Women's Ministry

Teach me your way, O LORD,and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
Psalm 86:11

A word from your women's Ministry leaders

Dear Sisters;


The older I get, the more I want a simpler, quiet Christmas celebration that focuses on God’s gift to the world at the birth of His Son. Advent is a wonderful opportunity to prepare our hearts for what is real and lasting. 


I so appreciate the books our church gives us to help us with this coming season. Use them for yourselves and with your family. It can be a sad time, a lonely time for so many since expectations do not match their reality. But I encourage you to be purposeful about how you celebrate this season. 


After the gifts have been opened, the cookies eaten, the tree taken down, we have the hope that the world is missing. 


Jesus was born for a purpose – to save us from the condemnation we deserve. He took our punishment and endured our pain so that we can become His children. “He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6b. 


He came into our darkness to be the Light of the world. The world pauses for a season of goodwill that is soon over. 


May we who understand the true reason for the season ask the Lord to help us reflect His light to our families, our neighbors and our friends. May you experience the true joy of knowing our Lord and Savior more fully this season. Merry Christmas and Happy 2024!


In Christian Love,


Daza Craig


Luke 2:10b-11 “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior is born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”

Upcoming and Ongoing ministry

Hang tight while we look up scheduled events...

Meet our Leaders

Click each section to get acquainted with the women's ministry leadership:

  • Daza Craig

    Daza grew up in Houston Texas in a Christian home. She made a profession of faith at the age of eight and was baptized. She married her high school sweetheart, Jack, and he served in both the Coast Guard and the Navy for over 20 years. During that time, she and her family moved 13 times and had three children born in Japan, Colorado and Russia. Trained as a librarian, she worked almost 30 years in medical, engineering, school and public libraries.


    She has been a member of Tabernacle since 2011.


    She has a great desire for women to grow in their Christian walk and in relationship with one another in the Body of Christ. She has been blessed to be part of the Women’s Ministry Leadership Team, Women’s Support Team, and Tuesday morning Bible studies for the past several years.


    Her hobbies include reading, traveling, gardening and visiting their grandson in California. She just finished reading All My Knotted Up Life by Beth Moore and highly recommends it. She and her husband grow vegetables and grapes and enjoy birdwatching together.

  • Katie Dell

    Katie spent her childhood in a variety of places - Colorado, Maryland, Connecticut before her family settled in Charlotte, North Carolina for her teenage years. She attended the UNC-Chapel Hill for undergrad and afterwards moved to Charlottesville to complete her Master’s in Teaching at the UVa. 


    Since then, Katie has worked in Albemarle Public Schools as a bilingual immersion Spanish teacher. Katie met her husband Parker in 2018 and they married in 2020 - right in the middle of the pandemic! Katie and Parker have been members of Tabernacle PCA for 2 years.


    They live in Stuarts Draft with their 2 cats and flock of chickens. The Dells are delighting in their first child, a daughter, born in September 2023. Katie is thrilled to be starting this new chapter of life as a mother. 


    Her hobbies include: swing dancing, board games, reading, and occasionally sewing. She and Parker love to travel and explore new places.


    Katie is excited to begin serving in Women's Ministry and is hopeful that her organizational and leadership skills from the workplace will translate well into helpful contributions at Tab. As Assistant Director, Katie will be supporting Daza both practically and in prayer. She is also co-leading one of the summer women’s book studies and helping to plan the fall Women’s Conference. Katie is most passionate about looking for ways to include and serve women who feel on the fringes of the church community.


    If Katie had to pick a verse of particular meaning for her life, it is John 3:14-15. That’s not a typo. Ask why.

  • Kara Mongold

    Kara has lived in the Shenandoah Valley her whole life. She became a member of Tabernacle along with her husband Brian in 2005. Kara and Brian celebrated their thirtieth wedding anniversary this past December. They have two adult children, Garrett and Ella, who are also members of Tabernacle.


    Kara taught in various roles in public school as an elementary educator, a reading specialist, and an instructor for adult ESL students for sixteen years. She homeschooled her children for seven years.


    Currently, Kara is using her gifts and talents of organization, attention to detail, and love for people to serve as office manager for Love In The Name of Christ. Kara is humbled to serve alongside an amazing staff at Love INC and blessed to work with churches in our community committed to serving our neighbors in need. Kara has a new understanding of the power of prayer, and God’s power to equip his people for his work.


    Kara’s hobbies include running, tandem biking with Brian, hiking, cooking, and reading. Kara is finishing the book The True Woman by Susan Hunt. She and Brian also complete the daily Bible reading Seeing Jesus Together.


    She is excited to use her connections to bring opportunities for Mercy Ministry for the women of Tab.

  • Carol Pantuck

    Carol grew up in New Jersey as a beach lover but headed to the Midwest for college. Shortly after graduating from Wheaton College in Illinois, she moved to Philadelphia and met her husband Ron at Tenth Presbyterian Church where they shared a common love for the preaching of their favorite expositor, Dr. James Boice, whose teaching planted in her a love for Reformed Theology.


    She and Ron have been married for 47 years and raised their four children in the Boston suburbs. They currently have four grandchildren but are hoping for a few more!


    With a love of homemaking and hospitality, Carol has primarily been at home with her children, but has enjoyed a variety of interests outside the home including volunteering in the church and community. A great joy has been hosting missionaries who have become dear friends. She also loves reading all kinds of books, music, gardening, sewing, hiking, swimming and studying the Word.


    In their retirement years, Ron and Carol have been privileged to travel and enjoy making plans to visit new places. Highlights of each summer include family reunions at Capon Springs WV and “Grandparents Camp” when she relishes free rein with her favorite kids and together they enjoy fun outings, science experiments, cooking and digging into God’s Word.


    A verse that has long been a guide and solace is Psalm 119:105, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and light to my path.”

  • Rebecca Grow

    Rebecca and her family have attended Tab since 2019 but have been residents of the area much longer. She graduated from Grace Christian High School in Staunton and graduated with a degree in English Language & Literature from Bridgewater College. She and her husband Nick live in Augusta County with their two young boys.


    Rebecca spends her days working in digital marketing, ghost writing, copywriting, homeschooling, dog-walking, chasing boys around, maintaining a home, and doing many other various activities. 


    In what little free time is left, she enjoys reading and dabbling in creative activities like crochet, watercolor, and sourdough baking.

Try Something New

Cranberry Cake

https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/cranberry-christmas-cake/


Ingredients:

3 eggs

2 cups sugar

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flour
**[gluten free option noted in the recipe link]

12 oz fresh cranberries


Directions:

[More detailed instructions in the recipe link]


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 


2. Beat the eggs with the sugar until slightly thickened and light in color, about 5-7 minutes.


3. Add the butter and vanilla; mix two more minutes. 


4. Stir in the flour until just combined. 


5. Add the cranberries and stir to mix throughout.


6. Spread in a buttered 9×13 pan. 


7. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until very lightly browned and a toothpick inserted near the center of the cake comes out clean.


Let cool completely before cutting into small slices. 

A Prayer for Advent

Father of Light - we need You this season as emotions of all kinds stir within us. Our world is troubled, our hearts are weary. Thank you for the Thrill of Hope in which we can rejoice. The Lord has come and He is coming again.


In this season of Advent, looking forward to celebrating the glorious birth of our Savior as well as the coming return of our victorious King Jesus, please fill our days with reminders of Your Grace that surrounds us while we wait.


Holy Spirit, please direct our plans in this season to provide unexpected ways to share the Truth of Jesus that brings light into our darkness.


May Your Name be Glorified as You care about our joys and tears this Christmas.  

Resources

The following resources have been an encouragement to women in our church. If you have books, Bible studies, podcasts, or other resources to recommend, please contact  Address Card  Tab Women's Ministry.

  • Gospel-Centered Hope to Fulfill Your God-Given Design

  • The covenantal life

    by Sarah Ivill

    bookmark Available to borrow from church

  • Instruments in the redeemer's hands

    by Paul David Tripp

    bookmark Available to borrow from church

  • Habits of Grace

    by David Mathis

    bookmark Available to borrow from church

  • Is it my fault?

    by Justin and Lindsey Holcomb

  • Is it Abuse?

    by Darby Strickland