2021 Annual Gathering - Presbytery of Greater Atlanta
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2021 Annual Gathering
Presbyterian Women
in the
Presbytery of Greater Atlanta
March 21, 2021
via Zoom Meeting
Information Packet
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your
own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will
make straight your paths. - Proverbs 3:5-6
PWP Annual Gathering Information Packet
Contents
CONSENT AGENDA:
A. Annual Gathering Program 1
B. Minutes of 2020 Installation 4
C. 2020 Financial Report 5
D. Audit Report for 2020 7
E. Moderator’s Annual Report 8
TO BE VOTED ON:
I. 2021 Budget Proposal 10
II. PWP Motions – Bylaws Change 1
III. PW Presbytery Nominees 11
IV. PW Synod Nominees 12
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Litany of Installation 13
Dates to Remember 14
Past Moderators and Annual Gatherings 15
Learn More about PW 16
PWP Annual Gathering Information Packet
Annual Gathering Program – TRUST IN THE LORD
Welcome
Call to Worship – Ryan Jenson, Pastor, Lawrenceville Presbyterian Church
Agenda Approval
Declare Quorum
Recognize Honorary Life Members – Jo Ann Nelson, PWP Moderator
Keynote Speaker – Selma Ridgway, Ridgway Coaching, LLC, 1st Presbyterian Church, Atlanta
“Building on Education”
The Gifts of God for the People of God
We Respond …. Offering to benefit Mission Haven and La Gonâve Haiti Partnership
Finances – CJ Drymon, Treasurer
2020 Financial Report
Audit Committee Report for 2020
2021 Budget Proposal
Motion: Bylaws Change
The Coordinating Team presents a motion to change all instances of "Racial
Ethnic" to "Racial Equity" in our bylaws and standing rules to comply with the
PCUSA and PW churchwide verbiage.
Recognition of 2020-2021 PWP Coordinating Team Leaders – Jo Ann Nelson / Gay Alston
Search Committee Report – Debbie Durden, PWP Search Committee Member
Election of CT leadership
Installation – Gay Alston, PWP Vice Moderator
Benediction – Jo Ann Nelson, PWP Moderator
1
PWP Annual Gathering Information Packet
Recognizing all Honorary Life Members
Leader: Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the
Holy Spirit, we give thanks for these Honorary Life Members.
Congregation: We give thanks for the Honorary Life Members who came
before us and for those who will follow.
Leader: We value their faithfulness and their dedication.
Congregation: We give thanks for their creativity and their service.
Leader: We rejoice that others have benefitted from their contributions of
time and talent.
Congregation: We give thanks for the Christian example they reveal to
others.
Leader: These Honorary Life Members have built inclusive, caring
communities in our midst.
Congregation: We give thanks for their service, and we re-commit
ourselves to do God’s work.
Leader: Holy One, God of our mothers and grandmothers, God of our
daughters and granddaughters, God of us all, open us to see your work
anew.
Congregation: We ask for continued blessings upon all of us.
All: Bless us with your divine imagination to fulfill your kingdom on
earth; awaken your creative energy in us; and breathe into us the
breath of life and service to you. AMEN.
2
PWP Annual Gathering Information Packet
Today’s Offerings will benefit:
Mission Haven is celebrating its 70th Anniversary in
2021. This ministry provides fully furnished short-
term housing and clothing for PCUSA mission co-
workers when they are in the U.S. We are located
adjacent to Columbia Theological Seminary in
Decatur, GA. All buildings were built or purchased
with funds from Women of the Church (now
Presbyterian Women).
Presbyterian Women in two synods provide financial support for ongoing maintenance,
repairs, and operations. All-volunteer staff. For more information, please contact
missionhavendecatur@gmail.com or visit their website at https://www.missionhaven.net/
*******
La Gonâve Haiti Partners is a faith-based
development initiative co-led by the Episcopal
Diocese of Haiti, an ecumenical group of churches
in the United States, and ten local communities on
the island of La Gonâve. Each village contains a
church and primary school that serve as
community centers for the surrounding rural area.
For almost 30 years, the partnership has worked to improve access to healthcare, education,
economic opportunity, sanitation, and clean water. For more information, please contact
info@lagonavepartners.org or visit their website at https://lagonavepartners.org/
Please make your check payable to PW, Presbytery of
Greater Atlanta and send to:
Treasurer, Greater Atlanta Presbytery PW
2269 Echo Hills Cir NE
Atlanta, GA 30345-1902
3
PWP Annual Gathering Information Packet
Minutes of 2020 Installation
NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the PWP Annual Gathering which was to be held at
Radcliffe Presbyterian Church on March 15, 2020 was cancelled. Instead, a virtual installation
meeting and abbreviated gathering via Zoom occurred on May 3rd to which all women in the
Presbytery of Greater Atlanta were invited.
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
PRESBYTERY OF GREATER ATLANTA
SYNOD OF SOUTH ATLANTIC
Coordinating Team Leader Installation
Zoom Meeting
May 3, 2020
The Zoom meeting of the Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, Synod of the South
Atlantic, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), was opened by Moderator-Elect Jo Ann Nelson on May 3, 2020 at
1:05 pm.
Jo Ann Nelson welcomed and thanked participants for attending Zoom meeting for the purpose to install new
leaders for the PWP Coordinating Team (CT).
Rev. Ryan Jensen, Pastor Lawrenceville Presbyterian Church, opened the meeting with prayer.
Jo Ann turned meeting over to Gwynne Mesimer to discuss 2020 Moderator’s Report.
Gwynne Mesimer thanked all those leaders who served on CT while she was Moderator.
92 women attended the Annual Gathering in March 2019 held at Trinity Presbyterian Church; 26 churches
were represented.
Held one training session in 2019 for District Leaders, church moderators, and church treasurers; Gwynne
wishes PWP had been able to hold additional training sessions in 2019.
Fall Workshop held at Clairmont Presbyterian Church on July 27; approximately 38 attendees. Suggested
possible future topics include: Days for Girls, more about leader development, and mission opportunities
(any local missions).
60 of PWP members attended the Synod Gathering at Epworth. Gwynne thanked Kelly Weirich and all those
leaders involved in Epworth.
Unfortunately, planned Presbytery Retreat was cancelled due to low registration volume. We were able to
accommodate the keynote speaker by having Rev. Lindsay Armstrong speak to CT after the conclusion of
January CT meeting. She was well received, and a focus group will Attendance: Alice, Alice Moore, Ann
be formed in 2020 to address how PWP can help the New Williams, Annette Houtz, Barbara Wilson,
Worshipping Committee where feasible. Bettie Durrah, Carol, Caroline Njoki,
Jo Ann thanked Gwynne for her service and leadership as Moderator. Celestine Tory, Chol Sik Kim, CJ Drymon,
Connie, Debbie Durden, Deborah, Deborah
Jo Ann turned meeting over to Sandra Winslett, Moderator of Synod Sterzik Venizelos, Diagnostics iPhone,
of South Atlantic, for installation service for new leaders. The service D'Jaris Canty Wallace, Faith Carmichael,
was the “Women of Vision” installation service by Cheri Harper Faye Cashwell, Galaxy Tab A, Gay Alston,
(Mission Associate, PW staff) and designed to be held over Gwynne Mesimer, Heather Shin, Iris
Wallace, Jaqueline Isbell, Janet Carmichael,
video/telephone conference meeting. After installation service,
Janet Uthlaut, Jo Ann Nelson, Karen Turney,
Sandra welcomed all newly installed leaders. Kathy Slack, Kelly Gunter, Kelly Weirich,
Keziah Kamau, Kimmy Briggs, Linda, Linzi,
Jo Ann wants CT to think about doing things a little differently and see Lorraine Carribean, Mary Lou Montgomery,
what works and what does not work. Think about what we can do and Mary Martin, Marylyn Brown, Marysa
what we should do. Jo Ann said to go out and lead with 2020 vision. Wallace, Michelle Matthews, Neely Rentz
Lane, Paige, Pat Randolph, Patricia Sackett,
Meeting adjourned at 1:32pm. Paula Coleman, Pepe Bowman Westerfield,
Samsung SM-G90, Samuel Thomas, Sandra
Martin, Sandra Winslett, Sheila Louder,
Submitted by:
Sook Young Lee, Susan Gornall, Teresa
Kelly Gunter, Recording Secretary Walton Williams, Teresia, Zeena Regis
4PWP Annual Gathering Information Packet
Financial Report – 2020
Twenty-six of 44 churches (59%) provided support to the PW of Greater Atlanta and Synod of South Atlantic.
Beginning Operating Balance (1/1/2020) $7,942.90
2020 2020
INCOME BUDGET ACTUAL VARIANCE
Presbytery-Synod Support $5,300.00 $4,130.23 -$1,169.77
Misc. Income $0.00 $92.00 $92.00
Reserve Transfer $0.00 $0.00
Reserves $500.00 $0.00 -$500.00
TOTAL INCOME $5,800.00 $4,222.23 -$1,577.77
EXPENSES
Mission Support
Global Exchange & USA Mission Experience (USAME) $125.00 $125.00 $0.00
Synod Support $1,400.00 $1,400.00 $0.00
Mission Haven $200.00 $200.00 $0.00
PW Annual Fund (Nat'l) $325.00 $325.00 $0.00
Program Support
Annual Gathering $100.00 $163.21 -$63.21
Churchwide/Synod Gatherings/Delegate Reserve $800.00 $800.00 $0.00
Scholarships $1,200.00 $1,200.00 $0.00
Special Events $500.00 $0.00 $500.00
Training Workshops $300.00 $0.00 $300.00
Administrative Expenses
Bank Fees $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Coordinating Team (CT) Meetings $200.00 $104.93 $95.07
Moderator Expenses $250.00 $15.00 $235.00
Pathways $50.00 $11.00 $39.00
Postage $100.00 $77.00 $23.00
Supplies/Printing $100.00 $0.00 $100.00
Team Mileage $150.00 $17.00 $133.00
Unbudgeted Expense $0.00 $1,169.95 -$1,169.95
TOTAL EXPENSES $5,800.00 $5,608.09 $191.91
NET $0.00 -$1,385.86
Ending Operating Balance (12/31/2020) $6,557.04
Funds in italic are Designated Funds
Balances as of 1/28/2021: Checking = $15,282.30, Savings = $15,765.46
5PWP Annual Gathering Information Packet
Celebration Giving - January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020
Eight Honorary Life Memberships were awarded in 2020. Six more have been delayed due
to the pandemic.
Twenty-nine churches contributed to Celebration Giving at some point during the year.
The Thank Offering received the most Celebration Giving in 2020.
A summary of Celebration Giving over the past five years is below:
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Birthday Offering $11,479.09 $10,251.25 $11,795.65 $10,307.58 $7,182.73
Honorary Life Pin $2,090.00 $2,815.00 $1,345.00 $1,805.00 $1,235.00
Least Coin $1,928.52 $2,072.71 $1,887.43 $1,684.20 $2,000.49
Mission Pledge $7,238.58 $8,324.25 $7,001.75 $6,349.00 $6,711.00
Thank Offering $7,285.62 $6,932.65 $10,118.59 $6,272.53 $8,097.92
Together-in-Service $230.00
PW CELEBRATION
$30,021.81 $30,625.86 $32,148.42 $26,418.31 $25,227.14
GIVING
Childspring International $100.00 $100.00 $50.00 $100.00 $100.00
Church Women United $170.00 $170.00 $545.00 $195.00 $145.00
Columbia Friendship
$1,116.15 $800.34 $1,244.18 $1,205.15 $2,139.02
Circle
Haiti Missions $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00
Johnson C Smith $125.00 $125.00 $250.00 $150.00 $250.00
Mission Haven $2,653.13 $2,113.25 $2,195.00 $2,655.69 $2,516.50
Presbyterian Homes $492.00 $443.00 $625.00 $400.00 $1,584.23
Thornwell $1,325.00 $2,075.00 $1,675.00 $1,875.00 $1,787.00
Villa International $250.00 $250.00 $260.00 $310.00 $610.00
TOTAL OTHER GIVING $6,331.28 $6,176.59 $6,944.18 $6,990.84 $9,131.75
TOTAL CELEBRATION
$36,353.09 $36,802.45 $39,092.60 $33,409.15 $34.358.89
GIVING
6PWP Annual Gathering Information Packet
Audit Report for 2020
The report will be
submitted later this
year.
7PWP Annual Gathering Information Packet
Moderator’s Annual Report
Looking back at last year my initial impression was not positive. But then I thought
about:
1. The way we learned to communicate on ZOOM.
2. We helped each other learn new skills.
3. We had the most successful retreat in recent memory. Pat Randolph pulled
together a team that came up with a theme, enlisted the speakers,
produced a brochure, and included guests from outside the Atlanta area.
Attendance was close to 100 participants. The retreat was held over three
Saturday mornings. This was our 1st virtual retreat!
4. Sheila Louder and Pepe Bowman Westerfield joined together to discuss the
needs of District Leaders and Moderators and how they can be more
effective.
5. The Coordinating Team voted to endorse Memorial Drive Ministries for
their application to be a recipient of the Presbyterian Women Birthday
Offering. They were one of four organizations to be awarded a grant. The
result is that a new roof is on one of the buildings. It is a multipurpose
building serving the needs of four congregations and many groups.
6. September was another Zoom training for PW Leaders. It was very well
attended.
7. Did you know that Amazon allows you to designate Presbyterian Women to
receive a portion on purchases you make through them? At no cost to you.
Last year the national PW received $3,385.38.
8PWP Annual Gathering Information Packet
I am looking forward to building on the successes of 2020. The theme for
2021 is TRUST IN THE LORD. Too many times we think we must fix whatever the
problem is. Trust in the Lord is more important than anything we can do. But that
Trust requires action on our part.
-- Jo Ann Nelson, PWP Moderator, 2020-2022
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your
own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will
make straight your paths. - Proverbs 3:5-6
9PWP Annual Gathering Information Packet
Proposed 2021 Budget
I.
10PWP Annual Gathering Information Packet
PW Presbytery Nominees
A slate of nominees was presented to the Coordinating Team by the Search Committee on
January 30, 2021. The slate was also published in the Spring Issue of PathWays and made
available to the Presbyterian Women in the Congregations 30 days in advance of the Annual
Gathering. Vote is by acclamation unless there is more than one nominee for an office.
Additional nominations may be made from the floor with prior consent from the nominee and
notice to the PW Moderator.
Elected Leaders 2021 Nominees
Moderator-Elect Pepe Westerfield (Fayette)*
Vice Moderator Janet Uthlaut (Eastminster)
Secretary Pat Randolph (Philadelphia)
Treasurer-Elect Kay Mrozinski (Fayette)
Search Moderator Debbie Durden (Philadelphia)
District Leaders[1]
1 Mary Curtis Pizzano (Alpharetta)
2
(complete open term)
Callie Flanigan (Trinity-Decatur)
3
Lorraine is eligible for 2 terms
Lorraine Carribean (Shallowford)
4
(complete term)
Dee Raeside (North Decatur)
5 Janet Carmichael (1st Pres. Covington)
7 Debbie Bray (Philadelphia)
9 Celestine Tory (Rice)
11
Chol is eligible for a 2nd term
Chol Sik Kim (Korean Community)
12 suggestions welcome
Elected Members-at-Large
Leader Development Jeanne Simpson (Philadelphia)
Search Committee Members
Odd year Alice Moore (Hillside)
Odd year Faye Cashwell (Saint Luke’s)*
*These candidates were added to the slate after PathWays was published.
11PWP Annual Gathering Information Packet
PW Synod Nominees
Suzanne Hinman – Nominee for Secretary/Historian Suzanne resides in Pensacola, FL where
she is a member of First Presbyterian Church, Pensacola, Florida Presbytery. She was
nominated by someone who has known her for 38 years! Suzanne is a ruling elder and recently
served on a pastor nominating committee. She has led service and mission projects, led and
taught in Vacation Bible School, taught Sunday School for adults, mid-high students, and senior
high students. Currently, Suzanne leads the PW Horizons Bible study for her Circle. She has
served as PW Historian, Vice-Moderator and Moderator. She has been PW Historian in the
Presbytery of Florida for six years. One reference described Suzanne as “invariably pleasant,
competent, and willing to cooperate within groups that often have varied opinions.” Another
reference stated: “I have found her to be dedicated, hardworking, thoughtful, and faithful.”
From still another: “Suzanne is intelligent, enthusiastic, organized, and well-prepared.” She is
the “proud grandmother” of two.
Rev. Julie Jensen Higbee - Nominee for Leadership Development Specialist
Julie currently serves as Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Fernandina Beach, FL,
St. Augustine Presbytery. She is an ordained Minister of the Word and Sacrament and has
served congregations in NJ, GA, and NY prior to FL. She served on the board of Young
Clergywomen’s International for three years. She is a member of the National Association of
Presbyterian Clergy Women. Julie has spent much of her career mentoring and equipping other
women pastors. She has preached for PWP Annual Gatherings, installed PW officers, promoted
PW events, and led meetings as requested. She has led Sunday School classes and mission trips.
Julie writes: “I see my proposed role as one where we can deepen the bonds of the PW
community by offering tools that allow us to connect, learn, and grow in our mission as well as
in our being……There are many opportunities to learn about issues that matter to PW and how
to teach them to others.”
Rev. Christina Greenawalt - Nominee for Church Employed Women Member-at-Large
Christina currently serves as the Assistant Stated Clerk of Central Florida Presbytery. She is an
ordained Minister of the Word and Sacrament and resides in Chuluota, in Seminole County, FL.
She preaches frequently in her Presbytery churches and provides staff support for several
Presbytery committees. She recently completed a comparison study of the salaries of the
female and male pastors in the Presbytery. She created a Zoom gathering for Administrative
Professionals throughout the denomination to discuss pertinent issues, and recently completed
a comparison study of the salaries of the female and male pastors in the Presbytery. Within the
Congregation, Christina has served PW as Historian, Circle Leader and Moderator. Currently she
is PWP Parliamentarian. As a Ruling Elder, Christina has served as Clerk of
Session and Youth Director. She is computer proficient. One reference stated, “She brings
energy, intelligence, imagination, and love to all of her work.”
12PWP Annual Gathering Information Packet
Litany of Installation
Leader: Ceaseless God, you have stitched together our various
fabrics and colors into a perfect quilt. Our gifts serve as
needles, crafting and detailing your Kingdom. Our gifts are
shades of your light. As women of faith, we strive to see God in
the midst of all we do and everywhere we serve. The
community in Isaiah had come a long way but were not yet
living God’s vision. We have come a long way, and know we are
not there yet either.
Congregation:
Will you allow for the light of God to shine through your sister
and neighbor? In those with whom you disagree or are
estranged, putting aside distance and sticking to common
ground?
Elected Leaders:
Yes, the light of God will rise and shine.
Congregation:
Will you allow for the light of God to shine as you denounce
intolerance, hate, racism, classism and gender
discrimination?
Elected Leaders:
Yes, the light of God will rise and shine. With God’s help, love
and guidance, we will.
13PWP Annual Gathering Information Packet
Important Dates to Remember - 2021 – 2022
April 17 PWP CT TRAINING via Zoom, 9:30 AM
May 15 PWP CT Meeting 9:30 AM
June 1 PathWays summer deadline for articles
June 15 PathWays publication date (summer)
July 27-29 PW Horizons Bible Study, Columbia Theological Seminary
August 15 PathWays fall deadline for articles
August 21 PWP CT Meeting, 9:30 AM
September 1 PathWays publication date (fall)
November 13 PWP CT Meeting, 9:30 AM
November 15 PathWays winter deadline for articles
December 1 PathWays publication date (winter)
January 29 PWP CT Meeting, 9:30 AM
January 31 2021 Historical Reports due to PWP Historian
February 1 PathWays spring deadline for articles
February 15 PathWays publication date (spring)
March 4 World Day of Prayer
March 8 International Women’s Day
March 20 PWP Annual Gathering
The Retreat, Moderator Orientation for congregations, and Fall
Workshops have not been scheduled yet. Stay tuned.
14PWP Annual Gathering Information Packet
Locations of Annual Gatherings
Each March, the women in our presbytery 1988 Shallowford
gather to worship, to conduct business, and
1989 Mt. Vernon
to cultivate relationships. Our presbytery
includes about 100 churches, and there are 1990 Pleasant Hill
PW groups in about 60% of those 1991 New Life
congregations. 1992 1st Presbyterian-Douglasville
Our PWP Coordinating Team offers spiritual 1993 Oglethorpe
support, leadership training, PW resources, 1994 Eastminster
and facilitates communication with other 1995 1st Presbyterian-Griffin
PW groups in our presbytery, synod, and 1996 Covenant
church-wide.
1997 Fayette
If you would like to serve on the 1998 Memorial Drive
Coordinating Team, please contact our 1999 Smyrna
Search Moderator, Kelly Weirich. 2000 Peachtree
2001 Westminster
Elected Moderators 2002 St. Luke's
1988-90 Lyn Casabonne 2003 Radcliffe
1990-92 Mary Evans 2004 Korean Community
1992-94 Gertrude Phillips 2005 Loyd
1994-96 Lottie F. Williams 2006 Shallowford
1996-98 Libba Pendergrast 2007 Peachtree
1998-2000 Carol Smith 2008 Clairmont
2000-02 Anne Burks 2009 New Life
2002-04 Jeanne Simpson 2010 El Nazareno
2004-06 Sheila Louder 2011 Eastminster
2006-08 Mary Martin 2012 St. Luke's
2008-10 Gretta Wray Burns 2013 Memorial Drive
2010-12 Ruth Ann Ketzler 2014 1st Presbyterian – Atlanta
2015 Druid Hills
2012-13 Mabel Jones-Allen
2016 Shallowford
2013-16 Kelly Weirich
2017 Philadelphia
2016-18 Debbie Durden 2018 Peachtree
2018-20 Gwynne Mesimer 2019 Trinity
2020-22 Jo Ann Nelson 2020 (Radcliffe) virtual
2021 virtual
15PWP Annual Gathering Information Packet
Learn more about Presbyterian Women . . .
• Get to know your District Leader
• Read PathWays, our quarterly newsletter
o If you are not on our email distribution list, please send a
request to pw.greateratlanta@gmail.com
• Attend Moderator Orientation in June or July
• Use the Internet
o Our presbytery’s PW website is at
https://www.atlpcusa.org/pgapw
• There are links to many additional PW resources
o “Like” our Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/PWofGA
o Our synod’s PW website is at http://pwsosa.com/
o Our churchwide PW’s website is at
https://www.presbyterianwomen.org/
• Attend our Fall Workshops
Help us learn more about you . . .
• Share your success stories
o Submit to your district leader for publication in PathWays
• Post photos of your events on our Facebook page
• Send questions to PW.GreaterAtlanta@gmail.com
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