9PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN CENTRAL FLORIDA PRESBYTERY COORDINATING TEAM MEETING MINUTES – January 3, 2009 Social 9:30 a.m. - Meeting - 10:00 a.m. Moderator Connie Herr called the meeting to order and lit the Christ Candle at 10:00 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church of the Lakes, Orlando, Florida. The PW Purpose was read in unison. Devotions were given by Moderator Connie Herr. Our guest, Kathy Dunlop of Vero Beach was welcomed and the ladies of the Church of the Lakes and Melissa MacKinnon were thanked for having us. The contents of the packets were discussed. The Schedule of Events for 2009-2010 noted places needing a host church, particularly for 2010. The packet also contained the By-Laws of the Synod of South Atlantic with the PW Synod of South Atlantic Nominees for Elected Offices for the years July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2012. It is noted that Karen Hamilton has been nominated for Synod PW Leadership Development Specialist. The slate will be voted on at the Annual Gatherings of PW in the Synod of South Atlantic between January 1, 2009 and May 15, 2009. Moderator Connie Herr had no specific report other than to review thoughts about El Caribe as a meeting place for the 2011 Fall Retreat. Vice Moderator Karen Hamilton held a training session for Enablers at the 2008 Annual Gathering. Encouraged all District Enablers to order a copy of the new Presbyterian Women Manual for each of the churches in her district and to hand deliver the copy to a designated contact at that church. She contacted Enablers at least monthly to forward on new PW information available by email and/or phone. Assisted with the planning of Fall Gathering at El Caribe. Attended quarterly meeting of the coordinating team. Secured St. Mark’s and El Redentor for 2009 meetings. Served as the representative of Presbyterian Women to Central Florida Presbytery Council. Secretary Janet Stebbins’ Minutes of the previous meeting were approved. Treasurer Polly Ratchford submitted her financial report for the year. The total funds on hand as of 1/03/09, was $63,212.26. -1-
Polly Ratchford presented the Proposed Budget for PW in Central Florida Presbytery for 2009 of $6,900.00. Karen Hamilton moved we accept the Budget as presented. Seconded by Dottie Baird and carried. Historian/Web-Master Benita Meyer reported, “I received many PW Histories from our churches. Those received were sent on to Synod. I have sent out updated history writing information sheets and answered all questions that have come my way from PW Historians around the Presbytery. On the web front: we have been updating the directory as PW officers change. We continue to strive to get all the minutes and registration forms on the web as quickly as we can.” Search Committee (Office vacant at present) Cultural Diversity Interpreter Suabi Ramnarain Gobal Mission Interpreter Alice Hawthorne’s quarterly report stated her main focus this past quarter was planning and presenting the triennial Retreat. Because of our concerns with members’ budgets and rising costs for food and lodging, we shortened the retreat to Friday after supper to mid-afternoon on Saturday. Connie had already secured our speaker and made the reservations for rooms at El Caribe. My planning committee consisted of Karen Hamilton, Polly Ratchford, Benita Meyer and Dottie Baird. We had 65 full participants and 14 Saturday only participants. Polly served as registrar and has given a full report on our finances. I hope we will be able to use our “profits” to either reduce costs for the next retreat or offer partial scholarships. Ella Busby was an excellent speaker, sizing up her audience and tailoring her presentation to fit. I think all of us came away with a sense of renewal. Karen did an outstanding job of securing Jill Contrucci as our vocalist and for printing our song sheets. Jill touched all of us as she had lost her Mother (who was also her accompanist) only a short while before the retreat. Donaline White graciously filled in as her pianist. Betty Haag and the women of Port Orange Presbyterian Church provided the board with a great meeting place and supper. They also provided hospitality bags for the retreat participants. Since this was my first experience at this facility, I was not sure what to expect. I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food, the layout of the conference facilities and the helpfulness of the staff. Everyone was most complimentary. Thank you all for a job well done! -2-
The only thing I would suggest doing differently would be to have a couple folks to staff a welcome table outside the conference room to hand out treat bags and answer questions. Peace And Justice Interpreter Diane McAllister said pace and justice would be better to me this time of year; because peace of heart, mind and soul is what I pray for, a time to reflect on the past year, see where God has been at work and where he is still leading. We can choose hope and promise or turn from the baby and forget the cross but we would have no justification with our God. In 2008 I attended CT meetings, the Bible Study Event, the fall retreat and last year’s annual meeting, read and prayed for God’s will to be done in all injustice I read or heard about. 2009 “HOPE” is my word since the whole world is changing. Presbyterian Homes & Schools Interpreter Jean Harp attended in 2008 the Annual meeting, the Bible Study Event and the Fall Retreat. She sent out nine applications to seminary students and a young man, Chris Kirwan was chosen to receive our CFPPW Scholarship. He attends Austin Seminary. Thornwell and Duvall Home both received money in 2008 from CFPPW. Contributions from all your churches made this all possible. ENABLER REPORTS: District #1 Betty Haag spent much of her time in preparation for the Fall Retreat. In addition she contacted her churches about the Retreat and sent information packets concerning the January CT meeting, the Annual meeting and information about attendance at the Churchwide Gathering in 2009 in Louisville. She has been in constant contact with the moderator in Ormond Beach. District #2 Kay Laws’ quarterly report said “I attended the CT meeting in Port Orange and then went to the Fall Retreat at El Caribe in October. I contacted all active PW’s in my district via email in November. In December I attended the PW Christmas Tea in Mountt. Dora. I also contacted PW’s about the January Annual Meeting and sent registration forms.” District #3 Rose Gorman reported for October-December 2008 that she attended the Fall Retreat at El Caribe and PWCFP CT meeting at Port Orange on October 24-25. She sent emails to all regarding Fall Retreat and PWCFP CT meeting and emailed in November regarding the Annual Gathering, vacancies on the CT, and copy of CT minutes and the need for a new District #3 Enabler and then reminded all again in December. She sent the registration form and biographies of the candidates for the Moderator Elect position.
District #4 Kay Jewett’s report: I approach the end of my term as Enabler of District #4 knowing that I have left some vital things undone this quarter. Besides being away for six weeks. I experienced extended illness upon my return. District #5 Karen Hamilton Acting District #5 Enabler established a contact at all 11 churches in District #5. She hand delivered the new Presbyterian Women Manual to each church. Remained in monthly contact by email and/or phone as well as attended meetings, gatherings, or Bible studies. Installed new officers at Wekiva, Markham Woods and St. Mark’s. First Maitland and El Redentor retained their same officers. Westminster dissolved its PW. Many churches are struggling to keep their PW active. With God’s help, all things are possible. District #6 Eleanore Kaney: I installed the new officers at St. Stephens Church on October 27th. I sent four churches a reminder to get their pledge forms to Polly. Reminders and registration forms were sent for the Vero Beach Bible Study Event and I hand delivered 100 Christmas gifts to Duvall Home from Park Lake Church. Park Lake is having a Golden Ladies Tea on January 10th to honor all PW Members who are 80 years old and older. I am in charge of food. It is not easy to obtain food donated during the holidays. District #7 Beth Timmons: I have visited the churches over the past several months. Services at Rockledge, Merritt Island, Riverside (Cocoa Beach), 1 st PC Titusville, Pineda, St. Luke’s, Trinity, and my home church, Cocoa. Seven out of eight churches from District #7 attended the Bible Study Event. Cocoa’s new PW moderator for 2009-2010 will be Jan Willis, the daughter of the current Moderator. Three PW members attended the Fall Retreat. Rockledge Moderator is June Milsap.. Merritt Island’s PW loved the Luke Bible Study and several attended the Fall Retreat. Riverside’s moderator is Marilyn McMillan. She with several of her members attended the Fall Retreat. At 1st PC Titusville I attended the pumpkin decorating contest and their December Circle meeting. Sarah Etheredge will be the 2009 PW moderator. Tinker Massey was the guest speaker in December who spoke on “Stress”. Pineda PW had a large group at the Fall Bible Study. Their PW officers installed for 2009 remain the same as the previous year. Trinity PC in Satellite Beach was the last visited. The new contact at Trinity is Theresa Williams (women’s ministry), 777-8758, tawill@aol.com. -4-
The Circle of Prayer books of the Fellowship of the Least Coin were ordered and distributed. I installed officers at Cocoa PC and congratulated Jan Willis on her lifetime membership. District #8 Dottie Baird reported On October 6, I attended the “Welcome Back” gathering at the 1st PC of Vero Beach. The sewing and crafts group had some of their items displayed that would be for sale at the December 6 luncheon. A DVD showing recipients of the Thank Offering was watched. Jody Campbell, a missionary with Wycliffee, showed a video of her work in Papau New Guinea where she and her husband are translating the Bible. New Officers were elected for 2009. Moderator will be Kathy Dunlap, Vice Chairman Judy Wetzig, Treasurer Nancy Miller and Secretary/Historian Rosemary Freas. Also in attendance were two PW from Eastminster PC, three PW from Westminster, Vero Beach along with one husband. Merilyn Riddaugh from Eastminster, Indialantic, was honored with a Certificate of Appreciation from PW of Central Florida Presbytery for all her energies in putting on the successful Bible Study at her church. October 8, I attended a lovely “tea” at Good Shepherd PC, Melbourne. In addition to the host church, PW ladies from Palm Bay and Palmdale participated. The ladies were in beautiful dresses and hats for the occasion. The tables were decorated with fine china and all sorts of delicasies were served. The speaker was Mrs. Fran Peterson who spoke about her missionary work in Thailand, Taiwan and Korea. Members of Vero Beach 1st PC, Palmdale, Good Shepherd, Palm Bay and Sebastian attended El Caribe in October and came away with a spiritual awakening. Dr. Ella Busby was the speaker. Later, Ella came to 1st Vero to preach on Sunday. Palmdale has elected new officers. Moderator Janice Smith ,Vice Moderator Mary Lou Green and Treasurer Marilyn Boissoneault. Sebastian PW had their Annual Bazaar and dinner on November 14 th. This is always a special event as the ladies do all the preparation and serving. They had been very busy doing unique and interesting handiwork. Monies received went to missions. I had lunch on November 13th with Marilyn Riddaugh (Eastminster) and Moderator Connie Herr of CFPW. December 6, 1st PC Vero Beach had their Christmas luncheon with the annual crafts bazaar. This was well attended and we enjoyed strolling through the various exhibits, such as cookies-by-the-pound and handmade items from the sewing and crafts grooup. -5-
In addition to attending all of these activities at the various churches, I have used email, postal service and telephone to keep in touch with all my ladies in District 8. OLD BUSINESS: Positions on the CT Board which have not been filled are Vice Moderator, Search Committee Moderator, Enabler for District #5 and Enabler for District #4 although Kay Jewett has agreed to continue as Enabler for District #4 until a replacement has been found. Benita Meyer reported on the website and information which was placed on the web. Her contact at CFP has retired and she has not made contact with a new person. Benita will research opening our own PW website in order to make it easier for our information to be available. The format for the Annual Meeting was presented. Representatives from Thornwell and Duvall Homes will be present. No money will be given to these homes since they received funds last year. Any distribution of funds will be tabled until March. Global Exchange director Betsy Berry will be our speaker. Help workshops will be scheduled for the afternoon session for Moderators, Circle Leaders, Enablers, Treasurers, Mission projects and “Understanding the Muslim Faith.” Annual Reports will be needed from all on the CT Board. Those appointed to approve the Minutes for the Annual Meeting are Dottie Baird, Rose Gorman and Karen Hamilton The offering taken at the Annual Meeting will be for Vocational Scholarships. The Bible Study on “Joshua” will be at El Redentor Church in Oviedo with David Swanson’s wife Leigh as leader. Voting delegates to the Worldwide Gathering, July11-15, 2009, in Louisville, KY, will be Polly Ratchford, Alice Hawthorne and Connie Herr. The PW-CFP pays all expenses for the Moderator, Enablers and Voting Delegates which is a big expense for the four day meeting. Emily Campbell reported on scholarship applications she has sent out. Only one applicant per church will be considered. Polly Ratchford, Eleanore Kaney and Karen Hamilton will review and decide on the one applicant chosen. All completed forms are to be sent to Polly Ratchford. Congregations are reminded to bring their banner with the stand for display at the Annual Meeting. -6-
NEW BUSINESS: Information on the World Day Of Prayer on March 6, 2009, may be obtained at the website: www.wdpusa.org. The committee appointed to audit the Treasurer’s books will be Alice Hawthorne, Benita Meyer and Betty Haag. The meeting closed at 12:00 p.m. with the Closing Prayer read in unison and the Christ Candle was extinguished. Janet Stebbins Janet Stebbins, Secretary
-7-