February 2012
Women’s Page
Soup ~ Bread ~ Membership
Sunday, February 19, 2012
12:15 P.M.
If you wish to bring a crock-pot of your special
Recipe, please sign the sheet on the PW
bulletin board.
(If you bring a pot of soup, your meal is free!)
Prior sign up for attendance is requested.
Adults: $5.00
Youth (6 ~ 12) 2.50
Kids (5 and under) Eat for free
Please Pay at the Door
Like to bake??
There will be a sign up sheet for desserts too!
When a female becomes a Communicant Member of First Presbyterian Church,
She also becomes a member of the Presbyterian Women in the Congregation.
Presbyterian Women (P.W.) consists of a “Coordinating Team” and Circle Two.
Circle Two is a work and fellowship group. Their format is six sales a year and they are open to the public. The proceeds from a Boutique, Thrift Shop and a luncheon provide funds that support the Mission of the P.W. and donations to local, world wide charities and needed church items. Circle Two meets each Wednesday at 10 a.m.
There are three yearly meeting or “Gatherings” and a Summer Luncheon at a local restaurant for all Presbyterian Women and friends. Dates and times of other P.W. events will be published in the bulletin and Gazette.
Presbyterian Women’s Winter Gathering
10:30am registration Saturday February 11th
@ First Presbyterian Church of Clarence
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
Betty Carr ~ 2/11
Ann Drapo ~ 2/28
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CIRCLE III
Circle III is a group of Presbyterian Women who meet for Bible Study and friendship. This group of women have been meeting for many years. They began meeting bi-weekly evenings, but as more of the group did not wish to come out evenings, morning meetings were planned.
Several of Circle III members were also members of the workforce, so the daytime membership declined. Circle III has lost several of it’s membership over the last two years, and sadly this past winter the remaining members decided to disband.
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
The formal name of our PW is “The Presbyterian Women in the Congregation”. Most women who are members of First Presbyterian Church do not realize that they automatically become a member of PW as soon as they become a member of church. There is no formal induction, no dues, or secret handshake involved.
Our Presbyterian Women are part of the “Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of WNY” and “Presbyterian Women of the Presbyterian Church (USA)”.
The Presbyterian Women 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 (USA) and witnesses to the promise of God’s kingdom”.
THE STORY OF THE MINI-BOUTIQUE & THRIFT SHOP
Once upon a time, a group of our women had an idea. They thought they would like to use their talents to make gifts and favors for hospitals, nursing homes and their church. Also, to sell their hand crafts, good used clothing and household items in a little shop that would be open to the public. The receipts from this would be used for the purpose of buying special things for their church.
Therefore, on Wednesday, October 4, 1972, Circle II opened “The Mini-Shop” on the stage of Fellowship Hall. They hoped to make about $25.00, but that first day they tallied $65.00. They were so encouraged; they decided to make it “First – Wednesday – Monthly” project for their Circle. On other Wednesdays and in their homes, they held workshops for creating special items for the monthly sales. With these handcrafted gifts along with clothing and household items contributed by other church members and friends, this venture grew and grew, and GREW! It grew so much, that the trustees gave permission for Circle II to use the two kitchens and part of the Church School basement.
After much restoration and redecorating with the help of the Circle II male auxiliary, (AKA) husbands and other men of the church, the old “pie-kitchen” was transformed into a permanent Mini-Boutique. The old “cooking-kitchen” gradually took on a bright new look, the Thrift Shop acquired more needed space, and soon a lunch was served and the public loved it.
Just before Christmas, Circle II will meet and prayerfully decide where to donate the monies earned from the six sales held each year. Over the years our Church has benefited from our success with many small and large projects supported or paid for with our gratitude.
Each Wednesday, you will find the Circle II area a busy, noisy and happy place where our members sort and fold and laugh. Although we have lost some of our original members (and we still miss them), we have added many new members (and we are very blessed). Not only has this effort been successful in a monetary way, but most rewarding of all, has been the friendship within our Circle, our Church, but most of all in our Community. This will be the 38th year of the sales that take place on first Wednesday of April, May, June, September, October and the third Wednesday of November (our famous Christmas Sale).
We invite everyone to come and join on a “Sale” day or all women are welcome to join Circle II to serve God, work, laugh, and drink coffee!