About the Gathering
What is the Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women?
The Gathering, held once every three years, is an opportunity for Presbyterian women from across the country (and around the world!) to gather for worship, education, community-building, fun and renewal. Participants will enjoy workshops, tours, forums, plenary sessions with inspiring speakers and worship. PW’s triennial Business Meeting also takes place during the Gathering, where budget, leadership and programmatic emphases will be decided.
In 2012, the Gathering will be held July 18–22 in Orlando, Florida, (all under one roof) at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center. Themed “River of Hope,” the 2012 Gathering will renew our hope and explore Psalm 46:4–5:
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
God will help it when the morning dawns.
Read the frequently asked questions about the Gathering.
Read a letter from Kathy Randall, the chair of the 2012 Churchwide Gathering Planning Team, outlining all that the Gathering has to offer!
Get a taste of the Gathering—watch this six-minute video that offers a look at the fun, worship and fellowship that you can have at the 2012 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women in Orlando, Florida, July 18-22, 2012.
What registration options are available?
A variety of registration options are available so you can participate in some or all of Presbyterian Women’s Churchwide Gathering. A full early registration is just $440, and one-day registrations are available for only $95.
Learn about the various registration options and what is included in each
What is the schedule of events at the PW Gathering?
At the Gathering, you’ll have numerous choices for educational or spiritual development—or just plain fun! Start your day with morning devotions, and then recharge later in the day at the spirituality center. Learn about issues facing the church and the world (and what you can do to help) in plenary sessions, workshops, forums and mission excursions. Shop the Enough for Everyone Global Marketplace or Resource Center/Bookstore. Browse the many exhibits in the atrium. And get excited about the future of Presbyterian Women at the Business Meeting, where PW’s 2012–2015 leaders will be elected, a budget will be finalized and programmatic emphases will be chosen.
Get the full daily schedule for the Gathering
Is childcare available at the Gathering?
Thanks to a generous donation, group child care at the Gathering is available at a (much-reduced) rate of $2.50 an hour! Professional caregivers will offer age-appropriate games, arts and crafts, movies, music and more. Advance registration (by June 15, 2012) is required.
Group care will be available as follows:
- Wednesday, July 18: 6:45 –9:15 p.m.
- Thursday, July 19: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.; 6:30–9 p.m.
- Friday, July 20: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Saturday, July 21: 8:30 am–5 p.m. 6:30–9 p.m.
- Sunday, July 22: 8 –11:30 a.m.
Childcare prices don’t include food, but you can add the plenary/five-meal pass for $250 or purchase food from Gaylord’s restaurants or the nearby restaurants and grocery stores. Call (407) 828-0901 to make a reservation for your child or to learn more.
What hotel accommodations are available?
Housing and programming are all under one roof at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center. Special hotel rates have been arranged at the Gaylord Palms. These rates will be available July 15–25, 2012 (includes three days before and three days after the Gathering, based on availability).
Room rates are per room, per night, one to four persons per room, and are subject to tax. To take advantage of the special Gathering rates and waived resort fee, book your reservation anytime after beginning December 1, 2011 but before June 27, 2012. After June 27, the hotel may charge significantly higher rates.
- traditional room — $189, plus parking/night and tax *
- suite — $229, plus parking/night and tax* (some suites higher)
Learn more about the reservation process, including deposits, cancellations and modifications
Are transportation services available?
For full-service air travel assistance, contact Roger Roy, Global Travel Alliance, by email or phone, (866) 505-3190.
If flying to Orlando, take advantage of the special rates between the Gaylord Palms and Orlando International Airport (MCO)—$10/per person each way. For arrivals on Monday, July 16 and Tuesday, July 17, shuttles will run every hour, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; on Wednesday, July 18, every 20 minutes, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. For departures on Sunday, July 22, shuttles will run every 20 minutes, 8 a.m.–3 p.m.; on Monday, July 23, every hour, 8 a.m.–noon Bus will take approximately 30 minutes to get to the airport. Plan on leaving Gaylord Palms two hours or more prior to your flight departure time. Advance reservations and payment are required at the time of Gathering registration.
For arrivals or departures outside these hours, arrangements should be made with the Gaylord Palms or at the airport.
Give hope with a gift card
Consider bringing a prepaid gift card to be collected at the Churchwide Gathering for Beth-El Farmworker Ministry, Inc. The ministry helps migrant farmworkers in three Florida communities—Wimauma, Immokalee and Arcadia. Beth-El offers worship services, extensive educational programs, a food pantry, child care and many other services to support migrant workers.
Migrant farmworkers who are assisted by Beth-El are the poorest of the working poor. Ninety percent of them are from Mexico and Central America, and often face barriers of language and/or prejudice while trying to earn a living for their families. They routinely labor in Florida’s intense heat, harvesting the food we enjoy in restaurants and in our homes.
For this Gathering mission project, please bring (and encourage others to bring) a $20 gift card from one of the following stores: Target, Kmart, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walgreens, CVS/pharmacy, Costco and Publix. These stores provide a range of items, from food and clothing to medicine and building supplies. You also may give a $20 Visa gift card, which is accepted at any of these stores.
Should you wish to give more than $20, please purchase additional gift cards in the amount of $20 each.