Bellwether Farms, Wakeman, Ohio

The National Episcopal Church Women Board met September 30–October 4, 2026, at Bellwether Farms in Wakeman, Ohio. The meeting provided an opportunity for the Board to conduct essential business, strengthen organizational structures, advance ministry initiatives, and prepare for the 2027 Triennial.

Key Areas of Discussion

Among the significant areas addressed by the Board were:

  • Web Development: The Board moved forward with the process to hire a new web developer to strengthen NECW’s online presence and communications.
  • ECW History Book: Plans continued for an ECW History Book, with the goal of making the resource available digitally in time for Triennial 2027.
  • Scholarship Program: The Board celebrated the success of its inaugural scholarship program supporting women pursuing theological education and careers in the healing professions.
  • Policies and Procedures: Significant work was completed to strengthen and clarify NECW policies and procedures. The Board formally documented practices and institutional knowledge that had been followed over the years but had not previously been incorporated into the written policies.
  • 16 Days of Activism: The Board looks forward to participating again in the 16 Days of Activism, beginning November 25. NECW will utilize the Episcopal Relief & Development Toolkit to help mark this important observance.
  • Social Justice and Global Partnerships: The Board continued to expand its social justice work and partnerships with organizations throughout The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.

Social Justice and Advocacy

The Board approved an $800 donation to the Red Ribbon Skirt Society in Rapid City, South Dakota, using proceeds from MMIW T-shirt donations.

An Ad Hoc Social Justice Subcommittee was established to implement motions passed at the January 2026 Board meeting. The subcommittee will also work toward creating and sponsoring an NECW delegation to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW), including both in-person and virtual delegates. The Board also intends to collaborate with other organizations regarding women’s worship services during UNCSW.

The Board approved co-sponsoring, with the Anglican Alliance and other organizations that may join the effort, the UNCSW A Place at the Table program at the 2027 UNCSW. This initiative builds upon NECW’s participation in A Place at the Table – Reimagining Power Through Every Voice and reflects the Board’s continued commitment to creating opportunities for women to participate, lead, and have their voices heard within the Anglican Communion and beyond. In support of this initiative the board approved a $2,500 contribution to the Anglican Alliance toward this program.

As the Province V Social Justice grant, NECW approved a $1,000 offering to the Collaborative to End Human Trafficking, supporting its mission, “We Work Locally to End a Global Injustice.”

Language Inclusivity

The Board established an Ad Hoc Committee under the Communications Committee to examine language inclusivity within NECW communications and materials, with particular attention to preparations for Triennial 2027.

Creation Care and Environmental Justice

The Board authorized the Creation Care and Environmental Justice ministry to fund and sponsor a virtual event and educational presentation series featuring environmental educator and author Mallory McDuff. The series will be offered between October 2026 and February 2027, with funding of $7,500.

The Board also continued work on a new logo for Creation Care and Environmental Justice. Recommendations and edits to the initial draft will be incorporated, with the revised logo to be presented for approval at the next Board meeting.

In addition, the Board established a Creation Care and Environmental Justice Grant Program focused on youth and women’s projects and programs, with grants of up to $3,000.

Grants and Outreach

The Board approved the following grants:

Universal Grants

  • Church of the Nativity, Huntsville, Alabama — $1,000: To support homeless women through a partnership with a local community center and the distribution of bras to women in need.
  • St. Ambrose Episcopal Church, Raleigh, North Carolina — $1,000: To provide activities for young people ages 14–18 who are not in licensed foster care homes.
  • St. Cuthbert’s Episcopal Church, Houston, Texas — $1,000: To support a children’s meal program.
  • St. Cuthbert’s Episcopal Church, Houston, Texas — $1,000: To provide weekend meals for residents of the Mission of Yahweh.
  • Episcopal Anglican Diocese of Tanzania — $1,200: To support two priests’ wives in attending a six-month women’s empowerment program. The program provides room, board, and educational opportunities, including skills in reading, speaking, sewing, and cooking that can benefit their families and communities.

Diocesan Startup Grant

  • Western Massachusetts — $1,000: To support efforts to reawaken and rebuild its ECW ministry.

Beginning in January 2027, diocesan grants will increase to $2,000, and parish grants will increase to $500. Applicants will also be permitted to request additional funds on their applications when accompanied by documentation demonstrating the need.

Emergency and Disaster Response

The Board approved $3,000 emergency/disaster response grants to the following dioceses:

  • Diocese of Hawaii — flood response
  • Diocese of Venezuela — earthquake response
  • Diocese of Indiana — flood response
  • Diocese of Colombia — response to areas affected by the 7.40 earthquake
  • Diocese of Spokane, Washington — wildfire response
  • Diocese of Wisconsin — response to damage from an EF-3 tornado
  • Diocese of Nevada — wildfire response
  • Diocese of West Texas — flood response

The Board also approved a $1,000 donation to the Province I Deacons’ Retreat Conference, held October 2–3, 2026.

Additionally, the Board approved a $1,000 contribution to Bellwether Farms as part of the Provincial Creation Care Grant in recognition and support of its continuing ministry.

Triennial 2027

The Board approved the hiring of Elaine Conger as the musician for Triennial 2027.

The Board also continued preparations for Triennial through its work on language inclusivity, communications, social justice programming, and other ministry initiatives.

Nominations

The following individuals were approved to serve on the Nominating Committee:

  • Lois Frankforter
  • The Rev. Jennifer Kenna
  • Kay Holmes
  • Debbie Luke
  • Susan Quill
  • Marsha Himes
  • Kaki Roberts
  • Shelly Carlson
  • The Rev. Luz Maria Lambis Garces

Martha Estes serves as chair.

Trusts and Financial Matters

The Board approved pursuing its position that the entire Wright Trust Fund distribution should be allocated to NECW, based upon the reasons presented in the Board’s original response to the UTO motion, together with additional considerations discussed during the September–October Board meeting. A pastoral letter will be written to UTO regarding this matter. A letter to the Chief Financial Officer of DFMS will also be sent on October 5 with the request to be taken up by the Executive Council Finance Committee.

The Board also:

  • Approved the recommended NECW Board expense and reimbursement policies.
  • Approved beginning to take dividends from all NECW Board trusts in January 2027.
  • Approved the proposed 2027 operating budget of $598,409.79.
  • Approved the 2027 Triennial budget of $416,400.00.

The combined 2027 budget is $1,014,809.79.

New Seminarian Support Initiatives

Recognizing the importance of supporting women preparing for ordained and healing ministries, the Board established:

  • A Travel Grant for female seminarians.
  • An Emergency Grant for women seminarians.

The Board also approved covering registration and travel expenses for eight Board members to attend The Episcopal Church Gender Justice Retreat, Magnify.

Looking Ahead

The September–October meeting was a productive time of strengthening the organizational foundation of the National Episcopal Church Women while continuing to expand its ministry of faith, service, justice, and advocacy.

The Board leaves this meeting with significant work ahead, including preparations for Triennial 2027, expansion of grant and scholarship opportunities, continued Creation Care and Environmental Justice initiatives, participation in 16 Days of Activism, development of the ECW History Book, strengthening global partnerships, and continued advocacy for women and communities experiencing injustice, poverty, violence, and disaster.

The next scheduled Board meeting will be held January 14–19, 2029, in Cartagena, Colombia, where the Board will be hosted by the Province IX ECW.