The Messenger

We are all Presbyterian women.

Hello, friends!

The Presbyterian Women (PW) theme for the year is “A Community of Women Through the Generations.” Hebrews 10:24-25: And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

As Carol Solenberger, Director of Engagement and PW advisor, stated in the July Messenger, PW had a change in leadership in January. I was asked to remain on the Board and serve as this year’s Board Chair, which I agreed to without hesitation—as this community of women is extremely important to me.

Recently, a friend expressed concerns about the slogan, “We are all Presbyterian Women.” She has invited many friends to PW events, but a few of them have felt uncomfortable accepting because they are not Presbyterian or adhere to any faith at all. They were not sure if they would feel welcome. We are trying to reinforce the message that any woman who walks into the church or joins a PW activity is considered part of the community—members or non-members—regardless of her faith. PW is not a club. Please let me reiterate that any person interested in attending any event at Village Presbyterian Church is always welcome. FULL STOP. May it be so.

With gratitude,
Patty Slentz-Howard, PW Board Chair

Circle Bible Studies Begin!

At the Antioch Campus, we began our new study on Sept. 8 and on the Mission Campus, women’s Circles met on Sept. 9. The 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. Thank to all the leaders and facilitators who make these meetings happen each month!

Growing Compassion

Our first morning of Coffee & Conversation was a full house! See you again on Wednesday, Oct. 1—with Ginger Rothhaas of Compassion Fix in Room 309—where we learn how to be more compassionate to ourselves one breath, one tool, one practice at a time. This season we will explore love through the lens of world religions. Invite someone to join you!

If you have missed a session, do not fear. Village Church’s communications team records Ginger’s discussions and uploads them to their YouTube Channel!

More Save-the-Dates:

• Sunshine & Stroll – 1:30-3 p.m. this Sunday, Sept. 14 at Mohawk Park. Soak up some sunshine, take a stroll around the park, or sit and chat with other women. Kids are welcome, too!
• MOTS (Moms of Teens) – 8:30-10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20 and Saturday, Nov. 8 in the Young Adult Space (Mission Campus)
• Connect Group Info – after worship services on Sunday, Sept. 21. New groups are forming for Pastor Rodger’s study on Jesus’ Beatitudes.
• Wednesday’s Women Fellowship – Wednesday, Oct. 8. Come to Wednesday Family Dinner at 6 p.m. (Mission Campus); program brings at 6:30. Topics vary each month.
• 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!

• Oct. 1 – “Unsheltered” by Barbara Kingsolver
• Nov. 5 – “The Emperor of Gladness” by Ocean Vuong
• Dec. 3 – “Theo of Golden” by Allen Levi
• Jan. 7 – Meeting to choose books for 2026

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!

• Nov. 13 (date change!) “The Midwife of Auschwitz” by Anna Stewart

Doing the Good

2024 PW Thank Offering donations purchase an ambulance for the Higgins Brothers Surgicenter in Haiti – Dr. Ted Higgins wrote an article in the summer issue of Horizons magazine sharing how monies from Presbyterian Women at Village Church helped the Surgicenter buy a much-needed vehicle for transporting rural pateints to the clinic in Fonds Parisien for life-saving emergency care and to safely move stablized patients to larger medical centers. Practitioners also use it to treat patients with chronic conditions in distant villages. Your generosity matters! Read the article HERE.

Look for upcoming ‘Village Serve’ dates each month HERE.

Be the Church Night – 5 p.m. Oct 19, Mission Campus. Pizza and cookies at 5 p.m. in Friendship Hall, then 5:30-6:30 p.m. we have a variety of engaging service projects for all ages! Give back during this annual night of service.

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 Sewists and Fabric Donations – 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. We also invite sewists of all abilities and even those who want to learn—to join us as you able or sew from home! We have two groups who meet at the Mission Campus, Room 15, at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

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
• Sharon Marsh, Treasurer-Elect
• Heather McCoy, Membership Coordinator
• Patty Slentz-Howard, Board Chair