Horizons: Spring 2026
Spring 2026
Women in Ministry
For the first ten years of Horizons magazine (1988–1998), a rotation of six themes served as the six issues published annually. The first issue each year was themed “Women in Ministry.”
So, 30ish years later, what’s new with women in ministry? The answer to that could be nothing or everything. As Ecclesiastes 1:9 tells us, “What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun.” And as Presbyterian women—committed Bible study readers—know, women have been answering God’s call even before the days of ancient Israel’s writers. Named or unnamed, remembered or forgotten, our biblical foremothers have been teachers, preachers, defenders, welcomers, challengers, supporters, leaders in myriad ways—all in service of sharing God’s love with the world.
What’s new, however, are the precise shapes of these ministries. Presbyterian women have long been advocates, and have found creative ways to work together to answer unmet needs. But could the women who organized cent societies for mission have envisioned PW’s current strong presence at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (p. 8)? Could our denomination’s first clergywomen (p. 19) have anticipated the ways they would broaden young people’s sense of what’s possible (p. 44)? Recording and honoring these stories is just one more way that women do ministry—encouraging one another and inspiring future generations.
—Sharon Dunne Gillies, Managing Editor
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Features
PW Matters: The Ongoing Impact of Ministry with Purpose
Dr. Susan Jackson Dowd spotlights just a few of the ways that PW groups live out the PW Purpose for the betterment of their communities and the world. In looking at trends on religious identity and participation, she points to ways that Presbyterian Women continues to be a vital presence and community.
Are You in the Loop? Best Practices for Staying Connected to PW
Shelda Wills describes how the PW communications loop best functions, and the role that individuals and groups have in sending and receiving information about PW’s many ministries and opportunities.
Both Called and Questioned: Women’s Church Leadership Roles and Experiences
Rev. Rebecca Tollefson traces the experiences of clergywomen in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Drawing from both personal interviews and historic denominational surveys, she describes the experiences of women called to ordination and ministry.
Supporting Clergywomen
Rev. Karen Fitz La Barge and Rev. Susan Barnes share ways that congregations can support clergywomen—from ensuring general safety to respecting their call—and best practices for clergywomen to proactively seek out support and rest.
PW Resources
PW: Grounded in Gratitude
Carissa Herold
Carrying Forward a Faithful Legacy
Installation Service for Presbyterian Women Leaders
Rev. Lisa López-Meyer
2026 Birthday Offering Recipients
2026 Birthday Offering Dedication Service
Corinne Quinn
Anna H. Bedford Bible Study Resource
Rev. Dr. Shannan R. Vance-Ocampo offers reflections and questions for use in studying Lessons Eight and Nine of the 2025–2026 PW/Horizons Bible study, Finding Resilience, Joy, and Our Identity in Jesus Christ, by Rev. Dr. Rhashell D. Hunter.
2025 Horizons Index
Departments
Devotion
Reenvisioning Leadership
Cecilia Amorocho Hickerson
Unpacking the Theme: Scripture Study
More than Courage: Women of Prayer, Strategy and Faith
Rev. Dr. SanDawna Gaulman Ashley
After the Offering
A Powerful Partnership
Ansley Bean
Supporting Mission
Finding Hope at Martha’s Home
Sharon Dunne Gillies
Working for Justice and Peace
Seven Things Queer People Would Like the Church To Know
Mike Ferguson
Mosaic
News and Information about Presbyterian Women and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Stories from the Ages
“I’ll Help”
Hillary Moses Mohaupt
What One PW Is Doing
A Call To Act
Rev. Dr. Shannan Vance-Ocampo
Books
Pages Worth Turning
Faithful Parenting
In the Image of God
Rev. Melanie Marsh
