Donate to or learn more about the Thank Offering of Presbyterian Women

by visiting www.presbyterianwomen.org/thank or calling 844/PW-PCUSA (844/797-2872), ext. 5402.

For the Healing of the Nations

2017 THANK OFFERING of Presbyterian Women

THE PURPOSE OFPRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

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.

2017 THANK OFFERINGMara l’il Mara (see story at right) is just one example of the ways thousands of lives are transformed through your gifts to the Thank Offering of Presbyterian Women. The Thank Offering has been a tradition for Presbyterian Women and its predecessor organizations since 1888 when Eliza Clokey of Springfield, Ohio, urged each woman to give one dollar over and above her usual contribution to the Women’s General Missionary Society of the United Presbyterian Church of North America as a “thank offering to our Lord.”

Since 1988, when United PresbyterianWomen and Women of the Church joined to become Presbyterian Women, the Thank Offering has given more than $25,000,000 to more than 2,000 programs and ministries that assist those struggling with illness, marginalization, and lack of access to education, services and resources. The Thank Offering provides clean water, alleviates homelessness, provides educational opportunities, promotes health, and improves the lives of women and children throughout the world in many other ways.

In February 2017, the Creative Ministries Offering Committee of Presbyterian Women approved grants for 15 additional ministries. A total of $382,500.00 from the 2016 Thank Offering will be given in 2017 to these recipients.

Please give now, and encourage PW groups and congregations in your area to give, so others may be blessed. Visit www.presbyterianwomen.org/thank to learn more, give online and download resources.

Cover art: Afterglow by Tanielle Childers

Muslim women in Palestine learn how to detect breast cancer through Mara l’il Mara (Woman to Woman).

Breast cancer, the most common cancer among

Palestinian women, is an urgent public health problem.

Many Palestinian women diagnosed with breast cancer

don’t seek treatment but rather choose to stay home

with their families for the remaining days of their lives.

Women who seek treatment for breast cancer are often

in Stage 3 or 4, and are sometimes too late for a cure.

Treatment is a difficult choice. There are many

barriers between a Palestinian woman who has breast

cancer and treatment for her disease. She might have to

travel many miles to get to a doctor. At checkpoints on

the road there are soldiers with guns who may or may

not allow her to pass through for an appointment with a

doctor. Once she gets to her doctor she faces a shortage

of cancer treating drugs. Surgical options are even more

difficult as they mean going to a Jerusalem hospital,

traveling around barrier walls and settlements, and

leaving family members behind.

Early detection of breast cancer means better

outcomes for all Palestinian women. Using simple

prosthetic breast models, Mara l’il Mara teaches breast

self-examination to young and old women alike. Women

learn that monthly self-examinations can detect lumps

in the breast. Women sharing with their neighbors what

they have learned results in earlier detection and better

outcomes for all Palestinian women.

The Mara l’il Mara Breast Cancer Project, with funding

from the 2017 PW Thank Offering Grant, will develop,

within the local healthcare system, a culturally sensitive

program to provide quality medical services for the

most marginalized women of Palestine. With a potential

to educate 12,000 women in 14 designated villages

in the West Bank, the grant will help women raise

awareness in Palestine about the prevalence of breast

cancer, its possible causes and the desperate need for

early detection, diagnosis and treatment.

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2017 THANK OFFERING of Presbyterian Women

Queridas Amigas,

¡Únanse a nuestra expresión de gratitud!Desde 1888 las mujeres presbiterianas han expresado gozosamente su gratitud por las bendiciones de Dios compartiendo sus propias bendiciones con quienes sufren necesidad en nuestro país y alrededor del mundo. La Ofrenda de Gratitud sostiene programas que proveen educación, vivienda segura, agua potable, cuidado de salud, apoyo a prisioneros y prisioneras, justicia para las mujeres y mucho más. Por favor, animen a las mujeres presbiterianas de su área a promover y celebrar los 15 ministerios transformadores que fueron elegidos este año y subsidiados con los donativos del 2016. ¡Con gran entusiasmo compartimos con ustedes este folleto promocional de la Ofrenda de Gratitud del 2017. Dentro del mismo hallarán la información y los recursos necesarios para celebrar la Ofrenda de Gratitud en reuniones de Mujeres Presbiterianas (PW, siglas en inglés) en cualquier lugar. Una copia de este folleto fue enviada al grupo de mujeres de cada congregación de la IP(EUA). Favor de compartir la información con cualquier grupo que no lo haya recibido. Dentro de este folleto hallarán • un vistazo a proyectos subsidiados en el 2017, • un servicio de adoración que pueden usar para dedicar la ofrenda, • sugerencias sobre maneras en que pueden apoyar la Ofrenda de

Gratitud, • información sobre como acceder a los recursos de PW en la red, • un póster promocional tamaño 11" x 17" en inglés y español, y • la hoja de pedido de los materiales promocionales. Tenemos disponibles materiales de promoción adicionales. Pidan manteles individuales, portadas de boletín, encartes de boletín, sobres de colecta y otros recursos usando la hoja de pedidos de la página 12. También pueden visitar www.presbyterianwomen.org/thank y hallarán más recursos descargables e información. Horizons, la revista de Mujeres Presbiterianas, publica la lista de los proyectos subsidiados por la Ofrenda de Gratitud y el servicio de dedicación en su edición de Julio/Agosto. La portada trasera de la revista tiene un listado de materiales adicionales de promoción, además de información sobre como ordenarlos. Llamen al 866/802-3635 para subscribirse a la edición impresa de la revista (incluye el estudio bíblico anual en inglés y acceso a la edición electrónica de la revista), o visiten www.presbyterianwomen.org para subscribirse exclusivamente a la edición electrónica de la revista. Las animamos a que programen la celebración de la Ofrenda de Gratitud para el otoño; envíen las ofrendas a la tesorera de PW en su presbiterio antes del 10 de diciembre de 2017. Gracias por sus continuas oraciones y por su apoyo a la Ofrenda de Gratitud y Mujeres Presbiterianas.

Bendiciones,

Comité de la Ofrenda para Ministerios Creativos

Mujeres Presbiterianas en la IP(EUA), Inc.

P.S.: Si desea obtener más información sobre la Oferta de Gracias, incluyendo cómo ayudar a un proyecto de su comunidad a solicitar una subvención, comuníquese con Kathy Reeves al 844 / 797-2872, ext. 5402, o por correo electrónico a katharine.reeves@pcusa.org.

Dear Friends,

Please join us in being thankful!

Since 1888, Presbyterian women have joyfully expressed gratitude for God’s blessings by sharing their blessings with those in need at home and around the world. The Thank Offering funds programs that provide education, safe housing, clean water, health care, help for prisoners, justice for women, and so much more. Please encourage Presbyterian women in your area to promote and celebrate the 15 life-changing ministries chosen this year and funded by 2016 giving. We enthusiastically share this 2017 Thank Offering promotional booklet with you! Inside, you will find the information and resources you need to celebrate the Thank Offering at Presbyterian Women gatherings everywhere. A copy of this booklet was sent to the women’s group in each PC(USA) congregation. Please share information with any groups that might have missed receiving it. Inside this booklet, you will find • an overview of the 2017 recipients, • a worship service you may use to dedicate your offering, • suggestions for ways to support the Thank Offering, • information on how to access PW resources on the Web, • an 11"x17" promotional poster in English and Spanish, and • the promotional materials order form. Additional promotional materials are available. Order placemats, bulletin covers, bulletin inserts, collection envelopes and more using the order form on page 12. You can also visit www.pres byterianwomen.org/thank for more downloads and information. Horizons, the magazine for Presbyterian Women, publishes the Thank Offering grant recipients and dedication service in the July/August issue. The outside back cover of the magazine lists related promotional materials, plus information on how to order them. Call 866/802-3635 to subscribe to the print edition (includes the annual Bible study and access to the online edition of the magazine), or visit www.presbyterianwomen.org to subscribe to the online-only edition of the magazine. You are encouraged to hold your Thank Offering celebration in the fall; please send gifts received to the PW treasurer in your presbytery by December 10, 2017. Thank you for your continued prayers and support for the Thank Offering and for Presbyterian Women.

Blessings,

Creative Ministries Offering Committee

Presbyterian Women in the PC(USA), Inc.

P.S.: If you would like more information about the Thank Offering, including how to help a project in your community apply for a grant, contact Kathy Reeves at 844/797-2872, ext. 5402, or by email at katharine.reeves@pcusa.org.

OFRENDA DE GRATITUD DEL 2017 de Mujeres Presbiterianas

2017 THANK OFFERING of Presbyterian Women

For the Healing

* New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989

by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council

of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission.

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NationalSYNOD OF THE COVENANTFirst United Presbyterian Church, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan/Feeding America West MichiganProject Feed EUP!Comstock Park, Michigan —$27,927This innovative mobile food pantry will serve children and their families in one school district in the Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan by providing fresh food to children

who are on free and reduced lunch programs. The target is to feed 3,539 children for one year. When people visit the mobile food pantry, they each receive 50 pounds of food to feed themselves and their family for the month.www.feedwm.org

Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Cincinnati (IHNGC)Forever Home ProjectCincinnati, Ohio —$34,000The IHNGC helps families who

have experienced homelessness transition into more permanent housing. This Thank Offering grant will be used to purchase household supplies, food and transportation—supplementing funds that cannot be used for these much-needed basics and ultimately assisting the re-establishment of families after homelessness.www.ihncincinnati.org

SYNOD OF LIVING WATERSBlue MonarchParenting Sober

of the Nations On either side of the river is the tree of life . . .

and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. —Revelation 22:2b*

List of Grant RecipientsIn February 2017, the Creative Ministries Offering Committee of Presbyterian Women met to review 92 applications submitted for grants from the 2016 Thank Offering. Fifteen of the projects were chosen for grants totaling $382,500. Ten of the projects are ministries that serve people in need in the United States. Five of the projects are international. More than half of the funded projects are health ministries. Presbyterian women have been making grants to creative ministries through the Thank Offering since 1888 when Eliza Clokey of Springfield, Ohio, urged each woman to give one dollar over and above her usual contribution to the Women’s General Missionary Society of the United Presbyterian Church in North America as a “thank offering to our Lord.” Women gave sacrificially and were credited with saving the worldwide missionary movement of the church at the time. Since then, Presbyterian women have granted support to thousands of ministries worldwide, and raised millions of dollars for mission. Your gifts will aid the following ministries in 2017:

Hillsboro, Tennessee —$20,873Blue Monarch helps mothers who are recovering from drug addiction learn how to manage the stress of parenting without using drugs. The Thank Offering grant will help provide effective parenting tools to mothers who have likely never observed healthy parenting in the home. The ultimate goal is to build a stronger bond and better relationship between mother and child and decrease the likelihood of abuse or neglect.www.bluemonarch.org

Sunset GapBridging the Gap Between Nutrition and HealthCosby, Tennessee —$50,000The Thank Offering grant will be used to purchase a refrigerated box truck. A refrigerated truck will help Sunset Gap expand the reach of its food pantry in rural Appalachia. Refrigeration will keep vegetables and fruit fresh to reach families and schools in Appalachia that other agencies are unable to serve, thereby improving the overall health and nutrition of area residents.www.sunsetgap.com

SYNOD OF MID-AMERICAFirst Presbyterian Church of LiberalFirst Presbyterian Child Care CenterLiberal, Kansas —$7,580First Presbyterian Child Care Center is the only commercial daycare center in the Liberal, Kansas area. Thank Offering funds

will be used to erect a fence around the outdoor play area and purchase equipment and educational supplies for the children.www.fpcliberal.org/about-the -daycare-2

SYNOD OF THE NORTHEASTSouth End Neighborhood Tutors, Inc. The Wizard’s WardrobeAlbany, New York—$10,000The Wizard’s Wardrobe is a one-on-one afterschool tutoring program for children in the first and second grades. This program seeks to stimulate students’ enthusiasm for learning and increase their literacy levels by helping them write and produce their own storybooks. This Thank Offering grant will be used to purchase digital recorders, computers, printers and bindery equipment with which to take the collection of ideas to the celebration of finished books.www.thewizardswardrobe.org

SYNOD OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND HAWAIIAngel Interfaith Network (AIN)Infant Safety Los Angeles, California—$5,000When a family’s primary wage earner (who sometimes works two to three jobs to make ends meet) is hospitalized, a family can quickly find themselves unable to pay rent and at risk of losing their housing. AIN helps by making partial payment for overdue rent and utility bills. AIN also provides

car seats for infants who are leaving the Los Angeles County + University of Southern California Medical Center when a family can’t otherwise afford a car seat.www.angelinterfaith.net

SYNOD OF THE SUNUniversity of the OzarksFood for Thought Garden —Polytunnel Clarksville, Arkansas—$7,000

This Thank Offering grant will

be used to purchase a polytunnel

(a greenhouse-like structure)

to extend the growing season

of the University of the Ozarks

Food for Thought Garden. A

longer growing season will enable

the Food for Thought Garden

to double the amount of fresh

produce available to the local

school backpack program and to

community members who face

food insecurity, providing healthier

food options for Arkansans.www.ozarks.edu

Presbyterian Village, Inc.Improving Accessibility in Residential CareLittle Rock, Arkansas—$50,000Presbyterian Village will use their Thank Offering grant to renovate ten residential care bathrooms by converting traditional bathtubs to accessible, walk-in showers.www.presbyvillage.org

SYNOD OF THE TRINITYPhoenixville Women’s Outreach The House

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Phoenixville, Pennsylvania—$5,000The House is a shelter that serves single women who are homeless. Since opening in January 2015, The House has provided housing for 21 women. This grant will provide increased security for the home by installing security cameras and lighting and motion detectors for the front and back of the house.www.phxvillewomensoutre ach.org

InternationalIglesia Presbiteriana Reformada en Nueva Paz, Cuba Nueva Paz Presbyterian Church Breakfast ClubNueva Paz, Cuba—$2,000The Nueva Paz Presbyterian Church will use their Thank Offering grant to establish The Breakfast Club, which will serve breakfast four times a week to elderly people who live in this small, rural farming town. The church will hire a cook, select a person to buy food and have a doctor or teacher on hand to educate participants about nutrition and exercise. Food will be taken to senior citizens who cannot make it to the church for meals.

Westminster Presbyterian Church (WPC)Capacity Building for Hope Mission SchoolBernard Farm Community, Paynesville Township, Liberia

—$18,300Hope Mission School exists to sustain itself economically and to ensure educational and vocational opportunities for the community’s youth. This grant will contribute to the expansion of the current school to a full high school by adding 11th and 12th grades, and will introduce new vocational training that will lead to new income streams. The grant will also be used to purchase generators and a small freezer. The school will produce income by selling cold drinks and excess power for recharging cell phones and other electronic devices. www.wpcalbany.org

Africa Inland Church, Nyanza AreaAIC Nyakach Dispensary Building Improvements and New ServicesKisumu, Kenya—$50,000For 100 years, the Nyakach dispensary has offered medical services and education to impoverished and otherwise underserved women and families. The Thank Offering grant will provide much needed structural, equipment and administrative upgrades so that the dispensary can continue to serve, grow and be a compassionate source of health care on the western edge of the Rift Valley.www.aickenya.org/health _ministries/?ContentID=1

In His Steps: Pathways of Peace (IHS)

Mara l’il Mara (Woman to Woman) Breast Cancer Project Palestine —$50,000Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Palestinian women; it is an urgent health concern. The Thank Offering grant will be used to develop a culturally sensitive program that raises awareness about the prevalence of breast cancer, its possible causes, and the desperate need for early detection, screening and treatment. It is hoped that the grant will create the momentum necessary to replicate this effort in more villages across the West Bank. www.ihsholyland.org Asociación La Iglesia de Dios (ALIDD)Centro Diaconal ComunitarioArgentina—$49,500The Thank Offering grant will be used to provide integral assistance to families living in situations of poverty in Argentina. Within a Christian context of support and hope, assistance will include clothing, food, help with school homework, Bible school and periodic workshops on social health issues like addiction, teen pregnancy, domestic violence, and career counseling. www.elmanantialdevida.es.tl

Our annual “thank offering to our Lord” continues to be a vital part of women's giving in the PC(USA). Please prayerfully consider how you can support this important ministry.

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Call to Worship[Adapted from “There's No Me, There's No You” (AAHH 619)*]

One: As we go through the day, it takes just a minute to pray.Many: There is no me, there is no you, without Him.One: It does not matter how big or how small we might be;Many: there is no me, there is no you, without Him.One: God watches over all; we come from many, many places, some near and some far.Many: God watches over all. One: We have many colors and hues; some are mothers and fathers, others are uncles and aunts and cousins.Many: God watches over all.One: What is important is that God watches over both you and me, no matter who we are.ALL: There is no me, there is no you, without Him.

Hymn Suggestions*“Open My Eyes That I May See” (PH 324), “Spirit of the Living God” (AAHH 320, PH 322), or “This Is My Song” (GtG 340)

MeditationThe board of education in my hometown recently decided to build a new high school to replace an aging one. The new high school was to be built in a location near the old school. That was good. However, the school board decided to give the school a new name. Except for the change in the school’s name and location, other elements were to remain the same. The high school would have the same school colors and the same school mascot.

Renaming the high school generated a lot of controversy. The neighborhood was torn. Most graduates and current senior-level students wanted to keep the old school’s name, others didn’t care, and still others thought that the change would be good. The school had been on a state list of failing schools and the board felt that changing the name would improve the morale of the students attending the new school. Tension was everywhere. Controversy and conflict reigned in local meetings and on social media. Over a 14-year period that ended in 1994, all three of my children attended and graduated from this school. The very first time I entered the school gym, I noticed the school motto emblazoned on its wall: “Come together over me.” The motto intrigued me; however, the students seemed to take it in stride as they moved about the campus adorned in tee shirts and jackets with the motto and mascot clearly displayed. They wore these clothing items especially on game days. The old school’s basketball and football teams had a history of dominating their respective sports in the city. The last game of the basketball year, the last game the team would play for their old school, sold out at the city’s civic center. The game was played between archrivals (my school won). The following year, basketball games would be held in the new school’s new gym. At the last regular game of that year, the same archrivals were set to play again. Prior to the beginning of the game, a TV sports announcer pondered whether the new school would win the same way the old school had. Yes, we did. The TV reporter’s question made me wonder: Had anything changed? Not much. The major players were the same excellent caliber of players. Were things supposed to have changed because the school’s name had changed? Why?

For the Healing of the Nations On either side of the river is the tree of life . . .

and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. —Revelation 22:2b

Dedication Service by Sarah Ford

2017 THANK OFFERING of Presbyterian Women

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Immediately after the 2016 national elections, the American people displayed similar feelings and similar confusion. It seemed that the whole world had risen and taken notice; the world, too, was confused. Many of our U.S. allies and those we had pledged to support or protect, our “friends,” were unsure of our intentions toward them. During this time of agitation and change, I thought about the motto written on the gym wall and wondered: How could we come together as a nation to heal, and how could all nations heal? In other words, as my grandmother would have said, we needed a “come-to-Jesus meeting.” As a child, I never really understood that statement. As an adult, I still hear it from my peers: We need a “come-to-Jesus meeting.”

As God’s people, we need healing, not only for political reasons, but to bring out our compassion and love for each other. The Thank Offering grants

can serve as catalysts for healing; through the Thank Offering we show compassion to our sisters and brothers. We cannot regain the qualities of compassion and love alone. We need each other, and most assuredly, we need Jesus. There is no me; there is no you, without Him. Together we pray for our nation and the nations of all peoples. I am still intrigued by the meaning of the phrase “Come together over me,” but now I borrow it and adapt it and say, “Let’s come together over Jesus.”

Prayer of Dedication[Adapted from hymn: “We Are One in the Spirit” (GtG 300)]

One: We are one in the spirit,Many: We are one in the Lord, together.All: We pray that all unity may one day be restored.

Hymn Suggestions*“We Are One in the Spirit” (GtG 300), and “We Are One” (AAHH 323)

NotesAdditional suggested hymns: “Spirit of the Living God” (AAHH 320, PH 322), “Open My Eyes That I May See” (PH 324), “There’s No Me, There’s No You” (AAHH 619), “We Are One in the Spirit” (GtG 300), “This is My Song” (GtG 340), “For the Healing of the Nations” (GtG 346).

* Hymns marked “AAHH” are from African American Heritage Hymnal (Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2001); “GtG” are from Glory to God (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2013); and “PH” are from The Presbyterian Hymnal (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 1990).

Sarah Ford served as representative from the Synod of Living Waters to the Churchwide Coordinating Team (CCT) from 2014 through 2017 and on the CCT’s Creative Ministries Offering Committee.

Para la sanidad de las naciones A cada lados del río, estaba el árbol de la vida . . . y las hojas del árbol eran para la sanidad de las naciones.

—Apocalipsis 22:2b

Servicio de Dedicación por Sarah Ford

OFRENDA DE GRATITUD DEL 2017de Mujeres Presbiterianas

Llamamiento a la adoración [Adaptado del himno “There Is No Me, There Is No You” (AAHH 616)*]One: A lo largo del día, basta sólo un minuto para orar.

Muchas: No hay un yo, no hay un tú, sin Dios.Una: No importa que tan grandes o pequeños seamos;

Muchas: No hay un yo, no hay un tú, sin Dios.Una: Dios vela por todos y todas; venimos de muchos,

muchos lugares, algunos cerca y algunos lejos.

Muchas: Dios vela por todos y todas. Una: Somos de muchos colores y matices; algunas son

madres, algunos son padres, otros son tíos, tías,

primos y primas.

Muchas: Dios vela por todos y todas.Una: Lo importante es que Dios vela por todos ellos y

ellas y por mí, no importa quienes seamos.

TODAS: No hay un yo, no hay un tú, sin Dios.

Himnos sugeridos*“Somos uno en Cristo” (EHP 22), “Cristo te necesita” (EHP 327), “Abre mis ojos a la luz” o “Espíritu del Trino Dios”

MeditaciónLa junta de educación de mi ciudad natal recientemente decidió construir una nueva escuela secundaria para reemplazar la antigua. La nueva escuela debía construirse en una ubicación cercana a la anterior. Eso fue algo bueno. Sin embargo, la junta escolar decidió darle un nombre nuevo a la escuela. Con excepción del cambio del nombre y la ubicación, todos los otros elementos debían permanecer iguales. La secundaria tendría los mismos colores distintivos y la misma mascota.

El cambio de nombre de la escuela generó mucha controversia. El vecindario estaba dividido. La mayoría de los ex alumnos y estudiantes de los grados superiores querían conservar el antiguo nombre de la escuela, pero a otros no les importaba e incluso algunos pensaban que el cambio sería bueno. La escuela había estado en la lista estatal de colegios reprobados y la junta creyó que el cambio del nombre mejoraría la moral de los estudiantes que asistirían a la nueva escuela. Había tensiones por todas partes. Las controversias y los conflictos predominaban en las reuniones locales y los medios sociales.

Durante un período de 14 años que terminó en 1994, mis tres hijos asistieron a esta escuela y se graduaron allí. La primera vez que entré al gimnasio de la escuela me fijé en el lema de la escuela que estaba grabado en la pared: “Únanse por mi causa”. El lema me intrigó; sin embargo, los estudiantes parecían no inmutarse a medida que cruzaban el campus luciendo camisetas y chaquetas que desplegaban claramente el lema y la mascota.

Ellos y ellas lucían esta ropa especialmente cuando había competencias.

Los equipos de baloncesto y futbol de la antigua escuela se habían distinguido por dominar en sus respectivas categorías en la ciudad. Para el último juego de baloncesto del año, el último que el equipo jugaría a favor de su antigua escuela, se agotaron los boletos en el centro cívico de la ciudad. Fue un juego entre acérrimos rivales (pero mi escuela ganó). Al año siguiente, los juegos de baloncesto se celebrarían en el gimnasio de la nueva escuela. En el último juego regular del año, los mismos rivales debían enfrentarse nuevamente. Antes de comenzar el juego, un locutor deportivo de televisión se preguntó si la nueva escuela ganaría del mismo modo que la antigua. Y así lo hicimos.

La interrogación del locutor hizo que yo me preguntara: ¿Había cambiado algo? No mucho. Los jugadores principales eran los mismos jugadores de excelente calibre. ¿Debieron cambiar las cosas tan solo porque el nombre de la escuela cambió? ¿Por qué?

Inmediatamente después de las elecciones nacionales del 2016, el pueblo estadounidense mostró sentimientos parecidos y una confusión similar. Parecía que el mundo entero se había levantado y prestado atención; el mundo también estaba confuso. Muchos de los aliados de Estados Unidos y muchos de los países que habíamos prometido apoyar y proteger, nuestros “amigos”, dudaron de nuestras intenciones para con ellos. Durante ese tiempo de agitación y cambio, yo recordé el lema que estaba grabado en la pared del gimnasio y me pregunté: ¿Cómo podríamos unirnos como una nación para sanar, y cómo podrían sanarse todas las naciones? En otras palabras, como diría mi abuela, necesitábamos “un encuentro con

Jesús”. De niña yo nunca entendí esa frase. Y ahora que soy adulta, todavía oigo a mis colegas decirla: Necesitamos “un encuentro con Jesús”.

Como pueblo de Dios, necesitamos sanidad, no solo por razones políticas, sino para que salgan a flote nuestra compasión y nuestro amor mutuos. Las subvenciones de la Ofrenda de Gratitud pueden servir de catalizadores para la sanidad; por medio de la Ofrenda de Gratitud mostramos compasión a nuestras hermanas y nuestros hermanos. No podemos recobrar la compasión y el amor a solas. Nos necesitamos mutuamente y, ciertamente, necesitamos a Jesús. No hay un yo, no hay un tú, sin Dios. Juntas y juntos oramos por nuestra nación y por las naciones de todos los pueblos.

Todavía me intriga el significado del lema “Únanse por mi causa”, pero ahora lo tomo prestado y lo adapto para decir: “Unámonos en nombre de Jesús”.

Oración de dedicación[Adaptado del himno: “Somos uno en espíritu” (EHP 223)]

Una: We are one in the spirit,Muchas: We are one in the Lord,

together.Todas: We pray that all unity may

one day be restored.

Himnos sugeridos*“Somos uno en espíritu” (EHP 223) o “¡Miren qué bueno!” (EHP 218)

Notas* Los himnos marcados “EHP” son de El Himnario Presbiteriano “PH” (Louisville, KY: Geneva Press, 1999).

Sarah Ford sirvió como representante del Sínodo

Living Waters ante el Equipo Coordinador de

Toda la Iglesia (CCT, siglas en inglés) del 2014

al 2017 y en el Comité de Ministerios Creativos

del CCT.8

PROMOTING THE THANK OFFERING

In your PW group• Be sure to order the materials you need, including the bulletin insert, placemats and individual

or group offering envelopes (see page 12 for order form).• Set a goal to challenge the members of your PW group.• Show the Thank Offering promotional video, available on the PW YouTube channel

(www.youtube.com/presbyterianwomen), and talk about the offering in each of your circles.• Distribute group and/or individual offering envelopes in your circles.• If you do not have regular gatherings, ask each circle to receive the offering once a year in

November, around Thanksgiving!• Make a presentation at your fall gathering.

In your church• Consider promoting the Thank Offering to the entire congregation. o Get session approval. o Make the Thank Offering the topic for a Minute for Mission during worship. Ask for

everyone’s support and ask them to put their gifts in a basket at the back of the sanctuary following the service.

o Use the Thank Offering bulletin cover as the cover of your church bulletin and include the Thank Offering bulletin insert.

o Include an announcement in your church newsletter about the Thank Offering and how it helps change lives. Use an example from your area, from this booklet or from PW’s Creative Ministries blog (see www.presbyterianwomen.org for a link to the blog).

o Display the Thank Offering poster in a prominent place. o Hold a special event at which you receive and dedicate the Thank Offering (maybe a

Thanksgiving meal!). o Use Thank Offering placemats at an all-church function sometime during the year. o Distribute individual and/or group giving offering envelopes to the congregation. o Distribute copies of page 10 of this booklet so that everyone is aware of how they can give.

In your presbytery and synod• Include information about the Thank Offering in your newsletter.• Send a special email encouraging local PWs to participate.• Give a presentation about the Thank Offering at your fall gathering.• Host a speaker from an organization in your area that has received a Thank Offering grant

(contact Kathy Reeves for more information—844/797-2872, ext. 5402, or by email at katharine .reeves@pcusa.org).

• Use the Thank Offering placemats on the luncheon table at a synod or presbytery gathering.

We don’t want to miss anyone!Help us keep our contacts up to date. When leadership (including treasurers, moderators and Celebration Giving representatives) in your congregation, presbytery and/or synod changes, please let us know. Download a database change form at www.pcusa.org/resource/pw-database-change-notice and send it to Patricia Longfellow by email (patricia.longfellow@pcusa.org) or via the postal service (see the form for the address).

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WAYS TO SUPPORT

THE THANK OFFERING OF PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Circle or PW group gift Circle members and other PW group members traditionally support the

mission of the Thank Offering by cash or check in the PW group setting. Envelopes to receive these gifts are available free of charge in packs of 25 from Presbyterian Distribution Service (PDS). Call 800/524-2612 to order; ask for item PWR16479. Tip: Distribute these envelopes to your congregation for even wider support of the Thank Offering.

PW in the Congregation treasurers, please receive your circles’/congregation’s Thank Offering gifts and send to your PW in the Presbytery treasurer by December 10, 2017.

PW in the Presbytery treasurers, please send your PWCs’ Thank Offering gifts with your presbytery’s other quarterly contributions to Presbyterian Women Remittance Processing, PO Box 643652, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3652, by December 15, 2017. Please contact Rhonda Martin at Rhonda.Martin@pcusa.org for a remittance form.

Individual gift If you are giving outside a PW circle, or making

an additional gift beyond your circle giving, use the individual giving envelope available for free in packs of 10 from PDS. You may give by check or credit card with this envelope, and will receive a tax receipt for your gift. Be sure to fill out the envelope completely, including your presbytery and synod so they will receive credit for your gift.

To order these envelopes, call 800/524-2612; ask for item PWR16456. Tip: Distribute these envelopes to your congregation for even wider support of the Thank Offering.

How to Give Online Make a secure online gift at www.presbyterianwomen.org/thank.

Additional giving opportunitiesLearn more about making an estate gift to the Thank Offering by checking the box under your contact information on the individual giving envelope and drop it in the mail. PW staff will contact you to discuss options and opportunities.

Make sure everyone you know (even if they are not involved in PW) has the opportunity to give.

If you know of someone who should have received a booklet and did not, let them know that they can request one by calling PDS at 800/524-2612 (ask for item PWR17475), or download the booklet at www.presbyterianwomen.org/thank.

Please give as generously as you have been blessed. Thank you for your support!

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Donate to or learn more about the Thank Offering of Presbyterian Women by visitingwww.presbyterianwomen.org/thank or calling 844/PW-PCUSA (844/797-2872), ext. 5402.

* New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission.

2017 THANK OFFERING of Presbyterian Women of Presbyterian Women of Presbyterian Women

For the Healing of the Nations

On either side of the river is the tree of life . . . and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

—Revelation 22:2b

12

For the Healing of the Nations Revelation 22:2b

Resource Materials for Promoting and Interpreting the Thank OfferingITEM

Sale! Coin/bill box (pkg. of 10)

Placemat (Spanish/English; pkg. of 25)

Bulletin insert (English; one design; pkg. of 25)

July/August Horizons magazinePublicizes grant recipients, includes dedication service and lists resources

Promotional materials order form

Promotional video (English/Spanish)View on the PW YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/presbyterianwomen

Poster (English/Spanish; 11" x 17")

Bulletin cover (English; 8½" x 14"; pkg. of 25)

Group giving envelope (pkg. of 25)Traditionally used in PW circles and congregations

Individual giving envelope (pkg. of 10)For those outside PW circles, those who want to give over and above their normal offering, those who wish to give with a credit card andthose who need a receipt for their gift

Promotional booklet**Contains information and resources you’ll need to celebrate the Thank Offering at PW gatherings in the congregation, presbytery and synod. Booklet includes a poster, invitation letter, dedication service (all English andSpanish), recipient list, a summary of ways to support the Thank Offering, how to access PW resources on the Internet, the order form and more.

SUBTOTAL

SALES TAX

APPROPRIATE SALES TAX IS REQUIRED FOR THOSE RESIDENTS OF CA, DC, KY, NY AND PA WHO ARE ORDERING ON PERSONAL ACCOUNTS

SHIPPING AND HANDLING*

TOTAL

PDS#

PWR07482

PWR17473

PWR17480

HZN17230

PWR17488

Online

PWR17484

PWR17476

PWR16479

PWR16456

PWR17475

QUANTITY

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

PRICE

$3.50/pkg.

$4/pkg.

$3/pkg.

$4/copy

Free

Online

Free

Free

Free

Free

Free

REMITTANCE

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

*Prices do not include shipping and handling (10% of order total; $5.25 minimum, $65 maximum). International orders (and Puerto Rico) will incur additional shipping charges. There are no shipping charges for free/promotional materials. Order all materials from Presbyterian Distribution Service (PDS), 800/524-2612, or online at www.pcusa.org/store.

**Mailed to all PC(USA) congregations, as well as PW moderators in the presbytery and synod, PW leadership coordinators, members of PW’s Churchwide Coordinating Team, presbytery and synod resource centers, Celebration Giving representatives and PW treasurers.

SHIP TO

Name ____________________________________________________________________________

Address _________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

City ____________________________________________________________________

State ____________________________________ Zip ___________________________

(Please use a street address—UPS cannot deliver to a PO box.)

PROMO CODE TOF17

Three Ways To Order

1. By mail: Complete this form, make check payable to Presbyterian Women and mail to:

Presbyterian Women in the PC(USA), Inc. PDS Prepaid Processing PO Box 643674 Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3674

2. By phone: Call 800/524-2612.

3. Online: Go to www.pcusa.org/store (type “Thank Offering” in the search box).

PWR17488

2017 THANK OFFERING of Presbyterian Women

To view the free 2017 Thank Offering promotional video,go to the PW YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/presbyterianwomen.

To order other Thank Offering resources (including additional promotional booklets),

call 800/524-2612 or visit www.pcusa.org/store.

Learn more about the Thank Offering at www.presbyterianwomen.org/thank.

Donate to or learn more about the Thank Offering of Presbyterian Women

by visiting www.presbyterianwomen.org/thank or calling 844/PW-PCUSA (844/797-2872), ext. 5402.

* New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission.

On either side of the river is the tree of life . . .

and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

—Revelation 22:2b*

For the Healing of the Nations

2017 THANK OFFERINGPresbyterian Women in the PC(USA), Inc.100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202-1396

NonprofitOrganizationU.S. PostagePAIDLouisville, KYPermit No. 1215

PWR

1747

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