workshop

Raising Awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

Register Now!

NGO CSW70 Virtual Parallel Event

Wednesday, March 11, 2026
⏰ 12:30–2:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time)

The National Episcopal Church Women (NECW) invites members and partners nationwide to stand in solidarity and take action in response to the ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW)—a devastating reality affecting Indigenous communities across the United States and beyond.

Rooted in faith, prayer, compassion, and advocacy, NECW recognizes the urgent call to raise awareness, support healing, and work alongside Indigenous leaders to seek justice and ensure the safety of Native women and their families.

Join us for a powerful virtual panel discussion led by Indigenous leaders of the Episcopal Church. Together, they will explore the deep historical injustices, systemic violence, and complex jurisdictional challenges that continue to fuel this crisis—and highlight pathways toward accountability, healing, and hope.

All are welcome. Your presence matters.

Registration is now open for our NGO CSW70 Forum virtual event. Please register at https://ngocsw70.events.whova.com/registration/. Registration is free! Then search for National Episcopal Church Women. You will enter the event through the NGO portal on March 11. See you then!

Donate to Help the MMIW Fund

Support the ECW’s work with MMIW by donating and receiving a t-shirt. These donations are designated for our work with murdered and missing indigenous women. The national ECW board will be in New York for the UN Women conference wearing these shirts.

Make your donation here

National ECW Participation in the United Nations Committee on the Status of Women

Over the past year, the National Episcopal Church Women (ECW) Board’s Social Justice initiative has focused on advocacy for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). Building on this important work, the Board is now bringing this issue to the global stage through participation in CSW 70 via NGO/CSW parallel events.

The NGO/CSW70 gathering will take place both virtually and in person from March 9–19, 2026, making participation accessible regardless of location. All Episcopal Church Women are warmly invited to join these free public events as part of our shared commitment to justice and advocacy. Please register for these free events and workshops at https://ngocsw.org/. Once you have registered you will be brought to the Whova app. Please navigate to the agenda tab and then search by date for our event. You will discover, you have access to hundreds of workshops. Our workshop will be held at 12:30 EST on March 11. Add us to your agenda. Then on that date and time open the Whova app and join us as we live stream the event.

Indigenous Episcopal leaders will share insights on this critical issue and offer guidance on how individuals, congregations, and communities can advocate for justice, healing, and change. Our workshop leaders include The Rev. Canon Debbie Royals, Province VIII ECW President Madeline Sampson, The Rev. Isaiah “Shaneequa” Brokenleg and The Rev. Deacon Twila Two Bulls.

 Understanding the Difference Between the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and NGO/CSW70 Parallel Events

Each year, women and advocates from across the globe gather around the work of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the world’s principal intergovernmental body dedicated to advancing gender equality. Alongside this official UN gathering is a dynamic and accessible space for civil society engagement known as NGO/CSW, which hosts parallel events that amplify grassroots voices and lived experience. While closely connected, these two spaces serve distinct—and complementary—roles in the global movement for justice.

The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

The Commission on the Status of Women is a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). CSW brings together representatives of UN Member States to assess progress on women’s rights, address emerging challenges, and negotiate Agreed Conclusions that help shape international policy and commitments.

Participation in CSW sessions primarily involves government delegations and accredited organizations. The work is formal and diplomatic, focused on policy negotiation, accountability, and global frameworks for change. In essence, CSW is where governments meet to set priorities and make commitments on behalf of women and girls worldwide.

For CSW 70, the priority theme is ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, a focus that resonates deeply with many ongoing advocacy efforts within faith communities and civil society.

NGO/CSW and Parallel Events

Running concurrently with CSW, NGO/CSW is organized by the NGO Committee on the Status of Women, New York (NGO CSW/NY). This coalition of civil society organizations and individuals advocates for gender equality and the rights and empowerment of women and girls in all their diversity. While NGO/CSW works closely with the UN, it is not a UN body and does not engage in formal negotiations.

Instead, NGO/CSW facilitates parallel events—sessions organized by NGOs, faith-based groups, academic institutions, and advocacy organizations. These events are open to the public and free to attend. Parallel events may take many forms, including panels, workshops, worship services, storytelling sessions, and strategy conversations. NGO/CSW70 refers to these civil society events connected to the 70th session of CSW, offering a powerful opportunity for voices outside government to be heard.

How to be a Prison Volunteer!

Presents:   A Luncheon Workshop

Saturday July 12, 2025

11:00am – 1:00pm CST

Ever wondered how to be effective with prison chaplains, prisoners, and children of prisoners? There are multiple opportunities that take little time but a commitment pays dividends! Programs both inside and outside prison walls exist and need YOU to be a volunteer! This three part presentation with a Q&A will give you inspiration to be THE ONE PACE! The One Person who can change a persons Adverse Childhood Experience into an A-HA moment! From Kairos, a program designed like Cursillo, which is made for prisoners, to New Hope, a children’s Camp and After School program (featured on Good Morning, America!) to Girl Scouts, teaching, sending note cards, and helping with Transitional Housing (like Magdalene Houses) there are so many ways to become a beacon of hope for those with little or no hope!

Matthew 25:36 states “I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” 

Workshop Presenter – The Rev. Linda Paul, O. C.

Linda is currently writing a book  “The Social Implications of Incarceration.” She began speaking on this topic  at Rotary and Church meetings three years ago. Zoom presentations or traveling upon request.

deaconlbpaul@gmail.com

ECW Diocesan Board Member, Chaplain
Trinity- Tulsa, Oklahoma
Eddie Warrior Correctional Center, Instructor
Nat’l Speaker “Social Implications of Incarceration”
Deacon- Retired Diocese of Oklahoma

View and Share the Workshop Flyer

Volunteer opportunities in all States!

• Kairos – Intensive weekend for inmates similar to Cursillo or A Walk to Emmaus kairosprisonministry.org
• Girl Scouts Beyond Bars – programs both inside and outside to help mothers reunite with their daughters and learn good parenting skills. gseok.org
• Approved Short Courses that shorten time:
• Anger Management, Unlock Your Thinking, Safe Sexual Practices, Building Social Networks, Better Communications, Teaching background not required but helpful. (Texas Institute of Behavioral Research TCU)
• Postcard, Christmas Card, Pen Pal programs – Usually must be preapproved by the Warden and Chaplain(s).
• AA or CR – Alcoholics Anonymous or Celebrate Recovery meetings need leaders.
• Play Day – volunteer to be present to help moms and their children for one day during spring break.
• Message Project – Video moms reading books to be sent to their children, along with the book. themessagesproject.org
• Poetic Justice – Arts and creative writing instruction – printing of newsletters. Can have scholarship opportunities. poeticjustice.org
• Church Sponsored Picnic for families! Grill hotdogs and hamburgers outside, bring inside with tables for trimmings, salads and DESSERT! Play games, karaoke. (great idea for Youth Group or Scout Troup for Community Service time!)
• New Hope – Originally a Deacon led program to provide Summer led programming for child of incarcerated parents, this was featured on ABC Good Moring, America, several years ago for its work with children newhopeoklahoma.org
• Church Services – both Lay and Clergy as well as Bible Study
• Choirs, plays, performances – talk with the Chaplain to be approved. Paperwork will include a background check.

Diversion and Housing

• Diversion Programs – Drug Court, Post Release, transitional programs for women, Helping Women Recovery by gkff.org
• Exodus Homes cjamm.org/exodushouse
• Oxford House oxfordhouse.org private church programs.
• Magdalene House By The Rev. Becca Stevens, and Episcopal priest and the current chaplain of Saint Augustine’s Chapel at Vanderbilt University. Through their work they have established 60 Sister Houses in 50 States, transitionalhousing.com/Magdalene-house and Thistle Farms for International! thistlefarms.org