2015 Churchwide Gathering Day 1
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Nicqi Ashwood, song leader - by Michael Martin
Nicqi Ashwood served as song leader, guiding Gathering attendees through a number of hymns that were familiar, like "Kryie," and brand new, like the Gathering theme song, "One Body, One Spirit."/site_media/media/uploads/pwgathering/images/ashwood.jpg
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2015 Gathering logo with flame - by Michael Martin
During the opening plenary session, participants began reflections on the theme "One Body, One Spirit."/site_media/media/uploads/pwgathering/images/2015cwglogoflame.jpg
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Alika Galloway - by Michael Martin
Alika Galloway, co-pastor of Kwanzaa Community Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, delivered a sermon about hospitality and welcome, urging Gathering attendees to examine boundaries of inclusion in the church./site_media/media/uploads/pwgathering/images/galloway2.jpg
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Rhashell Hunter, Linda Valentie and Shelda Wills welcome Gathering attendees. - by Michael Martin
During the opening plenary for the 2015 Churchwide Gathering, denominational and Gathering leaders affirmed and challenged those gathered. From right to left, Shelda Wills (chair 2015 Gathering), Linda Valentine (executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency) and Rhashell Hunter (director, Racial Ethnic and Women's Ministries). Photo by Michael Martin./site_media/media/uploads/pwgathering/images/openinggreetings.jpg
Coming Together—Day 1, June 18
On Thursday, June 18, more than 1,700 Presbyterian women (and a few men) gathered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Thursday's programming including exploring the exhibits area and an opening plenary session.
During the opening plenary for the 2015 Churchwide Gathering, denominational and Gathering leaders affirmed and challenged those gathered. Photo by Michael Martin.
Bringing together "One Body, One Spirit"
By Yvonne Hileman
“What a beautiful sea of faces!” Shelda Wills, Gathering chair, exclaimed as she looked out over rows and rows of women in the opening plenary session to the 2015 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women. And a beautifully diverse sea of faces it was. Dozens of international guests, from 15 countries, and more than 1,700 Presbyterian women from all over the United States filled the plenary hall for the opening celebration on Thursday, June 18, 2015.
Nearly 100 guests, planners and staff processed to seats of honor in the front, as attendees sang the Gathering theme song of the Gathering, “One Body, One Spirit.” Attendees lined the back wall and spilled out into the foyer outside the ballroom.
Truly, anytime this many women gather in God’s name, God’s spirit weaves them together. And, while always near, God’s spirit was especially in need today as women prayed for an end to racism, remembering those who died in Wednesday’s shooting at a church in Charleston, South Carolina. As Linda Valentine, executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, and Rhashell Hunter, director of Racial Ethnic and Women’s Ministries for the PC(USA), brought greetings, they affirmed PW’s central role in the work of the church and asked for women to once again put their hands and feet to Christ’s work, this time to break down barriers of privilege and racism. Read more.
Tears and support
By Marvella Lambright
Charleston, South Carolina, is my hometown. I became Presbyterian when my husband and I compromised between his denomination of Baptist and mine, African Methodist Episcopal (AME). I have been Presbyterian for 40 years. Our three children were born Presbyterian and remain in the denomination today. Most of my family remains in the AME denomination in Charleston, South Carolina.
But even with this strong foundation in faith, I feel a hole in my heart about the Emanuel AME Church shootings. Read more.
The gavel has been passed! The 2012-2015 team turns over leadership of PW to the 2015-2018 team. Photo by Michael Martin.
Leaders and legacies, budgets and bylaws
By Yvonne Hileman
Presbyterian Women in the PC(USA), Inc. has a new slate of moderators and representatives, elected on the second day of the Business Meeting—a day of jubilation and sadness.
In the evening of Wednesday, June 17, the 2015 Business Meeting began with a prayer: “May the God of freedom, hope, compassion and strength fill us, and may we stand on a foundation of hope, made possible by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.” Read more.
Keynote speaker Elona Street-Stewart invited attendees of Native American Presbyterian Women’s Gathering to reflect on the power of their relationships and what their combined power could do to improve their communities. Photo by Laura Lee.
Elona Street-Stewart addresses Native American Presbyterian Women's Gathering
By Kristena Morse
Elona Street-Stewart, executive of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, delivered the keynote address during the Native American Presbyterian Women’s Gathering in Minneapolis, June 17 and 18. Just prior to the start of PW’s 2015 Gathering, approximately 30 Native American Presbyterian women met to explore the theme “One Body, One Spirit, One Sisterhood.”
Elona’s message to attendees focused on the idea of kindom, and the importance of understanding and embracing the richness of Native American sisterhood in the kindom of God. She said, “Our sisterhood isn’t so much about biology, as it is about the closeness and the sense of care that we have for one another as Native Americans and sisters in our faith.” She invited the attendees to consider the ways in which these deep ties can help make a positive impact across the church and throughout communities. Read more.
Stella Webster, chair of the Native American Presbyterian Women's Gathering, shared a message of love during her welcoming comments. She spoke of love for family, love for God's creation and God's enduring love. Photo by Yvonne Hileman.
One Body, One Spirit, One Sisterhood
By Yvonne Hileman
Native American Presbyterian women “come from colorful and diverse backgrounds, from many Nations, to join in one sisterhood,” Stella Webster, Native American Presbyterian Women’s Gathering chair, said on Wednesday, June 17.
Approximately 30 Choctaw, Nez Perce, Navajo, Dakota and Cherokee women came from California, Texas, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Minnesota and Arizona to attend the Native American Presbyterian Women’s (NAPW) Gathering in Minneapolis, June 17–18, 2015. The event, themed “One Body, One Spirit, One Sisterhood,” was held just prior to and just across the street from the 2015 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women, in hopes that as many Native American Presbyterian women as possible would be able to attend both.
In her opening remarks, Stella quoted a reflection by Sarah James from the book Every Day Is a Good Day: Reflections by Contemporary Indigenous Women (Golden, CO: Fulcrum, 2011). “‘The Creator put us where we are to take care of this part of the world. Nonindigenous people are newcomers to this part of the world, the Western Hemisphere. Some are invaders; some come in a respectful way. . . . I believe there are now more respectful nonindigenous people because they are learning about the Earth and what is happening to the Earth,’” Stella read. Read more.
As she offered greetings to Gathering attendees, Linda Valentine said she feels incredibly blessed to have been able to serve the denomination for the last nine years. Photo by Michael Martin.
An interview with Linda Valentine
By Yvonne Hileman
Linda Valentine, executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, announced on June 16, 2015 that she is resigning her position effective July 10. I had the chance to speak with her on Wednesday, just a day after the announcement, before she arrived at the 2015 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women. She answered many questions, including what she's most proud of during her term, some of the most important things she's learned about the PC(USA), what surprised her, how her understanding of Presbyterian Women has changed and what PW can do to strengthen the church. Read the interview.
