Presbyterian Women

Who we are

Presbyterian Women is our denomination-wide organization for women. It exists at all levels of the Presbyterian Church (USA)—in local congregations, presbyteries, synods, and in the General Assembly. At the local level, the work of PW makes a significant contribution to the life and ministry of the individual church.

Presbyterian Women at FPC Starkville is a very active organization. We are strongly committed to the PW Purpose of nourishing our faith through Bible study and to putting that faith into action through service. Our activities support the members and programs of our local congregation, as well as missions in our community and beyond.

How to join

All women who are members of Starkville First Presbyterian Church automatically become members of Presbyterian Women. As is the case throughout our denomination, much of PW’s local work is done through the combined efforts of its smaller groups, called “circles.” Each FPC woman is encouraged to join a monthly PW circle group. Those who are unable to belong to a circle are classified “associate members” and are invited to support and participate in any PW activity they can.

When and where circles meet

At FPC we currently have four regular circles and a sewing group for missions. Circles meet monthly throughout the year, usually during the week following the second full week of the month:

• Sunday Morning Circle: 8:00 a.m., at the church

• Monday Morning Circle: 11:30 a.m. at the church

• Monday Afternoon Circle: 2:00 p.m., at the church

• Tuesday Night Circle: 7:30 p.m., at a member’s home

A nursery is provided where needed.

See the FPC Church Calendar for more information.

A typical circle meeting includes:

• Bible study
  A designated study leader for the month teaches the Bible lesson for all four circles. The 2007-08 PW Bible study is entitled Above and Beyond: Hearing God’s Call in Jonah and Ruth.

• A brief business meeting

• Collection of offerings for our monthly and ongoing missions

• Fellowship time

Sewing for Missions

The ministry of the sewing for missions group is to make simple baby clothes, bandages, and other items needed for missions. This circle meets at 9:00 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month, at the church. Members with easily-portable sewing machines are encouraged tobring them to the meeting. Sewing ability is not a requirement for membership, for there is plenty of cutting, pinning, and pressing to do.

What we do

PW activities at Starkville FPC include:

• Sponsoring church-wide “diapers and wipes showers” for FPC families with new babies

• Annually funding a $1500 scholarship to an FPC student

• Providing congregational meals during Holy Week

• Honoring the church staff with dinners at Christmas and during Staff Appreciation month

• Sponsoring the Cookie Patrol, which maintains a stock of “goodies” for use by the church’s Visitation Committee

• Supplying helpers for FPC’s monthly Family Night Supper

• Assisting with meals provided for families before or after funerals

• Providing volunteers for decorating the church during Easter and Christmas

• Sewing for missions

• Sponsoring a yearly Ladies’ Bible Study

• Contributing annually to support the FPC adult exercise class, the Presbyterian Campus Ministry, the FPC Childcare Center

• Collecting offerings in support of FPC-sponsored missionaries and of presbytery- and synod-sponsored mission activities