Deborah Circle: Leader: Laura Paulus (215-794-8764)
They meet the 3rd Wednesday of each month from September through June at 1:00 p.m. in the church parlor. Each meeting begins with a prayer followed by snacks and lots of girl talk! 2022-2023 book discussion: Max Lucado's Anxious for Nothing. Their monetary Christmas 2022 donation was sent to Red Bird for flood remediation.
Betty Witschard, a member of Deborah Circle, spearheaded a children's book collection at Pennswood Village for the organization Historic Fairhill. Deborah circle also participated. On March 8 Laura Paulus and Arlene Williams delivered a carload of books to Potter-Thomas Elementary School on North 6th Street in the city. Historic Fairhill sponsors a volunteer program to open libraries in elementary schools that have been shut down by the Philadelphia School District.
Joanna Circle: Leader: Elaine Cassidy (215-293-0303)
They meet the 2nd Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. at a member’s home. Most of the 12 members in their 60s and 70s are retired. They have a devotion and a Bible study that they take turns presenting each month. They catch up on UMW and church happenings. They take part in Interfaith services and also collect food twice a year. A prayer chain is used for all of those who need our prayers. Of course, being Methodists, they enjoy cakes and desserts also with fellowship.
Naomi Circle: Co-Leaders: Carol Bigam (215-206-7298) & Debbie Bradt (215-435-2397)
Members meet in the church parlor the 2nd Tuesday at 6:30pm. Each meeting begins with circle members catching up with each other about their families and current events while enjoying light, but delicious, refreshments. Upcoming UWF events are discussed, followed by a short devotion and a study which is selected by the members in June. The meeting ends with members forming a circle and lifting up prayers of joys and concerns. Their 2023-2024 study will be based on the book, "Everybody, Always".
Mission projects last year: organizing the collection of tabs and delivering them to the Ronald McDonald House; sending cards to church members who were on the shut-in list to let them know they were being thought about and in our prayers during the holidays and on their birthdays; organizing a collection at St. John’s to purchase and send sports items for the Christmas boxes which were being given to the children and youth at the Red Bird Mission in Beverly, Kentucky; sending a cash donation to a rescue organization that saved the life of a horse that was previously owned by a circle member and by a “God Wink” he (Kirby) is now back in her life; members get together several times a year on a Saturday for a “tea & flee”, enjoying a breakfast together and then leaving an extra cash gift in an envelope for the server marked “Blessings”.
Members also cut out cancelled stamps from envelopes during the year and the stamps are sent to the Alliance Stamp Ministry in Ft. Myers, Florida. This ministry sells the stamps and the income from their sale goes to support preparation, publishing and distribution of a Spanish language curriculum for Sunday Schools in Latin American, Spain and the USA.
Rebekkah Circle: Leader: Ruth Bowyer (215-441-4013)
They meet in the church parlor on the 2nd Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. and consists of our senior members (12). They have devotions and a lesson. Some of their good deeds include purchasing hams for the needy at Christmas, contributing to the Thank Offering and Prayers and Self Denial Offering, and providing postage for the shoe box mailing. They generously provided funds for the Philippines Typhoon Relief.
Salome Circle: Leader: Kathy Keppol (215-357-7404)
Meets the 3rd Sunday at 1:00 p.m. in members’ homes or at church. In September, they decide who is hosting each month. The meetings are started with a devotional (e.g. prayer, story, poem) by a circle member followed by an update of upcoming events. The meeting is filled with food and fellowship. The committee lends a helping hand to the Social Action Committee with all the events throughout the year.
Phoebe Circle: Colleen Peterson (267-987-0298) and Amy Scarlett (610-322-2276)
Our new circle starting in September 2023! They will meet in the church parlor on the third Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the parlor. They plan to use the book "Choose Joy, Because Happiness is Not Enough" by Kay Warren for their study.Mission projects to be determined.
