Many congregations in the PCUSA are re-thinking the way they minister with/to the women in their congregation. A major struggle faced by many congregations is the conflict, sometimes animosity, between the traditional Presbyterian Women’s organization and what is coming to be known as “Women’s Ministry.” Some congregations are finding that working together is the best way to accomplish the goals of both groups. FPC Amarillo is such a church. Here is part four of their story.

Changes for PW
Martha Collaer retired from her professional career at a fortuitous time for Presbyterian Women (PW) at First Church Amarillo. As head of our county’s data processing department, she is a highly organized and motivated woman. After retirement, she looked forward to the opportunity to participate in weekday church activities. It was not long before Martha was tapped to become PW moderator. Since she had previously attended only two or three circle meetings, Martha came to a years-old organization with a clean slate and an understanding that her calling was for change.

Martha immediately grew to love, appreciate, and treasure the women who had so faithfully gathered for circle meetings and general sessions every month, rolled bandages and given money to mission around the world. These faithful women had filled whatever role they were given in the days before women were involved in governing boards of the church.

The coordinating council of PW was so encouraged by all the work Martha did in her first term as moderator, they broke with tradition and asked her to serve a second. For both years she has been busy! Her first project was to organize a new circle for women who work downtown. Instead of meeting in homes, this new circle meets in a restaurant during the noon hour. This group has been quite active, even chairing the PW 2004 Fall Gala. They enjoyed this event so much; they plan to chair it again in 2005.

Martha also suggested changing the order of the monthly general gathering. The custom had been to meet first for coffee and then move into the meeting and program. Martha noted that women who arrived late did not have time to enjoy the fellowship, but rather just attended the meeting and left. Her suggestion, which met with some resistance, was to begin a bit later, have the meeting and program first, then conclude with a brunch. This change in schedule allowed women to linger and visit as long as their schedule allowed. The result has been greater attendance and fellowship.

Working Together
When the Women’s Ministry Team from FPC-Amarillo decided to organize “affinity groups” (groups which come together for a common purpose), Martha volunteered to use the PW organization to launch the project. There are currently 12 such groups with many women (and some men) involved in projects that include exercise classes, canasta, bridge, gardening, gourmet cooking, quilting, crafts, scrap-booking, art, books, needlework, and travel. About a third of the women in these activities have never been involved in a small group at the church. Several aren’t even Presbyterians.

PW traditionally kicks off their program year with a “Fall Gala.” In 2003 and 2004, Martha involved the Women’s Ministry Team in planning this event. The first year, one PW member and one WM team member co-chaired the event. The second year, WM team members personally invited younger women, resulting in an even greater attendance. To reciprocate, when the WM Team had its first women’s retreat, Martha worked to get PW members to attend and help with set-up.

Trying Something New
Martha noticed several needs at church that weren’t being met. As a result, she organized “Angels.” Kitchen Angels help with clean-up after various events; Hospitality Angels help with weddings, funeral meals, and other occasions; Bankhead Angels transcribe sermons and do research for Senior Pastor Jim Bankhead.

Not every idea has worked. Martha tried having a PW general meeting at night and scheduled a program on breast cancer awareness. She had hoped this would encourage younger women to attend, but the response was not as good as anticipated, and some regular attendees didnít come because they werenít comfortable driving after dark.

Flexibility
Martha began to put together some monthly Saturday meetings with a few women, ages 35ñ55, who worked outside the home and could not participate in weekday activities, recruiting two of the women to do the planning. They have scheduled an organizational meeting for early April. They don’t know yet if the group will evolve as a circle, a Bible study group, or some combination of the two, but they are excited to try something new.

Embracing Change
While doing all these new projects, PW has continued its regular activities, such as hosting area and city-wide meetings. Last Fall they conducting a huge “Mission Market” that made almost $18,000 for international mission projects, approximately $2,000 for local mission projects, and featured former General Assembly moderator Marj Carpenter as its major speaker. The one thing that is most evident in all of this is a new enthusiasm among the ladies of PW. Rather than resist change, they are now embracing it with excitement.

The Women’s Ministry team, which includes Martha and the PW moderator-elect, continue to seek ways for Women’s Ministry and PW to be both/and rather than either/or. We have all been kept on our knees as styles bump against each other, but the Lord keeps moving us in the direction of unity, if not uniformity. Everything hasn’t been successful or easy, but we are more confident than ever that the Spirit is ministering to and working with us. Our united purpose continues to be to work together to provide varied opportunities for the spiritual development of our women during every stage of their physical and spiritual lives.

One Person’s Positive Attitude Makes a Difference
Martha, after reviewing this article, is embarrassed and feels that she has been given too much credit for the changes taking place in PW. She gives the credit to God, who used her as His instrument for change. Martha believes this is the only explanation for her having been asked to lead the organization in the first place!