First Presbyterian Church of Kalispell
540 South Main
Kalispell, Montana 59901
Phone (406) 752-7488
Fax (406) 755-8130
email: info@pcusa-kalispell.org
What is a circle?
A circle is:
- Where faith is nurtured and growth takes place through worship, study, friendship and outreach.
- Where women are challenged to stretch beyond their limits.
- Where women move beyond the safe places of life and reach out to others.
- Where Christian leadership is born, nurtured and sent forth into ministry.
Basic to circle life is the Horizons Bible study. Some circles may have a dual study of both the Bible study and a mission study. Other circles may study current issues, such as peace, hunger, racism or another topic from a Christian perspective.
Vital to the interpretation of mission and meaningful worship is the use of the Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study as well as all issues of Horizons.
What is the life cycle of a circle?
Like any small group, circles have cycles. These are initiation, formation, functioning and termination.
- Initiation - women come together to share their needs and their gifts with one another and begin shaping their circle.
- Formation - building trust, determining the purpose and program and developing a commitment.
- Functioning - growth, learning and leadership development. The test of how well a circle functions is not how good the meetings were but what resulted in people’s lives and to what extent society is favorably affected.
- Termination - a necessary stage, a natural cycle of life. It means change, not failure. It is a time to celebrate accomplishments, learn from mistakes and move on.
For a circle to be complete, there must be a coming together. Circles shaped around heartfelt needs will achieve the purpose of Presbyterian Women.
A Circle Can:
- Help a woman’s personal Christian faith to grow and be nurtured as women share with and pray for one another.
- Provide a Christian community in which women can be strengthened and supported in their needs, concerns, joys and sorrows.
- Provide opportunity for learning skills, developing leadership abilities and for discovering and practicing the talents and gifts God has given each woman.
- Enlarge and enrich the knowledge women have about the Bible, the Christian church, the work of God in the world today and the needs of others in the community and the world.
- Motivate and provide women opportunities to put their faith into action, to work for justice and peace in their own families, churches, communities and worldwide through personal involvement, financial gifts and prayer.
A Circle:
- “Costs” something! Members must be willing to participate in prayer, study, and service, and learn how to be accepting and forgiving of each other.
- Offers shared leadership.
Three circles at First Presbyterian Church of Kalispell meet on the third Thursday of the month from September through May at the church. The Ruth Circle meets from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Fireside Room, while the Naomi Circle meets at 1:00 p.m. in the upstairs parlor. The Martha Circle meets at 1:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room.
The Eve Circle meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 5:15 p.m. in the Fireside Room.
Women can participate in more than one circle if they wish. Members of a circle enjoy a dessert or snacks and beverages, and participate in a continuing Bible study. For the coming church year, the Ruth, Naomi and Martha Circles are studying Confessing the Beatitudes. The Eve Circle is studying Really Bad Girls of the Bible.
If you are interested in joining a circle, start attending the meetings at the indicated time and location. If you have questions, please contact Lynn Dukelow at 857-2157 or Joan Siderius at 257-4486.