The Messenger
faithful women abound
On April 14, Village Church’s Presbyterian Women held the annual Celebration of Faithful Women event, during which we thanked Louise Woodward (posthumously), Julie O’Connor, and Judy Frame for their outstanding and faithful service to our church community. Friendship Hall was filled with Village staff, family, and friends who wanted to show their pride and love for these three exceptional women. Each was feted by people who know them well and told us of their accomplishments while photos of them rotated on the large screen behind them. In recognition of this distinguished honor, each received the Presbyterian Women’s Lifetime Membership Award, a symbolic pin featuring caring hands, a leaf representing faith growth, a dove symbolizing peace, and a cross signifying forgiveness. The overall design of the pin is a butterfly, symbolizing our newness in Christ.
Leading up to the event, we understood Louise’s health was in decline. With that in mind, Rev. Dr. Diane Janssen Hemmen, Louise’s family, and Donna Patton presented Louise with her pin about a week before her passing. I visited Louise the day she received her pin and saw her wearing it proudly. Louise’s daughter, Carol, wore it to the Celebration.
Congratulations to this year’s recipients and a heartfelt thanks to Anne Darby, Heather McCoy, Linda Lieffring, Carol Solenberger, and Dee Couch for organizing this wonderful event. Find more photos and the videos shown at the event HERE.
Patty Slentz-Howard, Presbyterian Women Committee Chair
Mahjong Mondays continue into the summer at 6:30 p.m. At the Mission Campus: June 8, July 13, Aug. 10. And at the Antioch Campus: June 15 and July 20. No need to RSVP, just come.
Doing the Good
Village Serves on May 9 – 10 a.m. to noon, this Saturday, May 9. This month we serve at Kanbe‘s Markets helping sort food to be distributed city-wide. All are welcome! Learn more and sign up HERE.
Be the Church at Antioch Campus – 11 a.m. Sunday, May 10. Stay after worship to pack hygiene kits for those experiencing homelessness. It’s an all-ages activity, and many hands make light work.
Donate A Bike! We are collecting bikes to donate to Front Porch Alliance. Someone will fix them up and then they will go to children in need by the end of the summer. Bikes can be dropped off at the South Entrance at the Mission Campus. Email Pastor Zach with questions or for more info.
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
CElebration of faithful women donations
Thanks to you, we received $815 in donations at the April 14 Celebration of Faithful Women! So far, we’ve spent $600 on feminine products and adult protective underwear (33 packages/boxes) for “Be the Church” night that were then sorted by volunteers into smaller packages for distribution at the Village Church Food Pantry. You are making a difference in the lives of our neighbors in need.
2026-2027
PW Horizons Bible Study
Next fall, the Horizons Bible Study will be, “United Though Christ, Bound to Each Other; Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians” by Rhonda Mawhood Lee. This study explores Paul’s letter’s setting, divisions within the congregation, and ultimately, the gifts given to all through the work of Christ. Readers will be fascinated by this journey to Corinth and will explore how Paul’s timeless message of loving unity calls Christ’s followers today.
Exciting 2027 News!
Village Presbyterian Church is delighted to announce that the 25th Anniversary Meneilly Visiting Scholar will be Barbara Brown Taylor! For years, she’s been the #1 requested speaker on program evaluations, so we are thrilled to welcome her. Read more about this celebrated author and speaker HERE. Barbara will speak Saturday morning, April 17, 2027, and also preach at the two morning worship services the Mission Campus on April 18. Save the dates and stay tuned!
Featured Circle: Lakeview Village
The Lakeview Village Circle meets the second Tuesday of each month (September–May) from 1–2:30 p.m. This Circle was started several years ago by Rev. Diane Quaintance in order to provide a Bible study to women residing in the retirement community. Many of these women no longer drive and some have mobility challenges. Rev. Quaintance determined that a Circle would allow these ladies to connect and develop friendships within their community.
This Circle is co-led by Rev. Quaintance and Margaret Boomer. Each month, members of this Circle receive a beautiful, handmade invitation in the mail, inviting them to the upcoming Circle meeting. These invitations are courtesy of Village Church member Kelly Thomason (and a dedicated crew of ladies at Village Church on Antioch). The women who attend this Circle experience fellowship, interesting conversations, and treats. Rev. Quaintance also provides May Day flowers to each member. During the summer, this Circle gathers for a tea party—just to keep in contact. 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
Book Clubs
NEW! Summer Book Club – 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays June 9, 23, & July 7, Room 8 (Mission Campus). Join us this summer, on three Tuesday evenings, as we explore “The Next Right Thing” by Emily P. Freeman. The forward to the book reads, “For anyone who has made a pro/con list in the middle of the night.” Hope you can join us for a fun time. Questions? Email Melissa Anderson.
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 – Next meeting? 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 26 (Room 127, Mission Campus). Visitors and new members are always welcome to join our lively discussions on the fourth Tuesday of each month (except December). Please feel free to bring your own lunch and stay for informal fellowship time. For more information, contact Barbara Lee or Ann Raikula. Our next books will be:
- May 26 – “The Boys in the Boat; Nine Americans and their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics” by Daniel James Brown
- June 23 – “How to Read a Book” by Monica Wood
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 COMMITTEE 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, Committee Chair