Horizons magazine is published by Presbyterian Women (PW) the national women’s organization of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Issue link: http://horizons.epubxp.com/i/481579
March/April 2015 39 I 'm not a superhero by any stretch of the imagination. Really, there isn't enough stretchy fabric to cover me. However, I would enjoy the long red gloves they all seem to wear. In all seriousness, I have known some really super women who have taken on some amazing challenges. Cleda Locey served as the first mod- erator of Presbyterian Women. Unifying two diverse women's groups was clearly no easy task! I first met Cleda at a Women's Conference in Montreat in the 1970s when I was new to PW. She offered me a stack of pamphlets and so much encouragement that I've been involved ever since. My late, great friend Henrietta Wilkerson—one of the early ordained women in our denomination—served as pastor to three small churches at one time. She told me that she just kept a bag of apples in her car and off she'd go! At her suggestion, our church held a Mission Progressive Dinner. Three members of the congregation hosted. Each served some food and gave a short talk on a mission program before the guests moved on to the next house. My grandmother, Martha Coleman, was the first female ruling elder in my church. Sure, everyone loved her for her wit, charm and biblical knowledge. But her election was still a giant step for our congregation. Each summer she would take high-energy high school students to Montreat in Greyhound buses— now that's super! I was delighted recently when my 13- year-old granddaughter Carolyn listed all the careers she was considering. We k now women can do anything, but women are still underrepresented in many fields, or at least at the leadership l evel in many fields. What holds women back and what can we do about it? Education and opportunities empower women, and there are a num- ber of ways we can help. Sponsor an after-school program in a church build- ing and offer tutoring or job fairs. Men- tor area youth, offering support and encouragement. Or organize a career fair at a local high school, opening young women's eyes to jobs they didn't know existed! Being a super woman doesn't require a special costume, or even long gloves. But it does require accepting opportuni- ties to serve. Bligh Jones is a member of Government Street Presbyterian Church, Mobile, Alabama. She welcomes your favorite recipes, which she will share here (and use as inspiration in her next grocery run!). Send your recipes to blighjones @gmail.com. Please include your name and the name of your church and city. A n n e t t e C a b l e Super omato Basil Bisque Cook carrots in one cup broth until soft. Puree carrots with broth. Cook onion and celery in butter in Dutch oven over medium heat until translucent (about 8 minutes). Stir in crushed tomatoes. Cook uncovered over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add carrots to mixture. Add remaining broth, tomato sauce and sugar. Heat to boiling, then reduce heat. Simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in basil and simmer for 5 minutes more. Remove soup from heat and whisk in yogurt, salt and pepper. Recipe from Martha Knichel Providence Presbyterian Church South Haven, MS g o i n g i n c i r c l e s S u p e r W o m e n b y B l i g h J o n e s 2 c. beef broth or chick- en broth, separated ½ lb carrots, chopped 2 BS butter 1 medium onion, chopped 1 stick celery, finely chopped 1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes, undrained 1 8-oz can tomato sauce 1 tsp sugar (if desired) 2 BS fresh basil leaves, finely chopped or 1 BS dried basil leaves 1 c. low-fat plain yogurt Salt and pepper to taste