God’s Promise before. We have been blessed as a nation, so that we will be a blessing! We are called to bless all the families of the earth ! What better way to be

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The Pilgrimage

The Newsletter of the Presbyterian Women of the Synod of the Pacific

November 2018

From our Moderator

_{What’s Inside this Issue ...}

Bits & Pieces.……….…14

Churchwide CT Report…………6

Churchwide Gathering ………3-5

2019 Synod Gathering..….….7-8

Justice & Peace Notes…………2

Mission Report……….8-9

Moderator’s Letter………1

Nominating Form……….…12-13

PW Synod Directory for

2019-2021………. 15

Search Committee ………11

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

You will be receiving this newsletter just after All Saints Day. If you did not remember all those who have died within your network of friends and family, I hope you will remember them now and give great thanks for them!

We approach the darkest time of the year, when the periods of daylight are so short we wonder at how fast time flies! This is the time of year when our own lives may seem to be a little or a lot darker, with less hope, with a hint of hopelessness. Look for a celebration of a Blue Christmas (or Longest Night). See the article on this Longest Night Celebration in the November Presbyterian’s Today.

We can rejoice at the turnout of women from the Synod of the Pacific at Churchwide. The official count is 88. It was a stimulating conference, urging us to giddy up and arise, shine, for your light has come! The Synod Coordinating Team hopes that the Synod Gathering the first weekend of April, 2019 will follow-up the Churchwide stimulus with the challenge to turn our hearts of stone to hearts of flesh. We must choose and commit, being neighbor to each other, standing up for the right thing in our nation and our

neighborhoods, being listeners and compassionate people. Begin saving for the trip and registration for the Gathering now.

Mary Lemm Davis has travelled to almost all the presbyteries in our Synod, telling us of the welcoming women in Indonesia who educated the women from the Global Exchange on their country of over 18,000 islands! If she hasn’t visited you yet, contact her at mlemmdavid@gmail.com.

The congregational PW circles as well as the Presbytery budgets must continue to contribute to the Synod Itineration budget which repays expenses for the women of the Global Exchange and the USA Mission Experience. Please send donations to Vicki Hautala, 31865 Little Valley Road, Fort Bragg, CA 95437 I hope you have all read Waking Up White by Debby Irving. The study guide for this book is @pcusa waking up white. I am also reading Tears We Cannot Stop by Michael Eric Dyson. Two other books have come to my attention for fall and winter reading: Evicted by Matthew Desmond and White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo.

As we are learning from the Horizon’s Bible study by Amy Poling Sutherlun, God has given us a promise: “I am with you.”

Synod PW Moderator, Jacquelyn Benjamin

What does the Lord

Require of us?

To do justice,

To love mercy,

To live humbly with our God.

-Micah 6:8

Credit: 'Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals' by Shane

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TO BE A BLESSING

I was struck by the God’s Promises Bible Study resource for Lesson One written by Roula Alkhouri in

the Horizons’ magazine.

God says to our father Abraham: “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless

you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.

_{I will bless those who}

bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the

earth shall be blessed.” —Genesis 12:2-3 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

I never heard that last part of God’s Promise before. We have been blessed as a nation, so that

we will be a blessing! We are called to bless all the families of the earth! What better way to be

a blessing than to preserve God’s beautiful creation for today’s vulnerable families in front line

communities and for the future of our grandchildren!

This summer my life changed with my participation in the last fifty miles of the PCUSA Walk

for a Fossil Free World from Louisville to St. Louis before General Assembly. Roula asked the

question, “When was a time you left your comfort zone to follow God’s call as Abraham left the

comfort of his sophisticated civilization for the unknowns of the dessert?” For me “outside my

comfort zone” was not going to an unpredictable, unbearably hot and humid Urabá, Colombia. It is

letting go of my investments and reinvesting in renewable resources. Going against my practice of

relying on my financial planner, my culture of saving for the future, preparing for retirement, and

stockpiling an inheritance…that is leaving my comfort zone.

When have you heard God’s call to leave your comfort zone? When we need to choose

welcome, not fear? That is when justice and peace happen and we become a blessing. That is

when we know God’s Promises, we feel God’s Presence, God’s Protection, God’s Provision. God’s

Reconciliation even when the chaos of storms and floods comes. Still, I am more comfortable if I go

into the unknown with friends. That is why I take advantage of every Presbyterian Women’s

gathering, whether it is churchwide or my circle. We know how to build the Beloved, Inclusive,

Caring Community that witnesses to the promise of God’s Kin-dom.

There has been much talk about the many families fleeing violence and poverty in Central

America. They come north to find safety and security. For information on how we can respond,

seek out the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance site and consider accessing the We Choose Welcome

Toolkit. If you have already done so, or if you would like to join a community of people in our

Synod who have this purpose, please email me @tubahunt@comcast.net. We are called to be

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Gathering Reflections

By Bobbi Batchelder

Can you imagine being in a worship service with 1500 Women and a dozen or so men worshiping the Lord all day? The sessions ran from a half day on Thursday, All day Friday and Saturday and for one-half day Sunday.

What a spiritual high!

We sang, we prayed, we read scripture, we got to know our neighbor. We became acquainted with many Californians, Women all over the US and women from foreign countries. Some are interested in working for justice and peace some in eradicating hunger, prejudice, gun violence, racism and violence against women.

We chose from dozens of workshops such as Healing Trauma through Performance, Immigration, How to get Unstuck, Poetry of Isaiah, Gratitude Can Lead to Compassion, How we can Answer God’s Justice for Children and many many others.

After praying and feeling God’s urging it was three that I chose to attend: Let’s be Bold Presbyterian Women Making a Difference; Lessons in Laughter, Flipping Tables and Finding Sheep.

It was easy from those you met to get an overview of the workshops they attended. Thus, even if we went to the same one it was interesting to see what resonated with another participants in the same session. Our workshop experience doubled as we sat and talked to others.

Our room was the best in the hotel with a balcony and wrap around windows over looking the river.

Food wasn’t so good but adequate. We were not there for physical “goods” but for spiritual. So we didn’t dwell on the food for our stomach just food for the Spirit.

We hope and pray for woman in every circumstance and want to keep up with those we met from Africa, Korea, and Philippines as well as grow closer to those in our own community.

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Gathering Reflections

By Angie Mitchell

As a new member of the Portola Valley Presbyterian Church, I had the privilege and honor to to go to the Louisville, KY Presbyterian Woman

Gathering.

I was over whelmed by the love, compassion and friendliness of all the gathering women.

I enjoyed the sessions and was glad to pick up material from the bookstore that I could use. Bobbi, my sister, and I were often headed in different directions so being dressed alike among 1500 people surely helped us keep in touch.

Our tour of the Louisville Presbyterian Seminary with guide Sally

Pendleton was very informative. The funding of the student’s education is unique. Everything is provided for the students free except their food.

On our way from the airport to the hotel we met two Presbyterian woman from San Jose, CA. Michael Walters and Joyce Summers. At the end of the day we had dinner with them and planned the next day. It would be a free day on Wednesday and the four of us came early to Louisville to tour the town before the Gathering started.

Our first trip on Wednesday was the tour of the historical houses. Our pre tour manager, Michell, had already made reservations with David Domine to take us through the blocks and blocks of Historical

houses. Homes of the Victorian area helped bring wealthy people into Louisville. They built these Victorian Mansions that we saw on our tour .We were especially impressed with St. James Court where

all the homes on the boulevard were prestigious mansions. This Court is lite continually by gas lights, which use to be lite every evening by a lamp lighter. An old tree now has been cared into the likeness of a lamp lighter.

A tree by one of the homes in another area is decorated in all types of items denoting it a place where spells occur. The legend states the tree was destroyed by the City officials for the use in a May Day celebration. The witches put a curse on the city for destroying their gathering place. Within a year, a tornado destroyed the City. It sent a magical tree in its place. The tree has burls, twisted trunk, craggy bark with dead branches and limbs overhead. This three is better fitting for witches. The witches come back now in full force. Visitors from all over leave trinkets for good luck.

At this tree and one like it in the park Bobbi and I sang Halloween songs: “Halloween night is lots of fun but somehow I’m glad when it is over and done. It’s good to have mother kiss me good night and know that the witches have all taken flight.” “Halloween, Halloween, O what funny things are seen witches’ hats, cold black cats, broomstick riders mice and rats.”

Tours started in Louisville around the stories of haunted houses and places. David Domine, our guide has written 12 books. Some of them regarding the haunted tales. He kept us entertained with the history of Louisville for one hour and 30 minutes during a 3 mile walk.

We had a great lunch in one of the old homes converted into a restaurant. Every china plate had a different pattern. It was good service and excellent food. David Domine, made a good recommendation.

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Continued from last page

Gathering Reflections

By Angie Mitchell

Before the starting of the Gathering we had to see Louisville’s most famous Churchill Downs. It was an interesting place and met all our expectations. I was especially please to see plaques of three of my favorite horses: Secretariat, Seattle Stew and Mine that Bird. While at the Downs we had fun

shopping especially trying on hats.

The Gathering started on Thursday evening. Every day thereafter was filled with sessions and exhibits. Our Synod of San Francisco hosted us for a gathering to get to know each other better and letting us know what will be in store this coming year.

We did get to use our room on the tenth floor of the Galt Hotel although not during the day. The windows and balcony overlooked the Ohio River. We could view all the bridges that crossed the river into Indiana. Touring boats docked on the river were the old paddle wheel boats for people to be able to book dinner as they rode. Unfortunately we had no time to take advantage of this entertainment.

Our friends were able to join us in our suite for breakfast each morning. Joyce informed us about a tour to Scotland in September 2018. The tour guide booking tours for 2019 informed us that there were still two places on the September 2018 tour so Bobbi and I took them.

Each morning there was a bulletin giving the synopsis of what took place the day before. This was keeping information before us and helping us store in our memories the multitude of experiences we were having.

This Presbyterian Gathering helped me understand how the women of the church through the organization of missions brought women into leading roles. How Presbyterian Woman’s leadership is effective not only in their churches but also in communities influencing societies all over the world.

Lynnette Williams of North Carolina took

home the spectacular sunflower quilt art

created by textile artist and PW staffer

Debbie Paris for

Horizons

. Thanks for

subscribing Lynnette!

[image:5.612.40.583.466.730.2]

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Churchwide Coordinating Team Report

By the Numbers…

from September 2018 Churchwide Board Meeting Summary

and August-October 2018 Quarterly News for PW Leaders

Submitted by Barbara Clark, Synod of the Pacific Representative to the Churchwide Board

1,646 people attended the 2018 Churchwide Gathering in Louisville.

$644,000 was the budget based on…. 1,300 paid registrations.

Note: not all of the 1,646 were fully paid registrants.

$38,733 Gathering Offering to the Mission Pledge/Annual Fund.

$32,470 given in Gift Cards going to:

the Diaper Project, Kentucky Refugee Ministries, and Lily’s Place.

$10,478 Gathering Silent Auction proceeds.

$1,659 Cents-Ability Gathering donations.

26 applications were reviewed for the 2018 Birthday Offering, 4 were selected and soon

to be announced.

79 applications are currently under review for the Thank Offering.

32 women serve on the PW Churchwide Board.

13 dedicated women are employed PW Staff working out of Louisville, KY.

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Presbyterian Women of the Synod of the Pacific

SYNODWIDE GATHERING April 5, 6, and 7, 2019

Mercy Center, Burlingame, California

Hearts of Stone

to

Hearts of Love

ALL ARE INVITED! MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND SPREAD THE WORD!

The Synod PW Coordinating Team has planned a wonderful program featuring the author of the 2019-20 Horizon Bible Study, Eugenia Gamble, who will tantalize us with a preview of “Love Carved in Stone: A fresh look at the Ten Commandments.”

Learning to become hearts of love, workshops include an eco-justice workshop on caring for the earth we love by confronting climate change led by rev. abby mohaupt and one dealing with gun violence because of our love for others led by Cheryl Hunt. Rev. Sharon Edwards will be our worship and music leader throughout the weekend. The Synodwide Gathering — which meets every three years— offers us a chance to gather with Presbyterian Women from the Synod of the Pacific to learn from each other, experience stimulating and informative programs, dynamic worship, and stretch and strengthen our connectional ties.

The deadline for registering for the Gathering is March 15, 2019. Don’t miss out. Plan to attend.

See you in April: Coordinating Team Members: Jacquelyn Benjamin, Linda Lee, Rebecca Jewel, Vicki Hautala, Constance Rubio, Eunice Brabec, Cheryl Hunt, Lea Lawrence-Moiso, and Barbara Clark

A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone

and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26

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2019 Synod Gathering

PW Synod of the Pacific

April 5, 6, and 7, 2019

A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a

heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26

Hearts of Stone

to

Hearts of Love

Mercy Center, 2300 Adeline Drive

Burlingame, California

Registration: 3:00-5:00 pm Friday, April 5

Check-Out: 11:00 pm Sunday, April 7

Questions: Please contact Moderator Jacquelyn Benjamin jacquelyn.benjamin@gmail.com

Registration form: Payments:

Name: $280.00 Attendee

Address: $150.00 Commuter Rate

City: State: Zip: Registration Deadline…..March 15, 2019

Phone/Cell: Please send this form with your payment to

Email: Presbyterian Women / Synod of the Pacific

c/o Vicki Hautala

Emergency Contact #: 31865 Little Valley Road

Fort Bragg, CA 95437

Presbytery: 707-964-3325

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November is here and December is just around the corner. In

these next two months and the upcoming New Year there are

needs all around us.

Maybe this year and the upcoming year you can try to spend more time with family and friends and

help others with your kindness and generous personalities.

We could try something different in our lives and some may already be doing some of these things

that I will list below. Here are some ideas for serving others in need around the holidays.

1. Deliver baked goods to your neighbors.

2. Host a Christmas dinner for the widows and widowers at your church or your neighbors.

3. Send Christmas cards to military personnel overseas along with some cookies.

4. Build a bag of canned goods, easy opened packaged food that you like and hand them out to

the homeless hanging out in the parks.

5. Buy needed items for the Children’s homes.

6. Deliver cookies in your local area to the police station, fire station, United States Post Office

and hospitals.

7. Hand a cup of coffee to a cab driver.

8. Help pay for someone’s gas if you know they are struggling getting to and from work.

9. Recruit helpers in your neighbor, community center, or church and see what you can donate to

a local organization.

10.Volunteer for disaster relief or donate to a disaster relief program. We have had way too many

natural disasters happening in the United States and other counties.

11. Prepare a meal for someone that is home bound, elderly or sick.

12.Read to the elderly or the children. Take time to spend with others.

13.Offer to clean an elderly or disabled person’s home, and dishes, and taking out the trash and

other things you see that may need to be done.

14.Say thank you more often and hello to those you do not know.

15.Clean out your closets and take unnecessary items out to the front yard and place “Free” sign

on it or take to the local shelter.

16.Go to the grocery store and donate to that store to provide food to those in need.

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Continued from last page

.

Not only at this time of the year but all year long we need to help those in need the best way we

can, whether donating your time, money or kindness, it always helps one way or another.

 

Blessings.

Constance Rubio

Six Gifts that Don’t Cost a Cent to Give

The Gift…

of Listening…

But you must REALLY listen.

No interrupting, no daydreaming,

No planning your response. Just listening.

Of Affection…

Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on

the back and handholds. Let these small actions

demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.

Of Laughter…

Funny pictures. Share articles, funny stories and

funny greetings. Your gift will say, “I love to laugh

with you.”

Written Note…

It can be a simple “Thanks for the help” note or a

full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be

remembered for a lifetime, and may even change

a life.

A Compliment…

A simple and sincere, “You look great in red.” “You

did a super job” or “That was a wonderful meal” can

make someone’s day.

A Favor…

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READY, SET…. NOMINATE! -- Searching for PW Synod Coordinating Team

Leaders

God has chosen unlikely and reluctant leaders from Moses to the present day. Some of the

best PW leadership were and are women who have answered God’s call to lead but felt less

than adequate for the job. They blossomed into leaders with God’s help and the support of

PW friends. Perhaps you know women in your PW circle of friends who have great love for

Presbyterian Women and are ready to share their skills at the PW Synod level. Here’s your

opportunity to nominate them!

The PW Synod Search Committee is seeking nominees for positions in the Class of 2022 on

the PWS Coordinating Team. The vacant position of Secretary was recently filled by the

appointment of Becky Jewel. She has agreed to a nomination for a full term. Here is your

opportunity to nominate talented and diverse women to serve a 3-year term beginning in

July of 2019 for the following positions:

Mission Interpretation/Celebration Giving Representative –

This leader is

responsible for making information and resources available to PW in the Presbyteries

about mission projects sponsored by PW and the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Leadership Enhancement Coordinator –

This leader encourages and facilitates

leadership development for new and continuing leaders in the PW Synod. She serves

as a resource and communications link concerning leadership within PW in the Synod

and PW in the Presbyteries.

Nominees will be elected in early 2019 and installed at the PW Synod Gathering, April 5-7,

2019.

Please use the Nomination Form included in this

Pilgrimage

or available from members of

the PW Synod Search Committee:

Moderator, Lea Lawrence-Moiso (lealawmo@gmail.com);

Joan McCune (mccujoan@isu.edu);

Helen Archerd (harcherd@sonic.net); and

Lynne Martin (lynne1441@gmail.com).

Search Committee

Lily the Filly says:

Now don’t y’all forget to come to 2019 PW Synod Gathering!

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PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

in the

Synod of the Pacific

NOMINATION FORM

Please nominate only a

Presbyterian Woman who has consented

to have her name submitted for consideration

NAME OF NOMINEE: _____________________________________________

Address:

_____________________________________________________

Telephone:

____________________

E-mail: ______________________

Church:

_____________________________________________________

Presbytery:

_____________________________________________________

Nominated by _____________________________________________________

Address:

_____________________________________________________

Telephone:

____________________

E-mail: ______________________

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Nominated for office of ______________________________________________

The Presbyterian Woman I am nominating will be an asset to the Coordinating

Team of the Presbyterian Women in the Synod of the Pacific because she has:

(Include church experience, PW positions held, community involvement, skills

and interests)

__________________________________________________________________

Please submit this Nomination Form no later than

January 20, 2019

to

Lea Lawrence-Moiso

Contact for the Search Committee

2211 SW 1

st

_{Avenue, Unit 1105}

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Writers Step Up!

Submitted by Barbara Clark, Synod of the Pacific CCT/PW Board Rep.

Our Churchwide Inclusive Community Committee is asking for Circle Stories—how did your circle get

started? What do you love about your Circle?? Does your Circle have any special or unique traditions?

They are needed for the upcoming new resource on starting new PW groups. Send your writing to Susan,

susan.jackson-dowd@pcusa.org

mission content

for the PW website, the Quarterly Newsletter, and

Horizons magazine. Stories from local PW’s are encouraged! Follow-up stories from previous Birthday and

Thank Offering recipients are an excellent resource. Send these stories to Cheri Harper,

cheri.harper@pcusa.org

Book Lovers and Book Club Members

The PW Racial Equity Committee (REC) is working on ways to get us all educated regarding racial and

intercultural justice. They are discussing the possibility of using books similar to a book club. The first book

is

Anxious to Talk About It: Helping White Christians Talk Faithfully about Racism

by Carolyn B.

Helsel

Bits and Pieces

Loving God, we come to you with our open wounds and battered spirits. It has been a long and

painful season for many of us. We know that you are no stranger to feelings of anger and grief, for

you too dwelt in human flesh. Today, we call upon your name for healing and for rest. We are

mindful that practicing resistance means tending to our bodies and souls. Amen.

verse

of the day

I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the Lord sustains me. -

Psalm 3:5

voice

of the day

When we hang too much of the gospel on “It’s going to get better,” then it’s like “When? How long?

How?” ... The good news is that God is here with you now, loving you, holding you, being with you,

and desiring your healing.

- Monica Coleman

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Presbyterian Women of the Synod of the Pacific Coordinating Team

MODERATOR LEADERSHIP ENHANCEMENT COORDINATOR

Jacquelyn Benjamin (2020) Eunice Brabec (2019)

Presbytery: Boise Presbytery: San Francisco

PO Box 249 461 Dellbrook Avenue

Emmett, ID 83617 S San Francisco, CA 94080-1231

H: 208-398-7103 H: 650-583-4985

jacquelyn.benjamin@gmail.com a57graduate@astound.net

VICE MODERATOR/HISTORIAN SEARCH COMMITTEE MODERATOR

Linda Lee (2021) Lea Lawrence-Moiso (2020)

Presbytery: San Francisco Presbytery: Cascades

559 25th Ave 2211 SW 1st Avenue, #1105

San Francisco, CA 94121 Portland, OR 97201

C: 415-6-6-0385 H: 503-281-9981 C: 408-568-4332

lindalee@prodigy.net lealawmo@gmail.com

SECRETARY CCT REPRESENTATIVE

Rebecca Jewel (2019) Barbara Clark (2020)

Presbytery: Cascades Presbytery: Eastern Oregon

7205 SE 45 Ave 70787 SW Douglas Dr

Portland, OR 97206 Pendleton, OR 99801

H: 503-575-8356 H: 541-278-1252 C: 541-377-1113

rojewel@gmail.com bainbrid@gmail.com

TREASURER JUSTICE AND PEACE COORDINATOR

Vicki Hautala (2021) Cheryl Hunt (2021)

Presbytery: Redwoods Presbytery: Stockton

31865 Little Valley Rd 2431 N Argonaut Street

Fort Bragg, CA 95437 Stockton, CA 95204

W: 707-964-2316 C: 707-972-8220 H: 209-463-9483 C:209-401-3013

H: 707-964-3225 tubahunt@comcast.net

lisacat22@comcast.net

MISSION INTERPRETATION

Constance Rubio (2019) Presbytery: Sacramento 5858 62nd Street Sacramento, CA 96824 H: 916-84903672

nitekeeperiam@gmail.com

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