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History of the WOC

Taft, Tennessee

  WOMEN’ S MISSIONARY SOCIETY

No history of the Prosperity Church would be complete without inclusion of the history of the Women’s Missionary Society which has been so active for so many years.

 In February, 1888, the ladies of Prosperity, Tennessee Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church organized a society consisting of nine members.  These charter members were:

    Mrs. Nora Sloan, President                Miss Martha Parkinson, Treasurer

    Mrs. Elizabeth Sloan                         Mrs. Helen Dale McFerrin

    Mrs. Grezilda Parkinson                     Mrs. Lucinda Parkinson

    Mrs. Mary Eliza Sloan                       Mrs. Lucinda McCalla

 The organization was known as the Ladies’ Aid Society.  There were only two officers at that time, the President and the Treasurer.  Meetings were held once a month at the church.  There was no regular program, but the ladies paid their monthly dues of five cents per member and discussed further plans for raising money.  The funds were raised largely by having ice cream suppers and selling ice cream at picnics and at barbecues in the community during the summer.  One year they kept the cemetery clean and realized $40 from this effort.

 Mrs. Sloan served as President from the time of the organization of the society until she died in 1900. Officers were not elected annually, but for life or until removal from the community made it impossible for them to serve.  Miss Martha Parkinson served as Treasurer until she moved to Fayetteville, Tenn. in 1910.

There is a period of a few years of which we have no record because the books were destroyed by fire in the home of Mr. A. L. Sloan, a son of Mrs. Nora Sloan.

 At the completion of the first parsonage, the ladies held their meetings there.  This was in the day of horseback riding, so a number of the members came to the meetings in this fashion, riding three or four miles, sometimes with two women on one horse.

 For several years after the death of Mrs. Sloan, no president was named for the society, but Mrs. Helen Dale McFerrin served as leader and counselor.

 When Rev. W. A. Kennedy returned from the meeting of Presbytery in April, 1911, he manifested renewed interest in the work of the ladies and that summer Mrs. Kennedy reorganized the society with 32 members.  The name of the organization was changed to The Ladies’ Missionary Society.  Mrs. W. P. Watson was elected President and Miss Fannie Bruce, Treasurer.

 After reorganization, monthly dues of 10 cents per member were paid and ladies began giving their Sabbath Day eggs three months of each year, a practice which was continued until about 1950.  One year the ladies turned $103 into the treasury as a result of this drive.

 In 1920 Mrs. Watson moved to Fayetteville, Tennessee after faithfully serving as President for nine years.  Mrs. Ethel Jobe then served as President until April 1921 when Rev. M. T. Ellis was installed as pastor.  Mrs. Ellis was then elected President and held that office until her death in 1935.

 In 1913 Mrs. O. L. Kidd was elected Treasurer and served for 14 years.  In 1927 Mrs. T. T. McFerrin was elected Treasurer.  In 1956 Mrs. Edward Byers was elected Treasurer and served for 15 years.  In 1972 Miss Pauline Burton was elected Treasurer.

 The Ladies’ Society continues to meet on a monthly basis in the Church or sometimes in a home, using programs given in the Journal of Mission as well as other programs.

 For a while in the early history of the society, $5 was contributed annually to the cause of Foreign Missions, but when Prosperity, Elk Valley and Fayetteville undertook the support of Rev. A. J. Ranson in India, this society pledged and raised $100 annually to his salary from 1916 to 1926.  Since then the society has been paying approximately the same amount to Foreign Missions through the Synodical Union.  It also contributed to the pastor’s salary and other causes on Synod’s budget. 

Circle II was organized in the fall of 1951 composed of women who could not attend the regular meetings because of their work.  This Circle met on Sabbath afternoon following Circle I meeting. In the late 60’s the Society became “The Women of the Church” (WOC) and now they give approximately $3,000 a year toward Synodical’s budget.

Continuation of Prosperity WOC History from 1978

At the beginning of 1978 the Prosperity WOC had 33 members consisting of Circles I and II.  Mrs. Gene Templeton served as President and Miss Pauline Burton was still the Treasurer. Four Life Memberships were given this year.

In 1979 the Prosperity WOC had 34 members and was under the leadership of Miss Eunice Byers, President. Mrs. Beth Jennings was elected Treasurer and has served as such ever since. 1979 was a year for injuries; in fact, there were so many broken hips we were known as the “hippy church.” Mrs. Lidie Forbes, Mrs. Pearl Gracy, Mrs. Helen McFerrin, Mrs. Sallie Bell Jones all fell and broke or fractured their hip or hips. Mrs. Frances Burton fell and broke an ankle.

The 80’s began with 35 members composed of two circles. In 1982 WOC member, Mrs. Sallie Bell Jones was commemorated for her part in the music ministry in our church. Also, Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Linda Jennings were honored in the Bicentennial music presented at Synod. 

In 1986 Circle I and Circle II were combined into one meeting each month until further notice. This was due to the decrease in number of active members.  In 1988 the two Circles officially became one.  This decade ended with 23 active members.

During the 80’s the Prosperity WOC gave to the Bonclarken Gift Shop, Love Gifts, Memorials, Life Memberships, White Cross, Jubilee Birthday, and many other causes.

The following ladies served as President in the 80’s:  Miss Eunice Byers – 1980, 1985 and 1986; Mrs. Joyce Edgar – 1981 and 1982; Miss Pauline Burton – 1983 and 1984; Mrs. Elizabeth Boaz – 1987 and 1988; Mrs. Kay Derksen – 1989.

Each year in the 90’s began by observing the WEEK OF PRAYER. Bible Study and the Devotional were done at each meeting. Jubilee Birthday suppers or luncheons were held to raise funds for the Missionary Jubilee Birthday Ladies.  Money and gifts were sent to Bethany Christian Services.  Gifts were made and sent to the Gift Shop at Bonclarken. A White Cross offering, which is used for medical supplies on the missionary fields, was taken every year.  Love Gifts, Memorials, Life Memberships were given.

Bridal showers and baby showers were given until 1993 when the WOC voted to discontinue bridal showers per se. Box showers were given instead.

A joint Leadership Training Workshop was held each year with the Fayetteville WOC.  The WOC’s alternated hosting the Workshop.

Some years the ladies had Secret Pals and cards were sent throughout the year. The Secret Pal was revealed at the annual Christmas Luncheon and small gifts were exchanged.

The Prosperity WOC was represented every year at the Synodical and Presbyterial meetings.The WOC gave $50 a month for a few years to an elderly man in the community that lived alone with very little income. A WOC member took the money, bought groceries and delivered them to the gentleman. This continued until his death.

The 90’s began with 23 members and ended with 18 members. The following ladies served as President during the ‘90’s: Mrs. Kay Derksen – 1990, 1995, 1996, 1999; Mrs. Joyce Edgar – 1991, 1992, 1997, 1998; Mrs. Lynn Towry – 1993 and 1994.

Mrs. Beth Jennings continues to serve as Treasurer.

The year 2000 was when the WOC Synodical Union changed their fiscal year from January 1 through December 31 to September 1 through August 31. The WOC’s had to change their year to coincide. In order to get on track the year 2000 was a short one, running from January 1 through August 31.  We are all still confused.

All of the same programs from the 90’s are being continued.  All financial obligations to Synodical are being met plus the White Cross offering plus miscellaneous others.

Snacks were sent to College Students just before Christmas.  Christmas cards were delivered to the Nursing Homes.  All of the WOC ladies signed Christmas Cards in 2001 and the Witness and Outreach Chairman, Mrs. Frances Renegar, took the cards to the Sheriff to be delivered to the inmates of the Lincoln County Jail.

In September 2002, a Circle II was organized again with four charter members. They were Brenda Coble, Kelly Crowell, Margie Ligon and Jeanne Pitts. These are young ladies that have babies or work during the day. This Circle will meet at night once a month.

At the WSU Synodical Meeting on July 22, 2002, the Tennessee-Alabama Presbyterial was awarded a plaque for the most increase, percentage wise, of giving over the past year. Mrs. Joyce Edgar, President and Mrs. Kay Derksen, Treasurer of the Presbyterial (both members of the Prosperity WOC) accepted the plaque for the Presbyterial.

President in 2000 was Mrs. Kay Derksen.  President in 2001 and 2002 was Mrs. Joyce Edgar. Mrs. Beth Jennings is still the Treasurer.

The year 2000 began with 18 members and August 31, 2002 ended with 18 members.

August 2002 - August 2003

       The Women of the Church have been busy with many activities again this year.  We hosted the Tennessee District workshop last October 2002. We presented a skit on the right way and the wrong way to carry on our WOC Program.  We look forward to meeting with Fayetteville this October.

       The biggest event for our church this year was the Celebration of our 175^th Anniversary. This was a huge success and everyone worked hard to make it so. A display of Erskine material was displayed. A quilt that was made in 1922 with over six hundred names embroidered on it was hung on the wall. A display of pictures of the men from Prosperity that had served in the Military was set up. Pictures of all but one of our former Pastors and our current Pastors were collected, framed and mounted on the wall.

       In December 2002 we had an enjoyable meeting with a covered dish luncheon. Our December meeting is now a Quarterly meeting. We each brought a small gift and played a game called “The Right Tale” and the gift you wound up with was the one you got to keep. This was lots of fun.

      Our Spiritual Life Chairman was in charge of the “Prayer Emphasis” program in January 2003.  She has also given the Bible Study, on the Book of I Peter, at each meeting this year.  She received baby bottles from the Choose Life Office and gave them out to members. This was to collect money for mothers who had made the decision to keep their babies instead of an abortion.

       The other Chairmen have been very active, also. Each department overlaps so much that I am not going to list them separately.  Before Christmas we sent about 20 shoeboxes to Samaritan’s Purse for distribution to underprivileged children all over the world.

They hosted a Valentine Party, Easter Egg Hunt, and the children were told about Palm Sunday and Christ dying on the cross and rising from the dead. In July 2003 Vacation Bible School was held with the theme being about the “Fruits of the Spirit”, and they learned “raps” to help remember them and the Books of the Bible. One Wednesday night two young ladies did a short program about “the church” with pictures, posters and scripture.

       Saturday, August 9, 2003, the church hosted a “Hobo Dinner.” Many children and adults from the church and around the community came out for the dinner. After the wonderful meal, there was a hayride that the children of all ages really enjoyed.

 We have given a Partner in Ministry Pin to Bernice Good, four Life Memberships to Jean Pitts, Brenda Coble, Kelly Crowell & Margie Ligon. We have given two Memorials; Margaret Edgar and Wayne Towry. A donation was also sent to the Child Advocacy Center in Fayetteville and a donation to Bonclarken for the “Mule.”

We continue to visit the sick and shut-in, take people to the Doctor, take food to homes where sickness or tragedy are present, deliver meals on wheels, support Erskine College and Seminary. Goody boxes were filled and sent to the two college students we have in college at Austin Peay State University. During the Revival Services, the WOC ladies prepared the evening meals for the preachers. We have Family Night Covered Dish Suppers regularly.

 The Today Magazine (Daily Devotional Guides) along with folders containing information about our church have been distributed locally.  We pray for God to send his Holy Spirit down on all the people that live in the community surrounding our church.

Our Current News and History Chairman continues to keep a good record of the happenings of the WOC and the Church.

Year ended August 31, 2003 with 18 members.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We wish to acknowledge the following sources for this history:  Associate Reformed Presbyterian Centennial and Sesquicentennial histories, Session records and Women’s Society records at Prosperity Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and the Young Peoples Christian Union history of 1956.

Our appreciation is expressed to Mrs. William Bolton, Mrs. Charles Edgar, Mrs. Wayne Towry and Mrs. Ronald Derksen for compiling the information and all others who had any part in the writing of this history.

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Revised: 04/12/04