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by Lee and Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty

How is Presbyterian Women conveying the mission of the organization through its programs and practices in your congregation? Perhaps you have not yet had the opportunity to consider the importance of rituals of PW circles that communicate the mission and ministry of Presbyterian Women. In our congregation, the majority of women are not involved in Presbyterian Women. While this is not a trend that we can verify on the national level, other friends have mentioned that their circles are struggling to recruit members and to find enough volunteers to host various functions. This article is aimed at helping PW circles who may be struggling with recruiting new members or circles with hopes of incorporating new members. We think that taking some time to think about the connection between the practices and mission of Presbyterian Women will clarify the role of PW in your church, presbytery and synod. Clarifying the role of Presbyterian Women also may help welcome new members who wonder whether Presbyterian Women is an organization for them.

Circles are the basic units of Presbyterian Women as an organization. Beyond their practical significance, PW circles symbolize the mission and ministry of Presbyterian Women and provide a mental picture of how this community of women operates. While sharing our reflections on the identity of Presbyterian Women, we challenge you to reflect on the meaning of your own practices and rituals, and what they communicate to others.

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