ECW Women Articles-Poems-Announcements

Los Angeles-area church celebrates ‘win for everyone’ affordable housing groundbreaking

For Patricia Jebens, celebrating the  groundbreaking for Orchard View Gardens – a was a dream come true. – Buena Park, CA

Episcopal mobile ministry distributes necessities to people displaced by Maui wildfires

Last week’s wildfires prompted the evacuation of more than 32,000 residents and tourists. More than 1,000 people remain missing.

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church welcomes new rector after 2 year search

Reverend Ashley Gurling has been giving sermons at the church every Sunday since starting in June, and worshipers have noticed the waning practice is seeing a restored energy many are attributing to her services. – Park City, UT

No Confirmed Episcopal Casualties in Maui Fire — Yet

The Rev. Sandy Graham, canon to the Bishop of Hawaii, told TLC that as of August 15, there have been no confirmed reports of casualties,  But he cautions that much is still unknown.

More local women choose to join clergy

“If you told me 15 years ago that I would be a deacon, I would probably have my doubts,” said Colleen Rutherford. –  The Villages, FL

Backpack Buddies Ministry At St. George’s Summerville Receives Grant

The National ECW Board has awarded a grant of $1,000 for the Backpack Buddies Ministry at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Summerville. Sue Lessenberry submitted the grant request after learning about the opportunity from Jeanne Plecenik, NECW treasurer.  The Backpack Buddies Ministry at St. George’s provides weekend meals for children in need at six schools in the local area. The church recently announced that in addition to ongoing help they receive from Good Shepherd, Summerville, another Summerville church is joining in as well: Epiphany, Summerville, SC.

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Brotherhood of St. Andrew Online Virtual Silent Auction

The ministry will be hosting an online silent auction “Sharing Our Treasures” beginning August 19 through September 5th. Items being auctioned range from trips, to collector artwork, jewelry, sports memorabilia, gift cards, and much more! All proceeds from this nationwide auction go to support their 7 focus ministries.

Discussion of The Gatherings: Reimagining Indigenous-Settler Relationships 

Province 1 Indigenous People’s Justice Network invites you to join the first in a series of book discussions. The Gatherings shows how Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples can come together to create meaningful and lasting relationships. Indigenous and non-Indigenous people participated in a series of long weekend gatherings over several years, in an Indigenous-led traditional Council format. Assumptions were challenged, perspectives upended, stereotypes shattered, and friendships formed that have lasted many years. Seven Indigenous and seven non-Indigenous authors, collectively Mawopiyane (a Passamaquoddy word that translates “Let us sit together”), share their experiences of the gatherings in their own words.

For additional information about the book discussion or the network, contact Martha Gardner, Missioner for Networking and Formation, Diocese of Massachusetts, at mgardner@diomass.org. Wednesday, September 13

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.

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

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.

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Episcopal church presumed destroyed as wildfires on Hawaiʻi’s Maui kill at least 36

An Aug. 9 post on Holy Innocents’ Facebook page asked parishioners to share how they are doing.

The need for food in the Parkville area is growing. This church has stepped up.

A lot has changed since the pantry first opened in Grace Episcopal Church in the early 1990s. – Hartford, CT

Reconciling her Christian faith with her Indigenous identity

Writer shares the right (and wrong) ways to honor Indigenous spirituality

Renaming liturgy offers a blessing to a North Dakota woman and her new name

It’s not often that a 21st-century Episcopalian knows they are standing in the footsteps of Biblical patriarchs – North
Fargo, ND

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Episcopal churches, ecumenical partners address crisis as asylum-seekers continue to arrive daily in Chicago

Over the last year, more than 11,000 asylum-seekers have arrived in Chicago, Illinois, by private bus from Texas…

As Episcopal and other mainline denominations face clergy shortage, creative workarounds are redefining ministry

A wave of older clergy will retire in the coming decades, with fewer seminary students in the pipeline to replace them.

A Kansas home where most never lived, Nicodemus still draws visitors and family of settlers

…nearly 350 formerly enslaved people set out from Kentucky to the promised lands of Kansas.

It Was Jesus Who Came and Got Me

Without a Sunday job, the only thing keeping me from visiting the church was me.

Wardens of Grace Episcopal Church in Nutley Share Memories of Serving with Rev. Pamela Bakal

Bakal will retire on July 31 which is exactly 26 years after her first Sunday at the congregation. – Nutley, NJ

First AME Laity Director Of Activities Forges Post-COVID Training Program

Thompson said that she believes it is the responsibility of all church members to educate themselves on how their church operates. – Seattle, WA

Episcopal leaders pledge support for Black male students at College of Coastal Georgia

“It just seems to be that when it comes to jobs,” she said, “a Black female will get the job quicker than a Black male.” – Brunswick, GA

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Discussion of The Gatherings: Reimagining Indigenous-Settler Relationships 

Province 1 Indigenous People’s Justice Network invites you to join the first in a series of book discussions. The Gatherings shows how Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples can come together to create meaningful and lasting relationships. Indigenous and non-Indigenous people participated in a series of long weekend gatherings over several years, in an Indigenous-led traditional Council format. Assumptions were challenged, perspectives upended, stereotypes shattered, and friendships formed that have lasted many years. Seven Indigenous and seven non-Indigenous authors, collectively Mawopiyane (a Passamaquoddy word that translates “Let us sit together”), share their experiences of the gatherings in their own words.

For additional information about the book discussion or the network, contact Martha Gardner, Missioner for Networking and Formation, Diocese of Massachusetts, at mgardner@diomass.org. Wednesday, September 13

Leading with Heart: Circular Leadership for the Resurrection of Ministry

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.

By entering the circle of shared leadership, responsibility, and accountability, resurrection, rebirth, and trust are built into our ministries through God’s love and personal relationship.

August 14-18 Chicago, IL – Parliament of World Religions

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.

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:

• August (1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10 from 12 to 1 p.m.) Sign up here.
• 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,” Lissa 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.

Alameda is Working to End Homelessness

Dignity Village can make a powerful difference in people’s lives by helping individuals transition from unstable living situations… Alameda, CA

8 Most Beautiful and Awe-Inspiring Churches and Cathedrals in Arizona

Early explorers and settlers in Arizona brought their traditions, beliefs, and architectural influences.

Harrisburg’s Hettie Love, first Black graduate from Ivy League MBA program, dies at 100

Love was honored as a pioneer for her achievements by Wharton faculty and alumni.

First woman to become an Episcopal priest in Florida dies in Jacksonville

The former nun, Rev. Mother Davette Turk, left the Catholic church for love and to start a family.

Local food pantry seeking community help with influx of summer traffic, donations needed

Pastor Jill Williams says they can’t do it alone and now they’re seeking donations from the community. – Ocean City, MD

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Leading with Heart: Circular Leadership for the Resurrection of Ministry

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.

By entering the circle of shared leadership, responsibility, and accountability, resurrection, rebirth, and trust are built into our ministries through God’s love and personal relationship.

August 14-18 Chicago, IL – Parliament of World Religions

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Rev. Hasselbrook of St. James Church in Montclair reflects on the Rev. Bakal of Grace Church in Nutley

Bakal is the first settled female priest at Grace Church. – Nutley, NJ

Washington National Cathedral’s online coffee hour nurtures small, close-knit community of remote worshipers

The Zoom coffee hour every Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Eastern that, participants say, has brought a real sense of community and made a difference in their lives.

Volunteer Interest Form for GC81 Now Open

It takes the dedicated work of many volunteers from across the church to bring a successful General Convention together.

‘She’s Tickling Our Souls’ Episcopalians Proclaim of Holy Spirit at Jesus Festival

“Are we ready to use our healing to help with anxieties around the climate crisis?”

The Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada, the Right Reverend Elizabeth Gardner, plans to visit Mesquite on Aug. 20.

She will provide a Holy Eucharist and Communion service at 3 p.m. for a fledgling group of Episcopalian and Lutheran-ELCA faithful

Task force to provide resources and training to help Episcopalians respond to mental health challenges

Plans to train people across the church who will in turn become instructors in dioceses and parishes hit a budgetary snag last year.

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Leading with Heart: Circular Leadership for the Resurrection of Ministry

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.

By entering the circle of shared leadership, responsibility, and accountability, resurrection, rebirth, and trust are built into our ministries through God’s love and personal relationship.

August 14-18 Chicago, IL – Parliament of World Religions

“It’s All About Love”

A Spirit-powered festival for the Jesus Movement, and it’s happening in Baltimore, MD, on July 9-12. All Daughters are welcome to this churchwide festival of revival worship and prayer, workshops and speakers, food and fellowship. We especially long to gather and partner with YOU, Daughters of the King, the faithful women who’ve prayed so long for the renewal and revival of our church.

Speakers include – Lisa Bortner – National Episcopal Church Women Board – Province VII Representative

Episcopal Church Women Province III Annual Meeting

Keynote Speaker: Rt. Rev. Susan E. Goff

Bishop Suffragan, Retired

Episcopal Diocese of Virginia

Roslyn Conference & Retreat Center – Richmond, VA – July 21 – 22, 2023

Contact: rosslyn.edwards@yahoo.com for more information and registration

Province VI Episcopal Church Women Zoom Retreat – July 22, 2023

1:00pm-3:30pm Mountain Daylight Time or 2:00pm-4:30pm Central Daylight Time

Contact: 719-239-4092 samarfay@gmail.com

Speakers:

Rev. Scott Afton – Responding to Addiction with Serenity, Courage and Wisdom

Rev. Lindsay Hardin Freeman—Strengthen our Spiritual DNA – The Courage of our Biblical Foremothers

The women of the Hmong culture will also be sharing how to make eggrolls. The recipe will be sent with the Zoom link if you want to follow along.

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