‘Meet me in St. Louis’

2024 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women will feature engaging speakers and more than 30 workshops

by Sharon Gillies and Carissa Herold, Presbyterian Women | Special to Presbyterian News Service

The 2024 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women, an in-person first since 2018, is convening in St. Louis from August 8-11. It’s an event that celebrates the powerful impact of the women’s organization of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), offers an opportunity to meet or reconnect with PW participants from across the country, and also welcomes those who would like to learn more about growing, serving and leading though Presbyterian Women.

The 2024 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women, an in-person first since 2018, is convening in St. Louis from August 8-11. It’s an event that celebrates the powerful impact of the women’s organization of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), offers an opportunity to meet or reconnect with PW participants from across the country, and also welcomes those who would like to learn more about growing, serving and leading though Presbyterian Women.

“Do everything in love,” based on 1 Corinthians 16:13–14, is the theme for this Gathering, and daily plenaries will reflect on the various ways we are called to love. Keynote speakers include:

• The Rev. Cindy Kohlmann, who has served two congregations, three presbyteries and as co-moderator of the 223rd General Assembly (2018)
• The Rev. Yung Me Suh Morris,, whose ministry includes as a pastor in churches, chaplaincy in hospitals and hospice, and street chaplaincy with unhoused people
• The Rev. Laura Cheifetz, a double-PK (pastors’ kid) from the Pacific Northwest whose ministry spans social justice advocacy and theological education

Three authors of the renowned annual PW/Horizons Bible Study — the Rev. Dr. Patricia K. Tull, the Rev. Dr. Rhashell Hunter, and Dr. Veda Pendleton — will also present, offering insights into the themes central to their studies.

Mission co-worker Christi Boyd and bi-vocational pastor Rvda. Evelyn L. Torres Ramírez will describe the impact they have witnessed of PW’s historic Birthday and Thank Offering grants. When the Gathering concludes on Sunday morning with worship, the Rev. CeCe Armstrong, associate pastor of St. James Presbyterian Church on James Island in Charleston, South Carolina, will preach and co-preside at the table.

More than 30 workshops are planned, focusing on Bible study, justice and peace, mission and community building. Leaders will offer ways to engage issues from the local level to the national, such as pursuing environmental justice through congregational green teams to advocating for gender justice through the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

PW Executive Director Susan Jackson Dowd said, “Presbyterian women are blessed and energized to gather nationally after this six-year pause. The Churchwide Gathering matters — it is a unique opportunity to join in community with Presbyterians from around the country and the world to worship, celebrate, learn and connect. Planners have created a Gathering experience that should leave participants renewed, inspired and equipped.”

In addition to programming that inspires and informs, the PW Churchwide Gathering also includes opportunities for connection and celebration. While synod luncheons are a Gathering staple, the 2024 event also includes a luncheon hosted by the National Association of Presbyterian Clergywomen to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Rev. Dr. Katie Geneva Canon, the first African American woman ordained in the United Presbyterian Church of the U.S.A.

The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation will provide a bookstore and PW will sponsor a silent auction featuring handmade items and gifts. The Gathering will include an exhibit hall, where organizations and networks relevant to PW and the PC(USA) can connect with active and enthusiastic Presbyterians. Applications for exhibitors are welcome.

Prior to the Gathering, PW, Inc.’s triennial business meeting will take place. During the meeting, voting representatives will elect PW, Inc.’s 2024–2027 Board of directors, approve the next triennial budget, update the national bylaws and consider various resolutions.

Two pre-event trainings will be offered: Racial Equity Dialogue and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA). PW and the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic have a long-running racial equity dialogue team. Two leaders from that team will train representatives selected from each synod on how to establish and coordinate a group that is committed to examining inequities and building communities that welcome all people.

PDA will present a two-day pre-conference event for Gathering attendees who are interested in being trained to help presbyteries and congregations in their area develop preparedness plans to reduce the chaos that occurs during a disaster. The eight-hour training will take place in the afternoon of August 7 and the morning of August 8. PDA will cover food and lodging costs for the training (two nights in a hotel and three meals) for full registrants of the Gathering. The training will end with a commissioning and certification for those who complete the training as a PW Disaster Preparedness Trainer. Applications for the PDA training are due by June 15.

Advance registration (full or one-day participation) for the Gathering is available through July 7; after that date, individuals may register onsite at the Marriott St. Louis Grand.