Message from the Moderator

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1 Newsletter of Presbyterian Women Synod of the Pacific Pilgrimage December 2011 Message from the Moderator Your Synod Coordinating Team met in October at Westminster Church, Sacramento. We had a productive meeting and are very grateful to Jean Rae Pilcher and Mary Harbison-Sindle for their gracious hospitality. Foremost in our planning was the Churchwide Gathering in Orlando, Florida, July 18-22, We will hold our Synod Luncheon and Annual Meeting on Saturday, July 21 at the Gaylord Palms Resort. Information is elsewhere in the Pilgrimage. We hope you will plan to come meet with others from the Synod and participate in the annual meeting. Barbara Clark will report on the Global Exchange to India and Norma Sherman will share her USA Mission Experience to South Dakota. We also began planning for our next Synod Gathering in Watch for details late in The strands at the Gathering will be Migration and Trafficking. The Geneva Jensen Award was granted to Marion Medical Mission (water for Africa) sponsored by Southminster Presbyterian Women, Boise, Idaho. The $1500 awarded will help pay for shallow wells in Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania. Marsha Landrith, Cascades Presbytery and Synod of the Pacific, was one of three women to receive a scholarship to attend the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women February 27 March 9, 2012, as part of the Presbyterian Church (USA) delegation. The focus will be on the theme of The empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty and hunger eradication, development and current challenges. Her scholarship was one of three to bring women from rural areas of the United States to advocate at the United Nations. We tease Marsha that there is no place much more rural than Lakeview, Oregon. She maintains that the entire state of Oregon is classified rural which must be a surprise to those in the Portland Metro area. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved. God will help it when the morning dawns. Psalm 46:4-5 NRSV Churchwide Gathering July 18 22, 2012 See page 3 Your coordinating team looks forward to seeing you in Orlando. Meanwhile, read and enjoy the articles here in the Pilgrimage. Mary Lou Williams, Moderator

2 Justice and Peace Thoughts And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 Ending Violence Against Women The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), originally passed in 1994, was the first federal legislation acknowledging domestic violence as a crime. Since 1994, it has been expanded to cover dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. It provides federal resources for community-coordinated responses to violence against women, including training on these issues. The International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) was introduced in Congress in 2007, but has not yet passed. The Foreign Relations Committee voted in December 2010 to pass the bill, and it will be re-introduced to Congress this year. It would, for the first time, make stopping violence against women and girls a priority in United States diplomacy and foreign aid. The legislation is designed to stop the brutal violence against girls and women that afflicts communities and countries across the globe domestic violence, rape, acid burnings, so called honor killings and other gross violations of human rights. What you can do Urge your legislators to reauthorize and fully fund the VAWA and to cosponsor the I-VAWA when it is re-introduced. For additional information Visit: Visit: Contact: Meagan Manas at 718/ ; Meagan.manas@pcusa.org?\ ********** Mark your calendar: March 23, 2012, Washington, D.C. Compassion Peace and Justice Training Day, focus will be Presbyterians and Economic Justice. Cecilia Moran, Justice and Peace Coordinator??Horizons Highlights?? Here s a suggestion to help spur Horizons readership in your PW Circles. A week before your Circle meeting, ask a member to select an article in the latest issue of Horizons that was of interest to her personally. Have her bring the issue with her to the meeting, and speak briefly five minutes on the topic. Make Horizons an open item on your agenda; perhaps more women will read this great magazine. Give it a try! 2

3 Plan Ahead for Churchwide Gathering When? July 18 22, 2012 Where? Orlando, Florida, the Gaylord Palms Hotel and Convention Center Registration includes ten meals, all programs, tote bag, and program book. Besides a full Gathering program, other things to do include Disney World, Cirque du Soleil, Seaworld Orlando, Universal Studios, Epcot center. Online registration opens December 1, 2011, at Credit cards only online. Mail registration opens January 15, 2012, payable only by check. Send completed original form with check to PW Gathering Registrar, 100 Witherspoon St., Louisville, KY Registration booklets available from Presbytery PW Moderators, or from Synod Moerator, Mary Lou Williams, NW 26th Ave., Vancouver, WA 98685, or mlwms41@aol.com. Gathering T-Shirts will be made in India and are sweat-free. Each shirt will have been sewn by a woman who had been trafficked; your purchase helps her build a new life as she learns a new trade (and they are a yummy plum color). Give Hope Through A Gift Card If you are going to the Churchwide Gathering in Orlando, consider bringing a $20 gift card to be collected for Beth-El Farmworker Ministry. The ministry helps migrant farmers in three Florida communities Wimauma, Immokalee and Arcadia. Beth-El offers worship services, extensive educational programs, a food pantry, child care and many other services to support migrant workers. Gift cards can be from one of the following stores: Target, Kmart, Walmart, Lowe s, Walgreens, or Costco. You also may donate a $20 VISA gift card, which is accepted at any of these stores. Even if you cannot attend, consider sending a gift card with someone who is. The gift cards will be collected at the Gathering registration desk/tote-bag pickup area and dedicated during a worship service at the Gathering. As a PS, I have had the opportunity to visit Beth-El and would recommend Mission Excursion #50 which goes to the Immokalee Campus. It is Thursday, July 19, 1-6 p.m. Mary Lou Williams, Moderator 3

4 Leadership Development Grant Program The Leadership Development Grant Program has been created to enable women to participate fully in the life and mission of Presbyterian Women and the church, which in turn strengthens the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). has complete information on grants available to ease your funding problems in these times of tight money. You will find forms and directions on who can apply and how to apply. For what purposes will funding be granted? Individual and group grants: To assist Presbyterian women and their global sisters to develop and strengthen leadership skills through participation in leadership education events, including conferences Event/Project grants: To support PW organizations in presbyteries and synods who are organizing events and working on projects that will strengthen the Presbyterian Women organization and further its goals Block grants: To assist PC(USA) groups and entities, whose purpose is aligned with that of Presbyterian Women, in organizing events intended to strengthen women s leadership Gathering scholarships: To provide scholarship assistance to women who reflect the diversity of the church, so that they may participate in the Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women Note: No individual person or entity will be eligible to receive grants more than once in a four-year period, with the exception of the block grants. Remember that Kathy Mattson, Elsa Amboy, and Cheryl Hunt attended Leadership Training Fall 2010 and came back with all sorts of activities to share with any Presbyterian Women s groups that would like to invite us into your community. Have program; will travel! Katharyn Mattson PWS Leadership Development Coordinator katharynmattson@msn.com Birthday Offering An Update: The Creative Ministries committee has awarded 2012 Birthday Offering grants to programs helping orphans in Romania, trafficked girls in Georgia, and solar installation projects and training in the Synod of the Sun. Look for more information in your Horizons, January / February Both the Birthday and Thank Offerings are opportunities for Celebration Giving in a personal way. Perhaps you might honor a relative s birthday though the Birthday Offering. Send a card to the one you honor with a note telling about the program recipients. Are you thankful for someone s gift of friendship and support? Honor them with a gift to the Thank Offering. We can acknowledge those important to our lives by Celebration Giving. Peace, Cathy Ures 4

5 More on the Gathering Have you read all the information about Orlando? It looks like there will be many new activities book chats at lunch, a silent auction. There is also a chance to make up a scrapbook page about your PW s mission projects. We had pages done at the Mod + 1 last April; San Jose and San Francisco PWP s each did pages. I d like to suggest that if you intend to take pages for display at the Orlando gather, that you share them in the Synod Mission Scrapbook afterwards. I ll be checking beforehand to see if this can be done, and will keep you posted. Looking forward to seeing you in Orlando, Florida, In July Cathy Ures, Mission Interpreter Coordinator Silent Auction Items Needed At the 2012 Churchwide Gathering, attendees will have the opportunity to bid in a silent auction on handmade crafts, one-of-a-kind experiences and other fun gems collected by synod coordinating teams. All proceeds will benefit the Birthday Offering, Thank Offering, or Mission Pledge synod s choice. So we need to collect these items. If you have an item to contribute, send it to Mary Lou Williams, Synod Moderator, NW 26 th Avenue, Vancouver, WA, and I will deliver them to Orlando. This should be a fun opportunity for all who are there and we will be shopping with a purpose. Mary Lou Williams, Moderator San Francisco Theological Seminary Auxiliary News The SFTS Auxiliary Board met on November 14 to hear reports of last year s events and to plan for the coming year. Future events include: Inauguration of the Rev. Dr. James L. McDonald on Feb. 10 and 11, 2012 Seminary for a Day on May 11, 2012 Horizon s Bible Study on September 8, 2012 This is an exciting time for the SFTS community... new students, new staff, and a new President. Listing the events does not begin to convey the joy and anticipation felt on the campus. Dr. McDonald has said that he hopes the inauguration celebration will be festive and fun. Seminary for a Day is a great time to learn about theological education, to tour the campus and to meet staff, faculty, and students. Nancy Benson-Nicol, Chaplain at the College of the Ozarks, and author of the Horizons Bible Study Dispatches to God s Household The General Epistles has agreed to be at SFTS on September 8, Will you plan to attend all of the exciting events? Joan Runyeon, Vice Moderator/SCT 5

6 Geneva Jensen Fund Grant Given The Coordinating Team is pleased to announce the award of the 2011 Geneva M. Jensen Trust Fund grant of $1,500 to Water for Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania. The project is related to Church of Central Africa, Synod of Livingstonia and Synod of Nkhoma, Malawi; CCAP of Zambia; Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania. The grant will enable the building of three wells. The wells will be located near an existing water source using simple local materials, featuring an enclosed top and an easy-to-use hand pump. The wells are dug by villagers who line them with bricks they make. Piping and pumps are provided by the Marion Medical Mission Sponsors. The wells provide clean water for the villages. Geneva M. Jensen was a Presbyterian woman who had a deep interest in the mission needs of our synod. In her will, she established the Geneva M. Jensen Trust Fund. Approximately $1,500 from the fund alternates yearly between national and overseas mission needs. Grants are awarded annually at the fall meeting of the PW Synod of the Pacific Coordinating Team. The 2012 grants will be for mission projects inside the USA. The application deadline is October 1, Applications must be endorsed by Presbyterian Women in the Congregations or Presbyteries within the Synod. Applicants may use the 2011 forms. Project Proposal Forms are available from: Mary Lou Williams NW 26th Avenue Vancouver, WA Questions may be addressed to Mary Lou at the above address, or by telephone at (360) or by toml41@aol.com A Prayer before a Christmas crib I open the stable door; I kneel before the infant; I worship with the shepherds; I adore the Christ child. I give my love with Mary and Joseph; I wonder at the Word made flesh. I am aware of the love of God; I sing glory with the angels; I offer my gifts with the wise men. I receive the living Lord; I hold him in my hands; I go on my way rejoicing, Glorifying and praising God. David Adam, from Celtic Daily Prayer. 6

7 Geneva M. Jensen Trust Fund Applications Due Applications for the Geneva M. Jensen Trust Fund Awards are due October 1, Five copies of each proposal should be sent to Mary Lou Williams, NW 26 TH Ave., Vancouver, WA, Copies of the application form will be available at the Synod Luncheon of the Churchwide Gathering, Saturday, July 21, 2012, or from Mary Lou. Questions may be addressed to her at the above address, by phone ( or by to The Geneva Jensen Fund was established to provide support to mission activities of the Synod of the Pacific. Approximately $1500 from the fund alternates yearly between national and overseas mission needs. Grants for 2012 will be awarded to a national project nominated and endorsed by a group of Presbyterian Women in the Congregation or Presbyteries within the Synod of the Pacific. The project funding requests should: Meet a crucial need for persons who are hurting, or be judged of critical importance in accordance with current priorities of the church. Provide aid which relates directly to the persons involved. Offer some indication of the changes, either long term or short term, that may take place as a result of funding the project. Ensure that no group of people will be deliberately excluded from being served by the project. Projects should identify any possibilities they have for improving conditions of life for women and minorities. Be seeking a one-time grant. Give evidence of all funding sources including others being explored. Describe the process to be used for evaluation of the project. Provide written endorsement of a Moderator of Presbyterian Women in the Congregation or Presbytery. This proposal must include a brief description showing the needs to be met, the basic project goals and objectives, and the evaluation process. Mary Lou Williams Moderator, Synod of the Pacific Presbyterian Women 7

8 PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN SYNOD OF THE PACIFIC Geneva M. Jensen Trust Fund Project Proposal Form 1. Project Title 2. Project Address Telephone ( ) 3. Presbytery (or national church if outside USA) to which project is related 4. Attach a brief description (using Geneva M. Jensen Trust Fund Criteria for Project Proposals as your guidelines) of (a) needs to be met, (b) basic project goals and objectives, and (c) evaluation process. (Limit, one page total). 5. Funding Information: a. Enclose a copy of the project budget. b. Total cost of the project $, Amount requested $ c. List other sources of funding for this project 6. Indicate how check is to be written (Church policy prohibits funding grants payable to individuals.) Payable to: 7. It is the responsibility of the proposal writer to obtain and forward to the Synod Coordinating Team the proper endorsement of a sponsoring group of Presbyterian Women in the Congregation or of PW in the Presbytery along with copies of the proposal and budget. If this proposal receives a grant, you will be expected to provide a written report on the progress of the project to Presbyterian Women in the Synod of the Pacific. Contact Person Signature (type or print) Relationship to project Address Telephone ( ) Notes: 1. Please submit five (5) copies of the proposal by October 1, 2012 to: Mary Lou Williams NW 26 th Ave. Vancouver, WA Questions may be addressed to Mary Lou at the above address, or by phone ( ) or by to mlwms41@aol.com 3. The 2012 Grant will be awarded to a national mission project. Revised 11/15/11 8

9 Synod Luncheon and Annual Meeting Saturday, July 21, :30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Cost $32.00 Cost includes lunch and gratuity LOCATION: Gaylord Palms Resort Check for room assignment in the Gathering program book Join other women from the Synod of the Pacific at a luncheon during the Churchwide Gathering. On this day, there will be no noon meal offered at the Gathering so we will have time to get together. The Annual Meeting will include installation of new officers and annual reports. RSVP REQUIRED BY July 1, 2012 to: Jean Rae Pilcher 6029 Hollyhurst Way Sacramento, CA Questions?? Call Jean Rae at (916) or jeanpilcher@comcast.net Or Mary Lou Williams (360) or mlwms41@aol.com Menu: Southern style Bourbon chicken with Florida pecan & brown sugar glaze Spinach salad with sliced red onions, herbed croutons, bacon dressing Macaroni & cheddar cheese au gratin; Southern style green beans; Cornbread & rolls Peach cobbler Coffees/teas/ lemonade Payment required with RSVP no later than July 1, Your name will be held at the door. Confirmation of your RSVP will be sent or ed to you upon receipt. Name Address City/State/Zip Phone Any special accommodations required? 9

10 Presbyterian Women in the Synod of the Pacific Coordinating Team, Moderator: Mary Lou Williams Presbytery: Cascades NW 26 th Avenue Vancouver, WA Justice and Peace: Cecilia Moran Presbytery: Stockton 5067 Moss Creek Circle Stockton, CA Vice Moderator/Historian: Joan Runyeon Presbytery: Redwoods 19 Fernwood Way San Rafael, CA Leadership Enhancement Coordinator: Katharyn Mattson Presbytery: Boise 2912 Myrtlewood Way Nampa, ID Secretary: Treasurer: Elizabeth (Betty) Squires Presbytery: Nevada 1000 Beck Street #170 Reno, NV Jean Rae E. Pilcher Presbytery: Sacramento 6029 Hollyhurst Way Sacramento, CA Search Committee Moderator: Anne Sigurdson Presbytery: Nevada 4023 Clover Creek Court Reno, NV CCT Representative: Doreen Der-McLeod Presbytery: San Francisco th Avenue, #2 San Francisco, CA Mission Interpretation Coordinator: Cathy Ures Presbytery: Cascades 2155 Upas Place Florence, OR

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12 Presbyterian Women In the Synod of the Pacific 461 Dellbrook Avenue South San Francisco, CA