Episcopal Church Women

A once-enslaved man’s music was hidden for centuries. Go on a journey to rediscover his melodies

An escaped slave advert read, “Sawney is a fiddler, and he took with him the fiddle.”

Episcopal delegates engage in a wide variety of activities in New York during UNCSW

The Commission on the Status of Women is the largest event hosted by the U.N. in New York, and it is one of the largest gatherings of women globally.

Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan vote to combine as Diocese of the Great Lakes

The vote heads for final approval in June by the 81st General Convention

N.J. church food pantry shuts down after borough residents complain

The municipality issued a statement that the church and borough had “agreed … that the food pantry had grown beyond their control.”

‘Healing in the Heartland’ speakers offer differing views on the church’s political engagement

“Politics isn’t the realm of the ultimate. It isn’t the kingdom of God. It’s just politics…”

Poll: Most Americans say religion’s influence is waning, and half think that’s bad

A growing concern among an array of religious Americans that their beliefs are in conflict with mainstream American culture.

Debbie Reynolds Retires from Her Greenwich Bible Study After Thirty-eight Years

But the challenge was to attract younger women. “We did all kinds of extra things.

Presiding bishop committee announces process for petition nominations

The canons limit the petition process to any bishop or deputy to the 81st General Convention.

UTO at General Convention: Big Changes

UTO will not hold training events at convention. The UTO space is smaller than in the past…

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Episcopal churches in Pennsylvania raise funds to eliminate $3 million in medical debt

“Things like taking care of medical debts . . . is not merely social work, it’s the work of God.”

Episcopalians Contend with Violence in Haiti

“This is one of the worst periods that Haiti is living in its whole history.”

President Julia Ayala Harris’ opening remarks at House of Deputies GC81 orientation

We have been living into the priority of inclusivity in several ways…

Portland church building drive-thru for food giveaways

This church has always felt a strong sense of looking at the needs of the neighborhood

Wisconsin affiliate prepares to welcome refugees as Episcopal Migration Ministries expands

“If you don’t have buy-in from your local community, the resettlement is going to be nothing but an uphill battle.”

If the tool becomes the master, the greatest commandment remains

Like many tools, [AI] rewards skill and practice, and it can be used for good or nefarious purposes.

After Resisting a Collar, She’s in Line for a Miter

When she was a teacher, God told her she should become a priest, and she finally relented.

Episcopal Parish Network conference inspires leaders, nurtures Episcopal witness

Episcopal Parish Network connects clergy and laity across parishes doing their best to survive, thrive and lead The Episcopal Church

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In ecclesiastic experiment, Morris, Sussex churches will share ministry team

I saw an opportunity to use my skills and partner with the people of Chester and Sparta to spread the good news about God.”

Episcopal Chaplains Sought for ‘Identity-affirming Spiritual Care’

In 2016, the RAND Corporation estimated that approximately 1,320 to 6,630 of the 1.3 million active duty servicemembers identified as transgender.

Legislative committee meetings underway on road to Louisville for 81st General Convention

Anyone may attend the meetings as an observer by registering in advance

Episcopal delegates to UN Commission on the Status of Women are ready to begin their work

The Episcopal delegation includes social workers, lawyers, journalists, and leaders of women’s and young adult ministries across The Episcopal Church.

Church’s Economic Justice Loan Fund supports communities’ equitable access to capital

Jesus called us to help our neighbor regardless of their circumstances, and we know that, historically, minority businesses have had a more difficult time accessing capital

Bishop Curry authorizes release of news about misconduct cases against US bishops

Brief details of the allegations have been published on the Episcopal Church’s website, in an effort to increase transparency.

Episcopal Diocese of Rochester elects new Bishop

The Very Reverend Kara Wagner Sherer has been elected to lead the Episcopal diocese which stretches over an 8-county region

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry home, recovering following heart procedure

Please continue praying for Bishop Curry, his family, and his medical team.

Anglicans allege ‘intimidation’ in attempt to name defendants

Court to resolve whether about 75 now anonymous defendants — all vestry members or trustees of eight dissident churches — can be named in the suit.

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New USU Library Collection Documents 150 Years of the Episcopal Church in Cache Valley

This project involved creating the collection as well as a digital exhibit that utilizes the collection’s materials

Retracing the Steps of the Philadelphia 11

Information about streaming rights for The Philadelphia Eleven, and showings in various locations, is available at philadelphiaelevenfilm.com

Bishop Curry to receive pacemaker to treat irregular heart rhythm

Curry, 70, is in the last year of his nine-year term as the 27^th presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church.

Maryland church offers ‘prayer board’ as invitation to community for residents’ prayer requests

“It helps the community outside to know that the church cares and is alive, …,” said Rev. Claire Nevin-Field

The Episcopal Diocese of Rochester has elected its very first woman as its next Bishop

Very Reverand Kara Wagner Sherer was chosen from three candidates.

Structure believed to be part of Underground Railroad found under church

A centuries-old church in Tennessee could potentially be the home of a newly discovered historic site.

Rhode Island’s historic stained glass window depicting a dark-skinned Jesus moves to Memphis 

The window was installed in 1878 at the now-closed St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Warren

Churches expand effort to wipe out medical debt

Some $4.6 million in medical debt was abolished for 2,469 Wilson County residents.

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Episcopal Church announces new measures for increased transparency in matters of bishop misconduct

…the progress of Title IV matters involving bishops will now be disclosed in situations where the matter becomes public

Virginia theological seminary announces full scholarships packages for full-time students

“Our mission is to nurture well-formed leaders of congregations. We hope this revised scholarship package will encourage more applicants…

Jennifer Hill of St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church Earns Prestigious Saint George Award

Hill’s unwavering dedication to her church and the scouting community exemplifies the spirit of this prestigious award.

Indigenous woman in Brazil keeps tradition alive through entrepreneurship 

“I’m working as an artisan,” she said, “making decorative items like baskets, boxes, and jewelry that I sell near hotels and other tourist spots.”

Episcopal Church-affiliated historically black university launches fund to preserve accreditation

The campaign seeks to raise $5 million

Mary’s Room helping parents in Watertown community with essentials

“I think we grew from that year of 22-23, by about 33% in our numbers of children who received diapers and the number of visits… increased 40%”

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Los Angeles-area Chinese Episcopalians to celebrate Lunar New Year

This year’s celebration will include live music featuring Chinese instruments and a traditional lion dance.

City makes a key church suffer

Grace Episcopal Church in Jamaica was built when Abraham Lincoln was president. New York, NY

The Safety and protection of the red doors

The centuries-old practice of painting church doors red, adopted by several Christian denominations, began in remembrance of Christ’s…

Mississippi makes history with new Episcopal bishop

The Rev. Dr. Dorothy Sanders Wells was elected by the 197th Annual Council of the Mississippi Episcopal Diocese to be the church’s next leader.

Finding Support After Fleeing Ukraine

“The week after the war started, a rocket landed in our yard, wounding a woman… We were so scared we could not sleep.”

San Diego’s oldest African-American church

While the times have changed over the past 137 years, the mission of the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) has not.

Health, work update on Presiding Bishop Michael Curry

Bishop Curry will be keeping a modified work schedule of light-duty tasks, and he will not be traveling.

St. James’ Thursday Thrift Shop raises $100,000 for organizations

“We’re only open one day a week — and just in the morning — so these sales are really phenomenal,” says co-manager Elaine McElhinney. – Hendersonville, NC

Wisconsin campus with deep Episcopal roots considered for new home of Episcopal Church Archives

The DeKoven Center occupies an 11-acre campus overlooking Lake Michigan about a half hour south of Milwaukee.

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‘Sleeping Bag Ministry’ completes 50 sleeping bags for the homeless

“The Sleeping Bag Project,” a national initiative, started in the 1980s as a way to combat homelessness and has since spread across the country.

Church Divinity School of the Pacific to withdraw from Graduate Theological Union

A year ago the seminary described plans for the new hybrid educational model in a joint announcement with Trinity Church Wall Street.

Got a hankering for gumbo? This Hattiesburg church sells one of the best

“People love it,” Rev. Jenny Newman said. “It’s a really good gumbo.” – MS

No Reduced Assessments in Church Center Draft Budget

“The Episcopal Church is sitting on a trust fund well in excess of $500 million,”

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‘A Case for Love’ screening draws praise, commitment from Episcopalians

“Yes, saying yes and choosing to be kind makes you kinder all the time,” said Serena Beeks, retired executive director of the diocesan Commission on Schools.

Episcopal recipients of $6 million in Lilly grants focus on lay leadership, community engagement, digital growth

Four Episcopal dioceses and one Episcopal parish are launching new initiatives focused on congregational vitality and leadership…

Telling the Story of Our First Deaconesses

…researched the life and ministry of Adeline Blanchard Tyler — Civil War nurse, teacher, and one of the four original deaconesses in the Episcopal Church.

New leadership at Sisters church

Reverend Liliana Stahlberg has been called to fill the position of Rector at the Episcopal Church of The Transfiguration in Sisters. – OR

ECW of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church  awarded $120,500 in grants to 27 local non-profit organizations

ECW grant funds come from the proceeds of The Shop of St. Philip’s located at 219 S. Caldwell St. in Brevard. – NC

Diocese of Florida Episcopalians, in written feedback, lament ‘culture of acrimony and distrust’ in diocese

The four-page summary was drafted by the Rt. Rev. Mary Gray-Reeves, who is trained in conflict mediation and was retained as a consultant by the Diocese of Florida

Indigenous boarding school research and advocacy groups meet in Texas to establish 81st General Convention priorities

Hundreds — or as many as tens of thousands — of Indigenous youth are estimated to have died during the 19th and 20th centuries while attending boarding schools.

Exhausted by Title IV, Parish Quits Connecticut Diocese

After years of unresolved disciplinary charges against their rector,  the members have voted to disassociate themselves from the Episcopal Church in Connecticut (ECCT) – Shelton, CT

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Presiding bishop nominating committee chooses bishops to invite to discernment retreat

The Rev. Maureen-Elizabeth Hagen, a deacon who chairs the nominations subcommittee, noted: “The committee is grateful to the bishops who have joined us in discernment…”

Presiding bishop recovering at home following medical procedure to prevent recurrence of brain bleeds

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry is recovering at home following a successful Jan. 18 medical procedure

Indigenous Episcopalians gather in Texas for annual Winter Talk conference

This year’s Winter Talk theme was “Indigenous Ways of Learning, Knowing and Relating.”

New web-based app automates Episcopal parish register portion of the annual parochial report

The parish register app allows users to track aspects of every liturgy that takes place in their congregation

Lent Resources

Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent

Leading with Heart – Province VIII ECW

In these times of change, adaptive leadership provides the tools we need to find our voices and calling. Using the circular leadership model we build reciprocal relationships that honor diversity of culture, race, age, gender, personality, and ministry.

Our interactive workshop(s) with break-out rooms discuss the qualities, critical thinking, and behaviors of Circular Leadership that replace domination and greed. This is about reconciliation with creation and each other, listening to what is and is not shared.

Visit the website for more information about the Leading With Heart Program https://ecwprovinceviii.org/leading-with-heart-resources/

The School of Religious Literacy: Press Release

The Episcopal Church Women of All Saints’ Episcopal Church, South Hill, Virginia, are proud to announce the founding of The School of Religious Literacy at 201 Franklin Street. This graduate school will award a professional doctorate, the Doctor of Religious Literacy (D.R.L.). This program consists of two to five years of graduate coursework taken from leading universities in the U.S. and the UK. All courses, except for a week-long course in the UK, are taken online.

Perspective students who are interested in taking up the challenge of this course of study are asked to contact the School at the following address: thestudium2023@gmail.com

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