GIVE YOU GENEROUS WORDS
I think the word “bless” may be
one of the most
generous words in the
English language;
for to bless another
is to wish nothing but goodness
and love and happiness
and while we’re at It -
wild, untameable joy,
on another fragile human life
and honestly,
what could be sweeter than that?
So to practice,
I thought I’d write you a blessing.
It goes like this:
I pray that your days feel like the first day of spring -
laden with new life, daffodils and possibility.
I pray that your sleep feels like rain in a drought -
nourishing and soothing all of life’s hard edges.
I pray that your love feels like the sun at dawn -
bit by bit, covering everything.
I pray that your worth is never in doubt
but more than anything -
I pray that you know
you are never alone.
Bless you.
Bless you.
Bless you.
I’m giving you my most
generous words.
With joy and gratitude,
Cindy Henderson and Susan Satterlee
Co-Moderators
Message from the Moderator-Elect
Fellowship Growing and Expanding
A year ago, I was approached by the nominating committee to consider accepting the position of Moderator-Elect for Presbyterian Women at our unique, amazing, and strong church. I was told to think about it for a few days and then decide. I could have given my decision right then for the simple reason that I wanted to get to know more women at the church. I knew little if anything about PW, but felt this request was the perfect answer to my prayer.
During this past year, I have met many, many incredible women. They’ve given me support and strength when I felt completely lost and overwhelmed and they shared laughter and tears with me. The best news of all for me is that I will get to know many, many more women going forward.
Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Our PW organization is known for its great work and power for making things happen in the Kansas City area. When I think of all of the interesting, wise, strong, and truly fun women in our church, I feel our potential is not yet realized. When I stop and consider the various pockets of women’s fellowship gatherings within our church, I wonder how it would be if all of us got together.
Our church is blessed with thousands of extraordinary women who serve God in multiple ways. Some participate in PW and others do not. So how do we meet? How do we get to know each other better? How do we educate each other? How do we open our spheres of influence?
I imagine gatherings for edification purposes. I also imagine a potluck followed by singing campfire songs led by whoever wanted to stand up in front of all of us and lead. Of course, there may be a new leader for each song. The older girl scouts could teach the younger girl scouts new songs, and vice versa. Or how about square dancing with a live caller? Those who felt energized could join a square. Those who didn’t could happily sit on the outskirts clapping to the music and/or laughing at how poorly we were doing.
The point is I would love for the various factions of Village Church women to gather often for the purpose of growing knowledge, learning about more opportunities to serve God, and just plain being together. I truly believe the more we are connected the more impactful, and powerful we can be as a community in our community. When I consider how much we can learn and experience by being together it fills my heart with joy and awe. Our church is full of wise, smart, and delightful women. Just being together will give us a chance to meet those we may not otherwise meet. Let’s gather together.
Blessings and gratitude,
Patty Slentz-Howard
Moderator-Elect
"Circle of the Month" - Circle 7
Circle 7 meets at 12:00 noon on the 2nd Tuesday of each month in Rooms 126-127 at Village on Mission. Ann Bohrn is the Circle leader.
Our group welcomes women of any age to study the monthly Horizons lesson and socialize as we enjoy lively fellowship and Bible lesson discussions. Many participants are long-time members. Our compassionate leader Ann Bohrn shares, “The long tradition of sharing a meal together continues as we have potluck lunches at the September and May meetings.”
Kathy Peterson’s description of Circle 7 reads like a prayer. “Circle 7 means women with deep faith. Faith that has brought us through loss, illness and times of uncertainty. We share our concerns for others and seek ways to understand and help. There is always a bit of laughter interjected to keep us reminded of better times or days ahead. I can not remember when first attending Circle, but still hold dear and draw strength and insight from all the ladies throughout the years."
We would love to open our discussions and hearts to any new members. For more information, please contact Ann Bohrn, Circle 7 Leader at abohrn@everestkc.net or 913-634-2939.
Women of Wisdom - Lunch on May 3 at LongHorn Steakhouse
Hello, WOW friends! We hope this finds you doing well as we announce our mid-spring lunch gathering to which all Village women are warmly invited.
We are scheduled for Wednesday, May 3, at 12:00 p.m. at LongHorn Steakhouse, 9551 Metcalf Avenue (in the site of the former Metcalf South Shopping Center). The restaurant can be accessed from northbound Metcalf, or from 95th Street by turning south at the light on Barkley Street, driving past Lowe's, turning right, then winding your way a very short distance southwest to the restaurant.
LongHorn Steakhouse is a casual, comfortable setting with a frontier theme, and the lunch menu includes sandwiches, salads, and soups that feature steak, chicken, salmon, etc. We would love to share conversation, fellowship, and tasty food with you and perhaps a friend of yours, and hope so much that you will join us. Please RSVP to Diane Lee at 913-432-4321 or dianelee@att.net by Tuesday, May 2. We really look forward to seeing you!
Amazing Graces to Host an Evening of Music at Meadowbrook Park
Women With Spirit to Meet in June
Join Women with Spirit at Stone Pillar Winery on Thursday, June 8 at 6:00 p.m. for fun and fellowship amongst the grape vines! For more information or to RSVP, email Rachel Ciordas at rachelciordas@gmail.com.
Mission Sewing Celebrates Helen Kennedy's Years of Service
We would like to introduce Helen Kennedy to those of you who might not know her. Helen has been coming to Mission Sewing since she can remember, at least 20 years. Her most recent projects are to cut and sew a woman's dress every week. These initially went to City Union Mission, but now go to the Village Clothes Closet where they are very much in demand. We just recently celebrated Helen's 98th birthday at Mission Sewing with cake and song and well wishes. Her faithful drive to Mission Sewing every week, and her beautiful creations, are truly an inspiration to all of us.
We continue to appreciate donations of woven cotton fabrics and now Christmas fabrics as we look forward to making 300 Christmas gift bags for our agencies.
Sallie Veenstra and Mary Jo Meara
Mission Sewing Co-coordinators
Amazing Graces Book Club Dates and Selections for Summer 2023
The Amazing Graces Book Club has selected Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt to read and discuss on May 3. Along with reading the book, we are also recommending that everyone watch the Netflix documentary, My Octopus Teacher.
The books to be discussed June – September are:
- June 7 – The Plot, by Jean Hanff Korelitz
- July 5 – Next Year in Havana, by Chanel Cleeton
- August 2 – Mad Honey, by Jodi Picoult
- September 6 – The Violin Conspiracy, by Brendan Slocumb
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 swallace01@gmail.com to be added to the email distribution.
Amazing Graces Book Club - June 2023
Amazing Graces Book Clue - July 2023
Amazing Graces Book Club - August 2023
Page Turners to Meet on May 23 and Discuss "West With Giraffes"
Page Turners Book Group at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 23, for our discussion of West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge.
Lynda Rutledge’s novel takes place in 1938 and is based on true events. It is the story of a 17-year-old who drives two giraffes across country from New York to the San Diego Zoo.
One review says the book is “permeated” with the spirit of Depression-era America.
We will meet throughout the summer. Visitors are always welcome — please join us.
For more information please contact Barbara Lee, lhlee@att.net or Ann Raikula, ann.raikula@sbcglobal.net.
PW at VoA Celebrating Jean Glasebrook's 103rd Birthday with Card Shower
All are invited to join us in celebrating Jean Glasebrook's 103rd birthday on May 26 with a shower of "Happy Birthday" cards. Her address is:
12000 Lamar, #203
Overland Park, KS. 66209
PW Horizons Bible Study Workshop
"Sacred Encounters: The Power and Presence of Jesus Christ in Luke - Acts"
With Author Rev. Olive Mahabir
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 12
Friendship Hall - Mission Campus
In this PW Horizons Bible study, Rev. Olive Mahabir invites readers to consider Jesus, “the good shepherd” (Luke 10:15), who shared the Good News through sacred encounters with everyday people. The workshop is sponsored by Presbyterian Women of Heartland Presbytery, Mid-America Presbyterian Women and Presbyterian Women of Village Church.
Come for a continental breakfast from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m., a session with Rev. Mahabir from 10:00 a.m. - noon, lunch from noon - 1:00 p.m. and another speaker session from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Cost is $25 a person, and we do ask that you register by August 4.
Check https://www.villagepres.org/pw.html for registration information.
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: August 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 S. 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