The Messenger

We are all Presbyterian women.

Dear friends,

One recent Sunday, I arrived at church feeling especially angry, frustrated, and baffled by the cruelty happening in our country and around the world. As I walked toward the building, I was thinking how much I needed a beam of light and a heavenly voice saying to me, “Patty, I’m here.” I also thought I might need to buy some white sage to smudge myself in an effort to remove all of the negativity I was feeling.

Well, a heavenly beam of light and voice didn’t appear. Nor did I have a smudge stick with me. What happened instead was that I started interacting with people I know by name or face—and those who were new to me—as I walked through the church. I received smiles, laughs, and hugs. I, in turn, offered smiles and hugs, shared a light moment, and reminded those who are going through tough times that I am here and will help in any way that I can. 

God was there. The beam of light and voice did not come in the form I imagined, but through a blanket of warm and loving interactions I felt from my church community. Love and support come in so many ways—and I am grateful that I am reminded of that every time I go to our church. In good and bad times, friends are what we need.

I encourage you to show up repeatedly so you can create and expand your community. Keep an eye out for the various gatherings planned for women. You are always welcome, and you can be sure that you’re building and expanding your community of Christian friends who are lovely, wise, fun, intelligent, and supportive. You just need to take that first step, then the next, and the next.

God is always with us. We need not to expect bright beams of light or heavenly voices. She is coming through loud and clear through those around us. We just need to pay attention.

With gratitude,
Patty Slentz-Howard, Presbyterian Women Board Chair

Fall Kick-Off Fun

The Fall Kick-off was a success! More than 60 women gathered to discuss decluttering your heart and your home and everyone left with a decluttering challenge: Bring in winter items for the Village Clothes Closet or donate fabric to Mission Sewing. They typically prefer clean, unused cotton in assorted designs (a minimum of one yard). We will continue the decluttering discussion at Wednesday Women’s Fellowship on Nov. 12. Optional dinner at 5:30 p.m., then discussion at 6:30 p.m. in Room 232. To register, email Carol Solenberger.

Featured Circle: Village on Antioch Circle

The Village on Antioch (VOA) Circle meets the second Monday of each month (September–May) from 6:30–7:30 p.m. (perfect for ladies who work during the day). Before the monthly Circle meeting, the ladies attending the VOA Circle have the option of bringing a sack dinner and enjoying a time of fellowship from 6–6:30 p.m. This Circle is led by Kelly Thomason. Several ladies take turns serving as Bible study leaders.

The VOA Circle is made up of a delightful group of women who live out their faith. They care deeply about the church and each other. Their discussions are thoughtful and respectful. Many members of this Circle are very active in other areas of Village Church—especially at Presbyterian Women events and as volunteers at the Antioch Campus. New members are always welcome!

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 Bible Studies are as Follows:

• 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

Compassion, Coffee, & Conversation

• Our next Coffee & Conversation with Ginger Rothhaas will be Wednesday, Nov. 5 in Room 309. This season, this group is exploring love through the lens of world religions. 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.
• The next Coffee & Conversation at Antioch Campus with Dr. Kate Unruh is at 10 a.m. on Nov. 21. (This group meets once a month on third Thursdays.)

Items to Note:

• Advent Celebration Request – We would love to have photos of the women in your family to use for table decor and for the screen in the Sanctuary for our event on Dec. 2! Email photos to Patty Slentz-Howard (.jpg format) by Friday, Nov. 14. Thank you! Also note that childcare is available that evening. There is no charge to attend but registration is encouraged. We will announce the Faithful Women of Outstanding Services honorees that evening, who will be recognized at the Celebration of Faithful Women event on April 14, 2026.
• “Motherhood to Matriarch” with Ginger Rothhaas – Save the date: Saturday, Feb. 21, Friendship Hall (Mission Campus). This 2026 event will help us ponder the relationships we want to have with our adult children.

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!

• 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 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13 in the Conference Room (Antioch Campus) to discuss: “The Midwife of Auschwitz” by Anna Stewart. At our November gathering, we’ll discuss books for 2026.

Page Turners – 4^th Tuesdays. Next one? Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (Mission Campus, Room 127) Bring your own lunch!

Doing the Good

Thanksgiving Dinners –  Starting Nov. 1, millions of Americans will not receive their monthly supplemental nutritional assistance program (SNAP) benefit upon which they rely to purchase food. Many federal employees who are furloughed are also struggling financially. You can help by supporting the Village Food Pantry. Donate to the general fund HERE. Or you can buy a family of four a full Thanksgiving meal for $50 by donating HERE.

It is almost time for poinsettias (really!) – We need your help delivering about 225 poinsettias. These go to our members who are homebound, ill, hospitalized, or are in rehab. You will receive more than you give! Please sign up to deliver throughout the metro area—you choose where and how many. Delivery is on Sat., Dec. 6. Email Linda Alley to sign up or call 913-671-2327.

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. You can also adopt a Star Family for Christmas now—here is the Sign-up! This is the annual tradition of sponsoring Christmas gifts and holiday meals for low-income and unhoused families. Pick up your adopted family’s packet between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. this Sunday, Nov. 9, in Friendship Hall (Mission Campus). At the Antioch Campus, the annual Angel Tree project kicks off on Nov. 16.

Mission Sewing Needs Sewists – We invite sewists of all abilities and 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: Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and Thursdays, 10 a.m.-noon. Interested? Contact: Sallie Veenstra (Tuesdays)— or Betsy Wiley or Nancy Cantril (Thursdays). 

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.

Look for upcoming ‘Village Serve’ dates each month HERE. The next one is Saturday, Nov. 8, 3:30-6:30 p.m., at the Ronald McDonald House, preparing and serving a meal for inpatient families.

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