The first record of a women's organization at First Presbyterian Church was in 1903, calling themselves "Ladies Aid Society", with Mrs. W.P. Manley as President. The name was changed several times. In 1938 it became "Women's Organization", in 1954 "Women's Association" and after reorganization it was changed to "United Presbyterian Women" in 1961. In 1988 after the Northern and Southern Presbyterian Churches joined, the organization changed its name to Presbyterian Women.

The group divided itself into "Circles" with each having its own Moderator, Secretary and Treasurer. The circles were named after previous pastors wives. The names were chosen going back to 1879, starting with Jenny Avery. Then in chronological order by pastorates, the names were Anna Grandy, Martha Knox, Harriet Jenkins, Mary McClintock, Harriet McFadden, May Hamilton, Ruth Rippey, Emily Stimson, Bertha Lilley and recently, Jane Skinner.

The Purpose of Presbyterian Women is to: "By God in Jesus Christ, commit ourselves, to nurture our faith through prayer and study, to support the mission of the church worldwide, to work for justice and peace and to build an inclusive, caring community."

First Presbyterian Church currently has three circles; one circle having a membership of middle-age and senior women which meets in the morning, one circle of women with grown children (Jane Skinner circle), and one circle with young women meeting in the evening (Emily Stimson circle).

The three morning circles meet at 10:00 a.m. the first Friday of each month, September through May, in the church's Sheldon Jackson Hall. The morning circles meet for refreshments and a Bible Study led by a member of the circle group. This year's study is "For Everything A Season: A Study of the Liturgical Calendar", by Maria Curie and published by the National Presbyterian Women.

The Jane Skinner circle meets the first Tuesday evening of each month at the home of a circle member. Their book study for this year is "For Everything A Season: A Study of the Liturgical Calendar", by Maria Curie. The Jane Skinner circle also bakes gingerbread cakes each winter for the North High School madrigal dinner as a fundraiser for the mission projects the circle supports, and will also organize a Sewing Day on Tuesday, October 4 from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. to provide items for Haiti missions.

The Emily Stimson circle meets the second Wednesday evening of each month, either in the church's Vincent Lounge or at a circle member's home. The primary purpose of their circle is to encourage Christian fellowship. A short devotional discussion is also held at each meeting. The Emily Stimson circle hosts a Palm Sunday brunch following the 11:00 a.m. worship service each year as a fundraiser for the mission projects the Emily Stimson circle supports.

The circles' past mission work has included giving health kits, school supplies, and clothing to needy children in the Sioux City School system. Money that is raised by our personal pledges also goes to the General Assembly program including worldwide mission, justice, education, evangelism, health, world services and the Presbyterian Women church wide Coordinating Team.

Each circle accepts new members at any time and whether or not a woman is a member of First Presbyterian Church. To obtain the name and phone number of each circle's Moderator, please contact the Church office at sc1pres@willinet.net
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