A new Presbyterian women's organisation is set to be launched next Thursday, 1 May in Church House. Incorporating the existing Presbyterian Women's Association (PWA) and Young Women's Groups (YWG), the new organisation will be called Presbyterian Women (PW). To accommodate the number of women who will be travelling to the launch, the event will take place at 2pm and will then be repeated in the evening at 7.30pm.
The total membership of PW is approximately 14,000 within 500 groups. A new guidebook will also be launched, which contains practical advice on how to run a PW Group as well as giving guidance on how to amalgamate a PWA branch with a YWG. The launch marks the end of a seven-year process, during which the leadership of the PWA and YWG have prayerfully reassessed the work, outreach and role of their organisations. This process demonstrated the need to launch a fresh, reinvigorated women's organisation, which is relevant to a new generation of women. Presbyterian Women is an organisation for women within the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI). Women play a vital part in the life and work of the Presbyterian Church and there have been women's organisations within PCI for over one hundred and thirty years. Changes have occurred throughout this time - changes in name, vision, function and administration. Society has greatly changed since the formation of the PWA in 1971, including the role of women. Moral values, marriage and family life are in steep decline. Church attendance is no longer the 'norm' and women no longer feel bound by tradition. The leadership of PWA and YWG recognised that in an increasingly informal culture, change was needed. The motto of Presbyterian Women is 'Living for Jesus', and the new logo, which depicts a circle surrounding a cross, represents women whose lives are centred on the Lord Jesus Christ. The Mission Statement of the organisation is 'Presbyterian Women encourages women to become disciples of Christ' - PW Groups are envisaged as women's fellowships in which women are encouraged to become Christians and to become Christ-like. In addition to supporting mission at home and overseas, each group is to seek ways of actively reaching women in its own area for Christ.
"As we look forward to the future, we do so seeking to be obedient to God in every area of our lives," said Caroline Hawthorne, PW General Secretary. "We must seek to fulfil the Great Commission, both locally and globally. We must see our local communities as missionfields, just as much as we do with countries further afield." "For many women today, life has become a misadventure as they are lost in the hustle and bustle. With God's help, we pray that Presbyterian Women will make a difference as it envisions and equips women to serve Christ. I believe that Presbyterian Women can be an asset to any congregation, in helping with its missionary endeavour and its community outreach."
Issued by Sarah Harding, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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