By action of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
General Assembly in 1993, Celebrate the Gifts of Women appears
on the Presbyterian Planning Calendar each year. Originally
it was observed on the Sunday closest to March 8, International
Women’s Day. Congregations and individuals are encouraged
to celebrate this day at some time each year in recognition
of the gifts women bring to God, the church, and the community.
This day is set aside for two reasons: to celebrate and
honor individual women who contribute their gifts and to lift
up issues of women’s rights. The occasion provides an
opportunity for congregations to recognize particular women
whose faithful service makes a difference in the church’s
life. It also gives congregations a chance to lift up specific
issues of concern to women locally, nationally, and internationally.
Here are some ideas for celebrating the gifts of women in
your congregation, presbytery, or synod:
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Honor the clergywomen in your area with
a luncheon or reception.
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Prepare a display of the history of women
in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
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Use the video and study guide 200 Years
of Presbyterian Women as part of a new members class. Order
from Presbyterian Distribution Service, (800) 524-2612,
item #PWR-00-210.
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Pray for the women serving in the U.S. Senate
and House of Representatives. Send them postcards thanking
them for their commitment.
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Contact the National Network of Presbyterian
College Women at (888) 728-7228, ext. 8042, to learn about
the program and its resources for college women. If there
is a college campus in your area, become involved in its
campus ministry.
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Start a mentoring program for teen and college
women in your congregation.
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Join the PC(USA) Women’s Advocacy Network.
Contact the Office for Women’s Advocacy at (888) 728-7228,
ext. 5403.
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Explore issues of hunger, homelessness,
or domestic violence in your community and become involved
in advocating for change.
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Prepare a women’s history display.
Contact your local or state Women’s Hall of Fame or
the National Women’s Hall of Fame at www.greatwomen.org.
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Ask women of different generations to talk
about the changes they have experienced in women’s
roles.
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Arrange an antiracism training event for
your congregation or women’s group. Contact the Racial
Justice Office of the PC(USA) at (888) 728-7228, ext. 5696
for assistance.
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Read about racial ethnic Presbyterian women
who have made important contributions to the church in the
book Etchings in Diversity. PDS item #PWR99202.
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Start a reading list of new women authors
and include it in your congregational or Presbyterian Women’s
newsletter.
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Pray for women who serve in the military.
The Celebrate the Gifts of Women resource is published annually
in the November/December issue of Horizons magazine.
It is also available through Presbyterian Distribution Service
(PDS item #72-700-03-001). To subscribe to Horizons
or request this free resource, call (800) 524-2612.
For information on the Churchwide Gathering
of Presbyterian Women, Click
Here.
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