United Presbyterian Women

Three circles of United Presbyterian Women met during February. Circle III met at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, at the church. Four members attended. Marilyn Johnston led the meeting in the absence of leader Jane Fehr. Marilyn opened the meeting with prayer followed by prayers of joys and concerns.

Eleanor Waring led devotions and told of a program in the Presbytery of San Gabriel in California. Two youth leaders started a program that provided hands-on experiences of compassion and discipleship for junior high students. The next year they held a retreat. The year after 42 senior high students participated in Ghost Ranch's Youth Service Corps.

Phyllis VanGerpen led Lesson Six, ?The Aroma of God Among Us.? The Biblical focus was from Second Corinthians 2:14-17 and 6:14-7:1.

Phyllis reported on the Backpack program at Stewart School. Also, she reported that the Callisons, missionaries who correspond with Circle III, have returned to northern Iraq to serve the Kurdish population there.

On Feb. 11, hostess Julia Gamon welcomed 10 members of Circle IV and one guest. Betty Beenblossom spoke about three UPW mission projects: Operation Backpack, Camp Wyoming and ONEighty Teen Center

Addy Sents gave a reading from Meditations for Grandmothers titled ?What is Love?? Kay Hall gave the secretary's and treasurer's reports. Janice Twinam will be making arrangements for the Brownlee hymn sing on March 3.

Davida Nicholson read a disturbing letter from Tom Johnson of Niger telling of the terror and destruction in their area. The homes and furnishings of Tom's in-laws were destroyed or burned. Churches were looted, Christian schools and 12 Christian homes were set on fire and the list went on. He reported that there were some Muslim people who helped the Christians escape. They praised God that no one suffered any severe physical injury. They pray for rebuilding and for opportunities for God's witness.

Esther Bordwell read Psalm 46 and from the Yearbook of Prayer. She read of a coffee grower in Nicaragua who, thanks to abundant rain and the renewal of tree growth, is able to grow organic coffee for Fair Trade for the Presbyterian Church.

Esther had the lesson ?Reconciliation and the Whole Creation.? She gave much food for thought by sharing a piece about the EPA, speaking of the Justice and Peacemaking Unit of the Presbyterian Church USA. She shared some questions from a 15-page questionnaire to churches as to what their efforts were along these lines. Members read Second Cortinthians 5:11-6:10, verse by verse, with each reader stating in her own words what the verse meant to her.

Circle V met Tuesday, Feb. 17 at the church at 7 p.m. Jean Wells was hostess to five members.

Jean opened the meeting with readings that included Romans 4:20 and Matthew 6:4. Roll call consisted of memorable heavy snows in the past.

Betty Colby presented devotions and also led the study of the evening. She read Job 37:5-12 and other interesting writings. The group discussed Paul's reconciliation teaching of new creation and the current world of new creation. Betty's readings from Horizons and Outlook added interest to the study. She closed with prayer.

Hostess Jean served colorful and delicious refreshments.