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
• 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

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Presbyterian Women Circles

Every woman at First Presbyterian Church is a member of Presbyterian Women. Each woman may choose to actively participate or become an associate (inactive) member. Member status may be changed at anytime. Nearly 200 women are active in 6 circles. Circles meet once a month, September through May, and each meeting includes a Bible study. We also support several service projects both in the church and in the community. We are very supportive of one another as we provide meals for the sick and bereaved, send cards, and visit our homebound members. Life-long friends can be made in circle.

Women from their 20's to their 90's come together at these meetings for a time of fellowship and spiritual renewal. Each circle meeting includes time to visit with friends, time to nurture our faith through prayer and Bible study, and discussion of upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. Watch the church newsletter for the location of the meetings because many meet in a different home each month.

You are invited to attend a circle of your convenience. For more information, contact Dale Walker.

“Confessing the Beatitudes”
Presbyterian Women Study
The Presbyterian Women will begin a study this fall for the 2011-12 year entitled, “Confessing the Beatitudes” by Margaret Aymer.  The author has family connections to Livingstone College in Salisbury. Follow her BLOG about the study.

The Beatitudes, which are some of the most beloved teachings of Jesus, yet they may well be some of the most pointed. We may miss their point, however, if we do not study them within their literary, historical, and cultural contexts. In this study, Margaret Aymer invites us to consider the Beatitudes as they might have been heard when Jesus spoke them — during the time of the Roman Empire. While great in many respects, Rome was a cruel and brutal regime that did not stop short of executing anyone who challenged its authority- an important context to remember.

Confessing the Beatitudes is aptly named, as participants are invited at the end of each lesson to enter into a process of confession. The ancient practice of confession marks Christians as a people who recognize the truth, learn about the truth, and speak the truth — both about God and about ourselves. Through reading the Accra Confession of 2004, which was adopted by the World Alliance of Reformed Churches as a call for engagement against injustices in the world, we are invited to make individual confessions. Confession in this heartfelt manner is a concrete way for us to make the Beatitudes part of our journey of discipleship as we move from confession to action. (www.pcusa.org)

If you are interested in participating in a Circle (small group) you may contact PW Moderator, Julie Monroe for more details and start dates. Five Circles meet monthly at various times: one meets at 6:00 p.m. at the church on Sunday nights, two meet at 10:00 a.m. on Monday mornings in homes, one meets at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesdays and one meets at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday nights at the church. Each Circle will be studying “Confessing the Beatitudes”. No registration is required to be part of a Presbyterian Women’s Circle. Join us!