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Dear Presbyterian Women, I’ve heard two questions asked at every level of Presbyterian Women—in congregations, presbyteries, synods and the Churchwide Coordinating Team of PW—where are the young women, and why aren’t they involved in PW? In an attempt to lift up our voices, I would like to offer my observations intertwined with the experiences of several of my peers.

I am a young adult woman, active in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). While this may seem an anomaly, I assure you that our denomination has many young women like me—women with energy and vision—just waiting to speak or receive an invitation to the meeting table. I am listening, watching and wanting to learn from you (Here, I define “you” as Presbyterian women over 35). The catch is young women like me will only come on our own terms.

I grew up in a small church in east Texas, and have copious memories of Presbyterian Women rolling bandages and calling special meetings on Sundays. Our church’s PW coordinated the annual Christmas pageant, where I starred as Mary once, an angel five times and a shepherd now and then.

The best potluck of the year always accompanied PW’s Birthday Offering and I still receive a Valentine’s Day package every February from the Afternoon Circle. The nurturing of older women in our congregation tremendously influenced my development as a Presbyterian. I am grateful for the commitment of these women and realize that in many churches Presbyterian Women carries significant weight.

However, I also remember that not all women in our congregation wanted to be involved in PW, or simply couldn’t be involved due to their careers and family responsibilities. My mother was a full generation behind almost everyone in her circle, and when she went back to work as a teacher, she no longer had time to meet during the day or at night.

That said, I appreciate that PW asks why young women are not involved in their programs and why it’s so difficult to get young women involved in church life in general. To shed some light on this conundrum, I offer my thoughts and the voices of several other young women engaged in Presbyterian life around the country. While some of these women have participated in PW circles in the past, or are at least familiar with the opportunities PW provides, none of us are currently involved with PW at the congregational level. However, many, like myself, actively support women’s issues and programs at the national level.

What has gone awry? Or is it possible that nothing has gone awry?

Ann Crews Melton is a recent graduate of Austin College in Sherman, Texas, with a degree in religion and gender studies. She currently lives in Louisville, Kentucky, where she researches cooperative community structures and decentralized Christology.

Hear young women's answers to Ann's questions in the March/April 2004 isssue of Horizons. Call 800/524-2612 to subscribe or order now.

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