This is a newsletter for all of the women of the church who are automatically members of Presbyterian Women.

December 1, 2018

"Rejoice in the Lord always.

I will say it again: Rejoice!

Philippians 4:4

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FALL GATHERING 2018 –
JOY, JOY, JOY
The Fall Gathering this year was an amazing time of fellowship, fun, joy, and lots of laughter. Women from everywhere were there to celebrate our Community of Joy. Katherine Kerr led us in a fun activity about each of our connections to one another and Pen told us his Top Ten First Presbyterian Facts! Did I hear Martha Mallory’s Caramel Cake made the top ten? Of course it did! Who knew Jim Twyne would get the most applause for attending his first Fall Gathering? Thanks, Jim, for joining us!
Pictures tell it all and we have a few to highlight what a wonderful time we had to kick off the PW year! Look at the lovely decorations, our giant selfie picture (thanks, Eleanor Hatcher) that was sent to Circle #1 members who couldn’t be there, and the genuine laughs, along with the joy on everyone’s faces. God is great.
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WESTERLY HILLS ACADEMY UPDATE
 The apples fell off the tree this year in bushel baskets, thanks to generous hearts at First Presbyterian. We collected school supplies at the church and monies online, and it was a very successful year. On October 31, boxed lunches from Jimmy John’s were delivered along with a bag of school supplies for each teacher. This would not have been possible without your donations and the hard work by the PW Westerly Hills Committee led by Page Hull and Christe Eades. Thanks, everyone, for the difference this will make in these teachers’ and students’ lives.
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PW NOTECARDS AND PRINTS FOR SALE – 
Shop for Christmas at the Advent Luncheon
(PW Cookbooks, too!)

It is an exciting time for Presbyterian Women! We are selling beautiful new notecards and prints of the church to benefit our benevolences. Our benevolences go to support agencies that help women and children. We want to extend special thanks to our own FPC member, Lucy Caldwell, for donating her watercolor art for the notecards and prints. Beautiful work, Lucy! The notecards and prints will be on sale at the Advent Luncheon on Thursday, December 6, in the Wood Fellowship Hall.

Notecards (set of 10) - $15
8x10 print (on watercolor paper) - $25
PW Cookbooks - $12
PW CIRCLE SPOTLIGHT
We are spotlighting two circles this month that illuminate PW’s long history and its growth at the same time.


Spotlight on CIRCLE #5

Circle #5 meets on the first Monday of each month at 10:30 a.m. at Sharon Towers in the beautiful City View Room. Not all members of Circle # 5 are residents of Sharon Towers. The members come from everywhere, and Sharon Towers is a central location for everyone to meet and is very convenient for the residents there. This circle has a rich history of its members being involved in PW at FPC. It is one of the most welcoming groups you can ever find! If you are interested in
Circle #5 please contact Marinell Bostian, Moderator, at marinellh@bellsouth.net
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Spotlight on
CIRCLE #14

Circle # 14 is our Circle of young professionals that meets at different dates and times but always in the evening to accommodate their busy schedules. They love when they get together, whether it is just to hang out at someone's apartment for fellowship, exploring different activities, or simply to get together for a special night out at a restaurant. They enjoy being with one another and are trying to find their way in the church. This group of young women would love for you to join them; feel free to invite your friends, even if they don't belong to the church. The more the merrier! If you're interested in Circle #14, contact Lillie Cochran at lilliecochran@gmail.com .
ADVENT COMMUNION SERVICE AND LUNCHEON
December 6, 11:00 a.m.
the Reverend Katherine Kerr, Worship Leader

Please join your fellow church members and guests for one of the most special services of the year.
Our own Reverend Katherine Kerr will lead us in this special service as we enter the Advent Season. The theme of the service will be “The Manger.” The PW sponsored luncheon will follow the service in the Wood Fellowship Hall.
MODERATOR'S MESSAGE
As we enter this Advent Season I want to let each of you know how blessed I feel and how thankful I am for each of you. God is working through us to reach others and spread his good news in our community. 

The warmth I have felt by your sweet notes, hugs, messages, and support has been immeasurable. This love will make Christmas extra special for my family and me.

Merry Christmas to you and your families!

Love,
Jane Ives and my family too
A Christmas Blessing
May love come alive within your heart
As Christmas time draws near.
May hope fill each room you decorate
And bring joy to those you hold dear.
May peace be before you at every meal
And faith ring through every song.
For Christ is alive, the light of the world
May he bless you all season long.

SAVE THE DATES

Thursday, Dec.6, 11:00 am            
Advent Communion Service and Luncheon  
           
Tuesday, Feb. 12, 6:30 pm             
Sharon Towers Valentine Party

Friday, April 26 - Sunday, April 28  
Women’s Retreat, Kanuga Conference Center
 
Please click the link below to support PW activities and benevolences.
PW Retreat Survey

We love our PW Retreat! PW is conducting a survey to gather information for future PW Retreat planning and programming. We want your thoughts and input! Please use this link, https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9NSZCMV ,
to share your thoughts for future PW Retreat planning with us. We sincerely appreciate your input. Thank you!

You can also call the church to request a paper copy which can be returned to the church by mail or delivered to the reception area.
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Merry Christmas
Happy New Year!