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What is on the horizon?

As many of you travelled to Louisville recently to attend the Churchwide PW Gathering in August, you may have observed an early morning vista where the land and sky appeared to meet in the distance. As you continued, that horizon line remained beyond your reach, but you anticipated that there was still something special beyond it. Sleepy eyes and bodies did not hold back the air of excitement that expectantly awaited you.

The PW Churchwide Gathering did not let anyone down with its well-planned activities- plenaries, workshops, meals, worship, shopping, exhibits, and more. Little did first-timers know what to expect beyond their horizons of imaginations - seas of women from all walks of life; faithful devotion and graciousness; new ways to do mission; new friendships and re-acquaintances; and a confirmation that PW is not “dying” but aspiring! Read more of the personal stories inside this issue of The Sower and share them with your circles and PW friends. If you were unable to go, you can get a perspective from those who did.

As we traveled to Louisville, the sun we knew was beyond the horizon, but could not yet see, did come up. Just as we never know what lies ahead or beyond, we can have faith that there is still light and life. Faith is believing in the unseen. PW thrives on that belief and brings hope and light to our world. Our new Horizons Bible study: God’s Promise, I Am with You, confirms and comforts us as we continue to serve others through PW. If your group has never used the Horizons Bible Study, I advise you to begin with this one. The scriptures will lead you down a path into new horizons and discoveries.

Arise, shine, your light has come! Sue Kimball

Moderator of the PW Synod Coordinating Team

October 2018 Editor: Linda Barnett

The Sower {resbyterian

Newsletter for the Presbyterian Women

in the Synod of Lakes & Prairies

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Mark your calendars: Oct 19-21, 2018 - PWSCT meets at Presbyterian Church of the Master in Omaha, NE

Nov 1, 2018 - deadline to apply for UN Commission on the Status of Women

April 5-7, 2019 - PWSCT meets in Boone/Ames, IA

June 20-23, 2019 - PW Synod Gathering at Gateway Hotel and Conference Center, Ames, IA

July 12-21, 2019 - USA Mission Experience in western New York - “Standing on the Shoulders of Empowered Women”

October 2019 - PWSCT meeting TBA Consider a church in your presbytery and let us know!

Every minute someone leaves this world behind.

We are all in “the line” without knowing it. ...

We never know how many people are before us.

We can not move to the back of the line.

We can not step out of the line. We can not avoid the line. So while we wait in line -

Make moments count. Make priorities. Make the time. Make your gifts known.

Make a nobody feel like a somebody. Make your voice heard. Make the small things big.

Make someone smile. Make the change. Make love. Make up. Make peace.

Make sure to tell your people they are loved. Make sure to have no regrets.

Make sure you are ready. Above all else.....

Make sure you know Christ as your Savior Submitted by Sue Kimball

Churchwide Gathering Giving

Participants gave generously to Cents-Ability’s hunger ministries ($1,659); the Gathering offering ($38,733), benefiting the Mission Pledge, PW’s annual fund; and to the D.I.A.P.E.R. Project, Lily’s Place, and Kentucky Refugee Ministries (gift cards totaling $32,470). (Please note that all of these dollar figures reflect to-date giving as of August 29, 2018.)

Through your contribution of items to the silent auction, as well as your good-natured bidding, you helped PW raise $10,478 for the Mission Pledge. High bidders took home beautiful quilts (the Bible study quilt alone, crafted by outgoing vice moderator for mission Judy Persons, brought a whopping $1,200!), gift baskets, vacation packages, purses, framed artwork, and more!

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SYNOD GATHERING OF PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

IN THE SYNOD OF LAKES AND PRAIRIES

JUNE 20-23, 2019

GATEWAY HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER

AMES, IOWA

Program Highlights will include: Morning and evening worship Bible study

Selection of workshops Mission display

Hands-on mission project Many speakers

Book display Fair trade store

Movies Mission trip

Who should attend: Women of all ages who would like to join in Christian Fellowship

and looking for a spiritually enriching experience.

Choose from a variety of workshops including a look at the 2019-2020 PW Bible Study, mission

speakers, justice and peace opportunities, leadership training, and some fun things.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Rev. Kathy Reeves, retired mission coordinator for Presbyterian

Women, Inc.

PLENARY SPEAKERS:

Elona Street-Stewart, synod executive of Synod of Lakes and Prairies

Mary Newburn-Williams, executive presbyter of Presbytery of Missouri River Valley

WORSHIP LEADER: Rev. Suzanne Gorhau

BIBLE STUDY LEADER: Kathleen Keefer

MUSIC LEADER: Kris Peterson

ACCOMMODATIONS AT THE GATEWAY All events for the Gathering will be held at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center. All

participants will reserve their own rooms. Give them the dates and tell them you are with

Presbyterian Women. We have rooms with 2 beds blocked off for our use. The room rate is

$119/night plus taxes for 1-4 in a room. If you start saving $1/day now, you will have your registration

and room covered by next June.

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FROM YOUR PW SYNOD REP TO CCT, MARILYN STONE:

2019 Mission Pledge, PW’s Annual Fund The Mission Pledge, PW’s annual fund, supports every mission and ministry of PW – no exceptions! At every level of the organization, the Mission Pledge brings to life the commitments made in the PW Purpose.

Giving to the Mission Pledge means carrying PW’s witness and care around the world. Please prayerfully consider your Mission Pledge to PW for 2019! PW in the Congregation should forward their pledge form to PW in the Presbytery by November 15, 2018. PW in the Presbytery should forward the pledge form to PW in the Synod moderator, Sue Kimball and also the PW Business Office by December 3, 2018.

Thank Offering The Thank Offering provides food and water, alleviates homelessness, provides educational opportunities, promotes health, and improves the lives of women, children and men throughout the world in many other ways. In 2018—thanks to your generous giving to the 2017 Thank Offering—16 projects (12 national and 4 international) will receive grants from the Thank Offering.

Thank Offering gifts should be forwarded to the PW Presbytery treasurer by December 10, 2018.

UN Commission on the Status of Women in March 11-22, 2019 Presbyterian Women advocates for justice for women and girls at the international level through the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). The Commission is the principal intergovernmental body dedicated to the promotion

of gender equality and the empowerment of women. CSW is instrumental in shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women. Representatives of Presbyterian Women have been participating in the annual Commission since 2005. In July 2018, PW gained official status with the Economic

and Social Council at the UN! PW now has it’s own voice with that of the PC(USA) and Ecumenical Women at the UN – something that has been worked on since early 2000!

The 63rd session will meet March 11-22, 2019 at UN headquarters in New York City. This year’s priority theme is “Social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.”

To become a part of the PW representation, complete the attached application now. DEADLINE for applying is November 1st, 2018. A $500 scholarship can be applied for through PW Leadership Development Grant. Contact Marilyn Stone, mmstone52@att.net. This is an opportunity and experience you will not forget!

Ecumenical Advocacy Days - April 5-8, 2019 Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD) holds an annual National Gathering providing participants with tools to be effective Christian witnesses to justice, peace, and integrity of creation around carefully chosen issues of national and international importance. Incorporating music, art, worship, education, and social activities, the weekend event informs and engages participating advocates in a comprehensive way.

Ecumenical Advocacy Days will be held April 2-8, 2019 in Washington, D.C. Consider joining other Presbyterian Women in this informative event!

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Reflecting On Light

This last reflection is from Cleda Locey, PW’s first churchwide moderator. Cleda, who stepped up and led the

“new” PW 30 years ago, reminds us now that we are here to “reflect the light that God has provided.”

Arise! Shine! Your Light Has Come!

I saw this cartoon recently:

Things to Do

1. Rise 2. Coffee 3. Shine

The Atlanta Falcons football team used “Rise up” as their

rallying cry last year. So when one of the plenary speakers

used “Rise up” in her message, I was ready to stand and

yell, “Go team!” This year the Falcons have changed their

theme to “Together we rise.” Presbyterians would be on

board with that, too.

I think we have the “rise” part pretty well covered. We

know that we must get out of bed or out of our chairs and prepare to act, whether that’s brushing our teeth

or feeding the hungry. We rise to the occasion. It’s the shine part that gives us trouble.

What does it mean to shine? We polish our shoes or our cars until they shine. When our students excel in

school, we say they shine. We sing “Shine on, harvest moon.” Maybe that gives us the best hint. We have

learned that the moon has no natural light; it just reflects light from the sun. We don’t have to generate the

light; we reflect the light God has provided.

“I am the light of the world,” said Jesus. We were reminded at the Gathering that “our light has come.” So,

what are we reflecting? When we let our light shine, what do others see? They see a woman praying,

thanking God and seeking mercy for others. They see a Bible being read and discussed. They see pennies

and dimes and dollars providing fresh water where it is needed around the world and a bowl of soup to

nourish hungry bodies and a word of Good News to weary souls. They see women marching in the streets

for justice and strangers working together for peace. They see the lonely being welcomed and the unloved

being hugged and the love of God bringing light to lives still in the dark.

Let’s face it. That light of yours isn’t so little. It reflects the light of the universe brightening the corner where

you are.

New PW Churchwide leadership

Marilyn Stone – our CCT representative

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Churchwide Gathering Remembered

Stepping Out for Justice and Peace Submitted by Kathleen Keefer, Justice and Peace

And the crowds shouted, “This is what democracy looks like. This is what democracy looks like.” It was hot and very humid in downtown Louisville, KY, in the late afternoon on August 4, 2018. But the crowd, proud and protesting Presbyterian Women, marched on, stopping traffic and chanting. Signs, that said, “All Are God’s People,” “Bridge the Divide,” “Black Lives Matter,” and “Redlining is Discrimination”

were lifted to the cadence of the chant.

Prior to beginning the march, we staunch protesters met in the lobby of the Galt House Hotel to listen to the Mayor of Louisville, Greg Fischer. He talked about the initiative that will help the city of Louisville begin to heal and rebuild from the devastating effects of 50+ years of Redlining in the area west of Ninth Street. Mayor Fischer admitted to the problems in his city and is working hard with council members, industry and other businesses to turn around the after effects of discrimination.

Redlining was a practice of discriminatory lending practices popular in the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. It was deemed unlawful in 1950, but the damage to communities was already done.

Redlining was a refusal to lend money for mortgages for individual homeowners, businesses, and industry for property in the “Redlined” areas of a city. In Louisville, this was the area west of 9th Street. It meant that not only were individuals unable to get mortgages to purchase their own homes, but it also meant that other companies – grocery stores, department stores and light industry, could not locate stores or shops in the area. It also meant that businesses could not get insurance as it was thought to be too high a risk. Without the ability to buy their own homes (or buy homes anywhere else), to work or shop locally, the people already living in poverty could never break out of the cycle.

After the March, we congregated at the Muhammad Ali Center, a Cultural Center and Museum dedicated to Louisville native, Muhammad Ali. Here, the Stated Clerk of the PC (USA) J. Herbert Nelson spoke about racism, discrimination, and redlining. He encouraged Presbyterian Women to continue to speak up against injustice in our country and throughout the world.

I was reminded of the admonition, by Co-Moderator of the General Assembly- Ruling Elder Vilmarie Cintron-Olivieri , given at the business meeting. She told us to, “Be bold, be bodacious, be unapologetic.” Certainly, my new words to live by!

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Quotes from Plenary Speakers – and various pictures

Ruth F. Santana-Grace : August 2, 2018 Evening Plenary – “ Have you imagined him out there? I have. Moses—out in the fields, minding his flock and his business, content—thinking “life is okay.” Then God breaks in, burning bush and all, disrupting the calm by compelling Moses to see and understand what is happening outside his little “life bubble.” “With 5 verbs, we get profound insights into

God’s heart and into our call. God declares to see and observe the misery of humanity; to hear the cries and to know the suffering of a people he loves. God’s heart is so deeply moved that God says, so I have come down—not to simply hang with them in their pain, but to deliver them. I am breaking in to bring them up out of that place. The Hebrew word here is “kumi,” which means to restore. God is saying to Moses, “I have entered this space so that my people might be restored; that they might rise beyond all that has imprisoned them spiritually and physically and be led into a new land. And I am calling you Moses to serve as my ambassador.” Wow!”

Jieun Kim Han : August 4, 2018 Morning Plenary “ How many of you knew the song “Won’t you be my neighbor?” How many of you have grown up with the tv show Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood? How many of you who have no idea where this song came from or who Mr. Rogers was?

“During the plenary yesterday morning, the Horizons Skit did a marvelous job on Mrs. Rogers’ Neighborhood. I got a little nervous when I learned we ended up coming up with the same idea. I believe the Holy Spirit had something to do with this. I originally wanted to add some Korean into it so I would change to my modernized Korean traditional clothes, my

hanbok (한복), and sat on the bench to change to my indoor slippers that

are very familiar to Koreans. However, I didn’t want to repeat that. At any rate, I would like to talk about Mr. Rogers and I hope my version of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood would provide another new perspective.

“For those who don’t know about Mr. Rogers or Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, let me briefly explain. Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood was an American half-hour educational children’s television series that was created and hosted by Fred Rogers. It was a long-running television show, nearly 40 years on PBS, Public Broadcasting Service until August 31, 2001. Rev. Fred McFeely Rogers— aka Mr. Rogers—was a proud PC(USA) Minister of Word and Sacrament. He was born in 1928 and the news broke in February 2003 that Mr. Rogers had died, it moved many people to tears. He was one of the individuals who had the ability to connect with millions of people, particularly children, in profound and meaningful ways. He was not afraid to talk about difficult topics such as divorce, race and diversity, anger, gender equality at the level of children. Mr. Rogers changed to his famous zip-up cardigan sweater, sang same welcoming song and sat on the bench to change to his sneakers.”

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Susan Jackson Dowd : August 5, 2018 Morning Plenary – “ The Butterfly Effect - How many of you have heard of the butterfly effect? This concept was studied by Edward Lorenz, a scientist and a chaostician—I rather like this. I felt like a chaostician in the weeks leading up to the Business Meeting and Gathering. I felt a little like one last night during installation! If you have seen Jurassic Park, Jeff Goldblum plays a chaostician, Ian Malcolm, who asks a lot of questions about how bringing the dinosaurs back is going to work out for us.

“Chaosticians work on something called chaos theory. Chaos theory says—in a very simplified “Susan’s not a scientist but likes these concepts” kind of way—random acts (chaos) are not so random. Random acts, over time, create patterns that can be ultimately observed and understood. Much of creation is like this.

“Lorenz, while studying chaos back in the 1950s, began to note something he called the Butterfly Effect. This is a phenomenon that shows a tiny local change in a complex system can have a large impact elsewhere. When a butterfly flaps its wings, ripples are put in motion that can result in a hurricane half way a world away. Have you heard of this, the Butterfly Effect? So, small changes and actions can have large consequences in unpredictable places, and cause unknown impact.”

From Churchwide Daily Horizons – and various pictures

Letting the Light In - by Sharon Dunne Gillies – Issue 2 – “Before adorning the plenary stage, the paper

backdrop was carefully cut and created on the floor of Oklahoma City’s Westminster Presbyterian Church’s fellowship hall by plenary team member Darci McKinnon.

180 yards of paper. 23 box cutter blades. 15 rolls of tape. 200 hours of cutting.

“That’s just the start of what Darci McKinnon put into creating the backdrop for the plenary stage. … For the 2018 Gathering, Darci says the plenary team ‘thought about images that went with each of the daily themes and how to interpret those themes visually. And of course, it was important to make the PW logo central!’ Knowing how beautifully light can play on the photographic backdrop paper, Darci says the cut paper technique seemed a perfect fit for a Gathering whose theme is ‘Arise, shine, your light has come!’”

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Out of Chaos, Hope - by Louise Van Poll – Issue 2 – “’Out of chaos, hope.’

That is the motto of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Forty-seven women participated in an eight-hour disaster preparedness training prior to the start of the 2018 PW Churchwide Gathering. … ministries they support. PDA now includes a couple of new steps in their work—one of them being disaster preparedness. The thinking is, ‘Let’s not just help after a disaster, let’s help people prepare for it, because being adequately prepared can lead to saved lives and less fear.’ Beth [Snyder]

says, ‘People who know what to do, where to go and what to expect in an emergency do not panic or experience debilitating fear.’ … The PDA/PW training trains volunteers who then train congregations in their presbyteries. After Wednesday’s training event, the number of PW trainers now exceeds 100. ‘That will increase the number of people we can reach across the country and that, in turn, will save lives,’ Beth adds.” Those trained in Synod of the Lakes and Prairies are:

Those PW trained on August 1, 2018: Kathleen Keefer, Clarinda, IA, Presbytery of Missouri River Valley, klkeefer@mail.com Linda (Kitch) Shatzer, Washington, IA, Presbytery of East Iowa, revkitch@hotmail.com Elizabeth Swee, Moorhead, MN, Presbytery of Northern Plains, bswee@aol.com Louise Van Poll, Huron, SD, Presbytery of South Dakota, lcvanpoll@gmail.com

Those trained at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center, October 2016 Marilyn Stone, Burlington, WI, Presbytery of Milwaukee, mmstone52@att.net Maggie Horak, Lincoln, NE, Presbytery of Homestead, mmhlin@msn.com Linda Barnett, Hendricks, MN, Presbytery of South Dakota, barnelim@hotmail.com

Churchwide Resources and Information Available

“Arise and Shine!”—written by Ann Weber—is available for you to sing, hum, even share in your upcoming circle meetings and regional events! Download the Gathering hymn at www.presbyterianwomen.org/downloads/2018-churchwide-gathering-theme-hymn/ . Please note that the other hymns from Gathering plenaries are not the property of PW; check the copyright information that follows each hymn to request permission for use in your program. Email sharon.gillies@pcusa.org with questions.

PW thespians, dig out the props! Horizons skits from the Gathering are also available for use as is or

sprinkled with a generous dollop of regional silliness, . . . er, context. Download from https://www.presbyterianwomen.org/downloads/horizons-skits/ . The “Good Samaritan: A Paraphrase” script is at at https://www.presbyterianwomen.org/downloads/the-good-samaritan-a-paraphrase/ .

Trying to remember a moving quote from plenary? Want to include a call to action in your next newsletter? A number of plenary speakers have provided their manuscripts for PWs who want to revisit the presentations. See the manuscripts available at https://www.presbyterianwomen.org/?s=plenary+2018&post_type=downloads.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then it may be easier to recap the Gathering in photographs! From plenaries to the march, from the business meeting to synod lunches, you’ll see many Gathering highlights on PW’s Flickr page (https://www.flickr.com/photos/presbyterianwomen) .

If a picture is worth a thousand words, how many words are videos worth?!? After you watch the Gathering videos on PW’s YouTube channel, you’ll likely agree the videos are worth at least a million words! Go to www.youtube.com/user/PresbyterianWomen/videos .

If you didn’t pick up a copy of the 2015–2018 Triennial Report of Presbyterian Women during the Gathering,

you can download one. “Sharing God’s Blessings” is the theme of the report because, let’s face it, that’s what we do; the document summarizes just a few of PW’s amazing ministries. Go to www.presbyterianwomen.org/downloads/2015-2018-triennial-report/ to download.

Trainers in Louisville

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PLENTY OF TIME Moments of Peace in the Presence of God

Reflections on God’s Gift of Love, Hope and Happiness Submitted by Gloria Rust, Moderator of MN Valleys Presbytery

A thousand years mean nothing to you! They are merely a day gone by or a few hours in the night. PSALM 90:4 CEV

Time is both an enemy and a friend. You do your best to conquer it, and yet it continually slips through your fingers. You measure your life, your successes, and your productivity in terms of minutes, hours, days, and weeks. You often lose your hope in the future and in the fulfillment of your dreams as time passes. God isn’t subject to your concept of time, for he is the Master of the universe. When you place your trust in him, you can know with certainty that you have all the time you need to do what he has created you to do and that you have plenty of time to become all that he created you to be. Your brightest hour is always ahead, never behind!

Lord, I trust you. I have said, “You are my God.” My life is in your hands. PSALM 31:14-15

I place my seconds, minutes, hours, and days in your hands, God. I thank you for restoring my hope in the future. Amen.

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Inviting you to be part of the

B E - J E W E L E D P A R T Y

at PW Synod Gathering!

June 20-23, 2019 Ames, Iowa will be the site of the Presbyterian Women of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies Synod Gathering.

Please bring a piece of jewelery that you are willing to DONATE to PW.

We will sell all donated pieces for $5.00 each.

Proceeds will be given to a LOCAL MISSION project.

Unsold items will be donated to a local womens shelter

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WHY AS PRESBYTERIANS WE SHOULD VOTE Selections from “Lift Every Voice”

Submitted by Linda Hora, Leadership Enhancement Coordinator

As far back as 1947 the PCUSA has shown its support for civil rights and the right of all people to be heard at the voting booth. The legacy continues. Democracy has been more than simply a point of pride for Presbyterians in the United Sates. It is part of our heritage and an object of our repeated concern as we still struggle to make democracy real for African Americans and other voluntary immigrants and racial minorities, women, and young people. Democratic government begins with personal responsibility--to share in making the rules under which we live in society--and it includes rules and civic practices designed to ensure “liberty and justice for all.” Our tradition has never accorded special virtue or power to bishops or kings or their modern equivalents. Positively stated, each of us has an affirmative political vocation that comes with citizenship in our system of self-government.

Historically, we Presbyterians have made much of the parallel between our system of government in the church, with its elected leadership in the session, the presbytery, the synod, and the General Assembly and that of the United States moving from local to state and to federal elections. Power is held in trust for the common good.

However, the United States does not guarantee their citizens the right to vote but rather a privilege that may be denied. The United States has more than 10,000 separate voting jurisdictions with separate laws and regulations. A citizen’s right to vote depends on where you live. The Presbyterian church has encouraged community involvement and political activity on the part of its members, especially toward meeting urgent human needs. The most basic political activity is the responsibility to vote and to ensure that others are empowered for that same responsibility.

Our PCUSA is recommending:

Toward Increasing Voter Participation

Toward Insuring Equality and Fairness

Toward Enforcing Accountability and Responsibility in Our Electoral Process

Proposals for Renewing Our Democracy

There are detailed points under each of these proposals and more information can be found in the publication: “LIFT EVERY VOICE Democracy, Voting Rights, and Electoral Reform” published by The Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy and The Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns. Copies are available for $3.00 each by calling PDS, 1-800-524-2612. Please specify PDS order #02-052-08-003.

Members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are among the most politically active of U.S. citizens. We vote at a higher percentage than other Americans, and give significant amounts of money to political campaigns. Our time to act is now. There are several levels at which you can become politically active. Get involved. The future of democracy depends on it!

At a minimum, VOTE in the upcoming mid-term elections.

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Native American Concerns Corner

How is God calling you to walk with our Native American Brothers and Sisters? Submitted by Donna Preston, Native American Concerns Facilitator

Over the last few months I realized that I have been blessed with leading the partnership between Presbytery of Northern Plains Bdecan Ministry Team and Bdecan Presbyterian Church, Tokio, ND, on the Spirit Lake Reservation. Not only have I developed a relationship with the members of the Bdecan Church but I have also developed a relationship with many people and churches throughout the United States who have had a mission experience at Bdecan. God called me to be a leader to work for an impoverished area within our state through my leadership of the Bdecan Ministry Team. Our team was able to hire a youth and outreach coordinator to run both children’s programs and food pantry/clothing closet plus work with mission teams who come to make things better for the people of Bdecan Presbyterian Church and the Wood Lake District of the Reservation. I have been blessed to build relationships not only with the people of the church but also guide and mentor Joe Obermeyer in his job as the Youth and Outreach Coordinator. I have also built relationships both in our own Presbytery and throughout the US with other churches as I work to raise funds for our ministry at Bdecan. God is working in mysterious ways and has not only blessed me but our Ministry Team and especially the Bdecan Church.

With all this said, it has been on my heart for about four years how to take this further throughout the Dakota Presbytery. The Native American Concerns Committee is working to identify projects that PWs can support. However, I still believe there are other ways that PWP groups could pick a church within the Dakota Presbytery to help them to remain viable. Lately the members of the Bdecan Presbyterian Church have shared that they don’t know how long they can continue to hang on. Their numbers are decreasing and their offerings are not keeping up with their bills. They have shared that they are so thankful for groups that send money to help pay their propane and electrical bills. We have encouraged groups to find out where the propane is bought and which electrical company provides the electricity and send the money directly to these entities. I am sure other Dakota Presbytery churches are also struggling in this matter and could use help with these bills.

I know people struggle with having gas money for their vehicles or money for school clothes for their children as well as many other needs. One thing we have found is gift cards are great Christmas presents for the families and children so they can go buy food and/or clothes they need.

I pray that groups will think outside the box and find ways to connect with our Native American brothers and sisters to help them out in their daily struggles. Christmas, Thanksgiving, and the winter months are just around the corner; where can you help? How is God calling you to walk with our Dakota brothers and sisters?

Blessings, Donna ======================================================================

Interested in Becoming Familiar with our Sisters in the Dakota Presbytery? An Opportunity

The Dakota Presbytery meeting is October 5-7, 2018, hosted by the Cedar PC, Lake Andes, SD. The actual

meeting place is White Swan Community Center, next to the Fort Randall Pow-Wow Arena: ½ mile east, ½

mile south of Lake Andes.

For future information in case anyone would like to attend: The Dakota Presbytery meetings are always held

the first Friday (beginning with dinner at 5PM) thru Sunday noon of May and October. The Mission

Meeting is always the second weekend of August (Thursday - 5PM thru Sunday - NOON).

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Mission - Justice and Peace Corner

🎶 “We are marching in the light of God . . . ” 🎶

The “Stepping Out for Justice and Peace” march was spectacular and put a spotlight on healing

divisions within our communities. Even Louisville’s mayor made it a point to be with us! But don’t

retire your walking shoes just yet! Working for justice and peace is a point of our PW Purpose

because, quite frankly, there remains lots of work to be done.

Download the march brochure to learn more about the issues and to inspire you to address

these issues in your communities.

PW’s justice and peace bookmarks have been updated and are available for placing within the

pages of an amazing book (how about Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson or Change of Heart by

Jeanne Bishop?) as well as inspiring justice-and-peace activities and dates. Order from the PW

Shop. And don’t forget to continue wearing black on Thursdays and orange on the 25th day of

each month. (Conveniently, October 25 is a Thursday! Wear black and orange that day and

explain that you are not dressed for Halloween; you are dressed for justice!)

Taken from final Gathering Quest e-mail.

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PW Working for Justice and Peace 2018 Calendar October

Domestic Violence Awareness Month PW Courageous Conversations: Violence Against Women Fair Trade Month National Bullying Prevention Month 7 World Communion Sunday 7 Domestic Violence Awareness Sunday 8 Indigenous Peoples’ Day 11 International Day of the Girl Child 11 National Coming Out Day 16 World Food Day 21 Children’s Sabbath: Educate a Child, Transform the World 24 United Nations Day 25 Orange Day November

American Indian Heritage Month Native American Heritage Month 1 Deadline for applying to Presbyterian CSW delegation 2 World Community Day 9–14 International Fair Trade Week

12 Caregiver Sunday 13 World Kindness Day 18 Hunger and Homeless Sunday 20 Universal Children’s Day 22 Thanksgiving—For the Native perspective, see http:// nmai.si.edu/sites/1/files/pdf/education/thanksgiving_ poster.pdf 25 Orange Day; http://endviolence.un.org 25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 25–D.10 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence December

5 International Volunteer Day 10 International Human Rights Day 18 International Migrants Day 25 Christmas; Orange Day January

National Slavery/Human Trafficking Awareness Month See presbyterianwomen.org/justice for the complete calendar.

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God’s Hand in a Mission Project Submitted by Belinda Breit, Mission and Advocacy Coordinator

You might think this picture is the result of a fantastic shopping

day with lots of money spent. In reality, it is 32 baby kits packed and

ready to go to Rapid City, SD, to the Child Protective Services of the

Sioux Nation. My sister has access to lots of used but very nice baby

clothes through a consignment sale she participates in. She gives me

the clothes and I put together the kits. This time, they had 2

receiving blankets, 2 sleepers, 3 onesies, a sweater, and a new wash

cloth. The fantastic part of the story is that I was visiting a quilting

group at First Presbyterian Church in White Bear Lake, MN, and Enola

Patterson, one of the quilters, happened to mention that she and her

sister were driving to Rapid City on vacation. I jumped right into the conversation and asked if she

would deliver these baby kits for me, saving me hundreds of dollars in shipping costs. She graciously said

she would and she did.

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Top Ten Reasons to Become Involved in Presbyterian Women Submitted by Linda Hora, Leadership Enhancement Coordinator

1. To use your time in meaningful ways 2. To meet new people and make new friends 3. To give direction to the future of the Presbyterian Church 4. To learn marketable skills, gain valuable experiences, and share these with others 5. To transfer your Christian belief into action 6. To discover new outlets for creative expression and feel a sense of accomplishment 7. To gain a sense of making a contribution to the lives of others 8. To enjoy the fellowship and fun of working with others for a common purpose 9. To grow and develop personally as a Christian woman and disciple of Jesus Christ 10. To be challenged by Christ’s call to be servant leaders

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Book Reviews

I recommend ‘Before We Were Yours’ by Lisa Wingate. submitted by Belinda Breit

“Based on one of America’s most notorious real-life scandals—in which Georgia Tann, director of a Memphis-based adoption organization, kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country—Lisa Wingate’s riveting, wrenching, and ultimately uplifting tale reminds us how, even though the paths we take can lead to many places, the heart never forgets where we belong.” (Amazon)

Based on the response of friends and family who read this book, you won’t be able to put it down. Available at Costco.

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Officers & Appointed Positions April, 2018 (changes highlighted)

Moderator: Sue Kimball (2016-19) -Des Moines 12339 Pershing St Indianola, IA 50125 515-961-2493 C kimballsusan53@yahoo.com Vice Moderator: Maggie Horak (2017-20) - Homestead 5601 Barrington Park Dr Lincoln, NE 68516 402-429-0523 C mmhlin@msn.com Secretary: Kathleen Keefer (2017-20) - MO River Valley - Box 243 - 315 N 19th Clarinda, Iowa 51632 712-542-0039 KLKeefer@mail.com Treasurer: Jan Nelson (2015-18) -Winnebago- 985 N. Broadway #32 DePere WI 54115 920-338-0155 jnelson35@new.rr.com Search Committee: Annabelle Wells (2015-18) (Chr) - Central Nebraska- 6825 Cottonmill Ave. Kearney, NE 68845 308-893-2156 Annabelle.wells@gmail.com Nancy Siewert (2016-19) -Winnebago- 1511 Biemeret St. Green Bay, WI 54304 920-455-0002 H 920-609-2051 C dennis1829@att.net Beth Jensen (2017-20) – East Iowa - 6719 25th St. Van Horne, IA 52346 319-223-5742 H dbjensen@southslope.net

Historian: Helen McMasters (2015-18) -Milwaukee- 3595 Westshire Circle Delavan, WI 53115 262-740-1321 mcmasters.helen@gmail.com Churchwide CT Rep Marilyn Stone - Milwaukee 3915 Lake St Burlington, WI 53105 262-763-0918 (H) 262-492-7921 (C) mmstone52@att.net Appointive Positions: Justice and Peace Coordinator: Kathleen Keefer (2017-20) - MO River Valley - Box 243 - 315 N 19th Clarinda, Iowa 51632 712-542-0039 KLKeefer@mail.com Sower Editor: Linda Barnett –South Dakota- PO Box 193 Hendricks, MN 56136 507-275-4053 H thesower.slap@yahoo.com (newsletter) barnelim@hotmail.com (personal) Communications Coordinator: Susan Medsker-Nedderman - -Central Nebraska- 314 N. Cedar Ave. Hastings NE 68901-5348 402-984-3545 s.medsker.nedderman@gmail Leadership Enhancement Coordinator: Linda Hora –N Central Iowa- 1210 Southview Ct Boone, IA 50036 515-230-9275 C lindatoindia@gmail.com Mission & Advocacy Coordinator: Belinda Breit -Twin Cities- 345 Niagara Lane N Plymouth MN 55447 736-475-3568 H 612-306-5961 C belinda.breit@comcast.net

Native American Concerns: Ernestine Youpee -Dakota - PO Box 542 Poplar, MT 59255 406-768-7663 C 406-786-3491 eredboy@fortpecktribes.net LaVonne Looking Elk -Dakota- 3729 W. Chicago Rapid City. SD 57702 605-716-0888 H sllooking@rap.midco.net Sonia Weston -Dakota- PO Box 254 Pine Ridge, SD 57770 605-867-1623 H soniaw@gwtc.net Donna Preston – Northern Plains- PO Box 276 Grandin, ND 58038 701-484-5633 H 701-238-7414 C preston@gra.midco.net Marilyn Stone - Milwaukee 3915 Lake St Burlington, WI 53105 262-763-0918 (H) 262-492-7921 (C) mmstone52@att.net Sharon Falck - Des Moines 2009 Edmonson Dr Oskaloosa, IA 641-660-7615 sfalk@mahaska.org sfalk2009@gmail.com 2019 Synod Gathering Co-coordinators: Susan Medsker-Nedderman (Chair) 402-984-3545 Joan Berglund 402-440-5478 Terri Sherman 402-525-6008 Linda Hora 515-230-9275 Melissa Muzzy 319-231-5767

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PW – SLAP PWSCT Moderators/Representatives (changes hightlighted)

Central Nebraska -

Moderator/Rep

Annabelle Wells

6825 Cottonmill Ave.

Kearney, NE 68845

308-893-2156 H annabelle.wells@gmail.com

Term: 2013-2018

Dakota – Moderator/Rep

Dale Youngman PO Box 818

Pine Ridge, SD 57770 Term: 2015-2018

Des Moines -

Moderator/Rep

Sharon Falck 2009 Edmonson Dr Oskaloosa, IA 641-660-7615 sfalk@mahaska.org sfalk2009@gmail.com Term: 2018-2021 APR

East Iowa –

Moderator/Rep

Beth Jensen

6719 25th St.

Van Horne, IA 52346

319-223-5742 H

dbjensen@southslope.net

Term: 2017-2019 DEC

Homestead –

Moderator/Rep

Terri Sherman

12244 N 84th St

Lincoln, NE 68517 terri.sherman@zoetis.com terrisherman@windstream.net

402-441-2823 W

402-446-0063 H

402-525-6008 C

Term 2017-2020

John Knox –

Moderator/Rep

Janine Brandt

1362 175th St.

Postville, IA 52162

563-532-9427 H

563-419-7371 C

brandtja@luther.edu

Term: 2017-2020 APR

Milwaukee –Co-

Moderator/Rep

Judy Bell

5217 Roberts Drive

Greendale, WI 53129

414-423-0062 H

414-378-6437 C

jmoinebell@aol.com

Term: 2017-2021

Co-Moderator/Rep

Helen McMasters

3595 Westshire Cir

Delavan, WI 53115

262-740-1321 mcmasters.helen@gmail.com

Minnesota Valleys –

Moderator/Rep

Gloria Rust

1657 200th Ave.

Luverne, MN 56156

507-283-4975 H

507-227-7393 C

grust49@gmail.com

Term: 2018-2021 JUN

MO River Valley –

Moderator/Rep

Kathleen Keefer

Box 243 - 315 N. 19th

Clarinda, IA 51632-1419

712-542-0039 C

klkeefer@mail.com

Term: 2013-2017

N Central Iowa –

Moderator/Rep

Melissa Muzzy

2710 Clayton Dr.

Ames, IA 50010

319-231-5767 C

mkm.muzzy@gmail.com

Term: 2016-2019 APR

Linda Hora – Rep

1210 Southview Ct

Boone, IA 50036

515-230-9275

lindatoindia@gmail.com

Northern Plains –

Moderator/Rep

Lana Schultz

PO Box 891

Casselton, ND 58012

701-347-5308 H

701-238-4538 C

lanaj0@casselton.net

Term: 2016-2018 APR

Northern Waters –

Moderator/Rep

Janice Letsos

1414 Cypress Ave.

Superior, WI 54880

715-394-6009 H

715-919-3394 C jmletsos1414@outlook.com

Term: 2017-2020 APR

Prospect Hill - Moderator

Audrey Scholten

25 6th St. NE

LeMars, IA 51031

712-546-7608 H

akscholten@yahoo.com

Term: 2015-2018

Audrey Fenton – Co-Rep

1111 Meadowview Ct #4

Sioux City, IA 51106

712-276-6322

wayneaudrey@aol.com

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Learn about Presbyterian Women Presbyterian Women (PW) is the national women’s organization of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). With more than 300,000 members and 30 years as an organization, PW is organized at all levels of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Learn more about PW and consider joining your local group. It’s a good read at our website. www.presbyterianwomen.org

Here is a link to the Who-Ya-Gonna-Call? The Who’s Who at PW National http://www.pcusa.org/resource/pw-staff-who-ya-gonna-call/

The Synod of Lakes and Prairies website, find a link to “The Sower” there too. http://www.lakesandprairies.org/

“Like” Presbyterian Women of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies on Facebook!!! “The Sower” publishing dates are January, April, July & October. If you have an article or would like to have an article or

information on any particular subject, please send the Editor your article or question by/before the first of each of the above cited

months. thesower.slap@yahoo.com

If you have an e-mail address change, please send the notice of change to the Editor at the above e-mail address. If you know

someone wants to subscribe, please send the name and e-mail address to the above e-mail address. If you no longer wish to

receive “The Sower”, just send that request, yes, to the above cited e-mail address.

This section will be provided by any Presbyterian Woman who

would like to offer ideas that would be beneficial to others and

should be shared, rather than kept to herself. Send these to your

Sower editor, Linda Barnett thesower.slap@yahoo.com

South Dakota –

Moderator/Rep

Trudi Nelson

6498 Evergreen Acres Dr

Wentworth, SD 57075

605-636-9287 H

605-480-0560 C

nelsont@svtv.com

Term: 2016-2019

Twin Cities –

Moderator/Rep

Michele Gallick

6019 Cedar Lake Rd

St Louis Park, MN 55416

952-512-1857 C gallickmichele@yahoo.com

Term 2017-2020 JUN

Winnebago – Co-

Moderator/Reps

Brenda Breitner

5635 Jefferson St.

Stevens Point, WI 54482

715-341-6690 H

breitnurse@hotmail.com

Ann Grittinger

N2319 Cardinal Lane

Oostburg, WI 53017

920-564-3647 H

agrittinger@gmail.com

Term 2018 APR

Care to Share Corner

Are you a woman in the PC(USA)?

You are eligible to receive a $500 grant

from PW. Want to strengthen your leadership skills by going to a leadership event? Apply today: www.presbyterianwomen.org/leadership

Following GA228, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) no longer uses the term “racial ethnic”; rather, the church has adopted the terms “people of color,” “communities of color,” “congregations of color,” “leaders of color.” Therefore, names for many PC(USA) offices and committees have changed. (Quarterly News)

Karen Palermo, Synod of Mid-Atlantic, enjoys a “cup of tea for

peace” on August 25, in solidarity with other PWs around the

country who picked up a bag of fair trade tea and some thoughts on

peace at the Justice and Peace Committee’s table during the

Churchwide Gathering. For more on PW’s “Tea for Peace”

activity, go to presbyterianwomen.org/justice. (Quarterly News)

Don’t forget to continue wearing black on Thursdays and orange on the 25th day of each month. Dress for Justice!!

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U.S. Postage Presbyterian Women in Synod of Lakes & Prairies Linda Barnett PO Box 193 Hendricks MN 56136

This newsletter is being sent by e-mail to all who have provided an e-mail address. Please forward to the members of your PW or make copies of this The Sower and give those in your PW group a copy. Urge them to share it with others. Don’t keep this info a secret!! --------------------------------------------------------------- If you are no longer the moderator or don’t wish to receive this newsletter, please let Linda Barnett know who the new moderator is or your request to be taken off the mailing list at thesower.slap@yahoo.com or call 507-275-4053.

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