Greetings from your National ECW Treasurer! For the last 22 years, Cincinnati, Ohio, has been my residence and St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, my spiritual home. When our family joined St. Barnabas, the parish was only 10 years old in a growing area of the city with many young families attending services and leading activities. Our priest was not only an ex officio member of ECW, but of the Mothers of Young Children group (MYC) that eventually ran the fundraising projects of ECW. This included the annual Lasagna dinner and auction, rummage sale and the flower sale. The MYC also led Lenten Bible and book studies. The Diocesan ECW President called me one day out of the blue and asked me to serve on the Board. An older woman in our parish had suggested me as a possibility for the Book of Remembrance chair. I was 31 and the mother of a four year old.
Over the next 14 years, I served the Diocesan ECW, our local parish ECW and attended Province meetings. I found the mission and ministry of the ECW to be life changing to me and to those we served. The ECW spearheaded needed projects in congregations and throughout the world. The ECW women were organized, shared common goals and saw endless possibilities with Jesus Christ as their inspiration and leader.
When the ECW National Board visited our Province and Southern Ohio, I attended their meet and greet session to see what their focus and plans for TM were. Again totally by surprise, I was approached by a board member to serve on the National Board as Secretary. My ECW journey took another path that has led me to Treasurer which fits my natural gifts and accounting abilities.
In my experience younger women make intentional decisions to associate with the church and ECW. It truly helps when they are personally asked to serve.
What are my dreams for the national ECW in the next Triennium? Here is a list:
- Development of a Prayer/Liturgy Network – Sharing of prayers that are directed toward women
- Development of a Speakers Bureau – Sharing speakers and topics of interest to ECW’s
- Update/Revise Sections of the Women of Vision Program to incorporate current learning
- Gain Appreciation of the Benefactors of ECW – research the history – work with EWHP
- 16 Days of Activism – Partner with other Episcopal Women’s organizations
- National Online Bible Study
- National Online Book Club – one Book per Year
- Work on Structural Changes that can Help ECW evolve
- A Triennial Meeting that touches the heart and quickens the soul
If there is enough interest, these dreams can be fulfilled. Three years may not be enough time!
Pray with me and the rest of the board for a spirit filled and progressive Triennium. Do not hesitate to contact me with any question or thought.