United Presbyterian Women

The three circles of United Presbyterian Women held their meetings in January. Circle III met on Tuesday morning, Jan.13, at the church with six members attending. In the absence of Leader Jane Fehr, Marilyn Johnston led the meeting. She started with prayer followed by prayers of joys and concerns.

Eleanor Waring led Lesson 5 concerning Paul?s letters to the Corinthians. Emphasis throughout the lesson concerned the impact of human over-consumption on the environment and Paul?s phrase ?new creation.? For Paul, ?new creation? summarizes God?s activity in the work of reconciliation.

Marilyn reminded the group of upcoming events: the Brownlee hymn/sing on Feb. 3 and the Feb. 4 birthday luncheon. The luncheon includes all the circles. It will begin at 11:45 at the church. Attendees should bring their own table service and a dish to pass, anything except dessert.

Mary Case presented devotions and told of a program in Central Florida Presbytery. It sent 11 representatives to Cuba to set up partnerships with 14 congregations there. The meeting closed with prayer.

Addy Sents was hostess to Circle IV on Jan. 14, in the Campbell Room at the United Presbyterian Home. Eight members and one guest attended.

Esther Bordwell opened the meeting by reading "A Covenant" by Margaret Hasaka. Kay Hall gave the minutes and treasurer?s report. Julia Gamon, Jane Cuddeback, Betty Beenblossom and Janice Twinam will provide for the Brownlee birthday party. Plans were made for serving as hosts at the Feb. 4 birthday luncheon.

Janice read the letter from Tom Johnson, who asks for prayers for his father and for the safety of his family and ministry in Niger. Janice read about the Synod of South Atlantic in which they talked of how they appreciated hearing from people who were praying for Columbia. The Presbytery, including Charleston, S.C., is addressing the need for technology for schools and the community. They are working to open computer labs.

Kay led the lesson from 2 Corinthians concerning the treasure in clay jars. Through the ages people have been judged, persecuted and segregated according to physical and other differences. For Paul, God's power is best exemplified in the crucified body of the Jewish Jesus. The broken Jesus still remained a treasure and overcame defeat, even in the death dealt to him by the most powerful empire of his time. The meeting closed with unison prayer,

Vivian Griffith was hostess to Circle V at the church on Tuesday evening, Jan. 20. Six members attended.

Leader Jean Wells opened the meeting with a reading. She read 2 Corinthians 9:15 and Philippians 2:9-11. Roll call was ?New Year?s Resolutions.? Circle V is responsible for refreshments for the Brownlee Birthday Party at 2 p.m. on Feb.18. Maxine Martin, Mary McCall, Betty Colby, Vivian Griffith and Wilma Wright will furnish cakes, punch and napkins.

Vivian led devotions. The group sang ?Blest Be the Tie That Binds? in unison. She read ?the Parable of the Pencil? and Ephesians 2:10 and closed with prayer.

Maxine read correspondence she received from the circle?s missionaries in Indonesia, Dr. Bernard and Dr. Farsyana Adenery-Risakstia.

Jean Wells led the study on Paul?s continued connection to the church in Corinth. She closed with prayer. The hostess served delicious refreshments as members visited together.