PWOC participants can be proud of their international and national PWOC heritage. This chapel-based ministry for women was formed to help chaplains carry out their religious programs, and to bring Christian fellowship and spiritual growth to U.S. military communities around the globe.

Shortly after family members of U.S. Armed Forces began arriving in Europe in the mid-1950’s, women formed chapel support groups to assist their chaplains and to seek Christian fellowship. Initially, these groups had no ties to other chapel or women’s groups. In October 1955, 250 women from across Europe attended a convention in Berchtesgaden, Germany. Here a U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) PWOC Council was established and guidelines for area and local chapters were prepared. In May 1956, 500 women gathered again in Berchtesgaden for the first PWOC Training Conference. There were speakers and workshops to train the delegates and to offer spiritual enrichment. This conference proved to be so successful that it has become an annual PWOC-Europe event. All chapters of the U.S. Forces Europe were united into one organization in 1960 and the USAREUR Council became the European Council.

“We Are Workers Together for Christ,” the theme of the first PWOC training conference, has become the official motto for PWOC worldwide.

PWOC-International was formed in 2006 as PWOC- Europe and PWOC-USA transformed into one organization.

Our 2009-2010 theme, "Arise, For the Lord Extends His Scepter," is drawn from Psalm 45:6-9 and 1 Peter 2:9-10. These theme verses capture the work our Savior has done on behalf of His bride, the church, and the calling that exists on each of our lives as He works out His Kingdom purposes through us.

Psalm 45 is a Messianic psalm that prophetically describes Christ's future relationship with the church, the whole body of Believers. The Lord's character is clearly described in verse 7: "You love righteousness and hate wickedness." (NKJV) Understanding that the scepter of His kingdom is a "scepter of righteousness," (verse 6, NKJV), we might expect to be separated from Christ by our lack thereof. Yet instead Christ wears robes "fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia," (verse 7, NKJV) - the expensive fragrances worn by a king preparing for His wedding. How we celebrate that in His justice and righteousness our God works for our good and provides for our reconciliation and restoration!

In Biblical times people were granted access to the king's throne room when he extended his scepter to them. Similarly, we have been chosen as recipients of God's favor! Our logo this year is an artistic expression of the Lord's scepter of gold with a cross at the tip. It is the price Christ paid for our sins on the cross that grants us "entry" into His presence when we come into personal relationship with Him. "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21, NIV)

Both the crown at the base of the cross and the purple color used as a backdrop are symbolic of Christ's royalty and His rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the One of whom Colossians 1:16 states: "For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him." (NIV)

The diamond represents the bride of Christ. We are a diverse, redeemed body of believers, whose multiple facets collectively reflect His brilliance. The rays shooting from the diamond symbolize how God's glory is displayed when we "shine like stars in the universe holding out the word of life." (Philippians 2:15b-16a, NIV) A precious gem currently associated with betrothal, the diamond denotes how we are cherished and valued by Christ as His bride and used by Him as He extends His kingdom reign.

1 Peter 2:9-10 gives voice to the incredible transformation God has worked in our lives: "Once you were not a people, but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy buy now have obtained mercy" (verse10, NKJV). What a blessing to now be called "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people" (verse 9a, NKJV). What a privilege to be authorized and empowered in Kingdom service! "...He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us." (2 Corinthians 5:19-20, NIV)

The word "Arise" is, therefore, a call to action for the bride of Christ The letters are in red to remind us that we step out fully confident in who we are in Him, because the price paid by His blood fully justified us in His sight. Red also represents the fire of God which empowers us. The remaining lettering has colors that change and blend, reflecting the ongoing transformation His Spirit works out in our lives. He brings healing to the brokenhearted, liberty to the captives, joy to those who mourn and beauty from ashes. In 2009-2010, we exhort our PWOC sisters to "rise" above difficult circumstances, celebrate their identity in Christ, and "proclaim the praises of Him, who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light!!" (1 Peter 2:9b, NKJV)

What the PWOC Pin means

P: stands for Protestant, our heritage and our choice.

W: stands for Women who owe a great deal to Christ because of the level to which He raised them during His time on earth.

C: stands for Chapel where we can carry out our beliefs.

The Metallic Letters and Olive Branch stand for the precious metal of God’s love. In Psalm 36:7-9 are these words: “How precious is thy steadfast love, O God!”

White Cross: symbol of our Christian faith. One bar is vertical signifying our responsibility to communion with God, while the other is horizontal, representing our responsibility to our fellow man. It is white because that is the color of purity and cleanliness and represents Jesus’ nature. The shadow shows the depth of the cross and our ability to enter into the refuge of Jesus.

Dark Blue: stands for freedom, which we know as Christians. Jesus died and we are free from sin. Jesus says: “…you will know the truth and the truth will make you free.”

Motto: We are Workers Together for Christ

 

Theme Hymn
Crown Him With Many Crowns

Theme Chorus
Sing to the King

Theme Verses
Psalm 45:6-9 (New King James Version)

⁶Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;
A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
⁷You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.
⁸All Your garments are scented with myrrh and aloes and cassia,
Out of the ivory palaces, by which they have made You glad.
⁹Kings’ daughters are among Your honorable women;
At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir.

1 Peter 2:9-10 (New King James Version)

⁹But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; ¹⁰who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

The Protestant Women of the Chapel International is a resource network that unites, trains and encourages women in the military chapel community in their spiritual growth.

PWOC is God empowered, Christ centered and Spirit led; exists as an extension of the chapel; encourages women to grow spiritually within the body of Christ through prayer, the study of God's Word, worship and service; is sponsored by the Army Chief of Chaplains and is recognized by the leadership of the Air Force, Navy, Marine and Coast Guard Chaplaincy.

The Protestant Women of the Chapel (PWOC) is an integral part of the installation’s religious support mission, which directly assists the commander in caring for his/her Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and their families. PWOC is a part of the commander’s religious program and it organizationally exists under the supervision of the installation chaplain. PWOC's part of the religious program is to minister to the unique needs of the military woman and female military spouse. PWOC equips women to flourish in the unique challenges of the military lifestyle through its emphasis on nurturing and mentoring. This is accomplished by seasoned military spouses and mature military women.

PWOC provides the environment to nurture a spiritually enriching community that enhances personal enrichment and family readiness. During times of deployment, the Soldier, Airman, Sailor or Marine can be assured that PWOC will be a close, caring group who will be there to support his spouse and provide a helping hand when needed.

PWOC is grounded in spiritual principles, and is a unique force multiplier for the commander. This is accomplished by training women in personal and family skills, by being a compassionate safety net to hurting women, and by supporting the ideals that military personnel are called to protect and defend.