Presbyterian Women – Many and varied activities
Recently Sarah Dikeman submitted a report regarding the activities of the Presbyterian Women at Spring Branch Presbyterian Church. We thought you might be interested is reading about the many activities in which the women participate.
The Presbyterian Women (PW) of Spring Branch Presbyterian Church is active in many diverse ways. Wednesday is considered church day by many. On the first Wednesday of the month, the Bible Moderators’ training is held, led by our Pastor Dr. Laurey Murphy. The role of the moderator is to lead a Bible Study at the Circle meetings. PW Board meeting also meets on the 1st Wednesday. The Board plans activities for the women’s group.
Our tow Bible Study Circles meet on the second Wednesday of the month. One circle meets at the church and is led by two members or by others from the second circle. The second circle meets in members’ homes and the moderating is shared by the members. About 15-20 attend each of these circles.
The third Wednesday is reserved for our ZIPS – We “zip” around town on field trips, to shop at outlet malls, tour museums, and other fun places. This year we are scheduled to go to the Menil Collection and Byzantine Chapel, to Lake Livingston for a picnic at a member’s home, and to Navasota for lunch and shopping.
On the 4th Wednesday we have Happy Hands/Common Threads. We meet at the church to stuff pillows, dolls, bears, knit and crochet hats, caps, stomas, blankets, scarves, and make blankets, wheelchair and walker totes. All of these items are delivered to Houston hospitals for babies, children, cancer patients etc. In 2011, our SBPC women have donated 2902 sewn heart pillows, 122 crocheted bears, 192 crib and wheelchair and walker bags, 588 knitted and crocheted baby caps, 3 adult knitted/crocheted caps, 7 pairs of baby booties, 34 knitted/crocheted scarves, 1 baby sweater, 72 blankets for babies, children and adults, 13 baby quilts. Please visit the website www.thecommonthreadcircle.org . Some of our members meet regularly at Starbucks in Town and Country center on Mondays with others from Memorial Drive Methodist Church and the community to continue this mission.
Every year the PW purchases two tickets to Holly Hall book review. The tickets are available for whoever would like to attend.
Special Offerings at circle meetings are taken for Presbyterian Children’s Home and services, M.A.M. (Memorial Area Ministry), Food Bank, Yahweh. We have active members who are involved with PCHAS and their annual luncheon in Houston. This year we hosted 3 and ½ tables at the luncheon. We also send a birthday card to each child at these facilities with a crisp $1 bill. Several members attended an open house at the PCHAS office here in Houston. We send care packages to college students associated with PCHAS.
Our PW has its own scholarship/mission fund. It is for women of our congregation that are in financial need or in college. Every spring we give scholarships to our women attending college, graduate school or in pursuit of other educational degrees. To fund this we hold an annual Cookies Galore and Craft Sale in December, where we sale homemade cookies in decorated large and small metal coffee cans and have craft vendors rent space to sell their wares. This year we had sixteen vendors.
On the fifth Wednesday nights during the school year the PW is in charge of the Church Wednesday Night supper. We prepare mission soup night with all proceeds go toward our mission/scholarship fund.
Every August, we begin our year with a Welcoming Tea on a Sunday afternoon. The Bible study for the year is introduced. Representatives from committees and other church groups inform guests how they may be involved in the life of the church. We have general meeting/lesson/salad luncheon with both circles in September, December and May.
When a member of the church is having a first baby, the PW hosts a shower for the mother. It is a tradition that we have a baby quilt that guest can decorate with fabric pens.
There are about 120 women at Spring Branch Presbyterian Church. We have two circles with attendance of about 15-20. In addition, to those involved in the Bible Study many women are involved with our fund raising, Wednesday night dinners, showers, and welcoming tea. This past year we lost 3 members- Sandy Allen, Helen Hogg and Retta Pravel.
Three of our members attended MoRanch Bible moderators Conference this year. We have several members very active in Stephens Ministry. Two to three members usually attend the Presbytery Spring Gatherings.
Our PW officers/moderators are not elected but are all volunteers every year, stepping up to take the positions needed for whatever, whenever, however.
Submitted
Sarah Dikeman
PW Moderator, SBPC
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