Episcopal Church Women

Summary

The Miami Times – Freedom’s Eve reflects victory over trespass – On Dec. 31, 1862, American slaves were waiting for the clock to strike midnight in order to seize the promise of freedom outlined in the Emancipation Proclamation

Madison.com – Rev. Miranda Hassett, St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church – There’s an idea about Jesus that theologians, people who think and write about God, call the scandal of particularity

Daily Freeman – Photos: Angel Food East delivers food to the homebound – Volunteers and staff prepare meals for Angel Food East to be delivered twice a week to the homebound in the area. The home delivery service works out of St. John’s Episcopal Church on Albany Avenue in Kingston, N.Y. (Tania Barricklo/Daily Freeman)

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Freedom’s Eve reflects victory over trespass

The Miami Times – Miami, FL

This New Year’s Eve marks the 159th anniversary of Freedom’s Eve, a famous date in Black history when millions of people anxiously awaited the announcement that they had at last been freed from bondage.

On Dec. 31, 1862, American slaves were waiting for the clock to strike midnight in order to seize the promise of freedom outlined in the Emancipation Proclamation. Only 3.1 million of the country’s four million slaves were declared free from the bondage of oppression with the issuance of the decree. The soon-to-be freed slaves stayed awake all night and watched the darkness turn into a new dawn while waiting for the news. Since then, the tradition of celebrating Freedom’s Eve has been a cultural ritual. […]

Rev. Miranda Hassett, St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church

Madison.com – Madison, WI

There’s an idea about Jesus that theologians, people who think and write about God, call the scandal of particularity. A scandal means something that surprises and upsets people; that doesn’t fit their expectations of how things ought to be. And particularity is just the noun version of the word “particular,” as in, “I want to wear this particular shirt today,” or “I like that particular kind of candy, or that particular TV show.” […]

Photos: Angel Food East delivers food to the homebound

Daily Freeman – Kingston, NY

Volunteers and staff prepare meals for Angel Food East to be delivered twice a week to the homebound in the area. The home delivery service works out of St. John’s Episcopal Church on Albany Avenue in Kingston, N.Y. Three-hundred meals are delivered twice a week to the homebound in the area. […]

Summary
The Daily Item – Women lead religious groups in many ways – As a scholar of gender and U.S. religious history, I argue that while attention to women’s ordination is important, it does not tell the whole story of women’s leadership.

Quad Cities.com – First-ever female bishop for Episcopal Diocese of Iowa – The Rev. Betsey Monnot will be ordained and consecrated as the 10^th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa

Laguna Beach Independent – St. Mary’s completes food drive supporting Laguna Food Pantry – The church gathered in 144 cans of beans in June, 263 tins of tuna in July, 130 jars of peanut butter and jelly in August, 52 boxes of cereal and 50 packets of rice in September, 52 packets of pasta and 70 jars of pasta sauce in October

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Women lead religious groups in many ways

The Daily Item – Sunbury, PA

What constitutes women’s leadership in religious communities is open to many interpretations. In the U.S., more attention has been given to women’s ordination because of the highly public and visible nature of these roles, but the issue is far more complicated.

In her 2010 book “Breaking Through the Stained Glass Ceiling: Women Religious Leaders in Their Own Words,” radio host Maureen Fiedler identifies at least eight types of religious leadership roles for women: denominational and organizational leaders, biblical scholars, theologians, religious activists, spiritual teachers, interfaith leaders and journalists. While each has its own particular challenges and struggles, Fiedler notes that “denominational leadership is hardest for women to achieve, because it involves real power.” […]

First-ever female bishop for Episcopal Diocese of Iowa

Quad Cities.com – Iowa

“I am beyond excited to be your new bishop-elect. My heart is full,” Rev. Monnot said this past summer following her election. “Thank you so much for your confidence in me. I look forward to our ministry together as we follow God’s call into the future that God dreams of for The Episcopal Church in Iowa,” Monnot said in an address to the diocese via Zoom shortly after being notified of her election.

“I am so excited to join you in ministry and to take the next steps soon. May God’s blessing be with all of us as we prepare for our future together, as we journey as disciples of Jesus on the road together, and as we continue to listen for God’s call for the Episcopal Church in Iowa.” […]

St. Mary’s completes food drive supporting Laguna Food Pantry

Laguna Beach Independent – Laguna Beach, CA

St Mary’s Episcopal Church recently finished its food drive to help hungry families who still get free groceries from the Laguna Food Pantry in greater numbers during the pandemic.

Church members donated a different staple food each month for six months and delivered multiple bags of food to the Pantry monthly. By focusing on gathering one or two staple items per month, St Mary’s helped the Pantry staff and volunteers avoid sorting donated food. […]

Holiday church event raises funds for local residents in need

The Sun – Lake Luzerne, NY

The Episcopal Church Women of St. Mary’s Church in Lake Luzerne helped raise funds for local needs through the Spirit of Christmas—Baskets Galore and More event last week.

All proceeds raised will be used by the ECW in its work to benefit the local community and church, according to parishioner Patricia Midura.

“We were honored by everyone’s presence, and we hope they enjoyed their time with us. Thank you to the generous donors who provided gifts and prizes for our fishbowl baskets and gingerbread house awards,” she said. […]

The Good Book Club: Epiphany 2022

Save the Date! The Good Book Club will return in Epiphany, 2022, with its first Old Testament offering: Exodus.

The second book of the Bible, Exodus recounts the journey of the Israelites from slavery to freedom. We hear the great stories of Moses, from his discovery by Pharaoh’s daughter on the bank of the river to the burning bush to his presentation of the Ten Commandments. Along the way, we encounter God’s covenant and explore the grand theme of redemption. […]

Summary

AP News – Women Breaking Through to Top Roles in Black Churches – When an opening for bishop arose in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in 2010, Teresa Jefferson-Snorton looked around to see if any women were offering to be candidates.

The McDonough Voice – Rev. Paula Engelhorn retires; Rev. Dr. Joyce Beaulieu is supply priest – The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd announces that The Rev. Paula Engelhorn has resigned as priest due to health issues.

Venice Gondolier – St. Marks youth shared Tulsa mission experiences – The youth of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, their adult leaders, and Director of Formation and Engagement Melissa Rau shared their Tulsa, Oklahoma mission trip experiences with 116 members of the congregation during a recent parish dinner.

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Women Breaking Through to Top Roles in Black Churches

AP News – Fairfield, AL

When an opening for bishop arose in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in 2010, Teresa Jefferson-Snorton looked around to see if any women were offering to be candidates.

None were.

She knew that since its founding 140 years earlier by Black Methodists emerging from slavery, the denomination had never elected a woman bishop.

“I was like, oh my goodness, this can’t be,” she recalled. “If no one steps forward, it gives the church a pass.” […]

Rev. Paula Engelhorn retires; Rev. Dr. Joyce Beaulieu is supply priest

The McDonough Voice – Macomb, IL

The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd announces that The Rev. Paula Engelhorn has resigned as priest due to health issues.

She and her husband plan to move to the St. Louis area near one son’s family as soon as their home sells. Rev. Paula has served as the priest for eleven and one half years, faithfully leading the congregation in moves from spaces in other churches to the Engelhorns’ sunroom to their current location on University Drive. […]

St. Marks youth shared Tulsa mission experiences

Venice Gondolier – Venice, FL

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March8 Mentorship Programme

We pair professional women at the start of their careers with high-achievers at the top of theirs.

We’re pairing professional women at the start of their careers with high-achievers at the top of theirs. Opening doors, building relationships and helping to develop the next generation of female leaders.

The final sign up for mentees to join is February 17th 2022. For more information and sign up form, please see here: https://march8.com/mentorship

It’s free to take part and there are endless benefits to joining, some include:

World-class mentors

• Unrivalled Access
• Global Network
• Career-Building Experience
• Ongoing support

Applications are open for two grant opportunities offered annually by The Episcopal Church

Constable Fund – grants, which focus on religious education,

Roanridge Trust grants, which support leadership development in small towns and rural communities.

The application deadline for both is Dec. 12.

More information on Constable Fund application requirements and the application forms are available in English at this link and in Spanish at this link.

Dioceses, congregations and Episcopal Church-related organizations and institutions are invited to apply for Roanridge Trust grants. Applications require diocesan bishop approval. More information, application forms and instructions about the Roanridge Trust grants are available in English at this link and in Spanish at this link.

The 2021 Roanridge Trust grants totaled $209,851, distributed among 12 recipients. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $29,000.

For more information about either grant, contact the Rev. Molly James, deputy executive officer of the General Convention, 212-716-6048, or Mr. George Wing, chair of the grant review committee, winggeo@winglaw.com.

Summary

Sequim Gazette – St. Luke’s brings back daily church bells – Sequim residents can soon say, “I heard the bells on Christmas and Thanksgiving, too.”

Fauquier Times – New food pantry opens in Delaplane – On Wednesday, the Fauquier Community Food Bank will open the doors to a “satellite” food pantry in Delaplane.

The Wrap – ‘My Name Is Pauli Murray’ Filmmakers Explain How They Portrayed a ‘Legendary But Little Known American’ (Video) – TheWrap Screening Series: The directors of 2018’s ‘RBG’ and collaborators discuss their new film about a civil rights trailblazer. Private and humble, Murray died in 1985 at age 74 and was largely forgotten.

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St. Luke’s brings back daily church bells

Sequim Gazette – Sequim, WA

Sequim residents can soon say, “I heard the bells on Christmas and Thanksgiving, too.”

The once-common Westminster Chime at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church rings once again starting at noon on Thursday, Nov. 25.

It’s been more than 18 months since the bell tower went silent after the church’s system malfunctioned.

Rev. ClayOla Gitane, rector at the church on North Fifth Ave., said she received a call at about 1 a.m. one night in March of 2020 from a 9-1-1 dispatcher asking if she was the pastor. […]

New food pantry opens in Delaplane

Fauquier Times – Delaplane, VA

On Wednesday, the Fauquier Community Food Bank will open the doors to a “satellite” food pantry in Delaplane. The new location is open to everyone who qualifies, but it is meant especially help isolated older people living in the sparsely populated hills of northern Fauquier County.

The new food pantry is located on the Emmanuel Episcopal Church campus next to U.S. 17, just off Interstate 66. Since the “satellite” pantry will run on the same system as the main food bank in Warrenton […]

‘My Name Is Pauli Murray’ Filmmakers Explain How They Portrayed a ‘Legendary But Little Known American’ (Video)

The Wrap – National

It was during the production of their 2018 Oscar nominated documentary “RBG” that directors Julie Cohen and Betsy West fully learned about the incredible life and career of Pauli Murray. An influence on Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Thurgood Marshall and countless others, Murray was a lawyer, legal scholar, civil rights activist, Episcopal priest, poet and (perhaps unknowingly at the time) an icon for LGBT rights, especially transgender rights.

Private and humble, Murray died in 1985 at age 74 and was largely forgotten. But the new documentary “My Name Is Pauli Murray” is meant to remedy that […]

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Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida Diocesan Convention is just around the corner

If you or your organization would like to have a display this year, please complete the attached application. The tentative schedule, hotel information, and further information will be available on our website at: https://cfdiocese.org/2022diocon/

Please note that the deadline for applications is January 14, 2022. Any applications received after this deadline will not be approved as we have deadlines at the Ocean Center.

New Bishop Search for Diocese of Virginia

The Diocese of Virginia now invites qualified candidates to discern whether God may be calling them to serve the Savior as the XIV Bishop of Virginia. The Search Committee also invites Virginia Episcopalians to dedicate time in prayer and meditation to discern what the Holy Spirit calls the Diocese of Virginia to be and do in order to further God’s kingdom of love and light in our world, our communities and our congregations.

We encourage all members of the Diocese to explore the search website, read the profile, and take an active part in the search process. www.virginiabishopsearch.org

Diocese of Nevada notified of successful canonical consent process

The Episcopal Diocese of Nevada has received notification from Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael B. Curry that Bishop-elect Elizabeth Bonforte Gardner has received the required majority of consents in the canonical consent process detailed in Canon III.11.3. The consents received have been certified by the Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe, Registrar of the General Convention.

The Rev. Gardner was elected diocesan bishop on October 8, 2021.

A Favorite Chapter Christmas Version of 1 Corinthians Chapter 13

If I design fabulous Christmas cards, with flaw-less family photos and write newsy, clever Christmas letters about my perfect life, but have not love, I’m a phony friend.

And if I have super power to remember the correct sizes and color preferences of everyone on my list; and if I have faith to find parking on Black Friday, but have not love, I am nothing.

If I give my Christmas bonus to the church, and work all day Saturday greening up the church, handing out shower towels and free soup, but have not love, I gain nothing. […]

Summary

Episcopal News Service – The end may be near, but radical change can save the earth, says climate activist Mary Nichols – Unless radical changes are made in current energy use, “the guy with the sign that says, ‘The End is Near’…

Royal Oak Tribune – Women’s group makes placemats for Meals on Wheels of Troy, Rochester – The women of Crafting Kindness came together from four different organizations to create handmade placemats, to be distributed with Thanksgiving meals to senior citizens and others…

Countywide Sun – Stained Glass Restoration Illuminates Emmanuel Episcopal’s 125th Anniversary – Red, green, blue, gold—the glittering panes of glass come alive with color in the dusky light. For more than 100 years, sunlight has shown through the stained glass windows

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The end may be near, but radical change can save the earth, says climate activist Mary Nichols

Episcopal News Service – Los Angeles, CA

Unless radical changes are made in current energy use, “the guy with the sign that says, ‘The End is Near’ is right – probably before the end of this century,” environmental attorney and climate activist Mary D. Nichols told delegates attending the Nov. 13 annual meeting of the Diocese of Los Angeles in Riverside.

But there is a great deal of hope if people of faith collaborate on solutions, added Nichols, a parishioner at St. James in-the-City Church in Los Angeles, delivering the biennial Margaret Parker lecture at Diocesan Convention. She had just returned from the Oct. 31 – Nov. 12 United Nations Climate Change COP26 conference in Glasgow, Scotland. […]

Women’s group makes placemats for Meals on Wheels of Troy, Rochester

Royal Oak Tribune – Rochester, MI

The women of Crafting Kindness came together from four different organizations to create handmade placemats, to be distributed with Thanksgiving meals to senior citizens and others. The women are members of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church; Ortonville United Methodist Church; Great Lakes Heritage Quilters and Oakland County Quilters Guild. They share a common goal of trying to brighten the world one stitch at a time. […]

Stained Glass Restoration Illuminates Emmanuel Episcopal’s 125th Anniversary

Countywide Sun – Shawnee, OK

Red, green, blue, gold—the glittering panes of glass come alive with color in the dusky light.

For more than 100 years, sunlight has shown through the stained glass windows of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Shawnee, lighting up the nave and illuminating what is possibly the single largest stained glass window in the state of Oklahoma.

Spanning 12 feet wide by 24 feet high, the stained glass piece is a key piece of Shawnee’s history.

Now, the window is taking on a new life.[…]

Summary

Carolina Panorama – Episcopal Bishop to serve as advocate for Voorhees College – Reverend Ruth Woodliff-Stanley volunteered to serve as an advocate for Voorhees and asked for other ways she could support the institution…

Clanton Advisor – Church partners with Beans and Rice Ministry – Youth leader Todd Childers said serving with Trinity Episcopal was a good way to make an impact for the community in a hands-on way…

Pittsburg Post Gazette – Next Episcopal bishop believes in community’s wisdom – Before she was a priest — before she was even an Episcopalian — the Rev. Ketlen A. Solak felt a mysterious draw to faith. As a young girl in Haiti, she was raised Roman Catholic and would watch the Eucharist with curiosity.

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Episcopal Bishop to serve as advocate for Voorhees College

Carolina Panorama – Columbia, SC

During her visit with Voorhees College President Ronnie Hopkins and his leadership team, the Right Reverend Ruth Woodliff-Stanley volunteered to serve as an advocate for Voorhees and asked for other ways she could support the institution. Woodliff-Stanley, who serves as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, also met with students and toured the campus, Friday, Oct. 22. […]

Church partners with Beans and Rice Ministry

Prattville – AL

Trinity Episcopal Church received some extra help with its Beans and Rice Ministry on Nov. 6 from St. Mark’s Episcopal in Prattville.

The ministry is so named because beans and rice are staples among the non-perishable food items given out each month on the first Saturday. Meat and fresh produce are also given out sometimes.

Five members of St. Mark’s youth group helped give bags of food to community members as they drove up.

“It’s a very rewarding experience,” Hannah Childers said.[…]

Next Episcopal bishop believes in community’s wisdom

Pittsburg Post Gazette – Pittsburg, PA

Before she was a priest — before she was even an Episcopalian — the Rev. Ketlen A. Solak felt a mysterious draw to faith.

As a young girl in Haiti, she was raised Roman Catholic and would watch the Eucharist with curiosity as the priest consecrated the bread and wine as the body and blood of Jesus Christ. […]

More News

St. John’s Bazaar Returning This Year

Montgomery, Alabama

After last year’s disruption due to COVID, the Episcopal Church Women’s (ECW) annual bazaar at St. John’s Episcopal Church will be held Wednesday, Nov. 17, in the Education Building of the church, 113 Madison Ave. In its current form, the bazaar is a more than 50-year tradition, and recently discovered historical information shows this may be the 100^th anniversary of the first recorded bazaar.

Committee coordinators are working toward staging a safe and prosperous event, which serves as the ECW’s major fund-raising activity for its Outreach Projects. In the past, proceeds have benefited programs and agencies supported by the ECW in the local community. Past proceeds have benefited Abdullah House, Aid to Inmates Mothers and other agencies pertaining to women.

For more information, call the church at 334-262-1937 or email the parish administrator at victoria@stjohnsmontgomery.org.

Diocese of Virginia are pleased to announce Ms. Ericka Masias-Campos was appointed President

…on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at the Church of the Epiphany, Richmond, by The Rt. Rev. Susan Goff, Suffragan Bishop and Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese of Virginia. The appointment was historic as Ericka is from Peru, which makes her the first Latino American to hold this position. Ericka has served on the ECW Board for four years and is a member of the La Iglesia Episcopal De Santa Maria parish in Falls Church.

Her three-year term begins January 1, 2022.

Members of the ECW thank our indefatigable outgoing president, Ms. Cynthia Helton, for being a trailblazer for diversity and equality of the ECW in the Diocese of Virginia, and we are equally excited to welcome and work with Ericka as our new incoming President!

View Past Women in Action News Blasts

Summary

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Episcopal Diocese sets ordination for its new bishop – The Rev. Ketlen A. Solak was elected in June to succeed Dorsey McConnell and will become the ninth bishop of the diocese

Chelsea News – A Boost for St. Mark’s – Historic church receives a much-needed grant from New York Landmarks Conservancy

News Review – Emmanuel Episcopal Church to host installation celebration of new reverend on Sunday – The Emmanuel Episcopal Church of Petoskey is set to host a celebration and welcoming of its rector (pastor) this Sunday. Reverend Kay Houck started with the church about a year ago.

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Episcopal Diocese sets ordination for its new bishop

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Pittsburgh, PA

The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh has scheduled two days of services in November to ordain its new bishop.

The Rev. Ketlen A. Solak was elected in June to succeed Dorsey McConnell and will become the ninth bishop of the diocese.

The first service will be the official consecration, held at 11 a.m. Nov. 13 at Calvary Episcopal Church in Shadyside. It will also be live-streamed for those who can’t attend. […]

A Boost for St. Mark’s

Lower East Side, NY NY

St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery has been a haven for social justice and the arts for decades. Congregants held demonstrations during the Civil Rights Movement, apartheid, and the Black Lives Matter protest last year. The Episcopal church also houses and collaborates with three separate arts partners (Danspace, The Poetry Project, and The New York Theatre Ballet) to help promote creativity within the community. […]

Emmanuel Episcopal Church to host installation celebration of new reverend on Sunday

New Review – Petoskey, MI

The Emmanuel Episcopal Church of Petoskey is set to host a celebration and welcoming of its rector (pastor) this Sunday.

Reverend Kay Houck started with the church about a year ago. However, due to the ongoing pandemic, the church has postponed its welcoming celebration for her until now. […]