The Coordinating Team meets several times a year to plan the work of the Presbyterian Women. Activities include the Thornwell Fair, Advent, and the PW Birthday Party. Officers on the Team are Moderator, Vice Moderator, Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, Search Committee Chairman, Mission Opportunities, Spiritual Enrichment, Global Awareness, Service Projects, and the Circle Moderators.

Presbyterian Women
Hodges Presbyterian Church
2006-2007

The 2006-2007 year began with the installation of officers on August 27. The continuing and newly elected officers are listed.

Moderator Mary O'Dell
Vice Moderator Betty Riddle
Treasurer Sue Hannah
Secretary Barbara Shirley
Historian Ann Hembree, resigned - May '07
replaced by Mary Bolen
Search Committee Moderator Becky Hodges
Mission Opportunities Leona Stevenson
Spiritual Enrichment Agnes Nickles
Maye Haddon
Global Awareness Mary Bolen
Service Projects Linda Bridgers
Circle I Moderator Betty McDonald
Circle II Moderator Becky Hodges
Circle III Moderator Jean Copeland
Curly Q's Rebecca McClain

On September 10, Circle III placed a rose in the sanctuary in honor of Elizabeth Miriam Snoddy, who was born on September 2.She is the daughter of Jim and Mandy Snoddy, and the granddaughter of Anne Nickles Snoddy.
The first general meeting of the Presbyterian Women was held on September 11. Officers and committee chairpersons gave annual reports. Plans for the new year were outlined.
On Monday, September 18, the choir, along with Tony Langley, and directed by Joannah Stone, took part in the Abbeville Coalition Choir Fest at Abbeville Presbyterian Church. Afterwards, a reception refreshed the singers.
The congregation met on September 17 to hear a report from the nominating committee and to elect 2 elders and 2 deacons to the class of 2009. Mary O'Dell and Gordon Vinson were elected elders. Allison Haddon and Barbara Shirley were elected deacons. These new officers, along with some veteran officers, attended the Officer Training sessions that began on October 2.
Circles I and III met on Thursday, October 4 for a Sewing for Missions Day. They shared the Bible lesson for the month and a lunch at Godfrey's.
Members Edna Culp, Maye Haddon, Sue Hannah, and Mary O'Dell attended the Wee Kirk Conference at Montreat Oct. 16-18.This conference is for members of small churches.
The congregation met again on Nov. 12 for several reasons: the usual approval of the budget and election of members to the nominating committee for the upcoming year; to consider the unicameral system of officers; and lastly, to act on our minister's decision to retire as of December 31 of this year. We'd heard murmurings of Rev. Piephoff's plans for several months, but, after 20 years, it was still hard to realize.
Along with preparations for our minister's upcoming retirement, we began to get things in order for the holiday season. Our annual Thornwell Fair took place on Nov. 15. Hot dog plates were sold and baked goods and other items were available for sale. The resulting gift plus other donations was $1,100.00.The Hodges Community Thanksgiving service was held at our church on Nov. 21, with Chris Arries of the Hodges United Methodist Church giving the message. An offering was taken for the area soup kitchen and food bank. A reception followed in the Fellowship Hall.
A new Chrismon tree was purchased for use in the sanctuary. Several new Chrismons were added. Circles had outings to celebrate their friendship during the season.
On Dec. 10, a reception was given to honor Bob Piephoff on his retirement. A large crowd gathered to thank him and to wish him well in his future endeavors.
On Dec. 17, the choir led the worship service with a cantata "Color it Christmas". On the same afternoon, the community gathered at the gazebo for caroling and a visit from Santa.
On Christmas Eve, the traditional lessons and carols service brought a nostalgic and peaceful feeling to our preparations for Christ's birthday.
January 2007 brought our congregation into a new era. While Bob Piephoff was no longer officially our pastor, he made us more comfortable by gradually making his exit. He led the service on Jan. 14 for the installation of officers, and attended services as part of the congregation for several Sundays during the next few months. He also continued to enjoy our monthly family night suppers.

Th officers are listed:
Session Members
2007 Michael Hannah,Maye Haddon, Mary O'Dell
Emmett Hannah.Keith Hodges, Gordon Vinson

Deacons
2007-2008-2009
Jean Copeland, Becky Hodges, Allison Haddon
William Nickles, Wayne Brooks, Barbara Shirley

For the remainder of the winter and spring months of 2007, we began seeing a new face in the pulpit most Sundays. Many of these ministers shared a connection with Hodges Presbyterian Church in one way or another. For example, Deirdre Crosby, who was married here and was a member for several years, Barry Eller, former pastor, Tom Stallworth, longtime friend of Bob Piephoff and our own lay minister, Otto McDonald. In many ways, the congregation became even closer-knit than before.
On Mar. 5, Circles I and III met for their second Sewing day. Even though there were problems with the machines, members enjoyed their time together and some baby items were made.
Mary O'Dell, Maye Haddon, Betty McDonald, Edna Culp, and Betty Riddle attended the annual PW Gathering at First Presbyterian Church in Clinton on March 10.
On Maundy Thursday, we had our annual family night supper with Buddy Craig conducting the communion service after the meal. The community Easter morning service was held at 7:00 AM at Providence Baptist Church. Jason Goldman was the speaker.
On May 6, the congregation met to elect 5 members to the pastor nominating committee. They were Michael Hannah, Emmett Hannah, Al Nickles, Barbara Shirley, and Mary Bolen. Alternates were William Nickles and Tommy O'Dell.
The annual PW Birthday Party was a Mexican fiesta. Held at family night supper on May 16, the party was decorated with Mexican colors and even a pinata. The piñata was finally broken after more than a few hard blows. Allison Haddon, birthday interpreter, provided a fun time.
The PW salad supper was on June 4. This marked the final general meeting of PW for the year.
Our church, as well as several lovely Hodges homes, was open for tours during the S. C. Festival of Flowers on June 23.
Although we did not have enough children to warrant being involved in Bible school this year, Hodges United Methodist still invited any youth from our church to participate in Bible School at their church in July.
The Reverend John Bacot has agreed to serve as our interim pastor. He is retired and recently moved to Greenwood.
On July 27, a new member was born. Mason Thomas Hannah is the son of Michael and Amy Hannah, and grandson of Ronnie and Sue Hannah. Circle III placed a rose in the sanctuary in his honor on August 5. What a happy note to end our 2006-07 year.
Submitted by Mary Bolen

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