Overview of Program
Presbyterian Women (PW) is a church-wide organization whose membership is open to all women. Its members are women who choose to participate in or be supportive of the organization in any way. PW intentionally seeks the membership of women from all ages, interests, backgrounds and talents so that the organization may reflect a vision of the whole church. We have one thing in common, though, the desire to make a difference.
Presbyterian Women is organized at all levels of the PC(USA) in congregations, presbyteries, and synods as well as the General Assembly. This interconnected system allows ideas and information to continually flow back and forth to strengthen the work of Presbyterian Women and the ministry of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
In 1892, six Presbyterian Women organized “The Ladies Aid Society” here at FPCP. Their purpose was to “assist the Church with financial and social concerns.” For more than 115 years, our focus has remained the same, and the women of our Church have honored this pledge. We hope you will also continue to support this time-honored tradition.
Ministry Focus
Presbyterian Women’s purpose is:
“Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to:
- Nurture our faith through prayer and bible study
- Support the mission of the church worldwide
- Work for justice and peace
- Build an inclusive, caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (USA) and witnesses to the promise of God’s Kingdom.”
Activities Sponsored by Presbyterian Women
Within the First Presbyterian Church of Plymouth, the following opportunities are available:
The Common Ground Gathering involves reaching out to women in our local communities with the hand of friendship and faith to establish a common ground that promotes understanding, friendship and unity. One recent project involved a joint project that united women from FPCP and the Muslim Community of Western Suburbs in completing a renovation of the Dining Room at the First Step Domestic Violence Shelter in Wayne, Michigan. (Click on the image on the left to view it full size.)
Women’s Bible Studies and Book Studies meet on variety of nights or days of the week. There’s a book study, a bible study or a program for everyone, whether you’re looking for ‘A Morning’s Peace’ or an evening of study, a book discussion or a PW craft night.
Willing Hands Circle meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 12:30p.m. in the Dining Room. This circle concentrates on service opportunities within our own church and community. Contact Linda Luke at 734-455-0863 or Bev MacGaw at 734-453-7224.
Helen Beavers Circle meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 10:30am locally. This circle includes fellowship for the older women of our church. Contact Betty Detter at 734-455-0619 for further details.
Presbyterian Women Local Mission emphasizes hands-on mission work with children and families, and helping related organizations with gardening and other needs. Contact Jean Krause at 734-416-1760.
Threads to Heal the Heart meets on the 4th Monday of the month in Knox Hall from 7-9:00pm. This group is dedicated to making quilts with prayerful thoughts stitched inside for family and friends that need encouragement and prayers in difficult times. Contact Ginny Weaver at 734-207-7554 for more information. Request a quilt.
Prayer Shawl Ministry Circle meets on the 4th Thursday of the month to make hand-knitted or crocheted shawls that “bring compassion and love into a spiritual practice, which reaches out to those in need of comfort and solace, as well as in celebration and joy. Blessings are prayed into every shawl.” Contact Darlene Maginley at 248-344-9908 or Ginny Weaver at 734-207-7554 for more information.
Partners in Earth Care meets on the 4th Tuesday of the month (excluding December) in the Hearth Room. This group is working to move FPCP towards being more earth-friendly. Contact Ailsa Blunk at 248-974-0607 for more information.
Kids Hope USA is a volunteer mentoring partnership between Plymouth-Canton Community Schools’ Bird Elementary School and West Middle School and the First Presbyterian Church of Plymouth. Mentors spend time weekly with at-risk kids in supportive, mentoring relationships. Mentors spend just one hour per week, reading, talking, playing and listening to a child at school. By helping the child feel loved and valued, they help that child to learn, grow and succeed. To learn more about being a part of either the Elementary partnership or the Middle School partnership, visit FPCP’S Kids Hope page.
Ongoing PW Events
There are many opportunities to participate in FPCP’s Women’s Ministries throughout the year, including:
- InGathering (October)
- The Festival of Tables (first Monday in December)
- Women’s annual Fall Retreat Weekend at SpringHill Camp in Evart, MI (October)
- Book Discussions
- Craft Nights
For full details and registration information about our current programs, take a look at our Presbyterian Women.Activities 2021.22
Do you have other ideas or suggestions? Please contact Ailsa Blunk with your ideas.
Other Sponsored Activities
Presbyterian Thrift Shop
The Presbyterian Thrift Shop, in business since 1950, can always use help. The Thrift Shop is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., Wednesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (March – December) and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The Thrift Shop is located at 331 N. Main Street in Plymouth. Their phone number is 734-459-1250. For more information about the Thrift Shop, contact Ted or Lynne Porter at 248-719-3378
Volunteers can sign up for a two-hour shift once a month or once a week. Please consider volunteering your time to work at the FPCP Thrift Shop any Wednesday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. For more information about volunteering, contact Linda Bernhardt at 734-254-1346.
FPCP is Supporting Michigan’s Foster Care Children
When speaking of mission, it’s important to balance our support both locally, nationally and globally. There are many needs within our own local communities. One such need is for Michigan’s Foster Children. (read more)