Calendar & News

Calendar & News

11/14/2011

Women of Westminster (WoW) Adapts to Changing Circumstances

From its inception as “The Woman’s Missionary Society,” established in 1886 at the Rodney Street Church, the organization now known as “Women of Westminster” has grown and evolved, adapting to changing circumstances within the church and in society as a whole. Throughout Westminster’s history, women in our church have taken major steps to address the important issues of their times:

  • Supporting missionaries around the world
  • Contributing to the maintenance of our church building and helping to pay the mortgage
  • Providing furnishings and food service equipment for the church
  • Establishing the annual bazaar and spring luncheons to support local and global mission projects
  • Sewing thousands of garments for the Red Cross and Visiting Nurses Association during the Depression and World War II
  • Sponsoring immigrant families and foreign exchange students
  • Founding day care centers for migrant workers and later for children of working mothers
  • Involving hundreds of women of all ages in circles to encourage friendships, spiritual enrichment, and mission service
  • And many, many more

Today many of the groups and projects that grew out of this vibrant history continue to serve women in our congregation and our church as well – the annual Westminster Bazaar; Echo Gifts; Koinonia, Eunice, and Rachel small groups; and others. Complementary new activities have emerged – the “Girl Talk” book discussion group, periodic women’s retreats, the women’s nine-hole golf group, the “Close Knit” monthly knitting group, and the “Young at Heart” group for retirement-age women and men.

One of the church traditions affected by changing circumstances is the annual Christmas Tea, which will not be held this December. Fewer and fewer women were available to participate in planning and hosting the tea and attendance has been declining in recent years. It is time to say a grateful and loving farewell to the tea. Many thanks to all who helped make this a memorable event on the church calendar over the years, producing lovely memories of good times shared.