New Hope Presbyterian Women
the Prompter
Dec 2018
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End of Year Message from our Moderator
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"What the Lord Has Made Known"
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Millicent Brown Fauntleroy, Moderator - Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of New Hope
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Dec 13, 2018: The early-morning snow Sunday made me catch my breath in wonder. All over social media, the many tantalizing snapshots made it clear that the view was picture-postcard-worthy for hundreds of others as well. Landscapes. Portraits. Selfies. All bright with light.The sun streaming over the pristine ground cover? Wow!
Yet, just a few hours later I chanced to peer out my window at the self-same spots that had nearly made me swoon. Ugliness conveyed by life-giving rain had crept over the Earth, and mud and slush made the scene outside my window anything but beautiful.
Life is like that. 2018 has been like that. For me, for you, for Presbyterian Women:
-PW celebrated its 30th year — we are counting the years since reunification — with one of the most exciting spring gatherings in a while. (Thank you, Janice Smith and crew. We acknowledge you, too, Susan Jackson Dowd.)
-Our organization came closer than it has in a very long while to filling ALL the vacancies on its leadership roster. Thank you, especially, to Martha Strayhorn for finding these women. And, notably to Terry Apter, our very first communications liaison; we have prayed for her coming for some time.
-We started to rebuild the infrastructure, the scaffolding, if you will, that has helped hold us together for so long.
-We stepped into modernity by holding an online meeting.
-And 16 PW from New Hope traveled to Louisville, Ky., for the triennial Churchwide Gathering. At least one of them — here’s looking at you, Regina Fleming Wade —was transformed by the experience.
-Our very own Roxann Porter was elected to the PW Churchwide board as liaison to the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic.
But then...
-PWP had to bury our spring Spiritual Retreat for want of participants.
-The mission pledges that support our work fell.
- Hurricane Florence not only forced the cancellation of what was to have been our unified Fall Gathering, it also left behind trouble for certain PWPCT members and for the women we are charged to serve. Recovery has been long and difficult for many.
-Heart-stopping illnesses among our family and friends nearly did some of us in. And, that sickness sapped the strength of caregivers, too, taking them into their own dark places.
-Darkness fell, too, when we said goodbye to Nancy Darter, a onetime moderator and dedicated PWPCT member. And to Katie Cannon, a Presbyterian stalwart and pioneer. And, to a long line of other dedicated members of PW.
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-Death was personal for any number of PWPCT leaders, whose loved ones joined the Church Triumphant in 2018.
My point is that some of us are walking into Advent not certain of the Light. We fear the darkness.
The author and poet Ann Weems (whom I am reading as an Advent study) describes it this way:
Some of us walk into Advent tethered to our unresolved yesterdays the pain still stabbing the hurt still throbbing. It’s not that we don’t know better; it’s just that we can’t stand up anymore by ourselves. On the way to Bethlehem, will you give us a hand?
Weems, Ann. Kneeling in Bethlehem. Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. Kindle Edition.
What she and faith tell us is that not every moment will be bright with light. We all must learn to walk in the dark. (And, yes, our God is there, too.) Each of us must look into our own heart to find the love that is there. Not for us the Sunday school pageant creche with its pristine manger and Mary in carefully pressed raiment. For seekers, the manger is smelly and dirty and noisy. It is unsettling. Like the dirty snow I mentioned.
But, hidden there in December darkness is light. Light not just for December but for everyday.
Won’t you go with me into the heart of darkness, where love and light still reign? Travel with me now into the light. Once we have seen it, we know that it can be found again. And, bring some wavering soul with you.
IN SEARCH OF OUR KNEELING PLACES
In each heart lies a Bethlehem, an inn where we must ultimately answer whether there is room or not. When we are Bethlehem-bound we experience our own advent in his. When we are Bethlehem-bound we can no longer look the other way conveniently not seeing stars not hearing angel voices. We can no longer excuse ourselves by busily tending our sheep or our kingdoms. This Advent let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that the Lord has made known to us.
Weems, Ann. Kneeling in Bethlehem (Kindle Locations 164-175). Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. Kindle Edition.
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Click on the button above to learn more about ways you can assist this terrific organization!
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Even though the Fall Gathering was canceled, that did not deter PWP Mission Coordinator, Sharon Godard, from completing her task!!! The "Clean Up Bucket" supplies were already purchased. So she gathered together a cheery band of helping hands to fill them. Fifteen buckets were assembled at Bear Grass Presbyterian Church and delivered to Rise Against Hunger’s (RAH) depot in Kinston for delivery to Church World Services sites. Many thanks to all who participated in this effort!
Not only does the RAH act as a storage depot for the emergency clean up buckets, just as the name implies they also help to feed the hungry. Those who dropped of the buckets were given a tour, and were extremely impressed with what they saw. Plans are in the works to support this worthy organization, so stay tuned for updates!
Rise Against Hunger Eastern North Carolina was founded in 2007 and serves most of Eastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina. In 2017, more than 6,400 local volunteers and partnering organizations have helped build the local movement to end global hunger. In this region alone, through 2017, more than 13.2 million meals have been packaged to benefit 14 countries around the globe.
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Attention All PW Treasurers
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The PC (USA) has recently offered checklist to assist churches and other church related organizations in fulfilling the requirement of Book of Order provision G-10.0400, 4, d. Linda Barnes, Treasurer for the NH PW CT suggested that they be shared for your consideration. Since the "Book of Order" does not require that the annual review of the financial records of a congregation be conducted by a professional accountant or attorney, completion of this checklist should satisfy the requirement of the Book of Order. For the congregations/groups that use it, this document discusses the many aspects of planning, carrying out, and documenting a financial review as required by the Book of Order.
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!!!Dates to Remember!!!
- Jan 1, 2019 Scholarship submission window opens
- Jan 31,2019 Historian Report is due
- Mar 1, 2019 Moderator's Report is due
- Mar 1, 2019 Scholarship submission window closed
- Mar 31, 2019 Together in Service Report due
- Jul 1, 2019 Leadership form due
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PW Happenings across the Presbytery
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The PW Ladies of Bear Grass spread Christmas cheer!
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The Nossie Lee Beacham Circle of the PW of Bear Grass Presbyterian Church sponsored six Wards of Martin County by giving them items that they had requested for Christmas. There were three women and three men. The items were delivered to the Martin County Department of Social Services for distribution
to their wards at local nursing homes.
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"As you can see the PW at Bear Grass have been busy elves this Christmas Season - be sure to write and let me know what you circles are doing to make a difference in your communities. I'd love to share your great ideas!" - Terry
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Fall Gathering of Presbyterian Women
Oct 1, 2018: The women of WRPC and Davie Street PC enjoyed a gala evening together, with a sumptuous dinner provided by the Clara Gilbert Circle and other excellent chefs from our congregation. The fall gathering began in worship titled “Diverse, yet one in Christ” based on Romans 12:4-6. Four of our sisters in Christ who attended the PW Churchwide Gathering this past summer shared their experiences. Tales from our Traveling Presbyterian Sisters was a presentation by Barbara Kirby (WRPC), Anne Bromby (WRPC), Millicent Brown Fauntleroy (DSPC) and Regina Wade (DSPC). The presentation included:
• Overview of the 30 year history of PW, with a focus on new planned initiatives
• Testimonies of spiritual enlightenment
• We learned hard truths about the work of PW peace and justice
• We were boldly urged to be the hands and feet of God in the world.
Our Thank Offerings were dedicated. The evening concluded with the theme song from the churchwide gathering "
Arise and Shine"
, led by Mary Ann Blum and Amy Simes. Thanks be to God for this meaningful evening and for the joy of gathering around the table in Christian love to learn, share, and fellowship. Alleluia and Amen!
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(L-R) Millicent Brown Fauntleroy, Regina Wade, Anne Bromby, Barbara Kirby
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Mary Ann Blum and Amy Simes offered the music
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Kirk of Kildare celebrates one of their own!
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The PW of Kirk of Kildare in Cary surprised Dot Rascoe with an Honorary Life Membership this month, for her many years of service. Susan Hammer and Millicent Brown Fauntleroy attended representing the PH PW CT. We congratulate Dot for all of her hard work, and wish her much joy in 2019!
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Sip in Solidarity with other PW Sisters
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Wherever you are on January 1, 2019, please try to set a aside some quiet time to join in the spirit of solidarity with other PW sisters to sip a cup of tea and reflect upon some words of peace. In the words of the Peace and Justice Committee
"We hope this tea quiets your mind, soothes your spirit, and brings you perspective as we work toward peace in our families,communities, and the world.
Have a cup of tea, pray for peace (and miracles!), then actively work to make it so".
Here are some scriptures for reference:
- Seek peace, and pursue it. ~ Psalm 34:13
- Let the peace of Christ, rule in your hearts ~ Colossians 3:15
- Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Click on the links below to keep track of
Churchwide PW News & Events
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On Facebook:
Search for “Presbyterian Women in the PC(USA)”
On Twitter:
@ PWPCUSA
PWP on Facebook:
Search for Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of New Hope
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Terry Cotten Apter
tcapter@gmail.com
919.760.3780
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