To all our Ladies:
The books are in!
Please plan to join the women of HARP on Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am beginning January 17 for a continuation of their study of David.
They will be using Volume 2 of Michael Bentley’s book David: Encountering the king who reigned in power for a 16 week study.
Childcare will be provided.
This past Fall was an active time for Women’s Ministry at HARP! In October, we had a good group attend First Presbyterial’s annual meeting at Pressley Memorial ARP. Then in November, 24 women enjoyed our annual women’s retreat to Cherry Grove Beach, SC. We finished our year with a delicious brunch at the Acropolis Restaurant on December 10th. Thirty women attended this great time of fellowship! Ladies in our three Circles meet monthly throughout the year for Bible study and caring for each other. Our women also stay busy with the meal ministry program, caring for children in the nursery and children’s church, as well as their individual acts of service throughout the congregation.
We Give Special Thanks to Laura Navarro who has been the Women’s Ministry President since 2005! She has given much of her time and special gift of teaching in keeping this ministry alive and well. She has been an encouragement and blessing to all of us with her teaching, praying, and organizational/leadership skills! Laura will be stepping down as our president but has assumed the office of Vice President of First Presbyterial. She also serves at HARP as a deacon and in the choir. As you can see Laura is one of those ladies who makes things happen – and does it very well!!
We also want to thank those ladies who are instrumental in making sure the Beach Retreat is always a success: Donelle Whitby handles the housing arrangements and makes sure we eat well; Jill Gazzaway and Laura Navarro always have thought-provoking and Biblical devotional times; and Chris Ferrell entertains us (understatement!) with her ice-breakers and game times. But it takes all of us attending to make it truly successful! If you missed last year, we hope you will consider coming the weekend of November 8-11, 2012. Donelle has begun taking reservations!
First Presbyterial also offers a women’s retreat every other year at Bonclarken. It is their hope that ARP women in our Presbytery (district) would come and get to know each other better. This retreat will be held on November 2-3, 2012. More information will be coming this Spring.
This year will be an active year for our women as we will be the host church for First Presbyterial’s Annual Meeting on Saturday, October 20, 2012. Approximately 150 women usually attend and many preparations will need to be made for this meeting. (Most importantly, pray that our new building renovation will be completed in time!!)
The new 2012 Women’s Ministry Board is:
The following ministries are in need of additional volunteers. Remember-the more volunteers, the lighter the load!
HARP has a very loving and generous group of ladies! It is the board’s desire to offer a place where every woman in our congregation can feel connected and cared for. In the coming months we will continue to give our women additional opportunities to enjoy fellowship & service. But don’t wait for us organize it! We ask that each of you reach out to others, especially to our newer members and visitors, and welcome them into the warm fellowship of HARP Women’s Ministry!
-Patti Snyder
The Women of HARP are involved in many different ministries and groups. Currently we have four organized groups. Below we describe the group, meeting schedule, and current study. All four groups are open to any women in the church and all welcome visitors – bring a neighbor or a friend!
The Friendship Circle meets at 7pm the first Monday of each month at the home of one of the members. The date and place for the next meeting are listed in the bulletin and HARP Notes. We have a Bible study, prayer time, and fellowship. We also participate in the Christmas decoration of the church. In February 2010 we are finishing up a Bible study on the Sermon on the Mount. Then we will spend four months going through the book of Jonah, using a book chosen by the Synodical Women’s Ministries, Salvation Through Judgment and Mercy. Contact Clara Brown with any questions.
The Circle of Grace meets at 7pm the third Monday of each month at the home of one of the members. We have a Bible study, prayer time, and fellowship. We also participate in various service ministries in the church. In February 2010 we are beginning a new study of the book Your Home, a Place of Grace by Susan Hunt . Contact Renee Maddox with any questions.
The Covenant-McDowell Circle meets the afternoon of the third Thursday of the month. Contact Sarah McAulay with any questions.
The Tuesday Ladies’ Bible Study meets every week at 10am Tuesday morning at the church. They are currently studying through the Gospel of Mark. Contact Nancy Winburne with any questions.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. – Proverbs 31
