PURPOSE OF PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to nurture our faith through prayer and Bible study, to support the mission of the church worldwide, to work for justice and peace, and to build an inclusive, caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and witnesses to the promise of God’s kingdom.

MISSION OPPORTUNITIES

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN BIRTHDAY OFFERING
In 1922, while on tour of mission stations in the Orient, Hallie Paxton Winsborough, first superintendent of Women’s work in the United States, (PCUS), visited a girl’s school in Kochi, Japan. Seeing needs she knew would vitally interest Presbyterian women, she returned home to challenge women to give a special offering to help these girls in Japan. Excited by the opportunity, Presbyterian women were soon giving a “Birthday Offering” each spring to meet a major mission need. The offering was in celebration of the birthday of Women of the Church.

The PW Birthday Offering, received in the Spring, continues this tradition. These funds support predetermined projects selected annually by the Creative Ministries Offering Committee. Each project meets the needs of hurting people in accordance with mission concerns and policies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN THANK OFFERING
The PW Thank Offering originated in the late 1800’s with Eliza Clokey of Springfield, Ohio. Her plan was to ask each woman to give a gift in addition to her usual contribution to the Women’s General Missionary Society of the United Presbyterian Church of North America as a “thank offering to our Lord”. In 1888, the women designated a day for prayer and thanksgiving when this special offering should be received. The gifts were presented at the annual convention. These sacrificial gifts, it is said, saved the worldwide missionary movement of their denomination. Though the thrust of how and where the money should be used had changed over the years the “thank offering to her Lord” continued to be an important part of United Presbyterian Women’s giving. As a part of Celebration Giving, the Thank Offering (including Health Ministries) continues to be given by Presbyterian Women. Given in the fall, the offering may represent a one-time gift or it may be the accumulation of money saved through the year by a woman in her “Thank Offering Box” as an expression of her gratitude for the special blessings in her life.

FELLOWSHIP OF THE LEAST COIN
The Fellowship of the Least Coin links prayer and “least coins” in a very significant way, as the least coin becomes the symbol of prayer for peace and reconciliation. It was begun in 1956 by Shanti Solomon of India who considered that women anywhere could have a sense of being part of a worldwide family of faith as they prayed for peace and reconciliation and set aside the least coin of their country as a symbol of that prayer. As coins are gathered from around the world, they become a sign of our oneness in the common quest for peace, justice and reconciliation.

COLUMBIA FRIENDSHIP OFFERING
From its humble beginnings among a small group of women in Atlanta, to a membership base of thousands of women throughout the Southeast, Columbia Friendship Circle has maintained a faithful and dedicated tradition of service to Columbia Theological Seminary. A variety of projects, from the chapel organ and kitchen equipment to scholarship professorship, have enhanced the life and learning of countless students significantly during the past fifty years. More importantly, the friendship cultivated between the women of the Presbyterian Church and the seminary has led to numerous opportunities for lay people to be involved in the education of their leaders.