For most women, participation in Presbyterian Women starts just down the street in your local church. Presbyterian Women in the Congregation (PWC) groups build community, affirm women’s calls to leadership and spiritual growth, raise concerns and channel information to and from Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery.
In terms of what this means to you, Presbyterian Women is a loving community that can challenge and nurture you, and be a vehicle for making the world a better place for all of God’s children.
In terms of accountability and structure, most PWC groups
- elect their own leadership—the coordinating team;
- plan and implement a yearly program and determine their own budgets;
- meet in small groups and participate in PW programming, such as PW/Horizons Bible study, mission, racial equity, justice and peace work, giving to the Mission Pledge and Offerings, or support of special ministries in the congregation and community;
- support the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) worldwide;
- develop the leadership abilities of women;
- recognize and fulfill their accountability to the session (see the PWC/Session Covenant and PW Essentials: A Guide for PW Groups);
- preserve historical records of PW in the Congregation; and
- maintain connections with PW at other governing body levels.
The specifics of how PWC groups operate depend on the needs and desires of the groups. Some congregations have multiple PWC groups, usually called circles; some have only one. Some circles dedicate themselves to one goal only—Bible study, mission or a yearly meeting—while other circles have several projects and goals throughout the year. Some circles are made up of a dozen women, some much fewer in number but equal in zeal. There is no wrong way to be PW! For more information, see the PW Essentials: A Guide for PW Groups.
To ask a question or to learn more about Presbyterian Women in the Congregation, contact Susan Jackson Dowd.