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.

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
The Doxology by Thomas Ken

Theme Chorus
Salt & Light by Jami Smith
My Romance by Rick Pino, Christ for the Nations

Theme Verses
Isaiah 60:1-2 (New King James Version)

“Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But
the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.”

Matthew 5:13-16 (New King James Version)

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be
seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled
underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot
be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand,
and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

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.