Other Groups Archives - National Episcopal Church Women

Episcopal Church Women in the News 04-16-22

Summary

LI Herald Long Beach – City’s ‘unsung heroes’ honored – “It’s phenomenal,” Welker said. “We all appreciate it. It really shows respect, because a lot of the time we can get overlooked and underappreciated.”

Gaston Gazette – New rector at All Saints Episcopal likes emphasis on service to others – Orville, 62, became rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Gastonia late in 2021.

The Alpena News – Local women plan Ukrainian refugee relief fundraiser – If you’ve been wondering how to help the people of Ukraine, a group of local women have come up with some ideas: rummage sale, bake sale, silent art auction, and bazaar

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City’s ‘unsung heroes’ honored

LI Herald – Long Beach, NY

On April 3, 1968, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. visited striking sanitation workers in Memphis, Tenn. He was assassinated the next day. On Monday, the 54th anniversary of King’s assassination, representatives of two Long Beach churches — St. James-Jerusalem Episcopal and New Life Church of Christ — visited the city’s Sanitation Department to offer the workers sandwiches, drinks, snacks, dessert and gifts, honoring King’s memory and the work he did on behalf of the Memphis workers.

New rector at All Saints Episcopal likes emphasis on service to others

Gaston Gazette – Gastonia, NC
The metaphor is not her own, but the Rev. Lynn Orville shares it as a vision of what churches are facing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. When Lewis and Clark set out to find a route from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean they had assumed they would be on the water, in canoes, for the entire journey.

Local women plan Ukrainian refugee relief fundraiser

Alpena News – Alpena, MI

If you’ve been wondering how to help the people of Ukraine, a group of local women have come up with some ideas. A rummage sale, bake sale, silent art auction, and bazaar will be held in the ballroom at the APlex, 701 Woodward Ave. Donation drop-off will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on April 20 and 21, and the sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, April 22 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 23.

The 44 Percent: Black Miami churches, Dwayne Haskins & Miami-Dade disparity study

Miami Herald – Miami, FL

I’ve always wondered why many Black Americans feel a sense of kinship with the church. And while doing some reporting for our recent Miami churches story, I found my answer. It came about during my chat with Gaile Holland, a parishioner at the historic Saint Agnes Episcopal Church which is nearly as old as Miami itself (the church was established 1898, the city 1896). Many families, including Holland’s, have been attending the church for generations.

Episcopal bishops join lobby day at Michigan’s Capitol to advocate for gun safety legislation

Episcopal News Service – Michigan

Episcopalians in Michigan joined other advocates of gun safety legislation for a lobby day April 13 at the Capitol in Lansing, where they met with lawmakers and held a news conference to promote the recently launched End Gun Violence Michigan campaign.

Stone Soup fundraiser happening today to benefit residents in need

WITN News – Greenville, NC

A church is stewing up soup Wednesday to benefit those in need. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is hosting its annual Stone Soup fundraiser with 12 local restaurants serving up their best recipes. This year’s event is drive-thru style, so people can place orders, drive up to the church and pick up their meals from 4:30 p.m.- 6 p.m.

Register now for virtual Episcopal Latino Ministry Competency Course

The Episcopal Church Office of Latino/Hispanic Ministries offers this intensive session for those interested in expanding their competency about Latino culture, spirituality, and ministry. The course includes 20 hours of online classroom presentation, worship services, and group dialogue. Register till May 6th.

16 Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) will be awarded for full completion of the ELMC course. If you have any questions about any aspect of the course, please contact Anthony Guillén. For questions about your registration, contact Angie Cabanban. or at 212-716-6186.

View Past Women in Action News Blasts

Episcopal Church Women2022-04-15T14:32:06+00:00April 16th, 2022|

Episcopal Church Women in the News 04-09-22

Summary

Republican Journal – St. Margaret’s introduces new rector at April 3 service – The Rev. Barbara Briggs will preach for the first time as rector of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, Belfast ME

Daily Pilot – Touched by its support, Costa Mesa woman from Ukraine offers sweet thanks to local church – I want to come and say thanks to the people of the church for supporting Ukraine even though they don’t know Ukrainians

Greenfield Recorder – Faith Matters: The anointing woman – I love this story not only for its emotional power and for its portrayal of Jesus’ humanity in the days before his death, but also because it provides a fascinating

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St. Margaret’s introduces new rector at April 3 service

Republican Journal – Belfast, ME

The Rev. Barbara Briggs will preach for the first time as rector of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, Belfast, at the 9:30 a.m. service on Sunday, April 3. The incoming priest will celebrate Eucharist, at which the consecrated wine will be offered in individual cups rather than a common chalice. Those attending are asked to voluntarily wear masks because of close spacing in the church. The Women of St. Margaret’s will hold a meeting open to all following the service at 11 a.m. in the adjoining parish house.

Touched by its support, Costa Mesa woman from Ukraine offers sweet thanks to local church

Daily Pilot – New Port Beach, CA

It was the sight of the blue and yellow banner hanging on the outside wall of St. James Episcopal Church in Newport Beach that prompted to deliver a Ukrainian cake to church the following Sunday. “When I was passing by the church and saw the flag ‘Pray For Ukraine’ outside, I asked myself, ‘Are there any Ukrainians in that church?’” said Zamaraieva. “‘Or do they know of any Ukrainians?’”

Faith Matters: The anointing woman

Greenfield Recorder – Greenfield, MA

The gospel text for this Sunday in many Christian denominations is John’s account of the woman who anoints Jesus. As with other texts for these days approaching Holy Week, it is somber in tone, and this story is particularly poignant. In it, a woman anoints Jesus with perfumed oil (a rather shockingly intimate gesture). Another disciple objects to the action as representing a waste of funds that could have gone to the poor, and Jesus defends the expenditure on the oil as preparation for his burial.

St. Martha’s donates $27K to Ukraine response fund

Coastal Point – Bethany Beach, DE

A check for $27,070 donated by members of St. Martha’s Episcopal Church in Bethany Beach will be mailed to the Episcopal Relief & Development’s Ukraine Crisis Response Fund this week, to help those affected by the invasion of Ukraine.

Slave descendants eligible for scholarship from Episcopal Diocese of Long Island

Greater Long Island – Long Island, NY

The Reparations Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island is championing equity in education with their latest scholars program. According to their website, Black, African-American and Caribbean-American students who are descendants of enslaved people are encouraged to apply for the “Barbara C. Harris Scholars Program.”

‘Love in a Backpack’ returns for third year, raises collection goal

Greenfield Recorder – Greenfield, MA

Conway resident Mary McClintock says the group seeking donations for the “Love in a Backpack” project is getting even more ambitious as the drive enters its third year.

“I think we packed 50 backpacks last year,” recalled McClintock, community collaboration coordinator with Community Action Pioneer Valley. “We’re going for 85 this year.”

The Medical Loan Closet Ministry of St. John’s, Bandon

Diocese of Oregon – Bandon, OR

In 2017 we opened the St. John’s Medical Loan Closet in Bandon with four volunteers, a 13’ x 15’ space for operations, one wheelchair, and few expectations.

Since then our collection has grown to 194 pieces of durable medical equipment (DME) including wheelchairs, walkers, toileting and bathing aids, knee scooters, crutches, and canes. The word is out and each year we serve hundreds of clients who come from a region stretching from Reedsport to Brookings, and inland to Myrtle Point. Our clients are recovering from surgeries and accidents, are dealing with illness, or are facing the end of life.

Church Periodical Club – Ministry of the Written Word is pleased to announce our quilt winners.

Hawaiian Vintage Quilt: Winnifred Folett, Sedona, AZ. Winnie is the incoming Treasurer for Province VIII ECW.

Cracker Barrel quilt: Kathy Mank, Loveland OH. Kathy is President of Province V ECW & has served on the National ECW Board

Our auction raised over $3000.

Thank you to all. See you next year! – Maryfran Crist

View Past Women in Action News Blasts

Episcopal Church Women2022-04-08T14:56:36+00:00April 9th, 2022|

Episcopal Church Women in the News 11-27-21

Summary

WPRI Providence – Providence church carries on 103-year-old parishioner’s wish to help the less fortunate – What started as an idea to help those living on the margins 40 years ago has blossomed into so much more for 103-year-old Elsie Nickerson…

Merrill Foto News – Ascension Episcopal Church welcomes Rev. Amy Heimerl as Vicar – The Rev. Amy Heimerl has accepted a call and started service as Vicar of Ascension Episcopal Church in Merrill on a part-time basis. Rev. Amy Heimerl is a 1990…

The Living Church – Nebraska Parish, Yazidi in Thriving Relationship – A long-established relationship continues to thrive between a Lincoln, Nebraska, Episcopal parish and a non-Christian minority community that has faced worldwide discrimination and genocide.

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Providence church carries on 103-year-old parishioner’s wish to help the less fortunate

WPRI TV – Providence, RI

What started as an idea to help those living on the margins 40 years ago has blossomed into so much more for 103-year-old Elsie Nickerson.

Thankful for all that she had, Nickerson started a soup kitchen at Saint Peter’s and Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church back in the 1970s.

“I felt there was a need for it,” Nickerson said.

She never thought that, four decades later, it would also become a food pantry, thrift store and so much more. […]

Ascension Episcopal Church welcomes Rev. Amy Heimerl as Vicar

Merrill Foto News – Merrill, WI

The Rev. Amy Heimerl has accepted a call and started service as Vicar of Ascension Episcopal Church in Merrill on a part-time basis. Rev. Amy Heimerl is a 1990 graduate from Merrill High School. She earned a B.A. in Education from St. Norbert College, a special education degree from UW-Stevens Point, a health education degree from UW-LaCrosse, and a M.A. in Education from Viterbo University. She was an educator for 27 years and focused on working with students with emotional and behavioral struggles and who learn differently. She was instrumental in developing the Link Crew Program at MHS. […]

Nebraska Parish, Yazidi in Thriving Relationship

The Living Church – Lincoln, NE

A long-established relationship continues to thrive between a Lincoln, Nebraska, Episcopal parish and a non-Christian minority community that has faced worldwide discrimination and genocide.

The Yazidis are an ancient community originally from the Middle Eastern area of Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Tukey. The Yazidis are Kurdish, not Muslim, which has been a source of confusion and derision for centuries. In August 2014, the Yazidi faced genocide by ISIS, with a reported 7,000-plus men, women, and children killed. As a result of this terror, thousands fled the Middle East to start their lives in exile, including to the United States. […]

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Applications open for General Convention Official Youth Presence 2022

The Episcopal Church invites teens age 16 to 19 to apply to become part of the 80th General Convention’s Official Youth Presence, a group whose members have seat and voice in the House of Deputies.

Diocesan Profile Published, Now Accepting Nominations

The Bishop Search Committee is pleased to announce the Diocesan Profile has been published and requests nominations for the election of the 12th bishop of Louisiana. The Diocesan Profile articulates who we are as a diocese and where God is calling us to go.

Completed nomination packets should be emailed to nominations@edola.org or mailed to Jay Albert, dcn., 335 Carr Drive, Slidell, LA 70458, for arrival no later than Friday, December 31, 2021.

Apply soon for Constable Fund and Roanridge Trust grants!

Deadline: Dec. 12
These grant opportunities are offered annually by The Episcopal Church.

Constable Fund: These grants focus on work in the area of religious education.

Roanridge Trust: These grants support leadership development in small towns and rural communities.

Episcopal Church Women2021-11-26T15:41:25+00:00November 27th, 2021|

A Woman of Comfort

Combined Deanery Meetings – February 9,10,11, 2021

Psalm: 121:7-8

“The Lord will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

As we face the continued saga of Covid-19 I would like to take a few minutes to talk about our role as women in the church and the world. We are all facing that new term of “compassion fatigue”. We may be growing weary of the requests for help on all fronts in this isolated and precarious time. How can we “give” any more than we already are? Time, talent, and treasure are beginning to run thin.

Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner of Great Britain spoke about the need for resilience during this time. Her message was delivered at a virtual worldwide symposium on January 28, 2021 entitled; The Role of Religion and Faith Based Organizations in International Affairs. “Dream and hang on” are her words for us. Dream of Covid-19 being over and reaching our new normal. She suggests that we use our “emotional language” of caring for others and “call things out” such as gender disparity and inequality for us as a church family. Yes, it is difficult for us to go on.

As Episcopal Church Women the comfort ministries often find their way to us. Women of the National Episcopal Church will celebrate 150 years of comfort to the world in 2021. In our Diocese of Southwest Florida, we are beginning our 51^st year of service.

As I visit the seven deaneries in our diocese, I am always moved by the way in which women are serving in their local parishes. In one, the ECW supports women of low income by providing free mammograms. They also, comfort women who are going through treatments for cancer and other diseases by driving them to appointments, providing meals and childcare and just being there.

ECW, in some churches, brings comfort so often by providing mourning families with beautiful funeral receptions. These women are the quiet force behind preparing the church with tissues, lovely memorial service bulletins and even serving at the altar during the service.

It is our joy to bring comfort to others through serving on prayer support groups; holding in thought and prayer those in our parishes who are charged with the tasks of searching for a new rector, preparing for stewardship campaigns, and bringing communion to our shut-ins. In our weekly prayers on Sunday, we ask that God will “… comfort and succor all those in need, sorrow or any other adversity.”

Comfort for me is the bringing of hope to those who feel hopeless, lost, unloved and those crying out to the Lord. Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ and his love for all of his children is a way for us to comfort each other.

I know that I personally turn to the Psalms when searching for comfort. Psalm 121:7-8, “The Lord will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” is especially comforting during times of uncertainty. Also, there is much comfort in Psalm 23 not only in times of grief but also in those times that anxious thoughts fill my mind. He is always there.

Think about that small baby, born in a stable, to parents of few means. Where did they find comfort? Surely, most of us would not consider a stable as comfort however it gave shelter and comfort to this family and to a great miracle. He came as a baby. He taught us an itinerant preacher. He brings us joy and comfort to this day to those who believe in Him.

We need to think about these words from Rachel Martin as we remember our role as women in the church and world.

“Cheer when you friend wins.

Hold her when she’s sad.

Love her when she needs hope.

Care for her when she says she’s fine.

Believe in her when she doubts.

Show up for her when she’s alone.

Be the one she knows is in her corner

not because she’s perfect

but rather because you are the friend to her that she needs there.

In good and bad and fabulous and hard and normal.

That is friendship.

Cherish it.”

Michelle Schombs,

President, ECW Diocese of Southwest Florida

Episcopal Church Women2021-04-22T13:10:27+00:00April 22nd, 2021|

2021 Lenten Series on Women

There are hundreds of remarkable stories of women who have served the Episcopal Church with love, with persistence, with energy and with creativity. EWHP is presenting a series telling the stories of six women who have made an impact on the Episcopal Church. There will be time for discussion and questions. The Rev. Dr. Jo Ann Barker, President of EWHP will be emcee. The sessions will be presented as a Zoom experience where there is room for all who wish to participate. Ash Wednesday is on February 17, 2021; the series will begin on Thursday, February 18, and continuing on February 25, and March 4, 11, 18 and 25. Mark your calendars!

Here are the topics that will be presented:

February 18: Presenter: Dr. Joan Gundersen, Historian and Archivist

Title: Constance Baker Motley: Doing Justice

Meet the Episcopalian who became the face of NAACP in courtrooms across the South during the Civil Rights movement.

February 25: Presenter: Pan Adams McCaslin: One of first class of undergraduate women to enter The University of the South, Sewanee in 1969, and Chair of the Board of Archives for The Episcopal Church

Title: The Rev. Peggy Bosmeyer Campbell—First woman ordained in Arkansas—a priest, an organizer, a teacher

March 4: Presenter: Sister Hannah of the Community of St. Mary’s, Sewanee; A calling to prayer: a way of life through care for the body, the soul, and the earth.

Title: Sister Constance and her Companions—Known as the “Martyrs of Memphis,” as they cared for the sick and dying during the yellow fever epidemic of 1878.

March 11: Presenters: The Rev. Kim Jackson—priest in the Diocese of Atlanta and the first ever LGBTQ person elected to the Georgia state Senate.

The Rev. Nan Peete: Discussion Leader and VP of Episcopal Women’s History Project

Title: The Rev. Pauli Murray— was an American civil rights activist who became a lawyer, a women’s rights activist, Episcopal priest, and author. Drawn to the ministry, in 1977 Murray was the first African-American woman to be ordained as an Episcopal priest, in the first year that any women were ordained by that church.

March 18: Presenter: Dr. Marty Wheeler Burnett, Associate Professor of Church Music and Director of Chapel Music, Virginia Theological Seminary, and President, Association of Anglican Musicians.

Title: Hope, Joy, and Wonder: The Hymns of Rae E. Whitney

A celebration of the life and work of the Nebraska hymn poet, the prolific author of over 500 hymns. Participants will encounter a number of Whitney’s texts and explore the importance of including women’s voices in worship.

March 25: Presenter: Dr. Robin Woods Sumners—Professor of Child Development, Graphic Designer, writer and entrepreneur

Title: The Remarkable Life of Gertrude Sumners, Missionary Teacher in Kyoto, Japan from 1931-1967, civil volunteer worker during World War II, and life-long Episcopalian.

The Lenten Series will take place on the six Thursdays during Lent: Feb 18, 25; March 4, 11, 18 and 25; at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time; there will be time for discussion after each presentation.

The Rev. Yein Esther Kim is be the administrator for the series. The sessions will be live on Zoom.

You will be able to register in advance for each meeting:

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

The sessions will also be recorded on the EWHP YouTube Channel.

2021 Lenten Series

Women Worth Knowing

Time

Feb 18, 2021 03:00 PM
Feb 25, 2021 03:00 PM
Mar 4, 2021 03:00 PM
Mar 11, 2021 03:00 PM
Mar 18, 2021 03:00 PM
Mar 25, 2021 03:00 PM

Time shows in Eastern Time Zone

Episcopal Church Women2022-09-28T17:10:26+00:00January 29th, 2021|

Church Periodical Club Province VIII National Grants Announcement

National Book Grant applications are available for enhancing, supporting, and developing your ministry with written materials including books, eBooks, CD, audio books etc. for adults.

Applications are due March 1st , 2021, then reviewed at the board annual meeting with notification in mid-summer. Funds are sent in late summer/early fall 2021.

Information and grant application can be accessed on the CPC website

louisealoy63@gmail.com

These grants are part of NBF (National Book Fund). Further information or questions please contact Province VIII CPC Rep;
Louise Lani Aloy: louisealoy63@gmail.com or Province VIII ECW Canon Martha Estes: marthakestes53@gmail.com

Birth thru 18 y/o grants are under Miles of Pennies (MOP) and may be applied for throughout the year.

Please pass this forward and put in Diocesan and Church newsletters. Someone or school or organization needs our help.

Canon Martha K. Estes

Episcopal Church Women2022-09-28T17:10:58+00:00January 29th, 2021|

Church Periodical Club Quilt Fundraiser

The CPC TRIENNIAL QUILT Fundraiser is now LIVE!

The Province VIII ECW Board are encouraging each Diocese or Diocesan ECW to set up a fundraising page so we can see who raises the most for CPC!

Don’t delay to RALLY UP an account to purchase entries to win one of these amazing handmade quilts THE ALOHA or THE STAR QUILT.

Easy to buy your tickets.

Visit https://go.rallyup.com/churchperiodicalclub

The Church Periodical Club is an Episcopal Institution; its ministry is to provide books, magazines, tapes, videos and computer programs FREE to those who cannot otherwise obtain them, and to raise the money to do this.

The Church Periodical Club is an independent, affiliated organization of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church, dedicated to the Ministry of the Written Word, providing materials, both religious and secular, to children and adults both here and all over the world through grants.

The Church Periodical Club is an independent, affiliated organization of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church, dedicated to the worldwide Ministry of the Printed Word and to the Promotion of Christian Mission. It is the only organization in the Episcopal Church dedicated solely to providing free literature and related materials, both religious and secular, to people all over the world who need and request them and who have no other source for obtaining them.

Prayer Books, books for seminarians, educational materials, medical textbooks, agricultural manuals and books for those in local and global mission are some of the publications The Church Periodical Club supplies. The Church Periodical Club operates at all levels of the Church – national, provincial, diocesan and parish. The goal is to make the CPC program a concern of the whole Church. That goal includes having an active and enthusiastic CPC representative in every parish and diocese.

Episcopal Church Women2021-01-29T15:21:18+00:00January 29th, 2021|

Good Book Club to start 2021 with the Gospel of Mark

Start the new year with a renewed spiritual practice of reading God’s Word. Forward Movement, with support from partners from around the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion, will celebrate the time of Epiphany with a new round of the Good Book Club. Starting on January 1, 2021, and continuing through Shrove Tuesday, February 16, the Good Book Club features daily readings from the Gospel of Mark.

“Mark’s Gospel happens to be the gospel that we are reading during this year on Sundays,” said Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry. “The Good Book Club provides an opportunity for us to study that very gospel, but it also gives us an opportunity to do so in a very difficult time. In this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, the season of Epiphany may well be the most difficult days of this pandemic for us all. And it may well be that the Good Book Club is exactly what we need for the living of these days.”

Joining the Good Book Club is easy: Open your Bible and start reading! If you’d prefer to listen, try the Good Book Club podcast, available here and anywhere you listen to podcasts. A plethora of resources from Forward Movement and partners encourages you to choose-your-own-adventure for reading the Gospel of Mark. Highlights include:

If you’re looking for an introductory class for the Gospel of Mark, sign up for a free 90-minute webinar hosted by the Montreal Diocesan Theological College in the Anglican Church of Canada.
If your church is named for Saint Mark, share the story of your ministry and mission—and learn about the ministry of other St. Mark congregations—on Facebook, guided by the Episcopal Asset Map.
Back by popular demand is a free, online, live Bible study presented by ChurchNext.
Subscribe to weekly emails for a preview of the readings and reflection questions.
Join the discussion in Spanish, with regular videos and online discussions.
For those interested in daily reflections on the readings, check out A Journey with Mark available in print and as an ebook from Forward Movement.

This is the fifth series of the initiative to encourage scripture engagement, led by Forward Movement. Partners include the United Thank Offering, Episcopal Migration Ministries, Episcopal Church Foundation, The Living Church, Forma, GrowChristians.org, ChurchNext, the Episcopal Church’s communication, digital, and evangelism ministries, the Hive, Invite Welcome Connect, the Consortium of Endowed Parishes, Montreal Diocesan Theological College, Episcopal Asset Map, Building Faith, RenewalWorks, and the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast.

For more information or to access the reading list, a toolkit, and resources, please visit the Good Book Club website.

Forward Movement is a ministry of the Episcopal Church that inspires disciples and empowers evangelists. With offices in Cincinnati, Ohio, Forward Movement has been serving the Episcopal Church since 1935 by producing resources such as Forward Day by Day, books, apps, pamphlets, conferences, courses, and more. Visit www.goodbookclub.org to learn more.

Episcopal Church Women2022-09-28T17:11:59+00:00December 24th, 2020|