Presbyterian Women
Women’s groups in the Presbyterian Church have a powerful history. Since the early 1800’s, Presbyterian women have joined to support mission and combat social injustices locally and abroad. All women of the church are considered members of the organization Presbyterian Women; however, many choose to belong to specific circles within the organization to support its ministry and mission actively.
PW’s circles meet monthly—either in homes or at the church—and programs include prayer, Bible study, community building, giving, fun fellowship, and refreshments. Rockledge Presbyterian Church has three circles—two daytime and one evening. Abigail, Ruth, and Esther meet the third week of each month, September through May. One, Abigail, meets socially from June to August. Circles offer women in the church meaningful ways to live out their faith in the midst of a caring community of women. The focus for each monthly meeting is a lesson from the Horizons Bible study, created and written by the national PW organization. Exploring a new topic or theme each year, Horizons nourishes our faith and encourages us to participate actively in meeting the challenges that currently faces us and other women here and abroad.
Become a member and discover the benefits. Expand your relationships, increase your knowledge, and enjoy serving your church and community. To join a Circle, contact the church office at (321) 636-0811.
Circle women promote special offerings and much needed assistance to projects in our communities. They even support mission workers and projects around the world. Here are a few examples of their work:
- Thank Offering
In November, the church celebrates Thank Offering Sunday with a Praise Service conducted by PW. The Thank Offering, collected at the worship service, provides assistance to domestic and international projects carefully selected to meet critical needs. Forty percent goes to support hospitals and community health programs for the needy. Sixty percent is used for new creative ideas for mission. Women and children are primary beneficiaries. Additionally, those who attend are asked to bring canned goods which are placed in baskets designated for the Brevard Sharing Center. - Birthday Offering
Each May, since 1922, circle women have donated a Birthday Offering that provides assistance to numerous programs not included in ongoing General Assembly mission support. Each year, a Creative Ministries Offering Committee selects 5 projects—foreign and domestic—to help disadvantaged persons. These projects relate to health, education, economic development, and the needs of women and children. - Least Coin Offering
This offering is collected at circle meetings throughout the year and dedicated in May. Fellowship of the Least Coin invites women from around the world to set aside the least coin of their country as a symbol of their prayers for peace and reconciliation. Coins support programs including gender/justice issues, literacy and education, health and social concerns. - Blanket Fund
PW collects monies for the Church World Service Blanket Fund in January. From these donations from the congregation, blankets are distributed to refugees and the needy throughout the world. - Brevard Sharing Center and Angel Tree Projects
Circles sponsor collection of canned goods at the Praise Service in November, all of which are taken to the Brevard Sharing Center to help those without food. At Christmas, PW volunteers assist the Salvation Army in manning tables at the mall for the Angel Tree Project. Volunteers manage the distribution of angels and collect Christmas gifts from shoppers once they have purchased them for a child. Through the work of the Salvation Army and these volunteers, parents short of money are able to provide a happy Christmas for their children.