Episcopal Church Women, Author at National Episcopal Church Women

Episcopal Church Women in the News 01-04-24

Episcopal Church Foundation, ECF, Chooses Longtime Associate as New Leader

The ECF manages $709 million in assets for Episcopal congregations and institutions, and sponsors a variety of programs and resources that seek to strengthen the church and prepare for its future.

Wheeling Island Church Members Show It’s Better To Give Than Receive

After Santa came down the chimney, he went to Wheeling Island for one last opportunity to spread holiday cheer.

The Art of Iconography at Holy Trinity Church

A Santa Fe church takes on a massive—and ancient—art project that inspires awe and underscores the harsh reality of faith.

Q&A: Bishop Carol Gallagher looks back on 35 years of service in dioceses across the church

She ordained a priest in 1990 and consecrated a bishop in 2002, plans to retire in early 2025

Building a Fighting Church Part I: Defending the Dignity of Trans and Non-Binary People in 2025 and Beyond

Episcopalians and all others interested in justice for women, LGBTQ+ justice, and social justice are invited to join this webinar to learn from gender justice leaders within and beyond The Episcopal Church about the current legislative terrain in the U.S. impacting these areas and the work that can be done to uphold the dignity of all God’s children.

Episcopal Church Women2025-01-03T22:11:48+00:00January 3rd, 2025|

Gratitude as a Spiritual Practice

Janet Strickler

A 2-hour Mini-Retreat – online workshop

Presented by: Janet Strickler

January 11th, 2025 – 1 PM Eastern

Get your New Year off to an inspiring start with this mini-retreat on Zoom. Most of us have heard that a practice of gratitude is supposed to be good for our health and happiness, and even the Bible encourages us to “give thanks in all circumstances,” (I Thess 5:18) but many of us have tried that and run out of steam after a few days. Get a fresh start with this fun retreat, in which we’ll explore gratitude beyond the usual things we think of being grateful for, and incorporate elements of play, art, poetry, and song.

Janet Strickler is an artist and a Franciscan, and has lived in Colorado for nearly all of her life. For over 20 years she has made gratitude an important part of her daily spiritual practice, eventually spending several summers studying with Brother David Steindl-Rast, the founder of gratefulness.org.

Janet is author of The Little Handbook of Spiritual Practices, and Grateful Every Day; a set of 60 inspiration cards for gratefulness. She was Artist in Residence at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Longmont CO for many years, and often has a booth selling her art at General Convention and other church conferences.

This workshop will be video recorded

Zoom meeting link will be sent to those who register.

Workshop is limited to the first 100 persons who join the Zoom meeting the day of the event.

Supplies Needed

Please have something to write on and something to write with.

A notebook, journal, or scratch paper are all fine, and if you have favorite pens or even colored pencils, have them handy. Since this is a mini-retreat time, you might also want to choose something to create a little sacred space, like a candle or icon, and clear your space of extra distractions.

For Additional Information

Contact Ginny Guzman-Walsh, Chair
NECW ZOOM WORSHOPS SERIES
ginnygw@icloud.com

More Resources From the Retreat Presenter

Janet Strickler

Thanks, everyone, for joining me to start the new year off with some practices of gratitude! I hope you will continue to make it part of your spiritual life.

Here are some links to things I mentioned during the retreat, and further resources you might be interested in:

www.grateful.org is the website begun nearly 20 years ago by Brother David Steindl-Rast, who is also the author of Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer. On the website, you will especially want to delve into the Explore tab, where there are hundreds of articles, stories, poems, and videos.

www.artoftheordinary.net is my own website. If you’d like to see some of the artwork I made over the years as Artist in Residence for my church, (something new for each liturgical season each year,) check out the Liturgical Art tab.

If you’d like to see the piece of art I eventually made that includes (completely hidden when the piece was finished,) over 350 of the blessing prayers I wrote, it is called The Heavens and the Earth.

Grateful Every Day is a set of 60 inspiration cards I designed a few years ago, to help inspire a gratitude practice. Each one has on the front something to be grateful for, and on the back, some questions and prompts to help you think about that topic. A set of cards is $20, and the link above will take you to them on my Etsy shop.

Little Handbook of Gratitude Practices is a small hand-drawn booklet I created a few years ago, which is fun and inexpensive, fits into a greeting card envelope if you want to send them to friends, and the three practices we did today all came from this book. Those are $3.50 each, but if you want more than 10 copies, to give as gifts or use with a group, the price goes down dramatically, so email me for information about that, which isn’t on Etsy. My personal email address is janartist@gmail.com, if you’d like to order anything directly from me, or ask a question, or anything else.

Another thing I will be offering during Lent this year is a Daily Gratitude Practice via email. It is based on the Grateful Every Day cards, and each day during Lent, participants will receive an email with a topic for the day, questions and prompts to help you think about that, and some other related bonus; a poem, video, article, or song. This is by donation, with the amount up to the participant. If you’d like to be notified when registration is open for that, you can sign up for my mailing list via my website: https://www.artoftheordinary.net/mailing-list/

And lastly, (thanks to those of you who read this far!) here are links to the two videos we saw this morning, and to TSSF, my Franciscan Order, if you’d like to know more about that:

A Good Day, with Brother David

Grateful: A Love Song to the World with Nimo Patel

TSSF: the Third Order of the Society of St. Francis

Thank you all, Janet

Episcopal Church Women2025-01-23T14:47:00+00:00December 5th, 2024|

Episcopal Church Women in the News 12-07-24

A message to The Episcopal Church from Executive Council

Executive Council members gathered for our first meeting of this triennium

New Jersey convent welcomes its first new postulants in over a dozen years; TikTok played a role

Two new postulants to the century-old convent building in Mendham, New Jersey.

For the Daughertys, cooking over 200 Thanksgiving meals at All Saints Episcopal Church for North County seniors is a family tradition

The program started 40 years ago.

Episcopal Church loses nearly 40K members, but sees worship attendance grow

For the second consecutive year, the denomination saw a rise in average Sunday worship attendance

New Jersey parents explore ways to talk to adult children about their disinterest in church

There is a largely unspoken tension between parents and their adult children in many Episcopal families.

Sean Rowe wants to realign the Episcopal Church

Rowe’s been chosen to bring some fiscal and organizational restructuring to a denomination in decline.

How a Baptist found common grace in the Episcopal Church

“We sing to the same God, even if our approach to the Lord’s Supper, baptism and leadership differs wildly.”

Former Green Bay, Wisconsin, church becomes new home for women and families in recovery

Amanda’s House is more than just a residence; it is a safe haven where women and their children can find the support they need to reclaim their lives.

Midwinter Student / Young Adult Retreat

February 7-9, 2025 Chicago, IL

Open to students in higher education and young adults Registration

Friday, Feb 7: 4 pm – Arrive at the HI Chicago Hostel (24 E Ida B. Wells Drive) and check in any time after 4pm.

6:30 pm- Program Begins – Snacks, fellowship, and music in the Nichols Room.

Sunday, Feb 9: 12 noon-ish – end after Eucharist on Sunday Morning

Trafficking: Faithful Response and Support

Join this online course to learn how to recognize human trafficking and support those reentering our community after human exploitation. This 90 minute course will introduce participants to the basics of trafficking, how to respond when trafficking is suspected, and how their community can help those on their journey from surviving to thriving.

Monday, Jan 13, 2025, 7-8:30 pm ET / 6-7:30 pm CT

Registration link

Thursday, Jan 30, 2025, 7:30-9 pm ET / 6:30- 8 pm CT

Registration link

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Episcopal Church Women2024-12-04T17:31:21+00:00December 4th, 2024|

Moving Forward in Faith and Service

My dear sisters in Christ,

As we reflect on the conclusion of another election season, we are reminded that the work of our faith is never tied to any political cycle or earthly division. Our purpose as women of the Episcopal Church transcends the temporary shifts of the world around us. In this moment, let us take a collective breath and move forward with hearts full of faith, love, and understanding, trusting that God’s call remains steady and unchanging.

We, the women of the Episcopal Church, have a profound responsibility and a remarkable opportunity to bring Christ’s light to a world in desperate need of hope, justice, and compassion. We stand behind our purpose statement to empower women of the Episcopal Church to carry on Christ’s work throughout the world. Each day, we wake with a renewed yearning to do God’s will, to love our neighbors as ourselves, and to be the hands and feet of Christ. As we walk this path of service, we are called not just to look outward in service to others, but also inward, strengthening our own communities and bonds of sisterhood.

As we continue to move forward together, let us do so in unity—supporting each other, lifting one another up in prayer, and working side by side to bring hope to those who are hurting, lost, or in need. Let us be bold in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, knowing that our collective work as women of faith is both a witness to the world and a deep reflection of the love we share with each other.

As we step forward in faith, let us be ever mindful of the words of our Lord, who calls us to love without condition, serve without reservation, and move forward together with hope, joy, and an unwavering commitment to justice.

In Christ’s service,

Lisa Bortner

National ECW President

Episcopal Church Women2024-11-07T20:24:35+00:00November 7th, 2024|

Episcopal Church Women in the News 11-02-24

National Board Meeting October 2024

The National ECW Board met October 18-21, 2024 in Linthicum Heights, Maryland for the first board meeting of the new triennium. The board meeting agenda was packed with items from reviewing the bylaws to new social justice programming to setting the budget. While there the board voted to donate $1000 to the Anna Julia Cooper School in Richmond, VA…

In a time of change, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry says, he kept his eye trained on love

On Thursday (Oct. 31), Curry, 71, completed his nine-year term as presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church

Episcopalians organize prayer vigils, call for peace as tense election season draws to close

“The church has an opportunity to be a voice for justice, love, healing and hope for the whole world.”

Mission Center Builds Up African Ministries in Boston Area

A former church building has found new life as a center for cultural exchange and fellowship among Africans in the Diocese of Massachusetts.

Episcopal Church’s African Descent Ministries launches revised ‘Healing from Internalized Oppression’ curriculum

The Diocese of Maryland will be the first Episcopal entity to use the new curriculum

Episcopal delegation attends UN biodiversity conference as observer for first time

Four women staff members of the Episcopal Church are in Cali for the conference

Election Night Virtual Prayers

November 5

Everyone is invited to join Election Night Virtual Prayers hosted by The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations. Bishop Sean Rowe, who will become presiding bishop on Nov. 1, will offer an opening reflection and prayer. Episcopalians from around the church will hold silence and lead participants in prayers together for peace, the nation, and all people and countries.

Register for Zoom here: iam.ec/envp or watch on Facebook Live: fb.com/TheEPPN

Global 16 Days Campaign against Gender-Based Violence

November 12 – Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

Dr. Sarah Deer – Moderator
Dr. Shannon Speed – Ending Violence Against Indigenous Women: Rethinking Human Rights and Tribal Sovereignty
Dr. Sherene H. Razack – Racial Terror: An anti-colonial approach to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

Food Insecurities in the Midst of Plenty

142nd Annual Meeting of the Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of North Carolina

Friday, November 15, 2024, 7-9 PM Online meeting via Zoom

Program Presenter: Kendra Paiz – Director, Annual Funds for the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina

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Episcopal Church Women2024-11-01T16:07:45+00:00November 1st, 2024|

National Board Meeting October 2024

The National ECW Board met October 18-21, 2024 in Linthicum Heights, Maryland for the first board meeting of the new triennium. The board meeting agenda was packed with items from reviewing the bylaws to new social justice programming to setting the budget. While there the board voted to donate $1000 to the Anna Julia Cooper School in Richmond, VA.

The school is an independent faith-based school for kindergarten to 8th grade students of limited economic resources, primarily from Richmond’s East End. It is the tradition of the National ECW Board to make a donation to an organization in the Province in which they are meeting. A $1000 donation was also made to Episcopal Relief and Development to aid the victims of Hurricane Helene and Milton. On the last afternoon of the meeting the board took time out to visit the Washington National Cathedral.

For many of the board, this was the first opportunity they had to visit the Cathedral. Although the board began and ended each day in prayer, visiting such a beautiful memorial to God provided a magnificent way to praise the Lord for the blessings of the board and each and everyone of our members sitting in the pews.

Episcopal Church Women2024-11-01T15:21:28+00:00November 1st, 2024|

Episcopal Church Women in the News 10-26-24

Central Pennsylvania and Bethlehem dioceses approve reunification

The Rt. Rev. Audrey C. Scanlan, Bishop of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, said, “I am delighted that our two dioceses have chosen this way forward reunite…”

From Passion Project to Ministry Partner: The Story of Church Communications

Effective communication in the church is not just about keeping up with trends — it’s about fulfilling our mission in the best way possible.

Episcopal delegation attends UN biodiversity conference as observer for first time

“By engaging in this dialogue, we aspire to inspire loving, liberating and life-giving relationships with the earth…”

‘Icons in Transformation’: Christian icon-inspired contemporary art on display in Pullman church

In addition to Pawlowska’s paintings, “Icons in Transformation” includes 19 icons on loan from St. Basil’s Monastery in Suzdal, Russia. – Pullman, WA

Developing Young Servant-Leaders

“We recruit recent college graduates to spend nine months giving their lives away, and to start their post-college lives in deep community and serving the church.”

What to know for the investiture of Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe

The Nov 2nd 11 a.m. ET service will also be livestreamed to The Episcopal Church’s Facebook page.

After 24 years of adaptive ministry, Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe faces biggest challenge yet

In the past two decades, membership has dropped from about 2.3 million to under 1.6 million, mirroring trends in other mainline Protestant denominations.

The Rev. Angela Maria Cortiñas elected bishop suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas

She will be consecrated and installed as the seventh bishop suffragan of West Texas on March 29, 2025, pending consents of bishops

Friendship churches forming food sustainability, aging study groups

The What God is Doing in Friendship NY alliance of churches is spearheading the initiative

Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts elects first female diocesan bishop

For the first time in its 240-year history, a woman will be the top bishop – Video

142nd Annual Meeting of the Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of North Carolina

Theme: Food Insecurities in the Midst of Plenty
Friday, November 15, 2024, 7-9 PM
Online meeting via Zoom – sign up to attend

Our program topic, Food Insecurities in the Midst of Plenty, will include a special presentation by Kendra Paiz, Director of Annual Funds for the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. As a lifelong Episcopalian, Ms. Paiz has been at the forefront of the fight against food insecurities. She is a member of St Ambrose Episcopal Church. Ms. Paiz has served on the vestry, including a term as Junior Warden, and is active in the church ECW group. Afterwards, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a follow-up discussion.

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Episcopal Church Women2024-10-25T18:32:14+00:00October 25th, 2024|