PC(USA) - Presbyterian Women- Together in Service


	Together in Service (TIS) Presbyterian Women's hands-on mission opportunities program For generations, Presbyterian women have responded to God's love by offering this love back to the world in tangible ways. With our wide variety of talents, resources and our sincere desire to help others, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of people everywhere. Through the Together in Service program, Presbyterian women can share ideas for a whole range of projects. From sewing hats for newborns in Africa to selling fair-trade coffee at church events, we all can find a place to offer our gifts. Together in Service in Congo Featured project Featured story Sharing our stories About Together in Service Resources


	Together in Service in Congo “They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” (Isaiah 2:4b) Thanks to a grant from Presbyterian Women, new mothers are able to relax on mattresses with their babies. Photo by Cheri HarperOn July 30, 2006, millions of Congolese participated in one of the most significant elections in Africa’s history — free elections for a president and parliament. These elections marked a turning point in which the people demonstrated their commitment to seeking stability. After years of suffering and violence, the people of Congo now have an opportunity to pursue Isaiah’s vision. With the promise of peace in their sights, the people of Congo can transform implements of war into tools for prosperity. Presbyterian Women can be a part of it. Learn about the PW Palm Project. Learn about the need for mattresses. Learn about the need for bicycles.


	Together in Service Featured project
	Alternative Gift Cards for Congo Holiday time or ordinary time, there is no better time than now to give a gift that will help spread the promise of peace and prosperity in Congo. Donate funds to the Together in Service programs to help purchase bicycles, mattresses or palms for our Presbyterian partners in Congo and send a card to your loved ones telling them that you have made a gift in their honor. Each package contains five different cards featuring photos of a mission partner in Congo. Descriptions of the projects are also included. Send donations for the Together in Service projects in Congo to: PC(USA) PW Remittance Processing PO Box 643652 Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3652 Checks are payable to Presbyterian Women. Write “palms,” “mattresses” or “bicycles” on the memo line. Order the Congo Gift Cards from Presbyterian Distribution Services (PDS). $5 for a package of 5 Call (800) 524-2612 or order online. PDS #PWR07421 Do you have a project to share? Tell us about it! See previous projects.


	Together in Service Featured story A Together in Service Baby Shower Submitted by Judith Richardson What fun to see items made by ladies of the church! Photo by Judith Richardson.Two Mission Committee members of Southminster Presbyterian Church, Prairie Village, Kansas, attended a workshop on Together in Service. The workshop helped us define our goals and gave us enthusiasm to pursue them. Our mission project became a baby shower to gather baby items for young mothers struggling with poverty or the consequences of natural disaster. In order to attract more ladies than usual, it was to be an extra fun event. Our greatest hope was to secure a multitude of baby items. The Baby Shower was such a wonderful achievement. What fun it was to see baby caps knitted by the ladies of our church! It was a joy to view soft sweaters and baby gowns with ducks, rabbits and lambs and trimmings of blues, pinks, yellows and greens. We had so many comments such as “How sweet!” “What a darling blanket!” and “Any mother will just love to dress her baby in this outfit!” The baby shower games were amusing too. Do you know what baby names mothers are using now? We even had a 65-year-old bassinet in which to place our gifts. The women of Southminster Presbyterian Church, Prairie Village, Kansas, gave 30 baby layettes to Church World Service. Photo by Judith Richardson We hoped that we would secure enough baby items to complete ten layettes consisting of six cloth diapers, two shirts, two washcloths, two gowns or sleepers, two diaper pins, one sweater or sweatshirt and two receiving blankets. The generosity of our women enabled us to give Church World Service thirty baby layettes to distribute to mothers with newborn infants. Contributions including baby items not sufficient to complete a layette allowed us to help two other agencies. We sent caps, gowns, blankets and sheets to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Other baby goods were delivered to Cross Lines Cooperative Council, Inc., a mission our church assists, to aid local mothers in need. We challenge other Presbyterian Women to have fun, give a baby shower and check out page nine of the Together in Service Guide! See previous stories.


	Sharing our stories
	Assembling health kits is a great way for groups to get Together in Service. Photo courtesy of Detroit Presbytery PW Presbyterian women have wonderful ideas for putting faith into action and have many rich experiences to share. Whether we have coordinated large projects or have built a single, close relationship, we can learn so much more when we tell our stories and gain wisdom from each other. Let us hear from you! We want to share your joy, learn from your mistakes, and celebrate your service. Submit your story to Presbyterian Women.


	Presbyterian Women are together, living in service Together in Service was launched at the 2006 Presbyterian Women Churchwide Gathering to update the Mission Opportunities program. The name is not the only change. Instead of having the national office assign mission projects, Presbyterian women now have the freedom to choose our own activities. We can look around our community, dialogue with our PW groups and listen for the needs that God is calling us to answer. Be together in service by: Making or purchasing items and sending them where needed, both locally and internationally Donating money to fund mission initiatives such as healthcare, education and Bible study Supporting existing denominational and ecumenical programs Providing mission interpretation and education to the whole church Developing personal relationships with mission workers Sharing stories and wisdom gained from service experiences
	Participate together in:
	Sewing lap robes, blankets, and prayer shawls gives warmth and support to local hospital patients. Photo courtesy of Detroit Presbytery PW PW programs Mission Pledge Birthday Offering Thank Offering Global Exchange U.S.A. Mission Experience Honorary Life Memberships PC(USA) programs Hunger Program Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Enough for Everyone Presbyterian Peacemaking Program Ecumenical programs Fellowship of the Least Coin Heifer Project International Habitat for Humanity Bread for the World Church World Service


	Resources
	Together in Service Guidebook Though hands-on service is a great way to show God's love, it's nearly impossible to find one project that fits everyone. Together in Service uses the gifts and talents of everyone, no matter what type of service each person can offer. This guide offers suggestions for: Selecting appropriate projects Making the most of mission dollars Learning new ways to be partners in mission; Continuing tradition mission projects Sharing mission stories $5.00 Item # PWR06433


	Get the Point Across Introducing Together in Service Are you a Presbyterian Women leader? Are you looking for a new mission project for yourself and/or your PW group? Do you want to know more about changes in mission programming for PW? This PowerPoint presentation provides an overview of the newly revised hands-on mission program, Together in Service. A script with additional details is also available.


	Together in Service introductory flier Free Item # PWR05120


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