Presbyterian Women (PW) is an inclusive, caring community of women committed to working toward God’s promise of wholeness for all people. It is the women’s organization of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Guided by a stated purpose, participants in Presbyterian Women 1) nurture their faith through prayer and Bible study, 2) build community, 3) work for justice and peace, and 4) support the mission of the church.
These commitments are lovingly carried out in Presbyterian Women groups in congregations, presbyteries and synods. At the national level, Presbyterian Women provides the resources, direction and opportunities to fulfill the organization’s mission and ministry. Presbyterian Women has a connectional structure that allows you to participate as deeply and/or broadly in the organization and its commitments as you wish.
PW Circles
At Mt. Horeb, there is currently one active women's group called Presbyterian Women (PW) Circles. This Circle, called the Hope Circle, meets ordinarily on the first Monday of the month at 1:30pm. Circles are open to all women.
The Hope Circle provides opportunities for women of any age to grow in their knowledge of Christ and be strengthened as members of the Church, so that they may faithfully live out their callings at work, in families, in our community, in our congregation, and around the world.
Local Mission of the PW at Mt. Horeb church
The PW at Mt. Horeb are actively engaged is a variety of outreach and community projects aimed at fulfilling the greater purpose of the organization. Some of these projects include:
CWS Disaster Kits: PW assemble and contribute hygiene kits, school kits, and cleanup buckets. An impact report from CWS for the period January-June 2019 indicates that 21,574 blankets, 6,060 hygiene kits, 1,520 school kits, and 4,342 emergency cleanup buckets were distributed in the United States. This is a vital ongoing project of the Mt. Horeb Presbyterian Women.
Apple Butter Project: A long time fund raising project for the Mt. Horeb PW has been to can and sell homemade apple butter. After receiving the bulk apples from a local orchard, a large crew of women and men gather to peal and prepare the apples to be boiled and made into delicious apple butter.
Hosting Community Fellowship Meals: The PW prepares and serves meals for various community groups and events such as the Ruritan Clubs, Arts Show and Sale, Summerlee Mission meals, and others.
Other Food Ministries: Providing meals for those in our community who are hungry or homeless is an essential ministry of the Mt. Horeb PW and the Witness/Mission Committee. Together they prepare boxed meals for the Disciples Kitchen soup kitchen in Waynesboro and do carry-in meals for the residents of the Valley Mission in Staunton.
PW Birthday Offering: The Birthday Offering of PW was born in 1922 when Hallie Paxson Winsborne challenged each member of the Woman's Auxiliary of the Presbyterian Church in the United States to give a penny for each year of her life as a "birthday gift" for Mrs. Dowd's School for Girls in Japan. Since then, PW, through the Birthday Offering, has contributed more than $36 million to help improve lives at home and around the world. While the projects and donation amounts have changed, PW's commitment to caring for others has not.
Church World Service Blanket Sunday: One Sunday in February is designated as "Blanket Sunday" and is sponsored by Church World Service. The Mt Horeb PW contributes monies to buy blankets for those in need. This support makes a difference in the lives of children and families all over the world who have been impacted by disasters.
Other outreach projects: The PW supports various projects such as CWS hygiene kits and cleanup buckets, support a local food pantry, and uses their least coin collection to support the Summerlee Mission projects and to assist a family with groceries each month.