Union Presbyterian Church

Schenectady, New York

Women's Association

Purpose

Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves: to nurture our faith through prayer and Bible study, to support the mission of the church worldwide, to work for justice and peace, and to build an inclusive, caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (USA) and witnesses to the promise of God’s kingdom.

Overview

An active and thriving part of Union Presbyterian Church, the Women's Association invites all women of the church to attend the monthly Coordinating Team meetings. Coordinating Team meetings are generally held on the first Tuesday evening of the month at 7:00 p.m. We also invite all women to participate in our many fellowship activities and mission work.

Members of the Association include all those who choose to participate in or be supportive of the Women's Association in any way. Support is given through service, gifts and prayers. Monetary pledges are important because they cover the operating expenses of the organization. These expenses include supplies for coffee hour and church dinners, child care at church events and meetings, and leadership training for women.

The proceeds from the twice-annual Bargain Sale are entirely devoted to mission. Included are local mission and benevolent causes as well as Presbyterian missions for the ongoing work of the church worldwide. Additional mission funding is provided to national and international causes from a series of special offerings including the Church World Service Tools of Hope and Blanket Sunday Offering, the Birthday Offering, and the Thank Offering.

An Advent Dinner is held in the month of December each year. Invitations are sent to neighboring churches, and contributions are made to the Thank Offering. A presentation on some topic of interest is usually made at the dinner. In 2002 a representative from Mayan Hands spoke to us about the entrepreneurial women in Guatemala who use their knowledge and hands to weave beautiful fabrics for napkins, tablecloths, purses, shirts and other items. Their efforts help to earn incomes for their families in a financially wrought country.

Periodically, the Association sponsors a January Women's Retreat. This is a time for all women of the church to unite through fellowship and experience spiritual growth and renewal through reflection and sharing.

The annual Strawberry Festival, held on a Wednesday evening in mid-June, has been an event sponsored by the Association with assistance from other groups within the Church.

A highlight of each year is the Mother-Daughter Banquet which is held in May. This is a wonderful time of fellowship for the girls and women of the church. It is also a time of giving through contributions to the Birthday Offering.

Women's Association Circles

All church women are most encouraged to join one of the circles. Currently we offer Evening Circle (a time of fellowship), Service Circle (a time of mission work through sewing) and Bible Study Circle. More information concerning dates, times and meeting places may be viewed on our Events page, or obtained by contacting the church office at (518) 374-4464 or any of the Women's Association officers.

The Bargain Sale

Started before 1928, the Rummage Sale took place every October at rented halls to raise money for missions. Later titled the Bargain and Variety Sale, this sale provided a large part of the Association budget. In 1965, the Sale could shift to the

Men, women and youth work for months sorting for the sales and helping at the actual sales. The sale is of great fellowship value as well as a source of benevolence monies, today focused on the Schenectady Inner City Ministry (SICM) and other local community groups.

church basement because the dwindling Sunday School enrollment freed up space there. In 1969-1970, the Bargain Sale occurred in October and April and has operated twice a year ever since in the church basement and the Rice Building.