Home Christian Education Churches Committees Documents & Forms Employment Grants Links Mission & Advocacy Office Hours & Staff Officers Policies Resource Center Volunteer Youth



Web Site Editorial Policies and Submission Guidelines     Gmail Access

PC(USA) Seal
Synod of the Northeast Logo
Presbyterian Women Logo

Presbyterian Women of Genesee Valley

  • Moderator, Historian, Cluster Leader 5-6-7: Gloria Hall
  • Vice-Moderator Elect: Kim Choi
  • Secretary / Cluster Leader 3: Janice Lewis
  • Treasurer: Peggy Miller
  • Sewing / Mission Opportunities / Cluster Leader 2: Edna Wenhold
  • Search Committee, Council Rep, Cluster Leader 4: Ruth Stewart
  • Mission / Church Women United: Eleanor Pope
  • Cluster Leader 1: Sally Ann Rice

The PW Purpose

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,
  • to support the mission of the church worldwide,
  • to work for justice and peace,
  • and to build an inclusive, caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and witnesses to the promise of God’s kingdom.

More PW Resources

More M&A

Presbyterian Women of Genesee Valley

A message from Gloria Hall, Moderator PW, GVP

As I was reviewing the November – December 2011 edition of “Horizons”, I read an article by Cynthia Bolbach entitled “Rummage Sales and Reformations”. The title caught my eye as our church has held rummage and bake sales each spring and fall for as long as I can remember. I always look forward to sorting the things I no longer need or want and down sizing my clutter.

Cynthia notes that each October is Reformation Sunday, “when we remember and celebrate our protestant heritage”. She goes on to say that history shows us Christianity undergoes a change and rebirth about every 500 years, she likens this to a rummage sale where we throw out the irrelevant junk and clutter that we’ve had for many years.

The article continues to talk about how people across the PC(USA) are thinking creatively about what “church” should be. The 2010 GA set up three groups to see what is clutter and should be tossed, what is valuable and worth keeping and what new things need to be added. As I read this article I certainly can relate as CTPW moderator for Genesee Valley.

I feel the CTPW that once worked well thirty years ago has a different role today. Years ago a PW meeting was often times the important time women came together for bible study , sewing, social and spiritual enhancement. Women were homemakers mostly and looked forward to the change of their routine by attending the meeting. Today not only do women work outside the home, they are on session, or sit on committees for their churches or are a pastor of a church.

So where does PW fit in? It is a known truth women want to support other women in a spiritual and caring way. They feel the love and support of knowing they are connected to each other through a women’s group. The sharing may not be at a PW meeting. It may be working at a dinner or baking a cake for a bake sale to help raise money to support the mission and life of their church. Perhaps the sharing could be a small (or large) sewing group getting together once a month to make items to sell at a bazzar or give to a worthy cause.

As I look at our CTPW, the officers have all held their positions for over five years. We are currently on respite status, only meeting to attend to necessary business. You may ask why not let CTPW just dissolve. Well, according to PW church wide leaders in Louisville, we can’t do that. The CT members believe in PW and are active in our PW at the congregational level as well as serving on committees of Presbytery, and we feel a moral ethic to stay the course.

The CTPW oversees a large amount of funds that were endowed to us by women who’s lives were enhanced by PW. We have tried to be good stewards of their trust, and know we have done a good job. But as the article reminded me, it is time to look for a change, a new direction, a new idea.

We have the wonderful assistance of Jan Bilohlavek who is trying to keep the GVP website updated for PW. There you will find links to Synod and Church wide for information they disseminate. Previously your CTPW cluster leaders contacted your PW moderators with this information. The pledge sheets are posted on the GVP website.

Soon it will be 2012. Now is the time to see what is clutter, see what is valuable and most importantly, see what new ideas or changes need to be added. This is the direction your CTPW is taking. Please join us.

Yours in Christ,
Gloria J. Hall, Moderator

2012 Pledges

Pledges to Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery can be made at any time but it would be appreciated if it was made before the end of December.

The Pledge Sheet is prayerfully considered by your group and then is sent to:

PWCT Moderator Gloria Hall
2931 Frost Rd
Mt. Morris, NY, 14510-9418

Each level of pledge—Churchwide, SYNOD, and Presbytery—use the pledge money for missions, programs and training. Programs and funding need to be decided at the PWP, SYNOD and Churchwide levels so the pledges are needed ASAP.

Your payments for the pledge can be paid quarterly by (03/10, 06/10, 09/10 and 12/10/12), or paid in full with one payment to:

Mary Miller
9596 Perry Rd
LeRoy, NY 14482-8939

Mary also receives the Least Coin, Birthday and Thank Offering marked with your PW name.

Lighthouse logoNews from The Lighthouse
Presbyterian Women of the Synod of the Northeast—August 2011

Moderator’s Message…

It was so nice to see so many of you at the Triennial Gathering of PW in the Synod of the Northeast. Thank you so much for the well wishes and encouragement as I begin my term as your Moderator. So far, it’s among the most interesting things I have done.

One of the things that I have always appreciated about Presbyterian Women is its response to need in the world. It’s often easy to feel personally powerless to address any of the many problems that we see in the news. Because of our unique purpose and structure we are able to make a positive impact on the world around us.

I see a bright future for Presbyterian Women.
—Charlotte Hasselbarth

New Column

We are beginning a new column in the Lighthouse entitled “Bringing it From the Congregations”.  We would like PW’s in the congregations to submit articles about what is working well in their groups. We want to hear success stories such as new mission projects, events that attracted non PW members, and techniques used by growing PW groups. We know there are many vibrant groups with exciting and innovative programs that keep Presbyterian Women of the Congregation alive.  

Articles should be sent to Gail Banks by February 1, 2012

If you know of a PW group in a Congregation that is interested in submitting an article and would like help writing one, our Leadership Coordinator, Maxine Hunter is available to assist.

The Leadership Enhancement Task Force
Synod of the Northeast

Least CoinFellowship of the Least Coin 2011 Grants

The fellowship of the Least Coin is first and foremost a prayer movement. When women pray for justice, peace and reconciliation, FLC asks that they set aside the least coin of their country for the support of women and children around the world. The least coin is significant because women in any economic context can give equally.

Grants are distributed through the International Committee for the Fellowship of the Least Coin to individual projects as well as to church conferences and organizations, and emergency grants for disaster relief. Beginning in 2011, a grant also is awarded annually to provide a scholarship for young women.

Project Grants for 2011 totaling $181,530 went to:

Africa—$42,000

Europe—$20,000

North America—$15,000

Middle East—$24,500

Caribbean—$5,000

Pacific—$19,820

Asia—$36,075

Latin America—$19,135

Block Grants to Ecumenical Organizations—$120,000

2012 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women

Psalm 46 reminds us that God is in our midst. You are invited to experience God’s presence amongus at the 2012 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women.

When we gather to celebrate the “River of Hope”, there will be opportunities for you to enrich your soul through plenary and workshops. You can nurture and affirm your faith in prayer and uplifting song during worship services.

You can “live the PW purpose” through mission projects, advocacy work and Bible study. You can recharge and rejuvenate as you connect with other women of faith, including global partners. The possibilities for renewal and transformation are endless!

Message Board

Historians: Please send your present or updated history to

Ruth Stewart
845 Bovee Road
Bergen, NY 14416