FPCM | Presbyterian Women

Presbyterian Women (PW) have gathered together from the time the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America was established in 1789. It is not an organization to join but an organized way for women who are members of the church to express themselves through various programs of service, outreach, and fellowship. Prayer and Bible study are an important part of PW activities.

PW Circles: There are currently eight circles in our church. The circles are the "heart" of PW. Here is where they bond together in small groups, sharing concerns for one another, growing spiritually through Bible study, and doing mission work through circle projects. Circles meet once a month, September through May, the week following the first Tuesday of the month. Meetings are held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. New members may join at any time during the year. Just call the church at (407) 644-3455 for more information. Our current circles are:

Magdalene Circle 1: Tuesday 9:30 a.m. June Hurt, 911 Versailles Cir.
Rebekah Circle 2: Tuesday 10:00 a.m. Parlor
Priscilla Circle 3: Tuesday 10:00 a.m. Fellowship Hall
Sarah Circle 4: Thursday 6:30 p.m. Fellowship Hall
Ruth Circle 6: Wednesday 10:00 a.m. Conference Room
Esther Circle 7: Wednesday 10:30 a.m. Parlor
Lydia Circle 8: Thursday 10:00 a.m. Parlor
Miriam Circle 9: Tuesday 6:30 p.m. Fellowship Hall

Monday Morning Prayer Group: All women are invited to join this informal gathering of women who desire to pray for the needs of our church. They meet each Monday throughout the year in the Chapel from 8:45 to 9:30 a.m. They pray for our church programs, staff, congregation, and the needs of each other. Women are free to pray aloud or in silence, and to attend only as their schedules dictate.

Intercessory Telephone Prayer Chain: This is a wonderful opportunity to pray for the needs of others in the surroundings of your own home. As prayer requests come into the church office, or to the Prayer Chain coordinators, they are in turn passed on down a "chain" of names, all via the telephone. Women are welcome to join this ministry at any time simply by contacting the church at (407) 644-3455.

Spirit of Service (S.O.S) and Sewing for Missions: These groups meet jointly on the third Tuesday of each month in Room 12 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Simple craft items are made for local outreach programs such as Meals on Wheels and the Duvall Home, and sewing projects as assigned by PW, Central Florida Presbytery. It is a fun and casual way to serve others and become better acquainted with women in our congregation.

Quilting Group: Anyone interested in learning quilting or simply having some companionship while working on a quilt already in progress should join these women on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. They meet in Room 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (bring a sandwich). Most quilts are made for personal use, but on occasion, this group makes baby quilts for PW Sewing for Mission projects. For more information call the church at (407) 644-3455.

Ministering to Bereaved Families: PW has a special way of ministering to members in our congregation when someone in their immediate family dies. We do this in one of two ways:

1. If a member of the bereaved family is involved with a PW Circle, then the women in her Circle assist by taking food to the family, and if the family desires, they host a reception at church after the memorial service.
2. The Sharing and Caring Committee takes care of those in the congregation who do not have a connection with a Circle. This committee provides the same services as the Circle provides.

Special Mission Projects

PW has three special mission projects they support with voluntary offerings each year. They are as follows:

Thank Offering: Collected at the October PW Gathering, this offering originated in 1888 when a Presbyterian woman in Ohio thought it would be nice for each woman in her church to give $1 above her normal financial gift to PW. This extra money would be a "thank" offering to her Lord. Thirty-three percent of this offering now is used to support hospitals/health ministries throughout the world. Sixty-seven percent is used for new areas of mission that are designated annually. In 1997 our women contributed $415 to this project.

Birthday Offering: Collected at the May PW Gathering In 1922 Presbyterian Women were seeking a way to celebrate what their organization meant to them. The needs of a girls' school in Japan were brought to their attention and they were challenged to give a penny for each year of their lives as a "birthday gift" to those young girls. Each year since, special mission projects have been selected to benefit from the offering. In 1997 our women contributed $544 to this project.

Fellowship of the Least Coin: Pennies are collected monthly in Circles and dedicated at the PW Gathering in May. This fellowship began in India in 1956 and is a way for women around the world to have a sense of being part of the worldwide family of faith by setting aside their "least coin" as a token of their prayers. This offering is used for evangelism, service, and relief projects worldwide.