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2009 Annual Report

 

Presbyterian Women Annual Report 2009

Presbyterian Women of First Presbyterian Church continue to be guided by their stated purpose:
Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit,
we commit ourselves
  • to nurture our faith through prayer and Bible study,
  • to support the mission of the church worldwide,
  • to work for justice and peace,
  • and to build an inclusive, caring community of women
    that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
    and witnesses to the promise of God’s kingdom.
Our purpose statement reflects the core values of our church — these are shown in parentheses.

Membership (Welcoming, Connecting)
Membership in the Presbyterian Women organization is open to all women of the church. We continue to seek and welcome new members and participants in our many activities.
Nurturing Our Faith (Jesus Christ, Connecting, Growing)
Bible Study
Regular study of scripture is an essential part of PW program. In the spring of 2009, we completed "Jubilee! Luke's Gospel for the Poor."   In the fall, we began a study of the book of Joshua entitled, "Joshua: A Journey of Faith" Both are studies written by women for women, published in Horizons (published by Presbyterian Women, PC(USA)).

Bible Study is led on Third Wednesday by invited guests or professional staff. In the spring, our studies were led by Amy Morgan, Hank Borchardt, Ernest Krug and Cindy Merten. Beginning in September, Dr. John Judson has let the Third Wednesday Bible Study. Carol Held has been leading the study for Martha Circle, and Esther Circle members share study leadership.

Lenten Devotional
PW published a Lenten Devotional again in 2009. Devotions were contributed by members of the church, edited, compiled, and printed by Lois and Irv Poston and Pat Lindroth. The devotions were also emailed daily to PW members and friends and was available as a blog at http://pw-lenten-devotional.blogspot.com/
Building An Inclusive Caring Community
(Welcoming, Reaching, Connecting, Serving, Celebrating)
Circles
Circles are small groups of women who meet monthly for fellowship, mission support, prayer, and bible study. Circles meet during the third week of the month: Tuesday evening, Thursday at noon and on Wednesday following the Third Wednesday Bible Study. We continue to seek ways to expand our outreach.
Gatherings
Presbyterian Women formally gather as a group several times per year, generally for lunch or brunch. We have a mission speaker in October, a Christmas Brunch following Third Wednesday Bible Study, and a May Luncheon.
Nursery School Hospitality
Several times a year, PW hosts a simple coffee-and-conversation time for the mothers whose children attend Nursery School at FPC.
Ash Wednesday Soup Lunch
Presbyterian Women host a simple Soup and Bread Lunch for people attending the Ash Wednesday Noon Worship Service. Reservations requested but not necessary, donations gratefully accepted.
Advent by Candlelight
Held this year on December 3, Advent by Candlelight attracted over 250 guests and generated over $1400 in gift card donations which went to Baldwin Center in Pontiac, Alcott School Ministries, Detroit Hunger Coalition, Place of Refuge, and our own Deacon's food ministry. Funded and led by Presbyterian Women, this event draws members and friends, young and old.  Worship began at 6:30 following a reception with light refreshments. Candle-lit table viewing and dessert followed. A crew of men provided security and candle-lighting services - and a dessert room of their own.
Our Website (Reaching, Connecting, Welcoming, Celebrating)
Begun last year, at no cost, http://pw.fpcbirmingham.org seeks to connect members and friends to information and activities.
Newsletters (Reaching, Connecting, Welcoming, Celebrating)
A monthly newsletter sent to over 100 members and friends, helps keep our activities on our calendars. We print about 40 newsletters monthly to mail to those of us who do not use email. The email list allows quick contact for other announcements such as funerals.
Coordinating Team - Leaders (Serving)
The Coordinating Team of PW meets on the last Wednesday of most months to make decisions about and plan for the activities of the Presbyterian Women organization. This group functions as a special circle of women who support each other in the challenges of leadership. Members of this group are
Co-Moderator: Charlotte Fischer
Co-Moderator: Open
Vice-Moderator for Program: Barbara Rubel
Secretary: Colleen Fisher
Treasurer: Marilyn Donnelly
Finance Committee Chair: Lois Poston
Search Committee: Glen Tyndall, Lois Poston, Virginia Spurr, Lois Cotton, Carol Morrill,
Gloria LaDue
Coordinators
Studies & Spiritual Development: Open
Fellowship: Blanche Thompson
PW Newsletter: Open (Charlotte)
Bulletin Board: Carol Morrill
Project Day: Open
Membership: Kim McGlynn
Fundraising Co-Chairs: Charlotte Fischer, Marge Hendrick, Marty McGee, Jean Miller, Barbara Turner, Wendy Kamman
 
Working for Justice and Peace (Reaching, Serving, Growing, Celebrating)
Project Day: $1,153.35
Project Day is the first Wednesday of most months. Its purpose is the collection, organization, and/or creation of supplies such as health kits and school supplies needed by mission organizations. This is part of a Synod-wide process that collects and distributes over $150,000 worth of supplies for local, national, and overseas missions.
Alternative Christmas Bazaar: $9,577.50
Held in early November this event generates mission funding sent directly to the following charitable organizations: Cuadros from Pamplona Alta, South Oakland Shelter,  Habitat for Humanity,  Presbyterian Border Ministry, Heifer International, African Relief, Pal CraftAid, Seedlings, Lighthouse, Shawl Ministry (Heifer Project and Kiva), Paws with a Cause, Skyline Camp and Conference Center, PW Cookbook (Detroit Hunger), Keith Bovenschen School, SPANCO, FPC 175th Anniversary items, and FPC Youth coffee
175thAnniversary Cookbook: $1,710.10
To celebrate the 175th Anniversary of FPC, PW organized and produced a cookbook which sold for $15. All proceeds over costs go to the Detroit Hunger Coalition of the Presbytery of Detroit.
Rummage Sales: Priceless
Our major fund-raising event is the Rummage Sale - which we hold twice a year, during the first full week of May and the first full week of October. Our two sales this year generated $42,191 with expenses of $19,574 (food, labor, tent, truck rental, cleaning services, supplies).  Our fall sale lost one day of sales (about $6,000) due to a power outage. High winds collapsed the tents during the early morning. But the value of the sale goes well beyond money. We have a loyal crew of workers who look forward to spending time working and catching up with each other. Our paid workers are a joy. We welcome guests from area charitable agencies and organizations to shop without paying, and finally all remaining merchandise is collected and used, sold, or recycled by other area agencies.
Supporting the Mission of the Church (Reaching, Serving)
Line-item Giving (budget items)

$5000
Undesignated General Mission - PWPD
$200
Church Women United
$1800
FPC Property Care - this pays for needed items such as tables, table-clothes, signage
$300
Detroit Hunger Fund
$100
Many Voices ... One Song
$10,000
Parish Nurse Program
$15,000
Rejoice and Renew (to be presented in 2010)
$1500
Skyline Camp and Conference Center
     
Opportunity Giving: $10,025
Presbyterian Women's fundraising efforts (member pledges, rummage sales) generate funds beyond the needs designated in our budget. The PW Finance Committee accepts requests for funds every spring, and disperses these excess funds to local, national, and international mission organizations. In 2009, we distributed $10,000 to these organizations:

Organization
Description
Amount
A Vision For Clean Water, Troy
Nonprofit group organized to provide knowledge and tools for affordable clean water.
$1000
Mexico Mission Trip,
First Presbyterian Church Birmingham
Fund would cover the cost of work materials for 15 participants in the 2010 Mexico Mission Trip.
$2,625.00
Second Mile Center, Detroit
The Center was organized by Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of Detroit and maintains a clothing and food pantry, a day camp summer program, a Monday night program for families which includes a meal.
$500.00
Communities of Faith for Ghana
Attica, Indiana
Funds will be used to assist Christ Presbyterian Church in Akropong hold an Aged Program for homebound senior citizens in the area. Another part of the fund will purchase educational items for one of only two Blind Schools in Ghana.
$1,200.00
South Oakland Citizens for the Homeless, Royal Oak
This group operates a day care center, Welcome Inn, for the homeless in cold months from December — March. Funds will help pay salary of a Master's Degree Social Worker who provides the necessary case management services that puts each guest in touch with appropriate resources.
$500.00
Samaritan Counseling Center of Southeastern Michigan
The Samaritan Counseling Center provides professional therapeutic counseling and educational services. The funding will be used to adjust fee scale which allows fees based on client's income, and to maintain a separate fund for fee subsidy for low income clients.
$500.00
Skyline Camp & Retreat Center
Funds requested will aim to establish leadership training of the summer program director and other program staff to ensure they have the skills necessary to provide an incredible experience for all attending the seven weeks of summer camp.
$1,800.00
Baldwin Center of Pontiac
The funding will provide operational funds to help continue the support services to those most at-risk in this time of great need.
$800.00
Baby Basics of Troy Ministry
Baby Basics is a non-profit volunteer organization that provides and distributes diapers and kindness to poor families living or working in Troy who do not receive governmental cash assistance. This funding will be used only to buy diapers and will fund one baby for one year.
$600.00
Variety FAR
Variety FAR provides creative arts therapy and recreation services for children and adults with mental, physical and/or emotional impairments. Funding will help pay for trained therapists.
$500.00


Honorary Memberships
An Honorary Life Membership in Presbyterian Women, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is conferred upon an individual in recognition of faithful service in some area of church work. Funds derived from Honorary Life Memberships are used for Presbyterian Women leadership training costs, support of leadership development events for women and assistance training leaders for mission interpretation and support. This year's recipients were Swid and Tom Kirchhofer and Kitty Stephenson.

Offerings (Serving, Reaching)
Thank Offering: $406
An offering of Presbyterian Women of the PC(USA), the Thank Offering is collected in the fall. At least 40 percent of this offering supports health ministries throughout the world. The remaining 60 percent funds new creative ideas for mission.
Birthday Offering: $497
The Birthday Offering, also an offering of Presbyterian Women of PC(USA) is collected in the spring of each year to celebrate the blessings in the lives of Presbyterian Women. The offering funds up to five projects that are not included in ongoing General Assembly mission support, such as agricultural development, child care, community organization, criminal justice, drug counseling, economic justice, elderly care, employment training, homelessness, literacy, violence and women’s concerns.

 

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PW Statement of Purpose

Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves

  • to nurture our faith through prayer and Bible study,
  • to support the mission of the church worldwide,
  • to work for justice and peace,
  • and to build an inclusive, caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and witnesses to the promise of God’s kingdom.