Good Afternoon First Presbyterian,
On Sunday we will recognize and celebrate the Presbyterian Women’s organization in our own congregation here in Pittsford, as well as the gifts that women have brought to the PC(USA) and its predecessors throughout our history. As we prepare for this worship service I thought it would be helpful to share the origins of the national Presbyterian Women organization.
The predecessor organizations to what is now known as Presbyterian Women began well over 200 years ago when society (and the formal organizations and governing bodies of the church) did not allow women an active role outside their homes. The earliest opportunity for women to serve in church leadership as ruling elders didn’t occur until 1930. Through a longing to serve Christ in the world, these organizations of women developed in spite of the numerous societal restrictions their leaders had to navigate. The early organizations raised substantial funds to support missionaries all over the world, who coveted their donations and their prayers. Through this good work they gained respect and credibility. More importantly, they gained an avenue to serve Christ in the world outside of their homes.
Since the formation of a united Presbyterian Women organization in 1988 (five years after the two major Presbyterian denominations in the United States reunited formally in 1983) these have been their goals:
Nurture Faith
Work for Justice and Peace
Support Mission
Build Community
Develop Leaders
PW shares that, “…two centuries after Presbyterian women first gathered to pray and give their money to the church, women have voice in the church and in the world. A legacy of devotion to the church and dedication to God are a strong foundation for continuing mission and taking Christ into every area of life in Presbyterian Women’s third century of organization. Presbyterian Women exists today because women are adaptable, determined, proactive, charitable, generous and dedicated to God.
Presbyterian Women continue their life-changing work in the world, now with more recognition. PW incorporated in 2009, establishing itself as a publicly supported integrated auxiliary of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Then in 2016, the General Assembly added Presbyterian Women to the PC(USA) Organization for Mission as a related corporation. This action formally acknowledges PW’s unique role within the church: “The Organization for Mission is incomplete without referencing this important point of mission coordination for Presbyterians.”
https://www.presbyterianwomen.org/who-we-are/history/
My prayer for us this week is that we can celebrate and give thanks to God for the women among us, and those who have come before us, who have proven through works of worship and service that they are “adaptable, determined, proactive, charitable, generous and dedicated to God.”
In Christ’s Abounding Love,
Rev. Erin