Our Story
Deborah Circle is a welcoming group of women dedicated to both mission outreach and cultivating strong bonds of friendship with one another. It’s best described by members as, “fellowship with a purpose.”
Its roots go back to the 1880’s when Methodist women founded “The Women’s Home Mission Society.” Today, it has evolved into “United Methodist Women,” (unitedmethodistwomen.org) whose 800,000 members make it the world’s largest denominational mission service organization for women.
Sue Gillaugh and Charm McLemore started a Jesse Lee Church Deborah Circle chapter under the UMW umbrella in 1977. The group is named for the Old Testament prophet, Deborah, and it celebrates strong women dedicated to spiritual growth, fellowship and advocacy for women and children around the world.
Faith, hope and love are the primary drivers for all the mission outreach work the women of Deborah Circle do.
COVID has increased the needs of so many women and children so Deborah Circle is inviting all the women of Jesse Lee, as well as women in Ridgefield and surrounding towns, to consider joining their efforts to alleviate suffering wherever possible.
With history as a guide, we’re confident you’ll have fun, make new friends and fortify existing relationships in the process of serving women, youth and children in need.
Contact Ronda Lanzi at deborahcircle@jesseleechurch.com to learn more.
2024 EVENTS & OUTREACH
DEBORAH CIRCLE CELEBRATES
DOTTIE FRANK’S 100TH BIRTHDAY!
Dottie has been a member of Deborah Circle for many years. She always volunteered with projects, did devotions at our monthly meetings and supported all the many endeavors Deborah Circle would develop.
POSTPONED
GOVERNOR GRASSO PRESENTATION
The January Deborah Circle program will be a special presentation by Darla Shaw on Connecticut’s late Governor Ella Grasso. Darla states Governor Grasso is a favorite to portray as she was such a strong authentic individual.
Governor Grasso was truly a pioneering woman in her day. In her storied political career, she never lost an election. She became the first woman elected governor in the United States in her own right, not as a widow or successor to her husband. She also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.
Darla Shaw always gives interesting, informative, and entertaining portrayals of historical women. All ladies of Jesse Lee are invited to come and learn of Connecticut’s own Ella Grasso.
Deborah Circle will meet in the Carriage House (Couri Hall) on Wednesday, January 24 at 9:30 a.m. for fellowship and a short meeting. Darla’s presentation will follow at approximately 10:15 a.m.
Please contact Ronda with any questions:
rlanzi@optonline.net or 203-834-9597
2023 EVENTS & OUTREACH
April Deborah Circle event
Deborah Circle welcomed Jesse Lee’s Director of Christian Education, Leticia Soltero, to be their special guest. Leticia shared her vision for the spiritual development of the children of Jesse Lee. Thank you Leticia for the faith and love you share with generosity and grace. Jesse Lee Church is blessed to have you!
March Deborah Circle event
Deborah Circle hosted Ability Beyon at the March meeting. This organization offers day programs, employment services and professional support to people with intellectual disabilities in Connecticut and New York.
Deborah Circle learned how Ability Beyond residences give the maximum independence and job support to residents.
Thank you Ability Beyond for sharing information about the program and its benefits to residents, and to the community. And thank you to BG Brown for arranging this excellent presentation.
February Deborah Circle event
Jesse Lee’s own Maria Pia Seirup, Deacon of Jesse Lee, was the special guest at the Deborah Circle February meeting. She shared her thoughts on Ash Wednesday. She also helped us understand the importance of the forty days of Lent between Ash Wednesday and Easter. Maria Pia also gave the imposition of ashes as part of her presentation.
See below for photos from Deborah Circle on Ash Wednesday. We celebrated Dorothy Lockwood’s 92nd birthday and Maria Pia gave an excellent presentation on the history and meaning of Ash Wednesday and administered ashes and a remote blessing to Sharon Collins, who joined us from Arizona via Zoom. We had 19 in attendance.
January Deborah Circle event
In January, Deborah Circle had a great visit from special guest, Susan DiGregorio, Speech Language Pathologist at the RVNA (Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association). Susan shared information about what causes fading memory and loss of focus as we age. She also presented great ideas to help keep our minds and memories strong.