Province 9 Report for Oct 2024 Board Meeting
Revd. Luz Maria Lambis Garces – Province Report
Central Ecuador, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Litoral Ecuador, Puerto Rico, Venezuela
Lisa Bortner Acceptance Speech Triennial 2024
This is the transcript of National Episcopal Church Women’s National President, Lisa Bortner, at the Triennial 2024 closing ceremony.
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Just as earthly parents are thrilled when we see our children flourish, I can only imagine how thrilled God is when we do His will. I know today he must be really tickled to see how the National ECW is growing in love and developing new leaders in his church. Let us go out in joy to serve and do God’s work in our communities.
May the Holy Spirit empower us to use innovative avenues to reach out to help those around us to draw closer to God as we, ourselves, draw closer to him.
May the Holy Spirit have us listen to the voices of women worldwide.
May the Holy Spirit enable us to promote educational, spiritual, and social programs which minister to women and children.
May the Holy Spirit provide opportunities and tools to grow relationships with God and others through spirituality, prayer, and worship.
And may the Holy Spirit encourage the development of women’s leadership in stewardship, training, and education.
May we encourage and challenge each other as we leave Triennial.
Before we leave, I would like to share a few more ideas I will be asking the National board to work on. One is the creation of a speaker’s bureau that the dioceses and provinces can use to find qualified talent to present workshops and conferences.
The second is to reach out to Provincial and Diocesan ECW Presidents via Zoom to learn more about their specific needs. Together we will discover how the National ECW can better serve them.
The third builds on the second. We want to encourage and support our Diocesan Presidents to revitalize their organizations, especially those who have had difficulty restarting after the pandemic. . . This is not the time to draw back or be complacent. Now is the time to renew our energy, commitment, and resolve.
This is a time for HOPE.
ECW organizations at the diocesan level have been so important in building and unifying the church and can offer so much to Episcopal Church Women at the Parish level for spiritual growth. . . Now is the time to renew the Diocesan ECW organizations, in the name of Jesus Christ, with the help of the Holy Spirit and the blessings of God.
Perhaps pairing with a nearby Diocese that already has well established programs is the answer. Let’s make that happen!
Fourth, seeking out new women to take on leadership roles isn’t easy. We want to provide basic tools to enable finding, identifying, and involving new leaders. My husband says, “Look for the person who puts out the chairs.” New leaders are out there. I ask that God directs you to that next leader and puts it on each of your hearts to start a mentor relationship with one woman working toward a leadership role. – – –
Let’s take a second so you can think of who you could bless with this opportunity. – – – I am confident the relationships you develop will bless you both. I, myself, have been so blessed – both as a mentor, and especially as one who is receiving direction. When we leave here today, I want you to pray that God will direct you, and give you conversational opportunities with the specific person He has chosen.
Finally, this task will take some commitment on the part of each person here. Reach out to one person across the table from you and exchange contact information. Over the next three years, consistently pray for each other. When the opportunity arises, use each other as resources for further spiritual – or organizational growth. So please be intentional, as this is probably the most important thing I ask of you.
As I’ve said, if anyone is interested in serving on a committee, please contact me directly by email or phone. – – – If I see you setting up chairs, I may contact YOU!
Until we meet again at Triennial 2027, let us dwell on these words from Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Arrival and Navigating General Convention 2024
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La Plaza Edición de la Trienal 2024
La Plaza Edición de la Trienal – 2024
Dennis Clark, PPP
Parlamentario de la NECW
Este año 2024 marca los ciento cincuenta aniversarios de las reuniones Trienales de la Iglesia Episcopal de Mujeres a nivel nacional (NECW). La sociedad fue autorizada por la Convención General de La Iglesia Episcopal en 1871. Una serie de estatutos fueron adoptados ese mismo año con la primera reunión trienal llevada a cabo en Nueva York en 1874.
El evento del aniversario número ciento cincuenta se conoce como la celebración del sesquicentenario. Aprendí el término cuando el estado de Texas tuvo su celebración en 1986. 150 años antes, el general Sam Houston derrotó al general mexicano Santa Anna en la Batalla de San Jacinto, dando origen así a la República de Texas.
La reunión de la NECW en Louisville este verano en realidad será la sexenal debido a la cancelación de la reunión de 2021 debido a la emergencia de COVID. Esta será una reunión importante ya que los miembros, por primera vez en seis años, tendrán la oportunidad de seleccionar nuevos funcionarios y otros miembros de la junta nacional, y de esa manera proporcionar la dirección requerida a la asociación durante los próximos tres años. Dicho esto, se anima a las Diócesis a enviar los nombres de los delegados y suplentes de forma oportuna. Si se tiene alguna pregunta sobre este proceso, comuníquese con su representante de distrito o con cualquier funcionario de NECW.
Además de elegir nuevos funcionarios y miembros de la junta, se pedirá a los delegados que voten sobre cambios a los estatutos al igual que las resoluciones que podrían brindar la orientación debida a la junta nacional en el próximo termino de tres años. Quizás lo más importante es que será una oportunidad para que los asistentes se reúnan, adoren juntos y compartan ideas sobre cómo las diócesis de todo el país y más allá están cumpliendo con la misión de la asociación; que es empoderar a la Iglesia Episcopal para llevar a cabo la obra de Cristo en todo el mundo.
Se vaticina entonces que los delegados y suplentes hayan estudiado las posiciones de los candidatos y las modificaciones estatutarias a presentar. Los cambios propuestos a los estatutos se pueden encontrar en el sitio web de la NECW. Los candidatos a cargos públicos también serán presentados en varios lugares al igual que sus direcciones en la reunión.
También habrá una sesión informativa para delegados/suplentes al comienzo de las reuniones, así como un taller sobre procedimiento parlamentario durante la conferencia donde se podrán responder preguntas y se podrá disponer de información sobre cómo los delegados pueden hacer aportes y abordar adecuadamente las cuestiones que se les presenten de la manera que ellos así lo elijan.
Al reunirnos por la 150ª vez como una fuerza vital e impulsora para mejorar la suerte de la humanidad, ajustemos nuestras palabras y nuestras acciones al llamado del apóstol Pablo en la Primera carta a los Corintios 14:40: “Sean todas las cosas hechas decentemente y en orden”.
The Square Triennial Thoughts 2024
The Square
Triennial Thoughts
Dennis Clark, PPP
NECW Parliamentarian
The year 2024 celebrates the one hundred and fifty-fourth anniversary of the National Episcopal Church Women. The society was authorized by the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in 1871. A set of bylaws was adopted that same year with the first Triennial meeting being held in New York in 1874.
The one hundred-fiftieth anniversary event is referred to as its sesquicentennial celebration. I learned the term when Texas had its celebration in 1986. 150 years earlier, Gen. Sam Houston defeated Mexican General Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto, thus birthing the Republic of Texas.
The NECW meeting in Louisville this summer will actually be a sexennial because of the cancellation of the 2021 meeting due to the COVID emergency. This will be an important meeting since members, for the first time in six years, will have an opportunity to select new officers and other members of the national board, and to help provide direction of the association for the next three years. Dioceses are encouraged to submit the names of delegates and alternates in a timely fashion. Should there be any questions about this process kindly contact your district representative or any NECW officer.
In addition to electing new officers and members of the board, delegates will be called upon to vote on changes to the bylaws and perhaps vote on resolutions which might provide direction to the national board in the coming three-year term. Perhaps more importantly, it will be a chance for attendees to meet together, worship together, and share ideas of how dioceses across the nation and beyond are fulfilling the mission of the association; which is to empower the Episcopal Church to carry on Christ’s work throughout the world.
It is anticipated then, that delegates and alternates will have studied the candidate’s positions, and the bylaws amendments to be presented. The proposed bylaws changes can be found on the NECW website. Candidates for office will also be introduced in a number of venues as well as their addresses at the meeting.
There will be a delegate/alternate briefing at the beginning of the meetings as well as a workshop on parliamentary procedure during the conference where questions can be answered and information made available as to how delegates may properly provide input and address issues to come before them, as they so choose.
As we meet together for the 150th time as a vital, driving force in the improvement of the lot of mankind, let us square our words and our actions with the call of the apostle Paul in First Corinthians 14:40, “Let all things be done decently and in order.”
Workshops 2024
Triennial 2024 Workshops
Monday 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Monastic Communities in a New World
Sister of the Way, Susan Moore
Church Periodical Club
The Rev. Deacon Judy Graves
Soul Connections for the Journey
Christina Butterworth, Episcopal Community
Episcopal Relief Development
Tamara Plummer
Tuesday 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Dancing with the Spirit: Healing through Music
The Rev. Belle Michaelson
Church Women United: Social Justice
Mira Washington, MSL ,CWU National President
Leading with Heart: Reignite your ministry
Evita Krislock
Episcopal Women’s History Project is For All of Us
The Rev. Dr. Jo Ann Barker
Wednesday 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Caregivers in Today’s World of Alzheimer’s
Marge Burke
Girls Friendly Soc: Raising Awareness, Taking Action
Amber Buck
Science of Conducting Efficient Meetings: Part 1
Dennis Clark, Parliamentarian
Leading with Heart: Implementation
Evita Krislock
Thursday 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
The Beauty Way – Hozho Naah shaado
The Rev. Leon Sampson
Episcopal Coalition for Racial Equity and Justice
Ryan Kusumoto
Science of Conducting Efficient Meetings: Part 2
Dennis Clark, Parliamentarian
Art Empowers
Rebecca ‘Becca’ Gardner
Kentucky Night Events
Kentucky Night Events Monday Evening
Food Truck Rodeo
6 – 9 Affordable local food options + live music
God Talks: Conversations for being church together
6 – 7 North Lobby, KY Center for the Arts
God, Grace, & Horses: Life Lessons from the Saddle.
A conversation with the Rev. Laurie Brock
The Rev. Laurie Brock is the Rector of St. Michael’s in Lexington, KY, equestrian, former attorney.
Sponsored by the Brennan Theological Fund of the Diocese of Kentucky
God Talk, Justice & the Church: What do they have to do with each other?
7 – 8:30 — Bomhard Theatre, KY Center for the Arts
A conversation with the 2023 & 2024 Grawemeyer Award in Religion Winners
- The Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, Interim President of Episcopal Divinity School
- The Rev. Dr. Charles Halton, Associate Rector, Christ Church Cathedral, Lexington, KY
Sponsored by the Brennan Theological Fund of the Diocese of Kentucky & Episcopal Divinity School
Do Say Gay: A Rousing Evening of Poetry, Prose, and Preaching celebrating Kentucky’s diverse & inclusive LGBTQ+ Community
7 – 8:30 at Church of the Advent, 901 Baxter Avenue, 2 miles from Convention Center
Featuring: KY Poet Hannah Drake, Bishop Mary Glasspool, KY Author Fenton Johnson.
Sponsored by the Church of the Advent & the Brennan Theological Fund of the Diocese of Kentucky
EPISCO-Disco & Compline
9 – 11:15 At Christ Church Cathedral — 421 South 2nd Street
Celebrate this Louisville specialty with a silent disco (each person gets their own headphones!), local snacks, and close the night with Compline.
Other Diocese of Kentucky Sponsored Events
Recital & Evensong at Calvary Church
Sunday – 821 S 4th St
3:30 Recital, 4:00 Evensong
Candlelight Compline at St. Francis in the Fields
Sunday – 6710 Wolf Pen Branch Rd
7:00 Hors d’oeuvres – 8:00 Compline
Drag Me to Church: A Gospel Drag Show
Calvary Church 821 S 4th St
Two Showings:
Friday 7:00
Saturday 7:00
Música para la Trienal 2024
Elaine Conger
Música para la Trienal 2024
La música es la vida de Elaine. Sí, ella es una intérprete, pero la actuación está impulsada por una lista de reproducción continua que gira en un lugar profundo de ella. No es el género musical ni el público lo que impulsa su vida musical, es el deseo de expresar una emoción que la guían en direcciones artísticas.
Ella considera que su estilo es música cristiana “contemplativa”, pero también combina esas canciones e himnos muy queridos de otrora, haciéndolos sonar nuevos para una generación más joven. El enfoque es como cómo un cambio en la verborrea de las oraciones y letanías permite que una traducción de la Biblia sea tal que la gente en la actualidad pueda entender su verdadero significado.
La Trienal 2024 es un evento de referencia y ella comprende la importancia de que las mujeres de la Iglesia Episcopal celebren sus 150 años desde que se formó la Auxiliar de Mujeres. Es importante darle a la gente lo que quiere. Sin embargo, Dios no le da a nadie lo que quieren, sino lo que necesitan.
Lo mismo que cuando la iglesia primitiva dio a los analfabetos un medio para comprender las Escrituras con melodías seculares combinadas con letras sagradas. Es importante que sea identificable con su música. Hay una delgada línea entre actuar con el propósito de auto gratificación y, por otro lado, presentar un medio para que los asistentes se comprometan con el Espíritu, por el Espíritu, y quieran alabar al Señor y Salvador.
El camino de Elaine para convertirse en música para la Trienal está lleno de una elegante historia sobre cómo construir una carrera artística en torno al Espíritu y “sentirse llamada a algo más que sentarse en el banco del órgano”, como ella afirma. Se ha desempeñado como directora musical de dos parroquias episcopales: 11 años en Grace Episcopal en Paris, Tennessee, y al mudarse a Gatlinburg en East TN en Trinity Episcopal durante 4 años. En 2022, se destacó como artista residente durante la mitad del año en la Iglesia Episcopal de St. Joseph en Boynton Beach, FL. Mientras estuvo allí, planificó y arregló música para un servicio contemporáneo con una banda y música moderna, pero siempre encontró una manera de incluir un himno como lo dictaba el leccionario para honrar nuestros amados himnos y al mismo tiempo hacerlos sonar más “groovy”.
Ella explica que, al cambiar el compás y el tempo, se puede hacer que un himno suene como si fuera escrito en este siglo; sin embargo, al no alterar la letra, se mantiene toda la doctrina que nuestros escritores de himnos históricos trabajaron tan duro para crear. Para aprender más sobre Elaine, visita su página web: ElaineConger.com.
Musician Triennial 2024
Elaine Conger
Musician for Triennial 2024
Music is Elaine’s life. Yes, she’s a performer but, the performance is driven by a continuous playlist that swirls in a place deep within her. It’s not the genre of music nor the audience that drives her musical life, it’s a desire to have expression or an emotion guide her in artistic directions.
She considers her style “contemplative” Christian music, but she also blends those well-loved songs and hymns from the past, making them sound new to a younger generation. The approach is like how a change to the verbiage of prayers and litanies enables a translation of the Bible to make it so that people of today can understand its true meaning.
Triennial 2024 is a benchmark event and she realizes the importance of the women of the Episcopal Church celebrating their 150-year anniversary since the Women’s Auxiliary was formed. It’s important to give the people what they want. Yet, God doesn’t give someone what they want, He gives them what they need.
The same as when the Early church gave the illiterate people a means to understand the scriptures with secular tunes coupled with sacred lyrics. It’s important her music is relatable. There’s a fine line between performing for the purpose of self-gratification and instead presenting a means for those attending to be engaged in the Spirit, by the Spirit, and to want to be in praise of the Lord and Savior.
Elaine’s path to becoming the musician for Triennial is filled with a graceful story of building her career around Spirit and “feeling called to something more than sitting at the organ bench,” as she states. She has served as the music director for two Episcopal parishes: 11 years at Grace Episcopal in Paris, TN, and upon moving to Gatlinburg in East TN at Trinity Episcopal for 4 years. In 2022, she served as the Artist-in-Residence for half the year at St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church in Boynton Beach, FL. While there she planned and arranged music for a contemporary service featuring a band and modern music, but she always found a way to throw in a hymn as the lectionary dictated to honor our beloved hymns yet making them sound “groovier.”
She explains that by changing the meter and/or tempo you can make a hymn sound like it was written in this century; however, by not messing with the lyrics you keep all the doctrine that our historical hymn writers worked so hard creating.
To learn more about Elaine, visit her website at ElaineConger.com.
Oradora Principal Triennial 2024
La Rev. Catherine Amy Kropp
Oradora Principal
La Reverenda Catherine Amy Kropp actualmente se desempeña como Vicaria de la Iglesia Episcopal Memorial de Cristo en Kaua’i en Kilauea, Hawai’i. Pasó siete meses entre los años de 2022-2023 como voluntaria internacional en el norte del Líbano en una casa segura para jóvenes vulnerables por medio de la organización Relief & Reconciliation (Alivio y Reconciliación)
Anteriormente se desempeñó en Alaska como Rectora Asociada de la Iglesia Episcopal de St Mary en Anchorage, y como instructora itinerante y sacerdotisa episcopal de Dancing with the Spirit (Bailando con El Espíritu), un ministerio de música y a su vez un programa de extensión de cambio social que conecta a los ancianos y jóvenes nativos de Alaska a través de la alegría de la música para de esa forma Preservar la música per se, el idioma y la cultura nativa de la región. Académicamente hablando, Posee un M.Div. (Maestría de Divinidad) y un S.T.M. de Yale Divinity School, aunado a un Diploma en Estudios Anglicanos de Berkeley Divinity School en Yale.
Oriunda de Maine, donde enseñó ciencias en la escuela secundaria y se convirtió en Guía registrada de Maine, ha guiado peregrinaciones espirituales para todas las edades en Nueva Inglaterra, Alaska y los Territorios del Noroeste.