The Messenger

We are all Presbyterian women.

Summer Greetings, All Women of Village Church! 

I’m nearing the end of my first year as the Presbyterian Women Advisor/Director of Engagement and I’ve loved working with you and look forward to continuing to walk along beside you this upcoming program year. 

As some of you may know, we had a change in leadership. Our Moderator and Moderator-Elect stepped down from their positions in January. That didn’t stop the Presbyterian Women Board from leading us through the remainder of a great spring. During this time of reorientation, we have strong, committed women serving as Board members who are focused on continuing to offer our current programs and events—and working to create new opportunities for all women at Village Church. 

please thank our outgoing Board members for their faithful service: 

• Barb Brown, Christian Action Coordinator
• Susie Latas, Secretary
• Sally Porter, Spiritual Growth Co-Coordinator
• Meredith Reynolds, Amazing Graces Representative

Welcome our incoming Board members:

• Barb Brown, Secretary
• Anne Darby, Spiritual Growth Co-Coordinator
• Linda Lieffring, Christian Action Coordinator
• Sharon Marsh, Treasurer-Elect

Current Board members:

• Patty Slentz-Howard, Board Chair
• Lisa Mann, Treasurer
• Dee Couch, Circle Activities Coordinator
• Heather McCoy, Membership Coordinator
• Melissa Anderson, Spiritual Growth Co-Coordinator
• Kay Findlay, Amazing Graces Representative
• Sarah Emerson, Village on Antioch Representative

A heartfelt thank you to Rev. Anna Owens for leading Presbyterian Women before my arrival and for facilitating the Circle Bible Study Leaders discussion each month. A special thank you to Michelle O’Neal for creating our monthly Messenger online newsletter that is filled with photos, stories, and information that captures the essence of Presbyterian Women!

I am confident, hopeful, excited, and motivated for 2025-2026 and look forward to all that it brings! I ask that each of you keep Presbyterian Women in your prayers, grant us grace, and enter this season with an open mind as we embark on a year of reorientation for all women of Village Church and PW. 

I look forward to seeing you all soon. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if there is anything I can do for you or if you have any questions. Enjoy the remainder of your summer!

With a grateful heart, Carol Solenberger

PW Fall Kick-off

Saturday, Oct. 18 – We are bringing in local author and minimalist-living coach, Julia Ubbenga, to speak about her book, “Declutter Your Heart and Your Home.” A small fee will cover the event—and you will get a copy of her book! Learn more about Julia on her website. More info to come.

Save the Date

Horizons Bible Study Preview and Summer Gathering – 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, Southminster Presbyterian Church. Come learn more about this year’s study, “Finding Resilence, Joy and Our Identity in Jesus Christ” by Rhashell Hunter and the Presbyterian Women of Mid-America’s Racial Equality Dialog (RED) Team. All women are invited to attend. Questions? Email Carol Solenberger.

Fall Coordinating Team Meeting – Tuesday, Aug. 19, 6 p.m. dinner, 6:30 meeting. Rooms 232/233. This meeting is for Presbyterian Women Board Members, Group Leaders, Circle Leaders, and Circle Treasurers.

PW Coffee & Connection – Saturday, Aug. 23, 9-10:30 am. Rooms 232/233. Join us for coffee and to learn more about getting connected with other women at Village. 

Circle Bible Studies Launch – Antioch Campus begins Monday, Sept. 8 and Mission Campus begins Tuesday, Sept. 9: “Finding Resilience, Joy, and Our Identity in Jesus Christ” by Rhashell Hunter. Interested in finding out more about Circle groups and this year’s study? Contact Dee Couch.

MOTS (Moms of Teens) – 8:30-10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20 and Saturday, Nov. 8 in the Young Adult Space (Mission Campus).

Advent Celebration – Tuesday, Dec. 2.

Book Clubs

Love to read? The Amazing Graces Book Club meets 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 our upcoming book picks!

• Aug. 6 – “James” by Percival Everett
• Sept. 3 – “March” by Geraldine Brooks

Antioch quarterly book club– meets at 7 p.m. in the Conference Room. At our November gathering, we’ll discuss books for 2026. Join us!

• Aug. 26 “A Slender Thread” by Katherine Davis
• Nov. 25 “The Midwife of Auschwitz” by Anna Stewart

Serve at Village

Cross-Lines Kitchen – Every month, Village serves a meal to 150-250 people at the Cross-Lines Kitchen. To volunteer on Aug. 8 with the Antioch team, contact Laura Assyia.

Habitat KC Women’s Build – Save the date for our next Women Build opportunity: Thursday, Sept. 11.

Warm Welcomes – We’re looking for friendly volunteers to serve as ushers to welcome guests and help with the offering on Sunday mornings. It is just a 2-4 hour commitment per month. Contact Carol to help out.

Help Host at Memorial Services – Helping families when they have lost a loved one is a gift from the heart. If you could usher or host at a memorial reception, we would appreciate it. Volunteers serve as their schedules permit—helping for about 2-4 hours at the most. Contact Linda Alley at 913-671-2327 or send Linda an email.

Mission Sewing Needs Fabric – Hospitals need blankets for adults receiving chemo. Mission Sewing is asking for cotton prints of assorted designs (a minimum of 1 yard), clean and unused. Drop off at the south entrance at the Mission Campus.

Needing Support?

Our wonderful partner, Prairie Sky Counseling, with main offices based out of our Antioch Campus, has just completed work on a new space located at the Mission Campus. Prairie Sky therapists had previously been seeing clients out of our Bride’s Room on the second floor, but they are so excited to be able to offer in-person counseling services out of a new, bright room on first floor near the Mission Sewing Room.

If you’re considering therapy, Prairie Sky’s graduate student therapists are an excellent, affordable option and are currently accepting clients. Prairie Sky has recently partnered with the Marriage and Family Therapy graduate program at Friends University to provide this opportunity. Learn more HERE. Make an appointment to see one of the student therapists at the new Mission Campus therapy space! And tell others.