PW in HEARTLAND PRESBYTERY NEWSLETTER

September 2013

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE Another area of funding that exists is for study and enrichment. If you’d be willing to share your experience with Pres-byterian Women in Heartland Presbytery, scholarship help is available for events like the Caregiving and Spirituality Conference at the Community of Christ Temple in Independence on August 23-24; regional conferences, like the Mt. Sequoyah Missions Conference in June; Presbyterian events like APCE and Big Tent; or the April Ecumenical Advo-cacy Days conference in Washington DC.

Fall Gathering of

Presbyterian Women in Heartland Presbytery

Saturday, September 28, 2013 8:15AM - 1PM

First Presbyterian Church of Leavenworth 407 Walnut Street, Leavenworth, KS 66048 — (913) 682-6891

Come prepared to learn, worship and reconnect with old and new friends! The ladies at First Presbyterian in Leavenworth are preparing an inspiring, uplifting, rejuvenating event. We are so fortunate to have this gracious congregation open its doors to us. You’ll be inspired by the speakers, rejuvenated with the hands-on opportunities and uplifted through worship. Get your registration in TODAY in order to have a spot at the table, complete with a deli-cious lunch! Remember, you must request childcare, if needed. We’d love to provide it! The brochure and registration form are enclosed. See you there!

Fall GatheringFall GatheringFall GatheringFall Gathering

Flyer Inside!Flyer Inside!Flyer Inside!Flyer Inside!

Where Does Our Money Go?Where Does Our Money Go?Where Does Our Money Go?Where Does Our Money Go? Mission Dollars at WorkMission Dollars at WorkMission Dollars at WorkMission Dollars at Work

FUNDS AVAILABLEFUNDS AVAILABLEFUNDS AVAILABLEFUNDS AVAILABLE In keeping with the Mission theme for our Fall Gathering, your PWHP board would like input from you on how our mis-sion dollars can/should be spent. Do you have a local or global mission agency that your PW supports? If so, let us know. We would like to support agencies around the presbytery with whom our women are involved. We will make mission donation decisions at the November 2

nd board meeting. Bring your ideas to the Fall Gathering or email them

to Janet Kelley, 913-341-5076, janet.kelley@us.huhtamaki.com. Please let us know what congregation you represent.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN IN HEARTLAND PRESBYTERYPRESBYTERIAN WOMEN IN HEARTLAND PRESBYTERYPRESBYTERIAN WOMEN IN HEARTLAND PRESBYTERYPRESBYTERIAN WOMEN IN HEARTLAND PRESBYTERY

2014 PROPOSED Operating Budget2014 PROPOSED Operating Budget2014 PROPOSED Operating Budget2014 PROPOSED Operating Budget

2014201420142014 2013201320132013 2013201320132013 ProposedProposedProposedProposed BudgetBudgetBudgetBudget ActualActualActualActual BudgetBudgetBudgetBudget

RECEIPTSRECEIPTSRECEIPTSRECEIPTS Operating Budget Fees 3,000 2,669.75 2,500

Pledges-Mission Giving 6,000 7,044.99 6,000

TOTAL RECEIPTSTOTAL RECEIPTSTOTAL RECEIPTSTOTAL RECEIPTS 9,000 9,714.74 8,500

EXPENSESEXPENSESEXPENSESEXPENSES

Administration 100 25

Postage 250 250.00 450

Search Committee 20 25

Mission Interpretation 30 25

Mileage 100 25

Horizons 500 212.23 500

Newsletter 200 173.84 0

Synod PW Conting Fees 1,500 1,211.04 1,200

Spring Gathering (net) 500 448.59 900

Fall Gathering (net) 500 980.00 900

KS-CWU 100 100.00 100

MO-CWU 100 100.00 100

Presby Children’s Services 100 100.00 100

Churchwide Gath Schol 400 3,080.00 400 Churchwide Gath Delegates 0 500

Status of Women Schol 0 100.00 100 PW Leadership Training 100 450.00 100

Miscellaneous 100 50

Global Exchange 500 500.00 500 USA Mission Experience 300 300.00 300

Maya Quiche Partner 500 500.00 1,000

Local Mission 1,000 2,000.00 1,000

Global Mission 1,000 1,000

Synod PW Mission 500 500

TOTAL EXPENSES 8,400 11,342.03 9,800

Mission-N-A-Weekend 0 336.33 0

Churchwide Gath Gift Cards 0 500.00 0

PW Treasurer InformationPW Treasurer InformationPW Treasurer InformationPW Treasurer Information Operating Budget FeesOperating Budget FeesOperating Budget FeesOperating Budget Fees————$.50 for each woman in the congregation or for 1/2 of the congregation membership should be sent to the Treasurer by 3/1/13. Make checks payable to Heartland Presbyterian Women. Mission GivingMission GivingMission GivingMission Giving————Quarterly Pledge, Thank Offering, Birthday Offering, Least Coin, Hunger Fund, Honorary Life Memberships & Recognitions should be sent to the Treasurer on a quarterly basis. Due dates are 3/10, 6/10, 9/10, 12/10. Make checks payable to PWHP.

Janet KelleyJanet KelleyJanet KelleyJanet Kelley

8319 Sagamore Road8319 Sagamore Road8319 Sagamore Road8319 Sagamore Road Shawnee Mission, KS 66206Shawnee Mission, KS 66206Shawnee Mission, KS 66206Shawnee Mission, KS 66206

(913) 341(913) 341(913) 341(913) 341----5076507650765076 janet.kelley@us.huhtamaki.comjanet.kelley@us.huhtamaki.comjanet.kelley@us.huhtamaki.comjanet.kelley@us.huhtamaki.com

2014 Mission Pledge Form2014 Mission Pledge Form2014 Mission Pledge Form2014 Mission Pledge Form

Your 2014 Mission Pledge Form is enclosed. Please complete, make a copy for your files, and bring to the Fall Gathering or mail to Janet Kelley, Treasurer, at the address on the form. Pledge form due date is November 15, 2013Pledge form due date is November 15, 2013Pledge form due date is November 15, 2013Pledge form due date is November 15, 2013. Please don’t forget the reverse side of the Mission Pledge Form!

What Mission Projects Have You Been Doing?What Mission Projects Have You Been Doing?What Mission Projects Have You Been Doing?What Mission Projects Have You Been Doing? We would love to hear from you! The reverse of the 2014 Mission Pledge Form gives you an opportunity to share what mission projects you’ve been doing. Please take a moment to complete!

PW CONNECTIONSPW CONNECTIONSPW CONNECTIONSPW CONNECTIONS

� Get the monthly e-newsletter, eeee----ConnectionConnectionConnectionConnection, from Presbyte-rian Women in Heartland Presbytery (PWHP). Ask Pam Nitsche, pnitsche@kc.rr.com, to be added to the email list.

� Due to decreased staffing in the presbytery office, the PWHP website PWHP website PWHP website PWHP website is temporarily unavailable. We hope to be back up and functional shortly. Stay tuned!

� Visit Presbyterian Women in the PC(USA) on FacebookPresbyterian Women in the PC(USA) on FacebookPresbyterian Women in the PC(USA) on FacebookPresbyterian Women in the PC(USA) on Facebook. Click “LIKE” and you will receive updated posts from that page on your home page news feed. You’ll hear the latest about Presbyterian Women’s mission, justice and peace, publishing and leadership development work. And you can tell Presbyterian Women all the wonderful things you’re doing!

� And now there is a Presbyterian Women in Heartland Presbyterian Women in Heartland Presbyterian Women in Heartland Presbyterian Women in Heartland Presbytery FacebookPresbytery FacebookPresbytery FacebookPresbytery Facebook page as well! The PWHP page is a "group page". You have to ask to join that page--anyone who is currently a member of that page can add you. Just click on a member and ask them to add you. Once you are a member of the group, you can leave comments. Until then you can only view comments. After you are a mem-ber, notices from that page are posted on your home page. Watch for photos of the Fall Gathering!

� Get more information from this year’s Horizons Bible Study author, Janice Catron by going to the Abiding Hope BlogAbiding Hope BlogAbiding Hope BlogAbiding Hope Blog at http://pwpcusa.typepad.com/abidinghope. Janice will blog monthly about this year’s Bible study.

Wine to Water

by Doc Hendley One person CAN make a difference. Doc Hendley in Wine to Water recounts his story

of bring clean water to those in need. He worked as a bar-tender and one day learned how many lack clean water. He began to raise money through wine tastings for water pro-jects. He accepted a contract with Samaritan’s Purse to go to Darfur Sudan to work on water projects. He led a team to repair wells under the threat of war all around them. After that year, the author returned to the United States and started his own nonprofit Wine to Water which is bringing clean water to many. His story will inspire and motivate to see clean water for everyone.

The Book NookThe Book NookThe Book NookThe Book Nook By Judy Klamm

2013 Thank Offering2013 Thank Offering2013 Thank Offering2013 Thank Offering

The 2012 Thank Offering totaled $719,532. In March, the Creative Ministries Offering Committee reviewed 57 proposals and selected 36 of them for awards: 27 in the U.S. and 9 international. Half of the recipients are health ministries, and the grants will range from just over $4,000 to $50,000. Pro-jects will include food, shelter and services for vet-erans, people who are homeless, and women and children victims of domestic violence and human trafficking. Projects also include legal services for immigrants and people seeking asy-lum. See page 32 in the July/August Horizons magazine for more information about the projects. A dedication service for the offering is found on page 31. Two projects were selected from the Synod of Mid-America: $15,000 was awarded for the Backpack weekend food program in Crystal City, MO and $7,000 was awarded to the Institute for Peace and Justice in St Louis for stipends for female ex-offenders to help with anger management and con-flict resolution. One of the international projects was awarded for a Kenyan well project in coopera-tion with a congregation in Overland, MO, near St Louis. The second-mile giving done by Presbyterian Women makes an incredible difference in the lives of those most marginalized by society. We are richly blessed.

We are looking for “a few good women” to represent Heartland Presbytery at the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women next March in New York City! PWHP will be offering partial scholarships to help

defray the cost. This is a unique opportunity to tour the United Nations and meet women from the 45 member countries, along with Presbyterian women from across our nation, who will be attending. It is also a chance to see how we Presbyterians are witnessing in the world through our United Nations Office and Ministry. For information and applications, please contact Glenda Watts, 816-210-6565, gwatts2@kc.rr.com.

2013 PWHP Operating Budget

January 1, 2013 through June 30, 2013

CHECKING ACCOUNT

Balance on hand, 1/1/13 $15,939.24

Budgeted Income Budget Actual 3,000.00 Operating Budget Fees 2,623.25 6,000.00 Mission Giving Pledges 3,114.98 Spring Gath Registrations 536.00 Horizons 2,342.00 Total 8,616.23

Budgeted Expenditures 100.00 Administration 0.00 250.00 Postage/Copying 391.15 20.00 Search Committee 0.00 30.00 Mission Interpretation 0.00 100.00 Mileage 0.00 500.00 Horizons Subscriptions/Supplies 30.97 200.00 Newsletter 0.00 1,500.00 Synod PW Contingency Fee 1,110.48 500.00 Spring Gathering 1,166.00 500.00 Fall Gathering 0.00 100.00 Missouri Church Women United 0.00 100.00 Kansas Church Women United 0.00 100.00 Presbyterian Children’s Services 100.00 400.00 PW Churchwide Gathering 0.00 100.00 PW Leadership Training 0.00 100.00 Miscellaneous 0.00 500.00 Global Exchange 500.00 300.00 USA Mission Experience 0.00 500.00 Maya Quiche Partnership 0.00 1,000.00 Local Mission 0.00 1,000.00 Global Mission 500.00 500.00 Synod PW Mission 300.00 0.00 PWHP Mission-N-A-Weekend 476.33 0.00 Comm on Status of Women Scholarship 100.00 0.00 CW Gathering Gift Cards 500.00 8,400.00 Total 4,098.60 Excess Income Over Expenses $4,517.63

Non-Budgeted Income 2 Cents a Meal 0.00 Spring Gathering Offering 770.00 Total 770.00

Non-Budgeted Expenditures

2 Cents a Meal 0.00 Spring Gathering — Gardner Comm Clothes Closet 390.00 Spring Gathering — Veronica’s Voice 390.00 Total 780.00

BALANCE ON HAND, 6/30/13 $20,446.87

MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT

Balance on Hand, 1/1/13 6,830.64 Interest 3.93 Restricted Funds Leadership/Scholarship (3,277.77) PW Churchwide Gathering (2,361.00)

Available Funds, 6/30/13 $1,195.80

CDs

#54239 (2316-101), balance as of 6/30/13 $3,239.16 #54271 (2316-102), balance as of 6/30/13 $3,356.16

2013 Mission Giving Presbyterian Women in Heartland Presbytery

1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter TOTAL

MISSION PCUSA $3,256.67 $2,248.34 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 5,505.01 SYNOD 221.66 313.34 0.00 0.00 535.00 PRESBY 2,009.16 1,105.82 0.00 0.00 3,114.98 THANK 1,241.66 43.00 0.00 0.00 1,284.66

BIRTHDAY 120.00 2,121.25 0.00 0.00 2,241.25

HONORARY LIFE 0.00 190.00 0.00 0.00 190.00

LEAST COIN 162.49 236.75 0.00 0.00 399.24

HUNGER 125.17 129.56 0.00 0.00 254.73

OTHER 257.50 32.50 ** 0.00 0.00 290.00 TOTAL $7,394.31 $6,420.56 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $13,814.87

** PW Operating Fee Janet Kelley, Treasurer

PWHP Coordinating Team Needs YOU!PWHP Coordinating Team Needs YOU!PWHP Coordinating Team Needs YOU!PWHP Coordinating Team Needs YOU! The PWHP Search Committee is ALWAYS looking for good people to serve on the Coordinating Team of Presbyterian Women in Heartland Presbytery. If you are interested in serving PW in this capacity, we’d love to have you! Meetings are quarterly, and are held on Saturdays. Women from across the Presbytery serve on the Coordinating Team and people with a variety of backgrounds are needed. Contact either member of the Search Committee!

Chelly King Teresa Haden (913) 661-0374 (816) 776-3123 chelly41RN@everestkc.net thaden55@yahoo.com

FESTIVAL OF SHARINGFESTIVAL OF SHARINGFESTIVAL OF SHARINGFESTIVAL OF SHARING Saturday, October 19, State Fairgrounds, Sedalia, MO

At the Horizons Bible Study Workshop at Village Church, Mona Ajans, Moderator of PW in the Synod of Mid-America, encouraged us to participate in this year’s Festival of Sharing. This is the annual event where youth and adults get together to “do mission” for neighbors around the state and around the world. The highlight is always the handmade quilt auction, where the proceeds all go to the Blankets-Plus mis-sion of Church World Service. Check out the website at www.FestivalofSharing.org.

SEPTEMBER MEDITATIONSEPTEMBER MEDITATIONSEPTEMBER MEDITATIONSEPTEMBER MEDITATION -- Touch, Hugs, Etc.-- Touch, Hugs, Etc.-- Touch, Hugs, Etc.-- Touch, Hugs, Etc. by Rev Glenda Watts, PWHP Co-Moderator

Scripture Matthew 8:3, 8:15, 9:29,17:1-7, 20:24; Mark 1:41, 7:33, 10:13; Luke 5:13, 18:15, 22:51

Recently I heard Dr. Bowen White speak at the annual Health & Spirituality Workshop at the Community of Christ

Temple. He was speaking to a group of caregivers -- and we are all caregivers -- about our need for others to help

us when we are too close to our own personal stuff. Sometimes the needs of others -- children, elderly parents, etc.-

- make it seem like we have more than we can handle. We are fatigued by our compassion. Sometimes we feel di-

minished by the caring for so many needy people. But we don’t need to be diminished because we have an endless

supply of God’s love. As Jesus says in John’s gospel, “we have living water in us—a spring of water welling up to

eternal life”.

When he asked for questions, one man said, “I’m still uncomfortable going into a hospital room.” He said to look in

their eyes and see the light in their eyes and remember your presence is a gift – you are a present – a gift of love

and acceptance. Let God’s love flow through you. A woman then shared that it has been reported that 30-second

hugs are good for the body. Ever hear of it? Apparently, if you hold a hug for 30 seconds, your brain releases a hor-

mone that can reduce blood pressure and lower heart rates, combat stress and fatigue, fight infection and ease de-

pression as well as give us a sense of security and well-being. So I guess we should put up our walking shoes and

hug longer. Scripture mentions the power of touch again and again. Which is why in the 1960’s Bill Gaither’s fifty-

fourth song became his most famous -- “He Touched Me.” A preacher friend said to him, “Bill, the word “touch” is a

very popular word, and you ought to write a song that praises His touch.” So he did.

Shackled by a heavy burden He touched me, oh, he touched me

Neath a load of guilt and shame And oh the joy that floods my soul

Then the hand of Jesus touched me Something happened and now I know

And now I am no longer the same. He touched me and made me whole.

Fall Gathering of

Presbyterian Women in Heartland Presbytery

Saturday, September 28, 2013 8:15AM - 1PM

First Presbyterian Church of Leavenworth 407 Walnut Street, Leavenworth, KS 66048 — (913) 682-6891

Schedule of the DaySchedule of the DaySchedule of the DaySchedule of the Day

8:15 Registration & Community

9:00 Welcome & Worship including Communion and Offering

PW 25th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

10:00 Business Meeting

10:30 Mission Interpretation

11:30 Hands-On Mission Opportunity

12:30 Lunch

Registration Form

Name Phone Church/City/State

**Cost: $7.00****Cost: $7.00****Cost: $7.00****Cost: $7.00** Lunch and program materials provided. Please make checks payable to: PWHP Return registration form and payment to:

Janet Kelley 8319 Sagamore Road Leawood, KS 66206 (913) 341-5076

Registration deadline is Monday, September 23, 2013Registration deadline is Monday, September 23, 2013Registration deadline is Monday, September 23, 2013Registration deadline is Monday, September 23, 2013

Where Does Our Money Go?Where Does Our Money Go?Where Does Our Money Go?Where Does Our Money Go? Mission Dollars at WorkMission Dollars at WorkMission Dollars at WorkMission Dollars at Work

Questions? Contact Marti Auchard — 913-772-7350 — mauchard@yahoo.com

Offering R

ecipients:

Alliance Against

Family Violence

Covenant Pre

sbyterian’s Van Fund

_____ Yes, I need childcare _____ Number of children _____ Ages of children Please bring a sack lunch for each child. Childcare will be cancelled if no childcare reservations have Childcare will be cancelled if no childcare reservations have Childcare will be cancelled if no childcare reservations have Childcare will be cancelled if no childcare reservations have been made by 9/23/2013.been made by 9/23/2013.been made by 9/23/2013.been made by 9/23/2013.

Mission Focus

Alliance Against Family Violence (AAFV)

Covenant Presbyterian Church Van Fund Covenant Presbyterian Church is in the midst of a fundraising campaign to finance a church van. Presbyterian

Women of Heartland Presbytery have long been beneficiaries of leadership and service by women of the Covenant

congregation. In honor of these women the PWHP board voted that half of today’s offering go to the church’s van

fund. Some of the fine leaders include Doris Knight, Ernestine Davis, and Harriet Helm. This is in honor of PW’s

25th Anniversary.

Heart to Heart International Heart to Heart International has been creating a healthier world since 1992. Their mission is to improve global

health through initiatives that connect people and resources to a world in need. They provide medical education,

deliver medical aid, respond to people in crisis and address community-health concerns around the globe. Today

we are assembling Care Kits which offer a first line of defense against the spread of illness, a first step toward good

health... and they provide dignity in a small bag for those who have suffered during crises.

Harvesters Harvesters is this area's only food bank. It is a clearinghouse for the collection and distribution of food and related

household products. They've been helping people in need since 1979 by collecting food and household products

from community and industry sources, distributing those products and providing nutrition services through a net-

work of nonprofit agencies and offering leadership and education programs to increase community awareness of

hunger and generate solutions to alleviate hunger. The network includes more than 620 nonprofit agencies in 26

counties from Manhattan, KS to Columbia, MO, including food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, chil-

dren’s homes, homes for the mentally disabled and shelters for battered persons. The network provides food as-

sistance to as many as 66,000 different people each week. Today we are participating in the “Give Lunch” pro-

gram. Each sack provides a nutritious lunch and several snacks. The sack lunches are used in various Harvesters

youth programs including their homeless teen mobile food pantry.

Friends of Presbyterian Education Board (PEB) The Friends of the PEB is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the Presbyte-

rian Education Board in Pakistan in providing high-quality education to children in Pakistan. Their vision is that

every child in Pakistan will have access to an education that prepares them to be citizen-leaders. They raise finan-

cial support and increase awareness of PEB in our churches and communities. Barb Loots is with us today to inter-

pret how we can continue our support of PEB.

The AAFV is a non-profit organization founded in 1984 to provide a safe haven for victims of domestic violence. It is

the only agency in Leavenworth County that provides services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sex-

ual assault, child abuse, and/or stalking. They also operate the only 24-hour local crisis line. The Alliance hopes to

add drug and alcohol abuse counseling in the near future as drug and alcohol abuse is a major factor in many cases

of domestic and sexual violence. Sister Jane Mehrens has been a vocal and tireless advocate of the Alliance for

many years. We welcome her today to learn how we can help. The Alliance is an outreach partner of our host

church. Half of today’s offering will go to support programming at the AAFV.

DIRECTIONS

First Presbyterian is bounded by Walnut and Chestnut Streets on the north and south, US73/K7/K92 on the east and 5th Street on the west. There is on-street parking on Walnut, Chestnut and 5th Street. Parking is also available by the County Courthouse in the south lot at the northeast corner of 4th and Walnut across from the church. Handicapped parking is available in the church lot. From the south on US73/K7 turn left at Spruce (K92) and right on 5th street. To access the church parking lot, take the one-way alley between the Methodist Church and the Carnegie Building. Traveling from the north turn right on Walnut then left on 5th and left into the alley.

Other mission organ

izations will

have tables t

here for your per

usal

including the orphanage in

Thai-

land, Maya Quiche and

Linwood.

Presbyterian Women in Heartland Presbytery MISSION PLEDGE FORM

January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2014 Church Name Church Address, City, State, Zip As Presbyterian Women, we make the following pledge to support the mission of the Presbyterian Church (USA) worldwide though the General Assembly Mission Budget and the basic operating budget of Presbyte-rian Women in Heartland Presbytery, Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Mid-America, and Presbyterian Women at the churchwide level.

Celebration of Mission Though Women’s Pledge Please indicate below the anticipated amount pledged to PW at each governing body level.

Amount of Mission Pledge To support the mission of the PC(USA) worldwide and PW churchwide $

To support the mission of PW in the Synod of Mid-America $

To support the mission of PW in Heartland Presbytery $

Total Mission Pledge $ ______________________________________________________________________________ Moderator of PW in the Congregation

______________________________________________________________________________ Home Street Address

______________________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip

______________________________________________________________________________ Phone Number Email Address

NOTE: This Mission Pledge Form should be completed and sent by November 15, 2013 to:

Janet Kelley To contact Janet: 8319 Sagamore Road 913-341-5076

Shawnee Mission, KS 66206 janet.kelley@us.huhtamaki.com At one time the entire Mission Pledge was sent to churchwide after it was received from you in the Presbytery. Now on this form you can designate support to each governing body. Your Mission Pledge giving is the primary way churchwide PW is able to operate and continue the Celebration of Mission Through Women’s Pledges. It is IMPORTANT to continue this pledge.

Send quarterly Mission Pledge payments by March 10, June 10, September 10, and December 10. PWHPCT will still ask you to remit a separate pledge (based on the formula) to PWHP Operating Budget so we can continue to plan and offer pro-grams for our entire presbytery (for example, allowances for fall and spring gatherings, newsletters, scholarship fund, postage, dues or fees).

See separate Operating Budget Remittance Form due March 1.

SEND

Mission Project Report

Date Church Name Address, City/State/Zip Contact Person Address Phone Email address

2013 Mission Projects Name of Project Description of Project

Name of Project Description of Project

Name of Project Description of Project

Name of Project Description of Project

2013 National Asian Presbyterian Women Gathering in Houston, Texas

At the triennial National Asian Presbyterian Women’s (NAPW) Gathering in Houston in late April, 2013, women whose first languages included Tagalog, Ko-rean, Mandarin, Taiwanese, and Japanese, all spoke, sang, laughed and learned together in English! As a third-generation Japanese American who grew up in Nebraska as an English speaker with no second language, I've usually felt a little out of place among Asians who don’t speak English. (This began with the annual Japanese community picnics in my home town which were organized by my grandmother and her pals, who worshipped in Japanese with the Episcopa-lians.) But I always feel as completely at home with APW as I do with PW groups in my own Kansas City congregation, Heartland Presbytery and the Synod of MidAmerica.

Each time I've participated in this weekend conference with mostly immigrant Asian Presbyterian women, I've felt so spiritually and personally fed and uplifted that I felt like I was cheating - - that I was in on a wonderful secret that was like hearing the Good News from a deep place in my spirit. This year, I was finally able to articulate that feeling, and suggested that this triennial gathering be widened to include all women who value their heritage -- not just those from ethnic Asian churches. The group affirmed that notion, so now, PW sisters, you’re all in on the secret. The theme for the weekend was "Spiritual Transformation - A Positive Influence." Rev. Dr. Eunjoo Mary Kim, Profes-sor of Homiletics and Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado, helped us identify our individual spiritual styles, and later, in her dramatized sermon for the closing worship, helped us identify with the Samaritan Woman at the Well and empathize with her transformation. Anne Wilson, President-Elect of the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE), guided us through a creative aural/visual/tactile/spiritual exercise, “Hearing with your Heart” and making personal/spiritual collages. Through her preaching in the opening wor-ship, Rev. Dr. Haruko Nawata Ward,Professor of Church History at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA, helped us empathize with both the Syrophoenecian woman (who crashed a dinner party to ask Jesus to heal her daughter) and with the little dogs under the table that she referenced** (Mark 7:25-30). Haruko also introduced us to our Asian Christian foremothers who were martyred for their faith. Their stories spoke to the power of the Christian gospel and the strong leadership of Asian women who effectively spread the good news in various parts of Asia, de-spite strong threats of persecution and the constraints of their adamantly male-centric societies. Kathleen Davies de-lighted us with “Joy, a Necessary Perspective.” Rev. Dr. Unzu Lee, Program Associate for Presbyterian Women Lead-ership spoke of the church’s ministry for, to and of women. And there was more! This gathering was a series of high-lights separated only by lovely meals and conversations - - and a couple of good nights of sleep. Presbyterian Women from ethnically Asian Presbyterian congregations have been gathering to share their stories and faith journeys for many years. There are actually 140 churches with ten ethnicities listed in the National Asian Presby-terian church directory - - and that doesn't even include our many Korean Presbyterian congregations. This gathering was supported by funding from the Synod of the Sun, Presbyterian Women, the office of Asian Congregational Sup-port, and National Asian Presbyterian Council. In 2016 the NAPW Gathering will be on the West Coast, under the leadership of newly elected NAPW moderator, Joan Fong. You’re invited. Stay tuned.

** A woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit heard about [Jesus], and came and fell down at his feet. The woman was a Greek, by race a Phoenician from Syria. And she started asking him to drive the demon out of her daughter. He responded to her like this: "Let the children first be fed, since it isn't good to take bread out of children's mouths and throw it to the dogs!" But asa re-joinder she says to him: "Sir, even the dogs under the table get to eat scraps dropped by children!" Then he said to her: "For that retort, be on your way, the demon has come out of your daughter." She returned home and found the child lying on the bed and the demon gone (Mk. 7:25-30).

Guatemala Partnership Mission Trip -- January 2-10, 2014 -- Act NOW! Heartland PW contributes $1000 annually to our sisters in Guatemala. If you would like to be part of this outreach, the registration form can be found on the Heartland website, http://www.heartlandpby.org/, under “Upcoming Events.” Registration deadline is October 1, 2013Registration deadline is October 1, 2013Registration deadline is October 1, 2013Registration deadline is October 1, 2013. If you have questions, please contact Rachel Lausch, 913-631-6620.

Saturday, September 28, 2013 8:30-1:30 PWHP FALL GATHERING First Presbyterian Church, Leavenworth, KS Saturday, October 19, 2013 Festival of Sharing, Sedalia, MO Saturday, November 2, 2013 9:00 AM PWHPCT meeting Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, Overland Park, KS Saturday, February 1, 2014 9:00 AM PWHPCT meeting Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, Overland Park, KS Saturday, April 26, 2014 PWHP SPRING GATHERING Parkville Presbyterian Church

Presbyterian Women of Heartland Presbytery 3210 Michigan Avenue Kansas City, MO 64109 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Non Profit Org US Postage Pd

KCMO Permit 5924

DATES TO REMEMBER