ECW Women Articles-Poems-Announcements Archives - Page 4 of 19

Renewal Prayers – Communique Spring 2024

Lord,

Renew us with your love
Energize our souls
Nourish our spirit
Empower us to show our faith
Walk with you
Abide with us
Lead us and we will follow

Amen

By Cindy Mohr

God our Father, Lord of Creation

Refresh our spirits
Encourage inspiration
Nudge us to action
Enliven our hearts
Water buds of hope
Abolish seeds of doubt
Lift us with your light
To be new and greater visions of your love
As Episcopal Church Women
In this time and place.

by Rev. Jennifer Kenna

Dear Lord, again we come to you, weary and worn. Listening and watching conflict, rudeness, discrimination, war, and hatred must be as hard for you as it is for us. You gave us the way to lasting peace, but we have turned away. Please give us that spark, that hope, that flame that cannot be quenched. Please let us honor you with our actions and words. Touch hearts, dear Lord, touch minds, that we will remember the gift of your son, Jesus, and listen to his words and follow his example.

By Beth Agar

Episcopal Church Women2024-04-09T14:43:04+00:00April 9th, 2024|

Episcopal Church Women in the News 09-23-23

Episcopal Attendance Bounces Back 19% from Pandemic Low

We have fewer parishes and we have fewer people,” said the Rev. Molly James, deputy executive officer of the General Convention

Churches work together to care for needs of the community

“It really allows us not to be spending the resources we have in our own churches because we’re all small,” Murray said. – Woodstock, VA

House of Bishops hears Title IV overview and timeline of House of Deputies president’s case

“It does not mean that it isn’t an issue that needs to be addressed,” Ousley said. “It means Title IV is not the appropriate venue for that.”

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry recovering in ICU following surgery

He is expected to remain in intensive care for about 24 hours.

St. Mark’s “Messy Church” – resumes Sunday

Messy Church offers a once a month worship experience for busy families of younger kids. – Southborough, MA

Indigenous Art Show In Jackson Hole

St. John’s Episcopal Church is thrilled to be hosting dozens of regional indigenous artists. – WY

Grace Church welcomes new pastor

Rev. Christy Shain-Hendricks priest living in Salida, Colorado

Blessing Box brings bounty to Chester

Turner’s idea came to her after seeing the benefit of the Blessing Box at her own church. – Warwick, NY

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Women’s Retreat at St. Crispin’s September 22-24, 2023

This retreat is sponsored by the Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Oklahoma. We welcome all women who wish to gather in this space for a weekend of prayer, study, renewal, refreshment, and fellowship as we take a break from our everyday lives. St. Crispin’s Conference Center 36302 State Highway 9 Wewoka, OK 74884

Contact Sandra Opalka, treasurer: sandra.opalka@gmail.com

The Nonviolence Institute is pleased to announce our 14th annual Invest in Peace fundraise

September 21, 2023 at Farm Fresh Rhode Island. This year’s event, will again celebrate our Sister Ann Keefe Award winner and our Community Impact Award winners, who will be named in the short future. We look forward to welcoming and gathering with those who care deeply about our work and recognize that this is an opportunity to consider the importance, in this moment, of our Beloved Community, reflective of the actions and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Love in Action: Environmental Justice in RI

Join the discussion with local and national leaders in the environmental justice space as we explore how environmental justice and racism continues to impact communities across Rhode Island, efforts to address the disproportionate harm climate change continues to have on many of our most vulnerable communities, and what role we can play to address this critical issue impacting the communities we are called to serve. We are excited to announce our keynote speaker is Karyn Bigelow- Co-Executive Director for Creation Justice Ministries. to register, contact: Sept 23rd

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-2023-edri-conference-for-creation-care-tickets-654950934877?aff=oddtdtcreator

ECW of Delaware ECW Annual Meeting, Luncheon and Worship

October 7, 2023.

The Program will include brief talks from Mathy Downing, UTO Province III member of the National UTO Board. Cindy Mohr, ECW Province III member of the National ECW Board. A representative from Primeros Pasos, our outreach target for this year. • The Business Meeting will include election of President and Vice-President. Questions contact:Beth FitzPatrick, gr8art@outlook.com

Arkansas ECW Fall Gathering – Oct 13 – 14

Fall Gathering is ECW’s statewide annual meeting and a time for fun and fellowship. This year, we are honored to have the Rev. Susanne Methven of Tulsa, OK, as our speaker. We are excited that St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church will host our annual Fall Gathering! All events Saturday will be held in the parish hall and sanctuary. To register and more info

Episcopal Church Women Diocese of Mississippi Annual/Fall Conference

Saturday, October 21, 2023

SPEAKER: Rev. Deacon Becca Walton,Curate, All Saints, Tupelo Presentation: My experience as a mbr of the Community of St Anslem, a new monastic RSVP by October 4, 2023 to:episcopalchurchwomenms@gmail.com

Using Picture Books for Racial Healing

Registration is now open for Dismantling Racism training sessions in August, September, October, and November. Miriam McKenney leads the trainings, which take place on Zoom.

Choose 1 month:

September (12, 19, 26 from 6 to 8 p.m.). Sign up here.
October (10, 17, 24 from 6 to 8 p.m.). Sign up here.
November (1, 8, 15 from 1 to 3 p.m.). Sign up here.

“The dismantling racism course is terrific,” Lisa Barker of St. Patrick’s, Dublin, says. “The use of storytelling and scripture brings things into focus that, for me, had been unacknowledged. Another wonderful aspect of this course is the formation of community among the participants. Miriam and Emma made the course easy to access, consistent with the Four-Fold Path of Love, and I truly looked forward to the sessions. Our discussion times flew by as the topics were thought-provoking. I highly recommend this course!”

Email Director of Dismantling Racism in Southern Ohio, Miriam McKenney, to learn more.

2023 Fall Speaker Series – ECW Diocese of Chicago

by Zoom – Register here

October 4 – Hunger – A Continuing Paradox?

October 11 – Springboard Kitchen: Helping People Reach Next Stage Culinary Dreams

October 18 – Sustainable Gardening

View Past Women in Action News Blasts

Episcopal Church Women2023-09-22T15:23:37+00:00September 22nd, 2023|

Mira Washington from Church Women United

Mira Washington Church Women United with 2023 Board Mira Washington from Church Women United, CWU, spoke to the board this past Saturday while they all met in Syracuse for a board meeting. She went on to visit with the board members for the rest of the weekend and shared many delightful stories about the lives of Christian women and how their dedicated service is honored around the world.

The CWU is celebrating their 82^nd year and Ms. Washington is their youngest elected president. She was raised in the organization and has been a member for nearly thirty years. “Social justice is not just my passion but Church Women United’s passions,” she said. “In fact, the CWU was one of the organizations in operation following World War Two when Elinor Roosevelt went looking for assistance in rebuilding after the war.”

“The average age of women in the organization is 78 years old. We are diversified from all ethnic cultures.” They advocate for women and the issues that impact women. Since her term started, they have developed a vision statement and focused on a true cause. Her hope is to rekindle participation in the World Day of Prayer.

She went on to explain what Justice and Righteousness means to Church Women United:

Health Equity – God’s Word: On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:12-13 NIV
Climate Stewardship – God’s Word: But ask the animals, and they will teach you. Or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:7-10
Social justice – God’s Word: “In the temple courts (Jesus) found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, ‘Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market.” His disciples remembered that it is written, ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’” John 2: 14-17
Hunger and poverty – God’s Word: He will bring justice to the poor of the people; He will save the children of the needy and will break in pieces the oppressor. Psalm 72:4 NKJV

“We ask our regions and their member states to align themselves with the Church Women United national organization’s policies. We are sustaining ourselves on donations from state and local groups,” she said. They have also been blessed with endowments from many of their long-term members.

Their social policies have been written since 1941. “We are still facing some of the ethnic and gender national policies that are substandard for women in our culture.”

She speaks of harmony in the home and in the church. “We work to support all denominations as they come to us for assistance. I’ll be very transparent; I am very traditional, and my husband is progressive.” As churches evolve to a more progressive policy, she sees the first hurdle being harmony at home and then the congregation.

Episcopal Church Women2023-08-11T15:04:53+00:00August 11th, 2023|

Plaza de Paz Respite Center Service Project

Join the National Episcopal Church Women Service Project Efforts for the Plaza de Paz Respite Center

At the National ECW Board Meeting held in February 2023, the board voted to host a service project supporting the Diocese of West Texas’ Immigration & Refugee Ministry, Plaza de Paz Respite Center. The service project runs until the end of the calendar year: December 31, 2023.

The service project supports the Diocese of West Texas’ Immigration & Refugee Ministry, Plaza de Paz Respite Center. Located in San Antonio, Texas, Plaza de Paz provides day-time welcoming services for families and individuals seeking asylum. Services provided include meals, assistance with travel arrangements, personal hygiene care, emergency housing, and transportation within Bexar County to the airport or bus station. We are asking all Diocesan and local ECWs to contribute to this ministry by supporting the Center’s Amazon wish list. Please consider making a purchase from this wish list that will be shipped directly to Plaza de Paz. Just make sure when you make your purchase that you change the shipping address to the center’s address which will appear on the screen. It’s just that easy! Visit the National ECW webpage for the direct links to the wish list.

Shipping Address: Select D’s gift registry in your shipping destination and Amazon will delivery your purchase to the Plaza de Paz Despite Center.

Plaza de Paz Respite Center is also looking for volunteering at the Plaza de Paz San Antonio Respite Center and/or you can register your ministry group or congregation to donate meal kits.

Each day, individuals and families seeking asylum flee their home countries to escape violence, religious persecution, and war. In 2019, the Diocese of West Texas formed Immigration Ministries to help with humanitarian needs for those seeking asylum.

Plaza d Paz Respite 1

On July 27, 2021, the Plaza de Paz Respite Center opened as a collaborative effort between the Diocese of West Texas and the Southwestern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Located in San Antonio, Texas, Plaza de Paz provides day-time welcoming services for families and individuals seeking asylum. Services provided include meals, assistance with travel arrangements, personal hygiene care, emergency housing, and transportation within Bexar County to the airport or bus station. The Center receives referrals from both Department of Human Services and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

When a family or individual seeking asylum is released from U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody as part of the immigration process, they travel to join sponsors or family members throughout the United States. If a family or individual does not have family or sponsorship contacts in the U.S. however, they do not have access to housing or basic necessities, leaving them incredibly vulnerable upon their release

Episcopal Church Women2023-04-07T19:39:42+00:00April 7th, 2023|

Prayer for this time in the world

Prayer for this time in the world
When we wake and discover our lives
Are suddenly in a never-before time,
A never-again-the-same time,
Grant us courage, O God, in knowing
That all times are yours,
That you are ever before and after,
That with you there is no “never.”

Remind us that although mountains may become plains,
Seas may turn to desert, and our “ordinary” days may disappear,
You are unchanging in your love for us,
Ceaseless in your mercy,
Endless in your compassion.

Do not let us forget that you weep with us.
Empower us to be brave enough to shed tears.
Strong enough to seek grace.
Generous enough to serve both neighbor and enemy.
Though we sit apart and alone, transform us
Into souls bigger than self and larger than singular.

If that more fearsome never-before time,
That most dreaded never-again-the-same time
Comes to us and those we hold most dear,
Help us still to shine with hope, O God,

That our sickness may be another’s teacher,
Our deaths a pathway to life.

And when at last we enter fully into you,
May we say together with joy:
It has never been this way before.
It will never be the same again.
It is now, always and forever,
Only Love.

by Anne M. Windholz, MDiv, PhD

Episcopal Church Women2023-03-10T15:29:46+00:00March 10th, 2023|

Prayer for Caregivers

Gift us, Lord, with the humility
of those who care beyond knowing
and being known; who give their time ungrudgingly
with simple and wordless presence;
who listen like the patient dawn
holding its breath,
anticipating birdsong even
from a dark and starless sky.

Teach us, Lord, the humility
of healing that seeks no cure
but peace, that knows no power
but hope. Grant our service
the self-forgetfulness that sees
only the other; grant our hearts
that wisdom which discerns
the riches in poverty, the strength
in weakness, the life in death.

Hold us, Lord, in the mercy
that is as ready to share tears
as to dry them; as willing to carry
the cross as to roll away the stone.

Guide us in our walk
across waves of suffering too rough to bear,
that we, like you, may have the courage
to extend our hand to our sinking neighbor,
and so together reach the still harbor of grace.

Anne M. Windholz, MDiv, PhD

Episcopal Church Women2023-03-09T20:47:51+00:00March 9th, 2023|

Prayer For a Friend in Need

Heavenly Father, a Friend most dear
has asked for prayer.
For she and her family have had
an awful lot to bear.

So many of us hold her dear
but simply are unable to hold her near.
So we pray Father that you bestow
comfort and hope that only You can give
to those near the end of the rope.

Friends may offer words of support and cheer
but these sometimes just aren’t enough
for those living with fright.
Fear of loneliness, of hopelessness,
of things that go bump in the night.
Fear even of – well – fear.

Help them see the healing that comes with time,
as hours turn to days, and days to weeks,
weeks into months and then again…

Just as You have provided Your Plan of how
the darkness of the ember-ary’s is slowly
replaced by rebirth which eternally springs forth;
followed by the warm, somber days of reflection
before falling into hallowed memories of feasts
prepared with love and eaten in thanks; and then,
that Season of light, hope and love as we,
each in our way, celebrate that most memorable
remarkable day of all, the birth of Your Son.

Father, you have given us the light
to see there is strength in might.
That the power we possess in praying
for one another, bonds us together,
each to the other.

Parliamentarian for the National Board

Episcopal Church Women2023-03-09T20:46:11+00:00March 9th, 2023|

I tried to capture you

Moon-Patti-Posan You alluded me. I smelled fresh moonlight, felt your light bless me and I wonder…

Perhaps these moments are just to be between us, deep within, held close in the tapestry of my inner being, gazing at the moon.

I am offered a window to the unseen God.

My heart opens and gratitude flows, knowing the Divine is not absent, but a living light.

Shining in all beings

Patti Joy Posan – Sewanee, TN

Episcopal Church Women2023-03-09T20:48:28+00:00March 9th, 2023|

Final Disposition of Sacred Linens Hangings and Vestments

Jan Smith by Jan Bolls Smith

Altar linens, hangings, or vestments beyond repairing or recycling are often stored in an out-of-the-way place and soon forgotten. Perhaps they were a memorial gift to honor a church member or used only for special services over a period of many years. Sadly, all have a life of service but must eventually be retired properly due to damage or years of wear on the fabric.

During the June 2022 annual Province IV Altar Guild Conference at the Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, North Carolina, the meeting included the deconsecrating of linens and of other paraments that had been blessed. Those attending brought their linens and other items that needed to be disposed of reverently.

The Reverend Martha “Marty” Hedgpeth, an assistant rector of Christ Church, Charlotte, North Carolina, served as our chaplain from 2001-2003 for the Province IV Altar Guild; she wrote the prayer for the deconsecration service, which took place during one of our morning worship services. After the service and the removal of any recyclable embellishments and fabrics, the linens were burned.

For the burning of the linens, a large, new, contaminant-free and heat-resistant can was used to make what seemed to be a Holy fire. Small holes were made on the side of the large can to allow air flow into the vessel. The linens were carefully removed from the basket and gently placed into the can, and a wooden match was used to ignite the fire. Eventually all that was left were the ashes, reminding us that “From dust we came and to dust we will return.” After the ashes had cooled, the ashes were scattered on Lake Kanuga. The following years, the ashes were buried on the conference center grounds.

Martha “Marty” Hedgepeth was a member of the clergy in North Carolina for 36 years and served as an associate rector at Christ Church for 22 years. Marty retired from Christ Church in November 2018.

Jan Smith served as president, Mississippi Diocesan Altar Guild, 2001-2004 and as president, Province IV Altar Guild, 2003-2006

Prayer for the Deconsecration of Linens, Hangings, and Vestments

Almighty God, we thank you for the beauty of your creation and our responsibility to care for it. We thank you for your faithful people who have given these linens, vestments, and paraments to be used for your honor and glory. As they were consecrated in your name, they adorned your sanctuaries, reflected your beauty, and served your people. So now, Lord, in your name, we deconsecrate them and this day return them to the earth from which they came – earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. We pray in the name of the firstborn of all creation, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Reverend Martha “Marty” Hedgpeth

Province IV Altar Guild, 2001-2003

Episcopal Church Women2023-03-09T20:43:45+00:00March 9th, 2023|

A Prayer of Hope and Guidance

Almighty and most merciful Father, we thank you for all the blessings of this life. We thank You especially for the Episcopal Church Women. We ask you to guide us as we work to find more ways to serve our global village and the local communities. By Your grace, equip us to feed the hungry, provide clothing for those in need, and accept the differences within us.

Offer shelter to the disenfranchised and help facilitate access to basic health care for those without advocator. Give us the strength to preserve as we invite others to join in our common life for justice and peace. Help us to address the racial and class divisions in our world that we may all be treated equal as one created by You in Your image.

Guide us as we become more faithful in our spiritual journey; find godly ways to restore the absent and open our heart to the stranger. Bless us that we might move into new ways of being and doing for the sake of those who have the desire for spiritual food and thirst for the living waters. All this we ask through Jesus Christ our LORD, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen

by Laura Manigault

Episcopal Church Women2023-03-09T20:43:15+00:00March 9th, 2023|