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News from the Business Meeting
of Presbyterian Women

Voting delegates to the 2003 Business Meeting spent many hours becoming educated about the issues facing Presbyterian Women.

At least once every three years, there shall be a Churchwide Business Meeting of the voting representatives of Presbyterian Women PC(USA) to conduct necessary business which shall include adoption of the triennial budget and election of leaders (PW Manual, section 6-8, Article IV, section 1.A).

Recommendations and Resolutions
The following is a summarized list of recommendations and resolutions voted on during the Business Meeting of Presbyterian Women, July 9--12, 2003. All were approved, unless otherwise noted. To view the complete list, visit the PW Gathering Web site, www.pcusa.org/pwgathering.

The Task Group for Structural Review of Presbyterian Women from an Antiracism Perspective brought 16 recommendations to the Business Meeting, all with the intention of involving more racial ethnic women in PW---all were approved.

Recommendations for Action from CCT Committees
PW Enabler Committee
1. That PW continue to evaluate the PW Enabler program
2. That PW continue the Hospitality Room at Churchwide Gatherings
3. The PW involve moderators and other leaders, as well as PW Enablers at all levels, in training events

Leadership Development Committee
1. That PW groups at all levels urge and encourage women to subscribe to Horizons
2. That PW groups at all levels utilize the antiracism facilitators trained during the 2000--2003 triennium

2000­2003 moderator Karen Fritsch (right) passes the gavel to incoming moderator Kris Gerling (left) despite her feigned protest.

Justice and Peace Committee
1. That PW work in partnership with Children's Defense Fund to Leave No Child Behind® as we advocate for our nation's children
2. That PW advocate for a just solution to the global AIDS pandemic

Mission Relationships Committee
1. That PW, in partnership with the Worldwide Ministries Division, adopt a Global Partnerships Program

Resolutions Submitted by the Voting Representatives
1. That the annual reading list in Horizons be reinstated
2. That simultaneous translations be provided at the Business Meeting
3. That headsets be provided for the hearing impaired at the Business Meeting
4. That the 2004--2006 Search Committee for the CCT be encouraged to include young adult women (18­35 years) as nominees for the 2006--2009 CCT
5. That a task force be established to study moving the Churchwide Gathering to a four year cycle so that it doesn't interfere with the General Assembly meetings-defeated
6. That the healing power of art and art exhibits be utilized in the antiracism training
7. That PW engage in advocacy and action related to food production and consumption as described in the General Assembly Report "We Are What We Eat"
8. That PW affirm support of Overture 03-33 approved by the 215th General Assembly (2003) that states the churches "support for international cooperation based on fair trade, respect for diversity and common concerns for a peaceful, just and sustainable world"
9. That PW issue a letter to be used by global partners in their efforts to influence the WTO Ministerial, the FTAA Ministerial and other events where trade policies are being made or debated

Here are your leaders! Learn more about the 2003--2006 Churchwide Coordinating Team of Presbyterian Women in the March/April 2003 issue of Horizons.

Recommendations from Conversation Groups
1. That PW be open to new ways of being PW while maintaining and sharing our Purpose
2. That PW encourage a relationship with new church development efforts at all levels of the church
3. That PW develop a system to inform seminary students and pastors about PW
4. That PW in the Congregations be encouraged to subscribe to Horizons for their pastor(s)
5. That second generation Americans be recruited for PW leadership roles at all levels
6. That the current mission pledge system and form be revamped
7. That a brief gathering promotional video or DVD by produced-defeated
8. That PW consider sponsoring short-term mission opportunities for young women (18--30 years)-defeated
9. That PW produce Radio and TV public service announcements for the general public

Top Presbytery Giving by PW in the Presbytery for 2002--2003
Top presbyteries in total money given: Carlisle, Chicago, Donegal, Los Ranchos, Miami, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scioto Valley, Wabash, Whitewater Valley

Top presbyteries in per member giving: Alaska, Eastern Oregon, Glacier, Northern Plains, Prospect Hill, San Juaquin, South Dakota, South Kansas, Western Kentucky

PW Triennial Budget
The PW budget for 2004--06 was approved.

Announcement
More than $68,000 was collected for the PW Gathering Offering.

What Happens Next?
The recommendations and resolutions approved during the 2003 Business Meeting of Presbyterian Women are forwarded to the Churchwide Coordinating Team of Presbyterian Women (CCT/PW). The moderator and two vice-moderators will then direct each recommendation or resolution to the appropriate committee for action or nonaction, as the committee sees fit, during the 2003--2006 triennium.

Get Involved!

If you have an idea, information or a question about any of the recommendations and resolutions given to the 2003­2006 CCT/PW, speak with your synod representative to the CCT/PW. To learn the name and contact information for your synod representative, visit the PW Web site, www.pcusa.org/pw, and click on "Presbyterian Women's Groups" or contact your PW synod moderator.

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