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Tres Rios Presbytery
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Presbyterian Women

Presbyterian Women

Cecilia Casal, Moderator

Dear Sisters:

Annual Calamity Creek Retreat
On January 21-23, 2011 the Coordinating Team held their Annual Retreat at Calamity Creek Ranch, located near Ft. Davis, Texas. Fourteen members of our team attended the Retreat and discussed ideas for the New Year especially Spring Gatherings and Fall Retreat. Judia Foreman and Bea Torres led a Leadership Training and Helen Glass made a presentation on how to develop Bible studies for women groups. We also decided to send the total amount of $696.00 collected for the Justice and Peace Offering to “Carpathian-Basin Ukraine Water Project”.

Spring Gatherings
Because of the extended territory of Tres Rios Presbytery, PW Coordinating Team decided to repeat this year the previous experience of having two gatherings, one in the West and another for the East part of the Presbytery. West Spring Gathering was held on April 9, 2011 at Divine Salvador Presbyterian Church in El Paso. We had an attendance of 49 women and two men. East Spring Gathering was held on April 16, at Good Shepherd Church in Sonora with an attendance of 24 women. The total offering collection was $638.75 and this amount also was sent to Carpathian-Basin Ukraine Water Project.

The main speaker was Mary Swan a Presbyterian Woman that served for more than 30 years to various Presbyterian congregations, member of First Presbyterian Church in Pasadena, Texas. She combined her message with craft and manual activities, addressing the theme of “PW as a Welcoming and Joyful Organization.” It was a wonderful experience where we learned not only the teachings of the Bible but also how to prepare collages while discovering the blessings of working together in fellowship.

Synod PW Leadership Training
This event was celebrated on June 2-3, 2011 at Mo Ranch. Our Presbytery provided leadership for this training. The workshop leaders were Judia Foreman and Bea Torres, and Helen Glass led the new Bible study “Confessing the Beatitudes”.

Other events
I attended the national PW Racial Ethnic Dialogue, on January 25-28, 2011 as representative of the Hispanic women. We discussed the work, concerns and mission of the different racial ethnic constituencies within the PCUSA. Also we received training about racism and immigration issues.

I traveled to El Paso-Ciudad Juarez on March 13-16, 2011 to attend an invitation to be part of a Study Team created by the 219th General Assembly to analyze the problem of violence against women and children on the border between Mexico and the USA. We started our work focusing on the countless cases of murdered and disappeared women in Ciudad Juarez on the Mexican side of the border. I was invited as observer in my role of PW Moderator of Tres Rios Presbytery. If you want to know more about this experience, please read the editorial on the March issue of Tres Rios PW Newsletter.

Coordinating Team meeting
The Coordinating Team met at the Presbytery office on August 20, 2011, to continue planning the Fall Retreat. We had the opportunity to hear from Carol McClellan, Palo Duro PW moderator who brought the voices and thoughts of Palo Duro women.

Plans for Fall Retreat
For first time the women of Tres Rios and Palo Duro will have a joint retreat on November 11-12, 2011 at First Presbyterian Church in Midland. The registration fee is $50.00 and a block of 30 double bed rooms at the Hilton Hotel have been held for this event. Room cost are $112.00 plus tax, and each attendee has to make their own reservation with the hotel. The deadline for reservation is October 21, 2011.

Under the theme “Growing towards God through Prayer” Carol Toombs will help us to use the method of Dr. Corrine Ware for spiritual growth. She will teach us different ways to pray to enhance our knowledge and love for God. During the afternoon Amy Allen Park will take the group through spiritual centers in which participants will be able to experience the prayer method they normally use and also new way to experience God’s presence.

Next events
Fall Retreat: November 11-12, 2011 at First Presbyterian Church in Midland, Texas
Churchwide Gathering: July 12-18, 2012 at Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando Florida
Synod Gathering: July 18-21, 2013 at Grace Presbyterian Church in Houston.

I give thanks to God for the daily blessings I receive working with Presbyterian Women.

Mark your Calendar

2011

Fall Retreat
November 11-12, 2011
"Growing towards God through Prayer"
Main Speakers: Carol Toombs and Amy Allen Parker
Registration $50
Hilton reservations $112
Download Brochure

2012

July 18-22 - Churchwide Gathering
Gaylord Palms - Orlando, Florida
Check for updates at www.pcusa.org/pwgathering

2013

July 18-21 - Synod Gathering
Grace Presbyterian Church - Houston, Texas

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Presbyterian Women Coordinating Team

Moderator - Cecilia Casal
Moderator in Nomination - Bea Torres
Secretary - Karen Bartholomeo
Treasurer - Mona Rood
Historian - Helen Glass
Mission Opportunities - Karen Boozer
Willie Hall Black Scholarship - Susan Holstedt
Cultural Diversity - Cecilia Casal
Horizons Representative - Cindy Dunagan