ECW Women in the News Archives - National Episcopal Church Women

ERD Tool Kit

16 Days Activism 2025 Grace, Justice & Hope

for Women & Girls Everywhere

A Toolkit To Work Together For Lasting Change

The National Episcopal Church Women (NECW) Board Social Justice Committee is joining hands with Episcopal Relief & Development to answer a shared call: to uplift women and girls everywhere and help them thrive in safety, dignity, and opportunity. Together, we invite our faith communities, families, and friends to engage in this transformative work through a powerful and flexible collaborative toolkit.

This initiative calls us to action — to empower women, strengthen economic stability, cultivate women leaders, and work boldly to reduce violence in all its forms. Grounded in faith and justice, the Social Justice Committee has also lifted up two urgent commitments within this effort: the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and advocacy for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

We are called not only to care, but to act. This toolkit offers a meaningful pathway to become part of the solution. A simple yet impactful first step is completing the Wellness of Women & Girls in Your Community survey (page 9), helping us listen deeply and discern where our communities are most needed.

Episcopal Relief & Development invites us to engage through four guiding priorities:

Joy and Wonder – Faithfully nurturing early childhood development
Grace, Justice & Hope – Standing with women and girls everywhere
Nurture & Sustain – Building resilience through climate-focused action
Restore & Renew – Responding with compassion when disaster strikes

We encourage you to explore the full Episcopal Relief & Development toolkit — a rich collection of prayers, studies, outreach ideas, and resources from across the Church — and to let it inspire faithful action rooted in love, justice, and hope.

View the tool kit at the Episcopal Relief and Development website

Episcopal Church Women2026-02-06T16:27:18+00:00February 5th, 2026|

Standing Together Against Violence: The Girls’ Friendly Society Leads the Charge

Girls Friendly Society THE GIRLS’ FRIENDLY SOCIETY

The Girls’ Friendly Society (GFS) has long been a beacon of hope, empowerment, and advocacy for girls and women worldwide. Now, with the launch of the “Orange Days” campaign, GFS is amplifying its voice to bring awareness to the urgent and persistent issue of violence against girls and women and the collective refusal to tolerate it any longer.

Every 25th of the month, members of GFS across the nation and around the globe unite by wearing orange, a vibrant symbol of solidarity and determination. This simple yet powerful gesture serves as a reminder that gender-based violence is a global crisis that demands attention, action, and change. The message is clear: violence of any kind will not be tolerated, and the voices of girls and women will resound loud and clear in the fight for justice and equality.

Orange Days” is not just a campaign, it’s a movement. It calls upon individuals, communities, and organizations to stand together in advocacy and awareness. By wearing orange, engaging in discussions, and supporting initiatives that address gender injustice, each person plays a role in creating a safer and more equitable world for all.

As GFS members come together in solidarity, their message is strengthened by the collective determination to end violence and foster environments where girls and women can thrive. Through education, empowerment, and advocacy, GFS continues to lead efforts to dismantle systems of oppression and build communities rooted in respect and equity.

We warmly invite the Episcopal Church Women to join us in this important initiative. join the spirit of unity and purpose as we stand together for Orange Days. Let us shine a light on gender injustice and empower change your voice and action can make all the difference. Show your support by wearing orange on the 25th of each month and sharing photos on Facebook to amplify the message. Together, we can demonstrate our solidarity and commitment to ending violence against girls and women. Let’s make our voices heard and our presence felt boldly, loudly, and with unwavering determination.

Episcopal Church Women2025-04-23T16:30:19+00:00April 23rd, 2025|

UNCSW 65 – Taking It Back Home: Report Back from the Presiding Bishop’s Delegation

National ECW President, Karen Patterson, will attend and speak at the UNCSW 65 – Taking It Back Home: Report Back from the Presiding Bishop’s Delegation”

The virtual meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 25^th, 5 – 6:30 pm EDT,“UNCSW 65 – Taking It Back Home: Report Back from the Presiding Bishop’s Delegation”. Featuring reports from our Presiding Bishop’s delegates on their experiences at UNCSW 65, highlights and lessons learned, and plans for “taking it back home” to their churches and communities.

Ms. Patterson’s invitation is as as follows…

We are envisioning a section, “Next steps: Avenues for Taking It Back Home”, where we would love to invite you to participate in your capacity as the President of National ECW, if you are interested. The idea is to explain how our delegates and Episcopalians might connect to the wider work of women’s and girls’ empowerment and gender justice through National ECW.

If so, would you be interested in speaking for 3 minutes?

Lynnaia Main | OFFICER, EPISCOPAL CHURCH REPRESENTATIVE TO THE UNITED NATIONS

Episcopal Church Women2021-03-24T20:18:14+00:00March 24th, 2021|

Help us to see you on the faces of our sisters and brothers

Gracious and holy God, you have made us in your image, male and female you have made us. Help us to see you on the faces of our sisters and brothers, particularly those who suffer the unlovely gaze and unholy actions of others. Your son was born a helpless child to a woman who seemed shameful to many. We are all those helpless babes and those despised women, and we are those who hurt and hate. Keep us mindful that we see and touch you, and heal us toward your purpose for us all. We pray in the name of that babe. Amen

The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori Presiding Bishop

Episcopal Church Women2020-05-27T15:26:14+00:00December 4th, 2012|