Presbyterian Women (PW), a part of women’s ministry within the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI), has unveiled its two special projects for 2019/2020 at its annual conference, in Belfast today and reported that last year PW Groups across Ireland raised over £500,000 (€582,000) for mission at home and overseas.

Around 1,600 women from 465 PW Groups from across the denomination, and their guests, gathered together to worship, hear from God’s Word and to find out how Presbyterian Women has made a difference at home and overseas this year.

Last year’s Overseas Special Project supported the work of the International Justice Ministry IJM and supported child victims of cybersex trafficking. The Home Mission Special Project supported Trinity House, PCI’s residential care home in Garvagh, with a specific focus on dementia care.

Outgoing PW President, Lynda Stothers saw first-hand IJM’s work in Cambodia. Talking about her visit she said, “I experienced God at work through men and women who bathe all they do in prayer, making many personal sacrifices. They are used mightily by God in amazing rescues and restorations of individuals and families who are used, abused and devalued by others.”

Talking about her year in office she said, “Serving as Presbyterian Women’s President could be summed up with one word ‘privilege’. This year I have witnessed how Presbyterian Women share in the work of mission to bring freedom and hope in Christ throughout Ireland and the world.

“I have heard many stories of how Presbyterian Women have been used by God to pray for and speak into lives of others going through difficult times, just as they prayed and supported me as I struggled with self-doubt and lack of assurance following my stroke. It has been a privilege to serve Presbyterian Women and to experience God in special ways.” Lynda said.

Through the PW’s Mission Fund, the Special Home Project for 2019/20 will support the work of the PCI’s Council for Social Witness through Thompson House, which provides supported housing for male ex-offenders; Carlisle House, a residential substance misuse treatment centre and Gray’s Court, which is a move-on supported living project. Carlisle House, for example hopes to purchase exercise equipment to aid residents’ rehabilitation.

The Special Overseas Project will support the publication in Arabic of a devotional book to help young Christian girls grow daily in their relationship with God. The initiative comes on the back of the 2018 visit to Lebanon by Presbyterian Women representatives, where they met staff from a Christian publishing house in Beirut. The publishing house is dedicated to helping Arab women find their peace in God amidst everyday life challenges.

As well as unveiling this year’s two special projects, this year’s theme was also launched at the annual conference. ‘Restore’ focuses on Psalm 23, at the heart of which is the comforting and powerful assurance in verse 3 that ‘He restores my soul.

Incoming President Karen Craig, who is a member of Kilfennan Presbyterian Church in Londonderry, said that she was excited by the theme and is looking forward to the next 12 months. “Our theme for this year reminds us that our God is in the business of restoration. He will and does restore our souls.

“Throughout the year ahead I am look forward to seeing God at work in each of our lives as His Spirit works at restoring us. So no matter where or in what circumstances we find ourselves let us look to God to restore our souls.

“I am also looking forward to having opportunities to represent PW within the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and further afield and also to be a support and encouragement to the individual women and groups with whom I meet.

“Being involved in PW for many years has been a great privilege for me, especially working alongside women who serve their Lord with faithfulness and courage, who grow together, share with each other and support one another in all aspects of life. As we do this, we are able to develop relationships which enable us to strive to be Disciples of Christ,” she said.

At every annual conference there is a guest speaker and this year’s was the Principal of Belfast Bible College, Helen Warnock, who spoke on this year’s theme. “A theme like restore is a fantastic truth-teller as it opens up conversations that acknowledge that everything isn’t okay. However, more than that, considering restoration allows us space to contemplate this aspect of God’s character and the ripple effects of His actions both for us and the world around us,” Helen said.

During both her talks, Helen considered who God is and what His restoration looks like. “In the afternoon we laid the foundations for the restorative nature of God and considered this a little more personally during the evening celebration,” she explained.

One of the invited guests was Presbyterian Moderator, Rt Rev Dr Charles McMullen who praised the work of Presbyterian Women. “Throughout my year in office, going around the denomination, I have met all kinds of people doing so many wonderful things in the name of Jesus. It has really shown me that there is such a tremendous heart in our Church.

“That certainly goes for the PW Groups who contribute so much to the life, ministry and work of our local congregations, disciplining and building relationships. Their commitment to mission, at home and overseas, is wholly commendable and carries with it the undoubted love of God as He grows and nurtures His Kingdom.”

Photos (1) Presbyterian Moderator, Rt Rev Dr Charles McMullen with (left) incoming PW President for 2019/2020 Karen Craig and the outgoing President Lynda Stothers (2) Lynda Stothers addressing the Annual Conference (3) Incoming PW President Karen Craig with the minister of Kilfennan Presbyterian Church in Londonderry/Derry - who is also her husband and former Moderator - Very Rev Dr Rob Craig (4) the speakers at this year's Annual Conference (LtoR) Karen Craig, Lynda Stothers, Pauline Kennedy, PCI’s Women’s Ministry and PW Development Officer and the Principal of Belfast Bible College, Helen Warnock.