Mary Weber - PWS Moderator
As the new moderator of Presbyterian Women for the Synod of Living Waters, I
have begun attending Gatherings, Cluster meetings, Bible Study and other PW
events in our area--Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama. There are
fifteen other women like me who are also traveling in their synods. I am most
happy to represent the Synod of Living Waters.
During our recent Synod Presbyterian Women’s Gathering in Franklin, Tennessee,
Mary Hammett stated, “we have been in the corset of the old way.” Isn’t that a vivid
picture for all of us? I think we all had the same teacher…you know, the one who
tugged on her girdle while she was in the front of the classroom. She had trouble
being comfortable.
Since 1989, when we joined the Northern and Southern streams of the Presbyterian
Church and became Presbyterian Women, we have been struggling to find a
foundation garment that fits. Our Churchwide organization, at the business meeting
in Louisville last summer, made some new adjustments to make us more
comfortable. We no longer have assignments of what we are to send to foreign
missions. Now we are asked to send only sheets, blankets and baby layettes. We no
longer use the term “enabler” that was offensive to some. We are now asked to tell
personal stories for both history and mission instead of accounting for numbers
served and dollars spent. This is a lot of change, but a system is in place that is
providing training for Presbyterian Women on every level—churchwide, synod,
presbytery, and the local congregations.
The changes may seem drastic but, like shedding that old corset, they are meant to
free us up, to give us room to grow, to encourage us to reach out in service and love.
With our symbol and purpose guiding us, I think that we will do that very well.
have begun attending Gatherings, Cluster meetings, Bible Study and other PW
events in our area--Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama. There are
fifteen other women like me who are also traveling in their synods. I am most
happy to represent the Synod of Living Waters.
During our recent Synod Presbyterian Women’s Gathering in Franklin, Tennessee,
Mary Hammett stated, “we have been in the corset of the old way.” Isn’t that a vivid
picture for all of us? I think we all had the same teacher…you know, the one who
tugged on her girdle while she was in the front of the classroom. She had trouble
being comfortable.
Since 1989, when we joined the Northern and Southern streams of the Presbyterian
Church and became Presbyterian Women, we have been struggling to find a
foundation garment that fits. Our Churchwide organization, at the business meeting
in Louisville last summer, made some new adjustments to make us more
comfortable. We no longer have assignments of what we are to send to foreign
missions. Now we are asked to send only sheets, blankets and baby layettes. We no
longer use the term “enabler” that was offensive to some. We are now asked to tell
personal stories for both history and mission instead of accounting for numbers
served and dollars spent. This is a lot of change, but a system is in place that is
providing training for Presbyterian Women on every level—churchwide, synod,
presbytery, and the local congregations.
The changes may seem drastic but, like shedding that old corset, they are meant to
free us up, to give us room to grow, to encourage us to reach out in service and love.
With our symbol and purpose guiding us, I think that we will do that very well.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |