Presbyterian Women
Presbyterian Women (PW) at APPC is a vibrant community of faith, fellowship, learning, mission, and service. All women of the church are invited to participate in activities, gatherings, and circles throughout the year.
Circle Meetings
Phoebe Circle meets the first Monday of the month at 7 PM.
For Zoom invite:
[email protected]
Dorcas Circle meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 1 PM in the church parlor.
Ruth Circle meets the first Wednesday of the month at 8:30 AM at Charlie's Family Dining in Lincoln Park.
All women of the church are considered members of Presbyterian Women (PW) and are invited to participate in any or all of our activities. For information about Presbyterian Women: [email protected]
All the latest from PW Churchwide
PW NewsBytes brims with “news you can use” from Presbyterian Women Churchwide. Fully digital—good stewardship of finances and trees—NewsBytes is easy to share and keeps the PW community connected.
PW NewsBytes — December 2025
The December 2025 edition includes highlights from PW, Inc.'s September 2025 Board meeting, helpful year‑end reminders, details on making a year‑end gift to PW’s Annual Mission Fund, and a save‑the‑date for the 2027 PW Churchwide Gathering (August 5–8, 2027).
Download and share the digital edition to stay informed and help spread the word across your PW circles.
Support Presbyterian Women
Presbyterian Women actively supports mission outreach, community care, church ministries, and women’s spiritual growth. Your participation helps sustain PW’s programs, events, scholarships, and charitable giving.
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.
Join Presbyterian Women
Presbyterian Women (PW) offers women in the church meaningful ways to live out their faith in the midst of a caring community of women.
For more than 200 years, Presbyterian women’s groups have strengthened the Presbyterian Church and played a major role in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and witnessing to the promise of God's kingdom.
In 2013, Presbyterian Women celebrated 25 years of praying and working together as “Presbyterian Women,” the organization created within the reunited Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Women’s groups in the Presbyterian Church have a powerful history. Since the early 1800s, Presbyterian women have organized themselves to support mission and combat social injustices nationally and internationally. While the levels of involvement and recognition from the denomination have varied over time, women’s dedication to living out God’s call through faithful service has remained strong and steady.
PW Birthday Offering
Since 1922, the Birthday Offering has provided—and continues to provide—much-needed financial assistance to numerous worthwhile programs not included in ongoing General Assembly mission support. Each year, as many as five new domestic and international projects are carefully and prayerfully selected by the Creative Ministries Offering Committee to help meet crucial needs for people who are hurting or disadvantaged.
The generosity of Presbyterian women, their families, and congregations makes a real impact. Birthday Offering gifts help chosen recipients find meaningful and sustainable solutions in the areas of health, education, economic development, and the needs of women and children. Your support extends hope and healing around the world.
PW Thank Offering
The Thank Offering is a cherished Presbyterian Women tradition that began in the late 1800s. Through this special offering, PW expresses gratitude to God for the blessings in our lives and transforms that gratitude into action by supporting ministries that improve the lives of women, children, and families in the United States and around the world.
Each year, a collection of carefully reviewed and selected projects receives funding through the Thank Offering. These projects address crucial needs—such as housing, education, health care, community development, and empowerment—bringing hope and tangible support to those who need it most. PW congregations everywhere join together to make this life-changing work possible.
Presbyterian Women Churchwide Gathering
A Triennial Celebration of Worship, Learning & Sisterhood
Held once every three years, Presbyterian Women’s Churchwide Gathering is an extraordinary opportunity for Presbyterian women from across the country and around the world to come together for worship, education, community-building, fun, and spiritual renewal.
Participants enjoy workshops, tours, forums, plenary sessions with inspiring speakers, dynamic worship, and fellowship. PW’s triennial Business Meeting—where leadership, budget, and program priorities are set—takes place during the Gathering as well.
What Happens at the Gathering?
• Spirit-filled worship with gifted preachers and musicians
• Plenary sessions featuring Bible study, mission stories, and speakers who inspire
• Educational forums and workshops addressing today’s important issues
• Installation of newly elected PW leaders
• Exhibits, marketplace shopping, and book resources
• Fellowship with women from across the globe
• Time to explore the host city and enjoy special outings
Sharing Our Experience: Churchwide Gathering 2024 St. Louis, Missouri
From August 8–11, 2024, members of APPC Presbyterian Women joined sisters from around the country for an unforgettable Gathering in St. Louis. Below are highlights from our trip!
Past Presidents & Moderators
A historical listing of every woman who served — including repeated names for those who led in multiple terms.
Jean Gettemy
Dorothy Uren
Virginia Chowen
Eleanor Kelley
Jean Wagner
Megan Melling
Victoria Akey
Ruth McKenzie
Ruth Sanko
Shirley Botu
Lola Hutchison
Virginia Horvath
Phyllis Jones
Margaret Clark
Carol Maki
Janet McAnally
Margaret Ottinger
Inez Robinson
Marie Coffee
Nan Funkey
Ruth Hawley
Nina Lankin
Kathleen Ballard
Alice MacRitchie
Viola Pretty
Alberta Rogers
Katherine Riley
Marjorie Redick
Haxel Campbell
Viola Pretty
Allison MacTavish
Lucille Collision
Marie Brunelle
Audrey Newman
Verne May Bryant
Margaret Fellows
Billie Lange
Dorothy Church
Lillian Wright
Mildred Haxter
Opal Beattie
Susan Hill
Nancy Larson
Barbara McIntyre
Faith Sanko
Virginia Harmon
Betty Bray
Susan Hill
Virginia Horvath
Pauline Doubek
Phyllis Jones
Cheryl Herman-Harkins & Stella Migliore
Kitty Martin
Virginia Harmon & Alice Lieber
Kitty Martin & Ceil Pretty
Linda Clark & Marianne VanTuyl
Deborah Szwed & Joyce Welch
Janet Morton & Anne Winslow
Gretchen Lafferty & Bev Milotz
E. Suzan Maxey
Donna Schmidt
Beverly Milotz
Susan Hill
Patricia Jones
Pat McBride
E. Suzan Maxey
Pat McBride
Patti Johnson
Patti Johnson
Pat McBride
Sandy Sourbeck and Margaret Pagnucco
Pat McBride
E. Suzan Maxey
PW Honorary Life Memberships
A Presbyterian Women Honorary Life Membership is a special recognition given to individuals who have faithfully served the church and the mission of Presbyterian Women. These awards honor dedication, leadership, compassion, and long-term commitment to ministry, service, and community care. Below is a chronological listing of every recipient in our congregation’s history.
Year Unknown
Victoria Akey
Darlene Barnard
Libby Beebe
Mary Blahnik
Edna Boonie
Shirley Botu
Betty Bray
Wanzer Brunelle
Virginia Chowen
Mildred Coolman
Rose Dazy
Edna Douglass
Elaine Doran
June Eckmeter
May Fleming
Lola Hutchison
Susan Hill
Phyllis Lehecka
Carol Maki
Maude Malett
Mary Mercurio
Stella Migliore
Margaret Ottinger
Ethel Slotka
Lucille Stevens
Nellie Swank
Eva Tatar
Joanne Taylor
Jean Wagner
Betty Walker
1982
Virginia Koehler
Frances Scodellaro
Helen Umbarger
1983
Cathy Drapeau
Virginia Horvath
1984
Graydon Harris
Phyllis Jones
Nancy Larson
1985
Norma Clark
Neoma Kulick
Annetta Ohlson
1986
Jeanette Durand
Virginia Harmon
1987
Janet Robertson
Lillian Willis
1988
Dorothy Adams
Wilma Ficken
Gloria King
1989
Winifred Grassie
Earlene Zeh
1990
Clare Cloutier
Mary Fancher
1991
Marcia Swinehart
David Swinehart
1992
Velma Hill
Barbara McIntyre
1995
Kristine Blahnik
Susan McCausland
Nellie Tennes
1997
Ruth Eades
Eileen Shade
1998
Frances Lush
1999
Linda Bowser
Anne Gnich
2000
Joan Goode
Cynthia Harmon
2001
AnnMarie Crawford
Pauline Doubek
Alice Lieber
Shirley Slotka
2003
Maureen Klein
Kirk Miller
2004
Deborah Szwed
Anne Winslow
2005
Amy Bowerman
Winnie Frank
Janet Morton
2006
Joseph Melling
2008
Clint Maki
E. Suzan Maxey
2010
Patricia Frazier
James Migliore
2011
Charles Ouellette
Judith Ouellette
2012
Susan Hughes
Carol Webb
2013
Beverly Milotz
Robert Morton
2014
Phyllis Froehlich
Don Graham
2015
Nancy Atkinson
John Dam
Pat McBride
2016
Kim Ammons
Judy Martin
2017
Margaret Pagnucco
Kerri Van
2018
Rev. Michelle James
Patricia Johnson
2019
Megan Cuthbert
Deanna McDonnell
2020
Michele Grimble
Sandra Sourbeck
2024
Russell Carlson
Linda Wulff