The Messenger
We Are All Presbyterian Women
Message from the PW Moderator
I hope you had a wonderful and Christ-filled Christmas.
True confession: sometimes I feel like an imposter acting as the current PW Moderator because I don’t know the Bible well, and I cannot recite stories from the Bible or reference scripture. My monthly messages to you aren’t particularly religious. That said, I assure you that I speak to Christ several times daily and hear His responses when I'm still. Since childhood, I have leaned on Christ and wondered how others get through life without counting on His love and support.
There was a time in my life when I stayed away from church for various reasons, but then I remembered how quickly church members jumped to help those in need. The importance of the community came back to me. I had missed it terribly. I still felt God’s presence when I wasn’t attending church, but I felt it more strongly when I returned.
I love Village Church for what it believes, and I love our ministers. I can honestly say I rarely, if ever, leave the church building not smiling. I feel supported and valued. Being involved in such an active and dynamic church is energizing. I feel the connection with Christ through those around me and all that they do.
Our church is welcoming and loving, and I am incredibly grateful that Christ brought me back to be with others who love Him. So, gratefully, I don’t have to contemplate where I would be without Christ in my life because He’s always been there. I feel Him in my soul and see him in others every day.
I think all of you are wonderful. Thank you for sharing the Christ in you. Happy New Year!
Patty Slentz-Howard
PW Moderator
Remembering God's Faithfulness Grows My Faith
An excerpt from Untangling Faith by Amberly Neese
Sometimes God displays His goodness and power through dramatic and miraculous signs and wonders, and it is easy to be faithful when those things happen. But oftentimes, God works miracles in the mundane, under the radar of our consciousness. So how do we heighten our awareness and choose to see the amazing in the ordinary events of life? How can we allow the evidence of God's faithfulness to deepen our trust in God?
In my experience, noticing and giving thanks for the evidence of God's faithfulness is a practice like any other healthy habit. Here are a few ideas:
- Regularly choose to list things for which you are thankful (that God created or put into place), especially when life feels defeating or bleak.
- Look to the lives of those in scripture. Hebrews 11, the great hall of faith, is filled with stories of God's faithfulness in the lives of patriarchs and matriarchs of the faith. When difficulties come, their stories can serve to fill our cup and act as a map for navigating through the rough terrain of life.
- Look to the lives of others. Sometimes just being a witness to the faithfulness of God in the everyday lives of others can bolster our faith.
- Extend a hand of encouragement to others. When someone else's ride of faith is rocky or perilous, it can help to share your stories of God's faithfulness in the rough seasons of your journey.
Even if we do not see signs and wonders, we can find hope in noticing ordinary ways God shows Himself faithful every day. These everyday "signs" serve as evidence that focuses our minds and hearts on God, deepening our love and increasing our trust.
“For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain,
‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 17:20b
Start the New Year by Joining a Village Circle
It's never too late to join one of our eight amazing Circles. No matter your age, schedule, or where you are on your faith journey, there is a Circle for you!
The Circles are currently discussing the New Horizons Bible Study, Sacred Encounters –The Power and Presence of Jesus Christ in Luke-Acts. The Village on Antioch Circle meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. Village on Mission Circles meet the second Tuesday of each month. There are morning and afternoon Circles, as well as an evening Circle.
For questions about our Circles – or if you would like to join a Circle, please contact Dee Couch, Circle Activities Coordinator at 913-707-7291 or deecouch@kc.rr.com.
Thank You for Your Generosity!
During all of November, repositories were positioned around VOM and at VOA. On Dec. 2, six Presbyterian Women board members -- Barb Brown, Kay Findlay, Cindy Henderson, Stephanie Morrison, Sarah Thomas and I -- filled six large garbage bags with donations. All the products were delivered that morning to Adriana Suarez, Volunteer/Donations Manager at Giving Hope & Help. To say she was thrilled would be an enormous understatement.
Along with the large volume of products, we could also provide a monetary contribution of $816! One very generous friend donated $500! My thanks to all of you who helped our sisters of other mothers. I’m sure Christ was very pleased with your generosity.
Patty Slentz-Howard
PW Moderator
PW Workshop -- New Year, True You: Mindfulness, Intentions, and Gratitude
“Let go of who you think you’re supposed to be; embrace who you are.”
- Brene Brown
The energy of a new year is irresistible. What do you want to do this year? Are there resolutions that are regularly on your list? Do they make you feel alive and excited? Or do they feel more like what you should be focusing on?
What if, instead of making new year’s resolutions focused on changing yourself, you focused on embracing who you are? How would you approach the energy of new possibilities differently?
Join Prairie Sky Counseling Center staff, Kelsey McLaurine, therapist, and Jen Wewers, executive director, as we explore some practices and approaches to 2024 that invite us to be more of who we already are! Set aside some time to connect with yourself and other women to explore mindfulness exercises, setting intentions, and practicing gratitude.
Saturday Jan. 6, 2024
10 - 11:30 a.m.
Village on Antioch
14895 Antioch
Overland Park, KS 66221
RSVP here to save your spot. Contact Stephanie Morrison at 913-593-8343 or stephaniemorrison132@gmail.com with any questions.
2024 Presbyterian Women Retreat Scheduled for February 24
Saturday, Feb. 24
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. plus social hour until 5 p.m.
Fiorella’s Event Space
9000 W 137th Street in Overland Park
What does "hope" mean to you? What does the Bible say about hope?
Hope takes many forms in our daily lives – from wishful thinking to a belief that we can make things better with willpower and a plan. At its deepest level, hope is confident expectation rooted in the unfailing promises of God.
We invite you and the women in your life to come and explore all aspects of this beautiful thing called hope. Join us as we learn from one another, build community together, engage in meaningful worship, and have fun!
Our speakers include Rev. Melanie Hardison, Rev. Anna Owens, and Rev. Dr. Dionne Boyice from Village Church, and Ginger Rothhaas from Compassion Fix. We will also complete service projects for Hope House and Cherith Brook, practice Lectio Divina, and partake in communion together.
The retreat fee is $75, and includes programming, materials, and a plated lunch. When the retreat concludes, join us for social hour at Fiorella’s where we’ll continue conversation and connection. The social hour fee is an additional $5, and it includes your choice of soda, wine, or beer and appetizers. Social hour is optional.
More details and a link to register online will be available at villagepres.org/pw on Monday, Jan. 8. Registration closes Wednesday, Feb. 14. Financial scholarships are available to offset all or a portion of the retreat fee. Questions? Contact stephaniemorrison132@gmail.com or gkateo@gmail.com.
Thursday Mission Sewing Welcoming New Sewists
In the 2023 calendar year, the 20 active sewists of Thursday Mission Sewing completed 1,167 volunteer hours constructing 668 comfort items! We would love to have new volunteers this January. Join a friendly bunch of sewists (elves) in the Sewing Room below the Chapel, Jan. 11, 18, and/or 25th!
Women With Spirit Cooking Class on January 28
Women With Spirit will be hosting a cooking class with Village member and cooking instructor Rachel Ciordas on Jan. 28. More information will be on social media and the church bulletin in January, or email meredith@reynoldsautomotivekc.com with questions.
Amazing Graces Book Club Meeting to Select Books for Spring 2024
The Amazing Graces Book Club will meet on Jan. 10 to select books for Spring 2024. (Please note that this meeting is on the second Wednesday of the month, not the first.)
Feel free to join us whenever you are able. All are welcome! We meet year round, usually on the first Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. Bring an appetizer, dessert or a beverage to share. We meet in homes, so please contact Sara Wallace at swallace01@gmail.com to be added to the email distribution.
Page Turners Book Group Kicks Off New Year on January 23
Page Turners Book Group will welcome the new year at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, in Room 127, Village on Mission. This month’s book selection is The Paris Library, by Janet Skeslien Charles.
When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile fears she will lose everything, including her beloved library. She and other librarians join the Resistance with the best weapons they have, books.
Please join us. All are welcome, having read the book or not. For more information contact Barbara Lee, lhlee@att.net, 217-891-3557, or Ann Raikula, ann.raikula@sbcglobal.net, 913-481-4730.
2024 PW Quarterly Book Club at VOA
The following books and dates have been finalized for the quarterly PW Book Club at VOA gatherings:
- Feb. 20: The Personal Librarian, by Marie Benedict
- May 21: The Lemon Tree, by Sandy Tolan
- Aug. 20: Pieces Falling, by Ann Van Hine
- Nov. 19: Beautiful Country, by Qian Julie Wang
We meet at 7 p.m. in the Conference Room at VOA.
2023 Advent Celebration
Isn’t it wonderful that Presbyterian Women are among the first at church to usher in the Advent season, the coming of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, each year? What a fantastic honor.
PW Moderator-Elect Denise Carrier and her hardworking committee comprising Linda Alley and Joyce Scammahorn (Marketing/Publicity/Photographer), Dee Couch and Jean Jennings (Communion), Lisa Wright and Margaret Boomer (Reservations/Program), Erica Lee and Sally Porter (Food/Decorations) brought us an evening that truly helped us prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus our Lord.
As is the tradition, the Advent Celebration committee chose a worthy charity to receive the offering donated that evening. This year, they decided on Amethyst Place, a long-term, supportive housing program for women and children recovering from generational poverty, substance use, and trauma. This excellent organization has transformed lives in Midtown Kansas City for 23 years. Starla Wulf Brennan, executive director of Amethyst Place, spoke at the Celebration and explained how this very impressive organization impacts and transforms lives. Many of us were unaware of their existence, much less what they do, before Ms. Brennan’s remarks. To say we were very impressed would be an understatement.
During this Advent season, Rev. Anna Owens encouraged us to list what matters to us and how we can live out those values through service to others. Doing so allows us to take intentional strides in our faith. Stop and consider how God is calling you into service. Our church provides many, many ways to get started.
Our female pastors served communion: Rev. Melanie Hardison, Rev. Anna Owens, Rev. Alice Whitson, and Rev. Sally S. Wright. Seeing them standing in the chancel leading our worship always makes me proud. Our church is truly remarkable.
I want to point out the intentionality of Dee Couch in selecting the women who helped serve communion. Two pastors: Rev. Sally and Rev. Alice. Two Village Church employees: Linda Alley and Lisa Wright. A former PW Moderator, Suzanne Rumold, and the current PW Moderator, me. Jean Jennings is a former deacon who is involved in a Circle. Three active women representing Village on Antioch: Desiree Reinke, Joyce Scammahorn and Kelly Thomason. Charlotte Davis has served in just about every position possible at Village and is currently active in the Building a Beloved Community and 75th Anniversary committees. Finally, Elizabeth Zakaryan, an usher and VERT team member, is also on the 75th Anniversary committee.
To our delight, beautiful Christmas music was provided by Dr. Elisa Bickers, Jenny Hull, and Heather Franklin. Rebecca Enslow’s Youth Bell Ensemble inspired us with not one but three beloved pieces: What Child is This, Once in Royal David’s City, and Joy to the World.
Our sincere thanks to Denise, her committee, and everyone else who helped make the 2023 Advent Celebration an inspiring and joyful evening.
Patty Slentz-Howard
PW Moderator
Where's Your Name Tag??
“I know your face.
We've met many times before, but I can't recall your name!"
I am reasonably sure I am not the only person at our large church who has repeatedly had this very same thought. I’ve been permitted to address this issue, so here I go.
Friends, as PW Moderator, I have encouraged all of us to connect with other women at our church. I’ve provided a comprehensive list of ways to connect through shared interests/passions, invited you to Circle meetings, and asked you to various events sponsored by PW.
Many of us are taking advantage of these resources. We’ve sat in the same room, at the same table with these women, and introduced ourselves. A few moments later, their names floated away from our memory. If only that person were wearing their name tag consistently.
Along with no longer being embarrassed by not recalling a person’s name, a name tag allows us to immediately recognize who isn’t a church member. Both hospitality-wise and security-wise, that’s important.
When we became members, we were given name tags. If you haven’t worn it for a while and aren’t sure where it is, here are my suggestions for finding it:
- Step 1: Check the bottom of your purse, the space between your car seat and the console, the bottom of your console, your coat pockets, and the glove compartment -- so many places to look.
- Step 2: Look on the magnetic board outside of Friendship Hall. There are many, many name tags affixed there, looking lost and forgotten.
- After thoroughly searching the suggested places in Step 1 and checking Step 2, please get in touch with Hillary Mackowski at hillary.mackowski@villagepres.org and ask her for a replacement. **Please do this only after doing items 1 and 2 above because replacing the name tags costs $5 to $7 EACH.**
Community is everything. I hope you will consider bringing our incredible church community, especially the women, even closer by doing this very simple ask.
May the peace and love of Christ be with all of you.
Patty Slentz-Howard
PW Moderator