Celebrate PW!

As long as there have been women, there have been women’s organizations in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and its predecessor denominations. Presbyterian Women came into formal existence on July 15, 1988 with the merger of United Presbyterian Women (UPCUSA) and Women of the Church (PCUS), following the reunion of the church.

PW groups around the country are celebrating this 20th anniversary. Consider planning a celebration for your PW in the congregation, presbytery or synod. Use or adapt any of the following ideas that will work for your group!

Twenty Suggestions for Celebrating 20 Years

1. Invite 20 new women to your PW meetings during 2008.
2. Declare “PW Day” (and celebrate this day every year!)
3. Create a photo display of 20 years of PW moderators in your congregation, presbytery and synod.
4. Bring 20 women from your congregation, community or region to the 2009 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women.
5. Purchase a PW History Exhibit Kit and create your own history display. The kit includes a CD-ROM with useful tools for creating your own history exhibit — photos, quotes, a PowerPoint presentation and the PW Timeline — and the 200 Years of
   
   Presbyterian Women video. $19.95
   PWR-07-137
   
6. Throw a 1988 party!
7. Create a display highlighting 20 years of your PW’s mission projects.
8. Write and perform a play, skit, poem or hymn about the history of your PW.
9. Collect $1 for every year members have been active in PW and contribute funds raised to the mission project of your choice.
10. Purchase an Honorary Life Membership for your first or current PW moderator, or for your PW’s “unsung heroine.”
11. Create a PW time capsule (see you at the 40th!)
12. Start (or add to) a permanent collection of historical materials relating to your PW.
13. Celebrate 20 important women in your congregation (past or present) in an article for your church newsletter or community’s newspaper.
14. Create banners portraying your PW’s themes and logos for each year since 1988.
15. List 20 reasons why you love PW and send them to PW’s national staff to share with PW nationwide. 
16. Commit to 20 mission projects or find 20 ways to raise money for PW.
17. Increase the number of your PW’s subscriptions to Horizons by 20.
18. Celebrate your PW’s _______ (hardest worker, most loyal participant, etc.).
19. Plan a worship service for your church highlighting the history and contributions of PW.
20. Create a church bulletin board display about PW for the month of July 2008. Order the PW Scrapbook Kit, which has PW logo stickers and stamp, four sheets of background paper, and a sheet of frames. All materials are acid-free and archival quality.
    
    $6.50
    Item #PWR-06-130
    

Download this list.

Resources

Service of Celebration
A liturgy that celebrates the history of women’s organizations in the Presbyterian Church and the 20 years of PW’s life; includes suggested hymns.

Horizons, January/February 2008
An entire issue dedicated to the creation and life of Presbyterian Women
HZN08200
$4.00

Additional suggestions for the Know Your History Game
(in the September/October 2007 issue of Horizons)
If your group already knows the answers to the questions printed on the game board, consider using these questions.

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