2015–2018 Churchwide Coordinating Team of Presbyterian Women
The Churchwide Coordinating Team of Presbyterian Women brings together women of diverse backgrounds with many gifts and skills. The search committee gathers nominations for the following CCT positions: a moderator, a vice moderator for mission relationships, a vice moderator for justice and peace concerns, a board secretary, a historian, a financial committee chair, a moderator of the search committee, six racial ethnic members-at-large. In addition to these positions, the Churchwide Coordinating Team includes a new immigrant women representative (recommended by the PC(USA)’s New Immigrant Ministries office), 16 synod representatives (one elected by each synod), as well as two representatives from the National Network of Presbyterian College Women (NNPCW), two representatives from Racial Ethnic Young Women Together (REYWT) and two young women's representatives at large. The immediate past moderator serves one additional year in an advisory capacity.
The synod representatives are elected by their PW in the Synod for a three-year term. The terms for the synod representatives are staggered, so that at any meeting, no more than six synod representatives are new. The other positions are nominated by the search committee of the CCT and are elected by majority vote of the voting representatives at the Business Meeting during the Churchwide Gathering. They serve from one Churchwide Gathering to the next. The search committee welcomes your help in identifying candidates for the next CCT. Download a nomination form and submit to the committee member for your region.
Following are profiles of the women nominated through the Search Committee and elected at the 2015 Business Meeting of Presbyterian Women.
Key
PW Presbyterian Women
PWC Presbyterian Women in the Congregation
PWP Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery
PWS Presbyterian Women in the Synod
CT Coordinating Team
CCT/PW Churchwide Coordinating Team of Presbyterian Women
CWG Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women
GAC General Assembly Council
GAMC General Assembly Mission Council
Moderator
Carol Winkler
Dayton, Kentucky
“Presbyterian Women remains a strong, stable organization, and a leader in the church. We must continue to work together to create a community of caring that lifts up women and children.”
Church: Ruling elder and clerk of session; member, Christian education team and choir; teacher, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School; volunteer, Interfaith Hospitality Network; chair, personnel, mission and stewardship committees
PW: PWC—circle leader, treasurer; PWP—moderator, treasurer, chair of search committee; PWS—vice moderator of justice and peace committee, PW Enabler coordinator, vice moderator of mission committee, chair of synod Gathering team; PW/CCT—synod representative, communications committee chair, member of justice and peace, audit and funds development committees; Churchwide Gathering planning teams since 1997, chair of hospitality and exhibit hall committees, resource sales
Community: Volunteer sales, Ten Thousand Villages; board member, Parent Teacher Association; chair, After Prom and High School Boosters committees; volunteer, PGA and USGA U.S. Open golf tournaments; community revitalization tema
Education: Bachelor's degree from Georgetown College; owner, Cross Stitchin' by the Creek; substitute teacher, Ft. Thomas schools; administrative/financial coordinator for Presbytery of Cincinnati; mother and grandmother
Vice moderator for Mission Relationships
Judy Persons
Jackson, Alabama
“Presbyterian Women is a leader in mission work and sponsorship. I want to investigate ways to improve communication at all levels so that we reach more women with encouragement and inform them of the wide variety of opportunities through PW.”
Church: Ruling elder; elder chair of mission ministry team; mission team leader, participant in a variety of youth and adult mission trips; prayer shawl ministry and teddy bear ministry; Family Promise laundress; Cursillo pilgrim and staff worker
PW: PWC—member of Creative Ladies Aiding Missions, vice moderator for missions, chair of Alternative Gift Fair; PWP—vice moderator for missions, on search committee, member of gathering planning team, workshop leader, delegate to the 2012 CWG business meeting; PWS—Together in Service coordinator, leadership training coordinator, on gathering planning team, participant in 2013 USA Mission Experience to Appalachia, participant in 2014 Global Exchange to the Caribbean, speaker, workshop leader, mission challenges leader
Community: Weekend volunteer at local homeless shelter; Habitat for Humanity volunteer
Education and profession: Coursework in math, computer science and business management; small-business manager and bookkeeper; light manufacturing business owner
Vice Moderator for Justice and Peace
Wanda Beauman
Denver, Colorado
“It is important that PW continues to work with our communities to promote the empowerment of women and girls so that they can advocate for themselves and for one another concerning issues of justice, peace and safety from violence, and have the opportunity to participate equally in all areas of economic, educational and governmental life.”
Church: Member of Peoples Presbyterian Church; elder on session; have served as clerk of session and deacon; sing in the women's choir; serve as worship leader and give children's sermons; Presbytery of Denver—have served on Council, COM and CPM; also served as commissioner and observer at GA
PW: Honorary life member; have held PW offices at the church, presbytery, synod and churchwide levels; just prior, was African American member-at-large on the CCT
Community: Life member of Top Ladies of Distinction, dedicated to leadership training for youth and the care and empowerment of women; life member of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority; life member of Jack and Jill of America; on Hope's Promise Zimbabwe Connection Team, caring for orphans in Zimbabwe
Education and profession: BA in biology and literature, University of Northern Colorado; MA in curriculum and instruction, University of Northern Colorado; PhD in education and human resources, Colorado State University
Secretary/Historian
Wykita Sterling
Plainfield, New Jersey
“In my role on CCT, my objective will be to bridge the gap between younger generations of women and elder generations. My goal is to find the mechanism for unity that will translate to a hearty, healthy relationship between women of all ages. My desire is to increase women's participation in PW in all Presbyterian churches.”
Church: Memorial West Women's Ministry coordinator, former deacon at Memorial West, Seventh Street Bistro/Soup Kitchen board member, church representative for the Hunger Action Ministry (HAM), coordinator for annual church coat drive, Toys for Tots annual coordinator
PW: PWC—corresponding secretary
Community: Feeding and clothing the general public every third Saturday of each month; solicit donations for mission service; mentor young women
Education and profession: Studied human resource management at Bloomfield College; receive Human Resource Management certificate through Union County College's continuing education program; associate's degree in business office administration, Drake College Business School
Finance Committee Chair
Ana Camila Vazquez de Jesus
San Juan, Puerto Rico
“I am honored to be able to offer my knowledge of accounting to help with control of Presbyterian Women Churchwide's budget. I also hope that PW will be more active on issues of immigration.”
Church: Local church Bible study leader, clerk of session; secretary of judicial commission, Presbytery of San Juan
PW: PWC—circle moderator; PWP—treasurer, PW in the Presbytery of San Juan; PWS—on PW in the Synod of Boriquen's program committee
Education and profession: Bachelor of Arts degree, graduating cum laude, in accounting, University of Puerto Rico
African American Member-at-large
Evelyn White
Summerville, South Carolina
“It is important to me as a Presbyterian to be able to connect with women of diverse backgrounds and develop a caring, diverse and loving church community.”
Church: Elder, Zion Olivet Presbyterian Church; chair of Christian education committee; chair of nominating committee
PW: PWC—past moderator of ZOPC PW, advisor to ZOPC Young PW (DIVAs); PWP—historian for Charleston Atlantic PW coordinating team
Community: Member, Newington Plantation Neighborhood Association; member, National Contracting Management Association; diamond life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
Education and profession: Bachelor's degree in business education and secondary education, Fayetteville State University; master's degree in business administration, Webster University
Asian American Member-at-large
Laura Cheifetz
Louisville, Kentucky
“I will help the CCT in its great work of providing a witness for faithfulness and justice to the PC(USA). I will also help the CCT connect with others who are doing other important work and learn from the CCT's existing service.”
Church: I have been active in every church I have attended. At Central Presbyterian in Atlanta, I was on the social issues committee and sang in the choir. I provided occasional worship leadership.
Community: I just moved and travel 60 to 70 percent of the time, so nothing current. I have been on the board of directors of two homeowner's associations. I am on the board of The Beatitudes Society.
Education and profession: Undergraduate studies in Bellingham, Washington; BA in sociology with honors (minor in Spanish), Western Washington University; MDiv, McCormick Theological Seminary; MBA, North Park University, Chicago
Hispanic/Latina American Member-at-large
Elizabeth Torres-Rodriguez
Miami, Florida
“My prayer for the 2015–2018 triennium is that we continue to be a caring, diverse community of women and that we continue to include all within our circle, so that no one feels marginalized. I will encourage Hispanic/Latina PW to gather with their sisters at the table, as we help bridge the cultural and language gap. I pray, too, that we can be agents of peace during this time of change in our church.”
Church: Elder on session at First Presbyterian (Hispanic), Miami; moderator, Christian education committee; GA 220 commissioner, member of COR, member of PUPAC for Tropical Florida Presbytery
PW: PWP—past moderator of PWP (2011–2014); moderator of workshop committee, member of bylaws committee
Community: Founding board member and secretary on the board of directors for The Key Clubhouse of Florida, "a place where people with mental illness can regain meaningful lives"; work during elections as clerk of assigned precinct
Education and profession: Retired registered nurse
Korean American Member-at-large
Eun Soo Hwang
Glendale Heights, Illinois
“As a Korean American woman, I wish to play a role in bringing all cultures together, helping us all see the world with open minds and spirits, so that we may understand more about how different cultures help community. I want to learn and share how God has worked in different communities.”
Church: Handbell choir; youth group; PTA president; small group leader
Community: Lunch for the homeless
Education and profession: High school
Middle Eastern American Member-at-large
Nermine Hanna
Temple City, California
“I am honored and blessed to serve on the CCT. I would like to see more involvement, presence and communication between Middle Eastern American women and PW in the PC(USA) women. I would like to see women of all ethnicities connected with each other, learning from each other, lifting each other up, breaking down barriers and easing transitions.”
PW: I serve as the chair of the national Middle Eastern Presbyterian Women Caucus.
Community: New immigrants and the elderly are always on my heart to serve, visit and assist in any needed area.
Education and profession: Diploma in library technology; bachelor's degree in Greek and Roman civilization, archaeology and classics; master's degree in library science; master's degree in human development and psychology
Native American Member-at-large
Donna Bradley
Tucson, Arizona
“With the grace of God and the combine talents/gifts of my PW sisters, I will work to support the shared mission of elevating the social, spiritual and educational status of women at home and worldwide. I witnessed firsthand the importance of this as a 1999 Global Exchange participant in the Middle East.”
Church: Member, Southside Presbyterian Church; served on Southside's nurture and personnel committees; elected member of Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy, 2003–2010
PW: PWP—participated in PW gathering in the DeCristo Presbytery; 1999 Global Exchange participant
Community: Member of the Dine (Navajo) Nation; participate on many community boards, including the PC(USA)-sponsored House of Neighborly Services in Tucson
Education and profession: Bachelor's degree in business; master's degree in public health; Juris Doctor degree; worked as an attorney for the Navajo Nation's Department of Justice for nine years
New Immigrant Women's Representative
Sandy Afua Mesenewo Fefeti
Elkins Park, Pennsylvania
“I will be a role model for the youth in my church by encouraging youth, especially young women, to be involved in church activities, lead worship, be Sunday School teachers, be active members of youth groups and more. I also urge adults to give youth more opportunities to be involved.”
Church: Member, Young People's Guild; assistant financial secretary, Young Adult Fellowship; children's Sunday School teacher; member of youth choir; member of praise and worship team; assistant in finance office
Community: Member of group that distributes daily bread to the community, invites people in the community for church picnic every summer, goes for outreaches (evangelism) in other states and countries
Education and profession: In Ghana, attended De-Youngster's International School from childhood to junior high school; attended Ofori Pamin Senior High School; attended Ho Nursing Training College; transferred to a two-year university to obtain my bachelor's degree in nursing
Search Committee moderator
Alice Wyatt
West Columbia, South Carolina
“I believe that the Search Committee needs to identify women who possess the skills and characteristics needed to continue the mission and purpose of Presbyterian Women. With prayer and God's help, we will be led to those women who will inspire and lead the next CCT.”
Church: Clerk of session, Providence Presbyterian Church, West Columbia South Carolina; chancel choir; bell choir; 50th-anniversary committee chair; Ministry of Worship chair; commissioner to GA; past moderator of presbytery; past moderator of presbytery council and nominating committee
PW: PWC—president of WOC and PW, circle leader, honorary life member, chair of search committee; PWP—chair of WOC/UPW transition committee, last president of WOC and first moderator of PW, chair of search committee, workshop leader; PWS—member of transition team, synod rep to CCT, synod rep on Global Exchange, director of synod gathering; CCT/PW—synod rep to CCT, member of mission relationships committee and CMOC, vice moderator for mission relationships for the 2009–2012 triennium
Community: South Carolina Nurses Association (SCNA) vice president, two terms; current treasurer; chair, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses chapter; SC Nurse Practitioner Coalition vice president; SC Nurses Foundation board member; Advisory Committee to State Board of Nursing; Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society; American Nurses Association (ANA) Constituent Assembly chair; board member ANA; LTJG Navy Nurse Corps, honorable discharge
Education and profession: Diploma, Elizabeth General Hospital School, Elizabeth, New Jersey; BAN, MSN, post-graduate certificate as nurse practitioner (NP), USC; retired NP
Search Committee, Northeast Region
Rita Hooper
Fulton, New York
“I am thankful to (the) Presbyterian women who have walked with me, encouraged and inspired me, educated and cared for me. I am excited to be selected to be a member of the CCT, as I know working together, we will find ways to witness to God's Kingdom. We are God's hands and feet and we have a message to tell to the nations!”
Church: Elder, deacon, trustee, Sunday School superintendent and teacher; mission committee chair; overture advocate at GA 2014
PW: PWC—moderator; PWP—moderator; PWS—vice moderator, Together in Service; USA Mission Experience participant to Appalachia in 2013
Community: All the usual PTA/school involvement; library board; town board member; chair, Hannibal Senor Council; member, Elderberries (senior citizens' group); Democratic committee member; write a weekly column for the newspaper
Education and profession: BS in home economics education, Plattsburgh State University of New York
Search Committee, East Central Region
Patricia McBride
Allen Park, Michigan
“I would like to see younger adults involved in Presbyterian Women. I would like to see programs that will interest them and entice them to become more involved with PW at either the local, presbytery, synod or churchwide level. I would like to help recruit experienced and energetic people to open positions.”
Church: Member of Allen Park Presbyterian Church; ordained elder/member of session, 2006–2009; member of board of trustees, 1999–2003
PW: PWC—moderator of Allen Park PW, 2012–2015; treasurer, 2007–2011; PWP—historian for PW in the Presbytery of Detroit, 2012 to present
Community: Sewing class coordinator for 4H since 2006
Education and profession: Bachelor's degree in business administration, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan; master's degree in business administration, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan
Search Committee, Southeast Region
Bobbie Floyd Harris
Charlotte, North Carolina
“My goal for the Churchwide Coordinating Team for the next triennium is to encourage and support the work of the team. I pray for success in all our endeavors. I plan to continue our work together as one in the spirit, sharing God's love and humility to everyone we meet. I will abide by the purpose of Presbyterian Women and abide by Jesus' words: '[I] did not come to be served, but to serve' (Matt.20:28).”
Church: Commissioned lay pastor, elder, South End Presbyterian Church; health ministry moderator; vice moderator of sessional committee
PW: PWC—moderator; PWP—mission issues coordinator, Presbytery of Charlotte; PWS—member of Racial Ethnic Dialog, Synod of Mid-Atlantic
Community: Help collect items for women's shelters; participate in health fairs; keep congregation members aware of health issues
Education and profession: Associate's degree in higher education; taught nursing for five years; BSN, ADN; registered nurse; also taught high school
Search Committee, West Central Region
Nola Ross
Austin, Texas
“I envision a 2015–2018 CCT that energizes PW in several ways: a) investigates new structures or names for PW to draw in new participants; b) uses 'blitz' marketing to encourage increased attendance at Churchwide Gathering; c) considers involvement in immigration issues, especially unaccompanied children; ) recommends optional templates for smaller churches to promote ownership of PW at the local level.”
Church: Member of Presbyterian Church since 1949; active session elder, 1977–1980, 1980—1988, 2000–2003; older adult ministry co-chair, 1995; Austin Seminary theological education committee, 1996–2002; discipleship committee, 2000–2011; church nominating committee, 1998–1999; CPC chair of CWU International Market, 2003; mission trips to Cuba (1999), Tijuana (2003), Guatemala (2007); capital campaign committee, 2006–2008; senor pastor nominating committee, 2012–2014
PW: PWC—c0-moderator, 1995–1996; moderator, 1996–1997; PW liaison to session, 2000–2011; PWP—Austin cluster leader for Mission Presbytery
Community: Served on boards of Salvation Army, League of Women Voters, Wisconsin; Special Olympics volunteer, six years; Motorola Marathon nurse, 10 races; Zachary Scott Theater volunteer, 15 years; Austin Theatre Alliance volunteer, 20 years; RSVP member, 20 years; PTAs, local and citywide; Travis County Homeowners Association
Education and profession: York Community High School, Elmhurst, Illinois; Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing, Chicago; BSN from University of Texas at Tyler, 1978; registered nurse
Search Committee, Western Region
Mary Danforth
Phoenix, Arizona
Church: Have been a deacon since I was 25 and an elder/trustee from the age of 30; vice moderator of Native American committee for presbytery for three years; in my second term on the CPM of Grand Canyon Presbytery
PW: Started going to my mother's circle before I went to school; PWC—past moderator; PWP—past moderator, Grand Canyon Presbytery; PWS—past moderator, Synod of the Southwest
Community: On homeowner's association board; involved in my local neighborhood's women's club, where I have been president, secretary and treasurer
Education and profession: BA from Whittier College, Whittier, California; dietetic internship from University of Minnesota Hospitals; have worked as registered dietitian; commissioned ruling elder, Dubuque Theological School and Cook College, Temper, Arizona; have been pastor of Parker Valley Presbyterian Church for eight years, on the Colorado River Indian Tribes Reservation in Arizona
Synod Representatives
Alaska-Northwest, 2015–2018—Chris Murphy
Covenant, 2014–2017—Jane McGookey
Lakes and Prairies, 2014–2017—Kay Olson
Lincoln Trails, 2014–2017—Susan Barlow
Living Waters, 2014–2017—Sarah Ford
Mid-America, 2015–2016—Toni Spieth
Mid-Atlantic, 2015–2018—Nancy Long
Northeast, 2014–2017—Charlotte Hasselbarth
Pacific, 2014–2017—Cecilia Moran
Puerto Rico, 2013–2016—Elba Rico
Rocky Mountains, 2015–2018—Vicki Terry
South Atlantic, 2013–2016—Alberta Adams
Southern California/Hawaii, 2013–2016—Sharon Wakamoto
Southwest, 2015–2018—Peggy Free
Sun, 2015–2018—Cheryl Pennington
Trinity, 2013–2016—Judith Jerry
Additional Representatives
National Network of Presbyterian College Women Representative, 2013–2016—tbd
National Network of Presbyterian College Women Representative, 2015–2018—tbd
New Immigrant Women's Representative, 2015–2018—Sandy A. M. Fefeti
PC(USA) Representative, 2015–2018—tbd
Racial Ethnic Young Women Together Representative, 2013–2016—Catherine Warren
Racial Ethnic Young Women Together Representative, 2015–2018—Minna Pritchard
Young Women’s Representative at Large, 2015–2018—Lisiann Rodriguez
Young Women’s Representative at Large, 2015–2018—tbd
