Horizons: Fall 2026
Fall 2026
Communications and Leadership
A few years ago, Presbyterian Women held an online Zoom workshop for historians. In addition to being a time when PW historians could connect with each other and crowd source solutions for their questions, David Stanisius from the Presbyterian Historical Society outlined records keeping from a denominational perspective.
David began his presentation by saying a PW group’s historical record or minutes should reflect the question, “What does PW make or do?” To me, that answer is dizzying in scope. PW “does” the PW Purpose, living out commitments to prayer, Bible study, mission, justice and community building in myriad ways, across the country and for the last 38 years. We’re going to need a bigger archive, friends.
To be clear, David wasn’t asking the question because he didn’t know what PW does or what our predecessor organizations did. He followed his guiding question with an answer that has stayed in my mind since that day: “In our holdings, I don’t think there’s a single issue surrounding social justice in the PC(USA) that Presbyterian women weren’t out in front on first—way before General Assembly consideration or action. That includes nuclear disarmament, comfort for migrants, struggle against the apartheid regime in South Africa. You as women bear prophetic witness. Usually way before it’s cool to do so.”
This same faithful determination inspires Presbyterian women today. Our work may be highly visible or quietly behind the scenes. Our tools might be Zoom and computers or a poster board and marker. We might be calling our congressional representatives or adding our prayers to a global prayer movement.
Wherever you recognize yourself—your priorities, ways of connecting—may this issue inspire you with the many ways to continue Presbyterian women’s legacy of furthering God’s vision of wholeness for all.
—Sharon Dunne Gillies, Managing Editor
*Visit presbyterianwomen.org/history for a link to the workshop recording and more PW history!
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Features
Peaceful Protest
Dr. Rosalyn McKeown-Ice knows that the world’s injustices can feel overwhelming. She also knows that advocacy, particularly peaceful protest, connects her to a community, a nationwide network and even a long tradition of faithful dissent against injustice.
A Street That Tells a Fuller Story: Honoring the Legacy of Tien Fuh Wu
Kim Lan Thi Grout broadens the story of Cameron House—a Presbyterian-founded mission offering support, safety and hope to Chinese women and girls who were exploited or trafficked. While the home bears Donaldina Cameron’s name for her highly visible leadership, Kim Lan celebrates the lesser-known work of Tien Fuh Wu, whose sensitivity and steady presence continue to shape Cameron House’s ministry.
Faithful and Unstoppable: The Presbyterian Climate Action Team
Bill Bray describes the founding and approach of the Presbyterian Climate Action Team in caring for the Earth. He outlines ways the team promotes socially just climate change, and the issues—like the carbon tax and dividend—that align with denominational statements and actions.
Yes, And . . . : Leading Projects Through Play
Rev. Dr. Lis Valle-Ruiz has a message—work and play don’t need to be separate. She shares two methods from improvisational theater to invite creativity and group collaboration into your next meeting.
Hearing One Another into Speech: What a Century of World Day of Prayer Can Teach Us
Looking back on nearly 100 years of World Day of Prayer, Katie Reimer reflects on the strengths of this global prayer movement. She offers insights into ways grassroots leadership gives structure to World Day of Prayer and also embodies its values.
PW Resources
Welcoming Tomorrow: Stewarding PW’s Legacy of Compassion and Purpose
Susan Skoglund
Anna H. Bedford Bible Study Resource
Rev. Joann Haejong Lee offers reflections and questions for use in studying Lessons Three, Four and Five of the 2026–2027 PW/Horizons Bible study, United Through Christ, Bound to Each Other: Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, by Rhonda Mawhood Lee.
Thank Offering Recipients
Thank Offering Dedication Service
Departments
Devotion
Inspiring Communities of Care
Cecilia Amorocho Hickerson
Unpacking the Theme: Scripture Study
Reading Between the Lines of First Corinthians: The Spirit and a Leader at Work
Dr. Lisa M. Bowens
After the Offering
Growing Gardens, Feeding Minds
Rev. Dr. Patricia K. Tull
Supporting Mission
Period Pack Packing Party Packs a Punch
Louise Van Poll
Mosaic
News and Information about Presbyterian Women and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Books
Pages Worth Turning
What One PW Is Doing
Extending Welcome with an Online Group
Chris Casanova
Faithful Parenting
The Stories We Tell
Rev. Melanie Marsh
Stories from the Ages
Connected Over Time and Space
Hillary Moses Mohaupt
