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Ministries - Presbyterian Women




Purpose of Presbyterian Women

Our Mission
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 (USA) and witnesses to the promise of God’s kingdom.
Our Vision
We see Presbyterian Women in Lake Erie Presbytery as vessels through which God’s empowering spirit can flow to stir Presbyterian Women in our congregations to use their gifts in fulfillment of God’s call to them.

Our History

The official merger of the Lake Erie Presbyterial Society and the Erie Presbyterial Society was held in the first Presbyterian Church of Bradford, PA, on April 24, 1959. The presidents at that time were Mrs. James Andrews of Meadville and Mrs. Mark L. Andrews of Erie.

On April 27, 1988, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Erie, Lake Erie Presbyterial officially became Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of Lake Erie as a result of the reunion of the UPCUSA and the PCUSA.

Past Presidents of Lake Erie Presbytery

1957-60 Mrs. Mark L. Anderson Erie First
1960-62 Mrs. Paul F. Bauer Corry
1962-63 Miss Mary Craft Warren
1963-66 Mrs. Calvin Becherer Erie First
1966-69 Mrs. Kenneth Farver Erie First
1969-72 Mrs. Robert Kunselman Tionesta
1972-74 Mrs. James Potter Warren
1974-76 Mrs. Dolan Braughler Titusville
1976-78 Mrs. Glenn K. Thomas Westminster
1978-80 Mrs. Gerald Miller Port Allegany
1980-82 Mrs. Jean Cutler Oil City
1982-84 Mrs. Thomas Sesler Erie Covenant
1984-86 Mrs. Howard Owen  Port Allegany
1986-88 Mrs. Charles Beckman  Erie Sarah Hearn


Past Moderators

1988-90   Julie Parker Erie Westminster
1990-92 Jean Bauer Bradford First
1992-94 Kathy Hull Erie Emmanuel
1994-96 Gertrude Whipkey Port Allegany
1996-98 Florence Barker Meadville FPC
  Virginia Chandley Meadville FPC
2000-02 Sue McDanniels Erie Eastminster
2002-04 Joy Link Meadville First
2004-06 Karen VanderPloeg Warren First
 
Opportunities To Give

Special Offerings

PW Congregational Pledges - support the work of Presbyterian women in the Presbytery, Synod, and at churchwide levels

Birthday Offering - (spring) supports up to five predetermined projects

Thank Offering - (fall) supports a number of smaller projects; at least 40% supports health ministries

Synod Mission Project - supports the Westminster Highlands Church Camp.

Break Free From Hunger - supports hunger ministries by encouraging collections ½ of which go to local food programs in your own church and ½ of which support programs around the world Money collected by women's groups in the Presbytery of Lake Erie will support a youth services program in San Francisco that ministers to more than 3000 homeless and runaway youth a year. Send contributions to Doris Edinger who will forward them to the denomination.

Fellowship of the Least Coin - links prayers for peace and reconciliation with giving to ministries designed to build community among women. Collected and dedicated annually

Celebration of Believers - includes Honorary Life Memberships, Recognition Gifts, and Memorial Gifts

 
Financial Guidelines
For Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of Lake Erie

The following criteria will serve as guidelines for spending of mission dollars:

  • Maintains an emphasis on traditional strengths of Presbyterian Women: mission, education, and worship
  • Serves to link PWPLE with the national church, the Presbytery, and/or local congregations
  • Broadens the base of support for PW within congregations and among young women
  • Develops and encourages leadership within PW