P.W.

IN HUNTINGDON PRESBYTERY

PW Purpose
Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves
to nurture our faith through prayer and Bible study,
to support the mission of the church worldwide,
to work for justice and peace,
and to build an inclusive, caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and witnesses to the promise of God’s kingdom.

Current Moderator: HOLLY KITHCART

818 Johnson's Road, Box 208, Grassflat, PA 16839. . . . 814-345-16839. . . . email: dickorholly@gotmc.net

The Shade Gap Presbyterian Women cordially invite you to the 7th annual SPRING spiritual retreat on March 16, 17 & 18, 2012 at Lane’s Pine Lodge in Cassville. The fun begins at 7 PM on Friday, March 16 with registration. Cost is $80 (lodging and meals) for the entire weekend; $35 for those who can attend Saturday only. First come, first serve for reservations due March 5, 2012. Checks made payable to “Shade Gap Presbyterian Church” and registration form should be sent to PO Box 114, Shade Gap, PA 17255.

CLICK HERE to open a pdf flyer for more info, registration and directions.

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Presbyterian Women Mission Update

Presbyterian Women have always had a heart for mission. In 2011, the mission outreach of Presbyterian Women in Huntingdon Presbytery took many forms including:

Outreach to Veterans In 2011, Presbyterian Women in Huntingdon Presbytery delivered gift cards, clothing and blankets saying "God Loves Me" to the James E. Van Zandt VA Memorial Center in Altoona. VA Chaplain Klavens Noel is shown holding one of the blankets given by our women and other PW women in the Synod of the Trinity. PW Presbytery Moderator Holly Kithcart displayed her husband's former uniform at a PW Synod Gathering donation table to remind everyone of the service of our military. Receiving clothing donations were VA Center staff Cynthia Eaton (left) and Clarissa Perrez. (see pictures below)

Helping Girls at Risk in Pakistan
In 2011, we learned more about the plight of girls at risk in Pakistan from our PW Mission Support Coordinator Carol Moore of Philipsburg. In response, our Huntingdon Presbytery women gave $1,012 of the $16,927 collected by PW throughout the Synod to be administered by the Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan. Funds will support girls' education for those at risk.

2012 Mission Focus includes:

Connecting with Worldwide Mission at Churchwide Gathering
Details and registration forms are available on-line and from Holly Kithcart and Dorothy Rudy for the 2012 PW Churchwide Gathering July 18-22 in Orlando Florida with the theme of "River of Hope." The Gathering offers worship, Bible study, mission, fellowship and fun.

Supporting Root International In 2012, our women in Huntingdon Presbytery will be collecting toys, Bibles and other items for this helps ministry, based in Mercer, PA, as well as joining with PW women in the Synod to raise $14,000 for two new trailers for them. More details to follow.

Human Trafficking = Modern Day Slavery The Rev. Jane DeFord from Donegal Presbytery, a member of the PW Global Exchange to India, will give a workshop on human trafficking prior to the September 25, 2012 Presbytery Meeting (as well as speaking at the PW Presbytery Gathering the next day.)

More details at our new PW Presbytery website: http://www.pwhunt.org/

VA CHAPLAIN NOEL CHAPLAIN . . . RECEIVING PW DONATED BLANKETS

PW DONATIONS TO JAMES E VAN ZANDT VA MEDICALCENTER

CYNTHIA EATON AND CLARISSA PEREZ WITH DONATIONS

Greetings from Presbyterian Women!

It is time to set the record straight. Yes, Presbyterian Women is still an active organization within the Presbytery of Huntingdon. The question was raised a few weeks ago by someone who had not heard anything about PW in a very long time.
The query should not have been surprising since the number of congregations with circles has dwindled to sixteen. Also, PW in our presbytery goes about the business of serving our Lord and His children in a very quiet manner.
Bible studies are a staple of circle meetings, some written specifically by and for Presbyterian Women, and these include a time of prayer. Spiritual enrichment is very important in the PW purpose.
PW works diligently to support the mission of the church worldwide beginning in the congregations and expanding to include projects around the world. The women of Presbyterian Women in Huntingdon Presbytery contribute many, many thousands of dollars each year along with untold hours toward mission, and when there is doubt about how the funds are to be used, they have asked questions, along with others across our nation, until they are sure the money is being used wisely for God’s purposes. PW also continually works for justice for all humankind, striving to be inclusive in community with women, thus strengthening the PC(USA).
Spring and Fall Gatherings are still held each year with the last several taking place at Windy Hill Village in Philipsburg. The facility’s relatively central location within the presbytery, along with its meeting room and obliging kitchen staff, make attending the gatherings easier for our women.
Upcoming events include our Spring Gathering scheduled for April 30th. The theme, “Three Cups of Tea”, encompasses our PW Synod mission project and a review of the book with the same title. The goal of the mission project is to raise $20,000 seed money for a home for girls exposed to abuse and sexual exploitation in Pakistan. The book details one man’s journey to build schools in Pakistan, providing education primarily for girls, but including boys, in a country where there is little opportunity for girls. Monies for the project should be sent to Operating Treasurer, Doris Partridge.
The yearly gathering of Presbyterian Women in the Synod of the Trinity is taking a new form this summer. Rather than meeting in one location for three or four days, the synod has been divided into four regions all of which are holding a two day retreat style program using the same theme and materials in all regions.
Carlisle, Huntingdon, and Northumberland presbyteries comprise the central region with gathering dates of June 10th and 11th. The place is Country Cupboard, Lewisburg, PA with the theme “Come Explore God’s Wonder Full World”. The registration deadline is May 13th.
Any Presbyterian woman, regardless of her participation or lack thereof, is encouraged to attend any or all of the Regional Gatherings. There is some scholarship money available to help with expenses.

Anyone needing more information about PW’s activities may obtain it by calling Holly Kithcart at 814 345-6667.