The Messenger
We Are Amazing and Don’t You Ever Forget It!
Dear friends, I hope you continue to write down three things you are grateful for before you strike out on your day. Along with my request that you acknowledge things you are grateful for but take for granted, like having a warm coat to throw on before walking out the door, I’d like you to list (on paper) at least three of your wonderful personality attributes. Here are some ideas. I’ll bet you are kind, considerate, compassionate, strong, gentle, understanding, fierce, brilliant, reflective, supportive, honest, have a strong moral compass, infuriated at injustices and act on them, and much more. Make a list—and there is no need to stop at three.
Celebrate and embrace who you are, beautiful women, and thank God. Don’t sell yourselves short!
Blessings on all of you, gorgeous and amazing children of God.
Patty Slentz-Howard, Presbyterian Women Committee Chair
Let’s Celebrate!
Each year, we gather to honor all women of Village Presbyterian Church with special recognition of the newest honorary lifetime members—an award which we now call “Faithful Women of Outstanding Service.” We hope you make plans to attend Tuesday, April 14 starting at 5:30 p.m. and be inspired. The event is free, but registration is encouraged. Read about this year’s three recipients below!
2026 Faithful Woman of Outstanding Service Recipient
Judy Frame
Judy was born in St. Louis and lived in Illinois, Oklahoma, and finished high school in Wisconsin. She is a Wisconsin Badger—earning an accounting degree. Her first job was in Tulsa, OK where she was a CPA at a top accounting firm. At the age of 25, she started her own accounting firm and practiced as a CPA for another seven years. While working at that firm, Judy attended and graduated with a law degree from the University of Tulsa. After graduating from law school, Judy sold her firm and moved to the Big Apple to attend NYU Law School for a post-graduate degree specializing in tax law. The Shook, Hardy & Bacon law firm brought Judy to Kansas City in 1991. While working as a tax law attorney, Judy shared her knowledge and expertise with future attorneys as an Adjunct Professor of Law at UMKC. In 1994, Judy joined UMKC Law School faculty where she stayed until her retirement in 2022.
Over the past year, Judy has volunteered to work with Village’s Business Office to help implement new accounting software and redesign the budget process. Some of Judy’s current and past Village Church involvements include singing in the choir, serving on the Worship & Music committee, Elder Trustee, Endowment Trust Board, and the Personnel committee. Judy was part of search committees for Music Ministry Director and Senior Director of Business Operations. Judy also led a Village Connect group for women.
Judy has a son, Ian, and two stepsons, Paul and Andy. She has been married to Village member, Mark Basso since 2021.
2026 Faithful Woman of Outstanding Service Recipient
Julie O‘Connor
Julie was born in the University of Missouri campus hospital and says she was born to be a Tiger! Julie and her family lived in Columbia, MO until she was 10, then moved to Kansas City. She graduated from MU with a degree in education and married her husband before they graduated. The newlyweds moved to Milwaukee for Tom’s engineering job. After three years in Wisconsin, they moved to Johnson County where she taught school for three years at Corinth Elementary before their daughter Karen was born. Julie stayed home for nine years raising Karen, volunteering with the Kansas City Museum, and earning a master’s degree in reading disabilities. In 1976, Julie returned to the classroom teaching 2nd grade at Tomahawk Elementary and taught for 10 years before transferring to Prairie Elementary where she taught 2nd and 4th grades. Julie retired from teaching in 1998. Julie says through her experiences—volunteering and teaching—she made wonderful and lasting friendships.
Julie’s daughter Karen (also an MU Tiger) and husband, Billy, have three sons whom Julie adores! She and Tom have so much fun being grandparents, especially after retiring from teaching.
Julie has been a member of Village since 1964 where she is a member of Circle 1, been involved with Mission Sewing, served as a Stephen Minister, Telecare volunteer, baked cookies for Crosslines (she has quite a chocolate-chip cookie reputation), and spent many Monday afternoons at the reception desk at the Mission Campus.
2026 Faithful Woman of Outstanding Service Recipient
Louise Woodward
Louise was born in western Kansas and was raised on a farm in Colorado. She is the oldest of five children. Louise and her siblings had chores including washing the milk separator (which she hated), cooking, and canning food. Louise graduated first in her high school class and received the only scholarship to attend Western State College to study education. Louise took on a variety of jobs to pay for college, including working at a chicken processing plant, picking cherries, writing the social column for the local newspaper, and as a live-in nanny.
While at Western State, Louise met Pat Woodward at Bar7 Oasis which was one of two gathering places for students. This spot was known for their 77-cent lunch special consisting of spaghetti with one meatball. After Louise and Pat married, they moved to western then central Kansas, and finally settled in Johnson County where Louise taught high-school business classes like typing, shorthand, and bookkeeping, until her children were born. The Woodwards have three children and six grandkids who live in Colorado, Texas, Ohio, and Kansas.
Louise has been a Presbyterian for more than 60 years, worshiping for 32 years at Overland Park Presbyterian and almost 33 years at Village Presbyterian, where she joined in 1993. Louise is an ordained elder, was the head of Presbytery, attended Synod school for Study Leader training where she was a leader for Presbyterian Women for 30 years. She says Dr. Bob Meneilly was a wonderful inspiration to her as a Bible study leader. Louise worked for with Church Women United, taught basic computer skills, volunteered with Rev. Gene Augustine in Pastoral Care one day a week. Louise continued working until she was 81 as a GED tutor and as an administrative assistant at Johnson County Community College’s counseling department.
Doing the Good
Be the Church Night – On Sunday, April 19, Village will host a “Be the Church“ night of pizza (5 p.m.) followed by a variety of service stations throughout the Mission Campus for all to take part in from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Learn more HERE.
Cross-Lines Kitchen – Serve a meal to 100-150 neighbors in need next at Cross-Lines Kitchen on Friday, April 10 (Antioch team). Learn more and sign up HERE.
Habitat for Humanity KC Women Build Days – 8-11:30 a.m. May 13 and 14 in the historic northeast Lykins neighborhood (Kansas City, MO). Each group is limited to 15 volunteers. Register for the May 13 opportunity HERE. For Thursday, May 14, click HERE. Questions? Contact Lisa Harrison. Carpooling is encouraged.
Operation Breakthrough needs volunteers to help with year-around tutoring program one hour/week. Volunteers work one-on-one to assist the children with literacy and mathematics. Email Charlotte Davison with questions and to volunteer.
Drivers needed for home-delivered meals – Village has a team of drivers who deliver meals to those who are unable to make ones for themselves. We are in need of folks one Friday each month to drive and deliver. Meals are picked up at Matt Ross Community Center. Email Leslie Conrad (913-226-7245) for more info.
Mission Sewing – Sewists of all abilities and those who want to learn: join Mission Sewing groups as you able or sew from home! Meet at the Mission Campus, Room 15: Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and Thursdays, 10 a.m.-noon
Serve on the Memorial Guild
Memorial Guild members volunteer to make the day of the memorial service (or Celebration of Life) a little bit easier for the family. A few years ago, Marsha Hansen asked congregants to serve in this way. I was somewhat reluctant to raise my hand, but I did anyway, and many years later, I am very happy I did. By the time they arrive, staff persons and one of our pastors have already had many conversations with the family. The guild then supports staff in handling assignments such as standing at the north and south entrances, guiding family members to where they need to be, directing guests to the Sanctuary or chapel, standing at the entrance(s) of the Sanctuary or chapel to welcome attendees and asking them to sign the guest book, and handing them bulletins. During the service, we move the flowers from the narthex to the reception area and stand ready to hand out tissues as needed as people leave. After the service, we pick up bulletins and other items left in the Sanctuary.
The tasks may seem mundane, but many family members have expressed their gratitude for our presence even weeks later.
I hope you will consider offering your time to the Memorial Guild. At the most, you are volunteering two hours of your day to help grieving families. It feels wonderful to serve in this way. Be assured, beginners are never left to figure it out; veterans will serve alongside you. If you are interested in being a part of the Memorial Guild at either campus, please contact Linda Alley or Laura Hobbs (Mission) or Lisa Harrison (Antioch). You won’t be sorry. –Patty Slentz-Howard
Make a Pledge
Giving isn’t just about money—our time and our talents are also gifts from God meant to be shared. Choose one or more ways you pledge to serve your church family this spring. Someone will contact you soon with more information and next steps!
Circle of the Month: Circle 10
Circle 10 meets the second Tuesday of each month (September–May) from 4–5 p.m. at the Mission Campus. It is the perfect Circle for those who prefer late afternoons. This Circle has been in existence for more than 40 years. During the Bible study, all members share in thoughtful and respectful discussions. Each meeting, they also take time to share vacation stories, updates on family, and treats. New members are always warmly welcomed.
Jani Schepers and Donna Patton serve as co-leaders of this Circle. Mona Pestock, Donna Patton, and Louise Woodward take turns leading the Bible study. Joan McFadden faithfully serves as the treasurer. The ladies in this Circle serve Village in many different ways, including choir, Session, and former Deacons. Bible study leader Louise Woodward will be recognized at the Celebration of Faithful Women event on April 14.
The Circle Bible study this year is titled, “Finding Resilience, Joy, and Our Identity in Jesus Christ” by Rhashell Hunter. Interested in joining a Circle? Email Dee Couch.
Weekly Women’s Bible Studies
- Alive Now Bible Study – Wednesdays, 9-10:30 a.m., Room 230, Mission Campus
- Thursday Women’s Bible Study – Thursdays, 1:30-3 p.m., Room 136, Antioch Campus
- Especially for Women Bible Study – Fridays, 9-11 a.m., Room 126, Mission Campus
Engage with your Church & Community
- Tiffany Stained Glass Window Tour & Lunch – 9 a.m. Thursday, April 23. See the nation‘s largest church collection of Tiffany glass windows at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Topeka. After a docent-led tour, we’ll share lunch together. Find more info and register HERE.
- Stephen Ministry 50th Anniversary Celebration & Learning Event – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 25, Friendship Hall, Mission Campus. All those whose lives have been touched by Stephen Ministry are invited to this day of presentations, fellowship, and celebration. The event, which includes a light breakfast and refreshments, is $15 per person; an optional box lunch can be added for $12. Register HERE.
Book Clubs
Antioch Book Club – The Antioch Book Club has been meeting quarterly for the past few years but in 2026, we’ve decided to challenge ourselves to meet every other month! We hope you’ll join us as your schedule allows. Put these future dates on your calendars: May 19, July 21, Sept. 15, and Nov. 17.
Page Turners Book Club – Tuesday, April 28, 10 a.m. (Mission Campus, Room 127). We will read “The Women” by Kristin Hannah. Visitors and new members are always welcome to join our lively discussions on fourth Tuesdays. Please feel free to bring your own lunch and stay for informal fellowship time. For more information, contact Barbara Lee or Ann Raikula.
- April 28 – “The Women” by Kristin Hannah
- May 26 — “The Boys in the Boat; Nine Americans and their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics” by Daniel James Brown
Amazing Graces Book Club – We meet year-round, usually on the first Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. Feel free to join us whenever you are able. Bring an appetizer, dessert, or a beverage to share (not required). We meet in homes so please contact Sara Wallace to be added to the email list. Here are the upcoming books!
- May 6 – “The Correspondent“ by Virginia Evans
- June 3 – “My Friends” by Fredrik Backman
- July 1 – “The Book Club for Troublesome Women” by Marie Bostwick
2025-2026 Board members:
- Melissa Anderson, Spiritual Growth Co-Coordinator
- Barb Brown, Secretary
- Dee Couch, Circle Activities Coordinator
- Anne Darby, Spiritual Growth Co-Coordinator
- Sarah Emerson, Village on Antioch Representative
- Kay Findlay, Amazing Graces Representative
- Linda Lieffring, Christian Action Coordinator
- Lisa Mann, Treasurer
- Heather McCoy, Membership Coordinator
- Patty Slentz-Howard, Board Chair