The Messenger
Lead With The Light
Message from the Co-Moderators
My, May can be momentous! So many people experience a graduation of some sort, even if it’s just from season to season. As we wrap up our year as PW Co-Moderators, we reflect on the momentous year of PW joy and light. We are eternally grateful to all of our PW sisters who contributed their bright lights this year, and we are confident that the beautiful lights of Cindy Henderson and Susan Satterlee, our next PW Co-Moderators, will require us all to wear sunglasses as we head into next year!
Whatever new roles we each take, may we all continue to:
- look for God’s light
- work towards God’s light
- work with God’s light
- reveal God’s light
- share God’s light
- celebrate God’s light
- let God’s light guide us in every way.
Our final verse about light is 2 Corinthians 4:6: “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
Thoughts collected from PW Board members:
- A mouthful!
- Good reminder to trust in God – that brighter days come from darkness.
- This year I saw so much light in such a dark time in our world.
- Trust that God is with us always.
- Sparkle!
- In any disaster hope can be found.
- I feel like people who actually saw Jesus’s face probably saw some literal light.
- Faith leads us.
- Knowledge brings light.
- We can’t keep this light ourselves.
Many, many thanks for the opportunity to serve PW as Co-Moderators. We couldn’t have done it without our village of sisters.
Love and Light this month, this summer, and always,
Laura Langdon and Suzanne Willey, Co-Moderators
PW Has Something for Everyone
- Like to study the Bible? Check out one of several Circles at Mission or Antioch, or the Alive Now Bible Study.
- Looking for friendships with others at a similar stage of life? Find your people at Amazing Graces, Women with Spirit, or Women of Wisdom.
- Creative? Like to sew? Join Mission Sewing on Tuesdays or Thursdays.
- Need an idea for your next good read? You'd be welcome at the Amazing Graces or Page Turners book groups each month.
- Enjoy working with children? Volunteer with others to support Operation Breakthrough.
- Don't want to cook? Check out Ladies Who Dine.
If you'd like more information about any PW activities, or if you have suggestions to pass along to the PW Board, please contact either Co-Moderators Laura Langdon or Suzanne Willey, or Rev. Sally Wright.
My Faith Journey
I was brought up in a Christian family and have attended church most of my life. However, while attending church camp in the seventh grade, I believe I was blessed with the light of God. Not that my life was turned around or anything, but I do remember feeling a closeness to God at the camp.
Fast forward many years and my faith journey had it dry spells. I still believed, but wasn’t growing in my faith. When I joined Village in 1976, my journey sparked and I became involved with this amazing church. God’s light began to shine on me through others. Kindness and compassion were the norm at Village.
God’s light shines on us even in our darkest days. One of my prayers is: to have the light shine on others through me, so that I see them in your light not mine. Namaste -- the light in me honors the light in you!
-Anellen Neill
Spring Retreat Filled with Joy and Blessings
After four years and two postponements, it was with great joy that we gathered at Heartland Retreat Center in Parkville, MO. on April 22-23 for the PW Women’s Spring Retreat.
Approximately 60 women attended. We were blessed and challenged by the words of our key-note speaker, the Rev. Suzan Hawkinson, the inspiring music of our own Elisa Bickers, and wonderful afternoon workshops. It was such a blessing to be together, to laugh, to share, to create cards for those who need encouragement, to work on a beautiful cross banner that we will eventually present to our mission partners, Light A Candle, in the Dominican Republic. It was closed by moving worship and Communion led by our wonderful pastors Sally Wright and Melanie Hardison.
One of the many blessings of this Retreat was the women who worked so hard to make it happen. Cyndi and Jan would like to express our appreciation to the Retreat Committee: Kim Stratton, Mariann Sun, Joyce Bardeen, Joyce Scammahorn and Ann Colston. There were so many other women who helped with hospitality, creating Liturgical Art, service projects, and in so many ways, big and small. We can’t begin to name them all because there were so many. And most especially, we thank our Lord Jesus Christ, whose presence was felt and seen in the face of every woman present.
-Jan Zimmerman
(Select photo highlights from the Retreat follow)
All are Welcome to PW Circles!
Come join us in one of our eight Circles as we gather for fellowship and discussion of our current Bible Study, "What My Grandmothers Taught Me." We will share stories of our grandmothers, view a video, and engage in discussion of our current month’s lesson.
PW Circle of Village on Antioch will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, May 9, for a "bring your own food" dinner. Lesson 9 of the Horizons Bible Study will wrap up our Circle study year.
On Monday, May 23, Women Who Dine will meet at Panera, 135th and Metcalf at 6:00 p.m. All are welcome at this casual gathering. No agenda, just friendly conversation with new friends.
Village on Mission Circles
Most PW Circles of Village on Mission meet on the second Tuesday of each month.
For more information regarding meeting times and places for the Circle meetings, please contact Sherri Robeson at 913-219-9925 or email for more information.
Tuesday Mission Sewing Honors Gertrude B. Stern; Donates Ribbons Supporting Ukraine
On Tuesday, April 19, Mission Sewers dedicated the day to Gertrude B. Stern, Kansas' oldest resident who died April 11, 2022. Gertrude, a member of The Temple, Congregation B' nai Jeduhah, sewed for many years at VOM. She credited her positive outlook for her long life.
As the request of her family, in her honor, people were asked to participate in world peace. In response, Tuesday Mission Sewists made over 950 yellow and blue lapel ribbons to be placed at the entrances to VOM for members' taking, to show their support for the people of Ukraine. The white flowers honor her memory.
NOTE: Tuesday Mission Sewing has returned to its normal hours of meeting 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., with a break for lunch and fellowship at noon.
Thursday Mission Sewing Supports Children in Kansas Foster Care System
All are welcome Thursdays at Mission Sewing from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Page Turners Book Group Selections for May and June
Page Turners Book Group will meet Tuesday, May 24 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 127. We are happy to welcome new members and visitors. Having read the book is not a prerequisite, as our discussions are always thought-provoking.
The book selection for May is The Sisters Brothers by Patrick DeWitt, and is set in Oregon and California in 1851. It is a tale of two gunmen, the brothers Charlie and Eli Sisters, and their quest to hunt down a gold prospector who has stolen from their employer. Their journey on horseback provides the background for this picaresque adventure. The younger of the two, Eli, strives to appear tough and win the approval of his brother, but underneath he longs for the quiet life of a shopkeeper.
One reviewer says: “It’s all rendered irresistible by Eli Sisters, who narrates with a mixture of melancholy and thoughtfulness.”
Page Turners will continue to meet throughout the summer. On June 28, Ann Raikula will lead our discussion of Kimberly Duffy’s historical novel, A Mosaic of Wings.
Nora Shipley grew up sharing a love of entomology with her late father. Now, in 1885, she is contending for a scholarship in pursuit of her master’s degree from Cornell University. To increase her chances, and in spite of the opposition of her mother and stepfather, Nora embarks on a research expedition to India. The author gives us a window into society’s expectations for women in two very different cultures in the late 19th century.
It will be an interesting summer. Please join us!
Amazing Graces Book Club Selections for May and June
The Amazing Graces Book Club will meet on May 4 to discuss Standard Deviation by Katherine Heiny. The book for June will be Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang.
We’re happy to have you join us! We meet year round, usually on the first Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome (if fully vaccinated). We meet in homes, so please contact Sara Wallace to be added to the monthly email distribution.
Women with Spirit to Host Art & Wine Party on June 7
Women with Spirit is planning an Art & Wine Party in Shelby Krumm’s backyard on June 7. Please contact Rachel Ciordas at 816-309-0552 for more information or to RSVP.
Summer Schedule for VoA Women
VoA women will continue to meet on the 2nd and 4th Monday this summer, at 6:00 p.m. for dinner. The location may change, so check with the VoA office for the most up-to-date information.
Opportunity to Support Operation Breakthrough
Although the Operation Breakthrough reading program has not been gathering this Spring, the volunteers did collect personal care items for the school's pantry to stay in touch and to keep them in our thoughts.
Another way that individuals or PW groups can support the children at Operation Breakthrough is by purchasing items on the school's Amazon wish list. It includes items small and large, from crayons and toothbrushes, to building blocks and counting toys, or books and art supplies. Here is the link from their website.
Operation Breakthrough Amazon Wish List
All classrooms and departments post needs/wishes on the general wish list on Amazon. Items on it can be purchased anywhere. Click here to view the wish list.
A Truly Meaningful Celebration of Faithful Women
After two years of being unable to meet in person inside the church, the 2022 Celebration of Faithful Women (COFW) was held April 9 in the VoM sanctuary. Presbyterian Women (PW) greeted and embraced one another just as long-time friends do. It was touching and joyful!
In addition to expressing our appreciation for all PW, we recognized four deserving Honorary Lifetime Members – Linda Alley, Lexa Carr, Julia Scammahorn and Cindy Wilcox. Approximately 120 attendees were inspired by the message “Holy Friendship – Recognize, Sustain, Grow” delivered by Reverends Elizabeth Meador, Kari Pellegrino and Sally Wright. Marvie Sneegas also inspired us with her piano music.
We are grateful for all those who volunteered their time, talents and energy, each one helping to make COFW a beautiful and memorable event. And we especially thank those who gave generously in support of the Village Food Pantry!
- Beth Brame and Sharon Valasek
Reminder!
Presbyterian Women
Email: laura.hobbs@villagepres.org
Website: https://www.villagepres.org/pw.html
Location: 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS, USA
Phone: (913) 262-4200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PWofVC