CommuniquĂŠ Spring 2012
Vol. 19, No. 8
Run a new path
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Communiqué Vol. 19, No. 8 Spring 2012 Website: www.ecwnational.org National ECW Vice President for Information and Communication: Marilyn Rishkofski Maggie Williams, editor Printed by Copy Cats Printing Hattiesburg, MS Submissions to Communiqué are from unique and diverse people throughout the world. Opinions expressed in these submissions are those of the author and not necessarily held by members of the ECW board. To receive the Communiqué, to report a change of address or to submit an article or photograph for inclusion in the next edition, contact: Marilyn Rishkofski 186 Little River Road Hampton, NH 03842 603-926-0443 vpinformationcommunication @ecwnational.org Subscription to Communiqué is on a voluntary basis. Suggested rate is $12. Additional contributions are always welcome. Send check payable to the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society to: Sandra Powers ECW Treasurer 3 Adoracion Circle Hot Springs Village, AR 71909 treasurer@ecwnational.org
Deadline for the next edition of Communiqué is April 15.
Spring 2012
From the president’s desk
Spring has sprung; time to start anew As I write this, Lent is just a few days away but as you are reading this we are most likely about to celebrate Easter. This is the rhythm of spring: Forty days of reflection, fasting and preparation before the celebration of new birth. New birth in Wyoming brings many pictures to mind as I am sure it does in all parts of the country. From the Marcia Himes tulips and daffodils ECW National peeking up through President the snow, to the grass turning green, to the baby lambs and calves, spring brings new life. One of our first jobs in Wyoming was on a ranch in the southeastern part of the state. On this ranch, they raised Polled Hereford cattle. Herefords are red in color, with white faces. The ranch was quite large, and calving season started in late February and continued for several weeks. The heifers – firsttime mothers – need to be checked several times a day, round the clock, to make sure they were not having trouble delivering. I do not miss having a freezing cold husband climb back into a warm bed at 3
a.m. after checking the cows. But what I do miss are those newborns. It seemed their faces could not have been whiter, and when they were turned out into the pasture with their mother, life was good. They would jump and play and run all over the new grass with springs in their legs. Some days it looked like a cattle daycare, with a few cows close to most of the babies. I always wondered how the cows decided who’s turn it was to watch the kids. And what games were those calves playing...red rover, tag or a race. Each spring the earth is born again, from the ground up. New plants, new babies, more light: Everything screams of newness. Lent brings us to new life, to resurrection and a new life in Christ. This may not have been exactly what Christ was talking about when he told Nicodemus that he needed to be born again. But for me it is a good example. I need to be born again, start anew or get my feet on the right path more than once a year. And when I do and remember the good things God has done for me, I’m like those newborn calves, running and jumping and playing in the green pastures, thankful for my abundant life.
God’s peace to you, Marcia Himes
On the cover: Elsie Chelsea Worthmore gets stretched out for the first ever Triennial Meeting 5K run/walk. For more about the race and how to get ready for it, please turn to page 5. Join us and walk or run during this special event. ****************** We need copies of several back issues of Communiqué for the archives of the Episcopal Church. If you have copies of the following, please contact vpinformationcommunication@ ecwnational.org Vol.17, no. 5 (winter 2005) Vol.18, no. 5 (summer 2011) www.ecwnational.org
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Triennial Meeting final plans put schedule in place Here’s a day-to-day look at what’s coming up for the 47th annual ECW Triennial Meeting in July in Indianapolis. Thursday, July 5: Triennial Meeting begins. 8-9 a.m. Committee orientation. 9:30 a.m. Opening General Convention Eucharist. 11 a.m. Delegate orientation. This includes first-time delegates and anyone else who would like to attend. Noon Lunch on your own. 1 p.m. Triennial Meeting Opening Celebration. Cross distribution by the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori. Greetings from ECW President Marcia Himes. Plenary Session 1: The Rev. Lindsay Freeman introduces theme. 2:30-5 p.m. Introductions and house rules. Friday, July 6: Triennial Meeting continues. 7:30 a.m. Bylaws and resolutions hearing – Connie Skidmore. 9:30 a.m. Eucharist. 11 a.m. Keynote speaker: David Gortner, Virginia Theological Seminary. Noon Plenary II – Nominations. 1 p.m. Brown Bag lunch: Photography – Rogena Silverman. 2 p.m. Nomination speeches. Candidates deliver threeminute speeches. 3:30 p.m. UTO presentations with video about grants. 4:30 p.m. Finance report: Sandra Powers. 5 p.m. Meet the Nominees. 7 p.m. UTO/ECW Joint Dinner: The Many Paths of Thankfulness. Saturday, July 7: Triennial Meeting continues. 8 a.m. UTO Special Task Force Study Committee Report Investigation Results. 9:30 a.m. Eucharist.
11 a.m.
Distinguished Woman Award ceremony – Margaret Cash. 1 p.m. Lunch. 1:30 p.m. Pick up officer election ballots outside Plenary room. Ballotting closes at 2 p.m. 2 p.m. Social Justice Forum; Nets for Life presentation; John P. Craine House presentation. 3:30 p.m. Communication awards. 4:30 p.m. Voting on resolutions and bylaws; election results to be announced if available. Sunday, July 8: Triennial Meeting continues. 6:30 a.m. 5K Run/Walk. 9:30 a.m. UTO Ingathering Eucharist. 10:45 a.m. Diocese of Indianapolis event. 2:30-4:30 p.m. Workshops. 6:45 p.m. Province reception events (if scheduled). Monday, July 9: Triennial meeting continues. 8 a.m. Examine “The Future of Many Paths” conversation, facilitated by Mary McGregor. 9:30 a.m. Eucharist. 11 a.m. UTO hearings and granting. 1 p.m. Brown Bag lunch session No. 2. 2-5:30 p.m. Workshops. 8:30 p.m. ECW Evening of Entertainment: Dennis Marcellino. Tuesday, July 10: Triennial Meeting continues. 7 a.m. ECW province breakfast meetings if planned. 9:30 a.m. Eucharist. 11 a.m. Share Fair open to all delegates. 1 p.m. Lunch. 2-5:30 p.m. Workshops. Wednesday, July 11: Triennial Meeting continues. 7 a.m. Outgoing/incoming ECW board continental breakfast meeting. 9:30 a.m. Eucharist. 11 a.m. ECW Closing Ceremony and Commissioning of 2012-2015 ECW and UTO new board officers. Thursday, July 12: 1 p.m. General Convention Closing ceremonies.
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Workshops: Time to make choices Submitted by the Rev. Nancy Crawford, deacon Province VIII representative and workshop coordinator On the final three full days of the 47th Triennial Meeting, a variety of workshops will be offered giving delegates and visitors an opportunity to attend up to five different workshops. With 14 or 15 workshops at each session, how does one choose? Here are some ways to approach making your choices. Delegates will travel to Indianapolis this summer as representatives of all the women of their dioceses. They are often sent to Triennial Meeting to gather new ideas and take those ideas home to share with their ECW groups and individuals. From these workshops come seeds of inspiration. Practical women know they must pack appropriately before taking a trip. Begin with Ruth-Ann Collins’ offering of Tools for the Journey. The Episcopal church offers a solid foundation on which individuals and communities of faith can respond to the needs of local and global concerns. Take a short tour of street churches around the country with the Rev. Dr. Lee Anne Reat and perhaps discover how to lend some ECW support to Build Churches Without Walls in your own community. Go global with Robin Denney and A Modern Missionary Journey. Denney, a former Episcopal missionary in Liberia and Sudan, will tell her stories and give an overview of the theology that drives mission sending in today’s world. Then come back around to home. Teri Van Huss offers Green Cleaning and Healthy Homes, a workshop on practical and effective ways to keep homes (including church homes) clean and safe. At home and at church there is spirituality to eating. Brin Bon offers a look at how and what we eat with her workshop, Food and Faith: Many Meals, One Table. As leaders and potential leaders in the church, skills are very important. Need to have more confidence in running a meeting? Connie Skidmore will help you improve fundamental skills in parliamentary procedure, or you may be ready for her advanced workshop for those with good basic knowledge in the field. Understanding money is a part of good leadership. Rosemary Williams will lead Women, Money and Spiritual Vision with interactive exercises and conversations to help with attitudes that influence financial decisions, whether for the individual or for an ECW group. Women have it in their nature to take care of everyone and everything around them. Sometimes one must stop being so good to others and be good to oneself. Many of our workshops will offer an opportunity to explore individual spiritual needs. Sister Catherine Grace, a member of the Community of the Katerina Whitley, author of the ECW historical play, Yet We Persist, and known for dramatic monologues which reveal the interior thoughts of biblical characters, has a new book, Around a Greek Table, Recipes and Stories. The book is “a love letter to my
Bon
Catherine Grace
Jennings
Tomaine
Reat
Denney
Holy Spirit since 1990, asks us to consider what it means to live in a universe deeply Eucharistic in nature, where everything is indeed tinged with the glory of God. The Rev. Debora JenCollins Williams nings invites us to ramble along with her as she explores the relationship between the landscape of Mt. Tahoma and the spiritual journey on which we find ourselves. The Rev. Dr. Jane Tomaine will lead an exploration into Benedictine living, where each day offers grace and possibilities, and where the sacred can be found in the ordinary. If you haven’t yet sent your workshop choices to me, do that today. Sit down with your workshops booklet and read about all the wonderful workshops being offered at our upcoming Triennial Meeting. Then, fill out the postcard provided in the booklet. Or better yet, go to our website at www.ecwnational.org, select Triennial Workshops on the right side of the screen, peruse the workshop booklet online, and then make your choices on the electronic form provided. And remember, it’s first come, first served on choices, but no matter what, the workshops you attend will be great.
Greek family, origins, and culture,” she said. Born in Thessaloniki, Greece, Katerina came from a long tradition of story tellers. She weaves these stories as she writes about food and the joy of eating together. Her 100 recipes are enhanced by Jasmin
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Hegazi’s artistic photographs. The books is priced at $19.95. Bookstore release, April 3. You may buy it wherever books are sold or order a signed copy by email at katewhitley@charter.net She will have them available March 1.
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Get a move on Triennial Meeting offers first-time 5K as part of program We have a surprise for you. The National ECW Board will host a 5K Run/Walk, the first ever in the history of Triennial Meetings. The run is scheduled for Sunday, July 8, at 6:30 a.m. You will have plenty of time to run or walk and make it to the first meeting of the day’s schedule. The race will follow the canal route at the White River State Park, which is only minutes away from the convention site. We will be asking for sponsors and of course, runners. All proceeds from the race will be donated to our Community Connection recipient, the John P. Craine House, a work-release facility for nonviolent female offenders and their pre-school aged children. One other surprise: Episcopal Health Ministries will partner with ECW to make our first 5K even more successful. The combining of our two organizations brings double energy and enthusiasm for this first-ever event. Will the Triennial Meeting ever be the same after this? Please consider becoming a volunteer or better yet a runner/ walker, and receive a beautiful shirt which will become a treasured piece of memorabilia. We hope to see many bishops and
The route for ECW’s first Triennial Meeting 5K Run/Walk will run along the canal route at White River State Park. The event will be held July 8. deputies running alongside Episcopal Church Women for this event. Registration forms are in delegate packets and on our website, ecwnational.org. For more details or questions contact Marilyn Rishkofski at vpinformationcommunication@ecwnational.org
Elsie Chelsea gets fit to run a new path Hi everyone. Just wanted to explain why you see me tying my brand new running shoes on the cover of this edition of Communiqué. My New Year’s resolution for 2012 was to get in shape for the 5K the ECW is organizing for the Triennial Meeting. Then the Episcopal Health Ministries sent me information on their fitness program for those of us who have never run or walked a 5K. So I decided to start my program early. The first thing they said to do was to buy a good pair of running shoes. So I did. I had to wet my foot and step on a piece of paper to find out my foot type. It was normal. Then I went to this neat store nearby and found these cute shoes with pink laces. Might as well look good while I am working out. Time to stretch out. I have my own personal fitness expert to help me get fit for the Triennial Meeting 5K. Episcopal Health Ministries introduced me to Peter K-fit lifestyle expert through its website: www.episcopalhealthministries.org.
This month I am learning how to stretch out. Peter tells me that good stretching prevents injury and should be done every day, especially after exercise. I should hold each stretch for 30 seconds and I should feel a strong pull when I stretch, never pain. Well, that makes sense. Peter also told me that it is normal to feel nervous since I have just started getting fit. He also said starting slow and thinking how great I will look and feel will help me reach my goal. So I am not as nervous as I was last month. It is time to start my stretching exercises. Think I will start with the hamstring stretch. Now what did he say? Step my right leg forward and straighten out my knee. Bend my left knee. Bend forward and reach for my toe. Hmmmm, I had better say goodbye for now and focus on my stretching. For a description and instructions on stretching, please go to www.peterkfitness.com. – Articles and illustration submitted by Marilyn Rishkofski
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Communication success Recognition will honor hard work of ECW communicators The National Board will recognize communicators who work endless hours creating, designing and maintaining the many ways of communication that tell of the good news of Episcopal Church Women. We ask you to submit samples of parish, diocesan or provincial newsletters, websites and other publications for us to display. We will recognize those communicators and/or their representatives July 7, during a special celebration from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
47th TRIENNIAL MEETING 47 REUNION TRIENNIAL OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN DE LAS MUJERES DE LA IGLESIA EPISCOPAL RECOGNITION FOR EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNICATION RECONOCIMIENTO A LA EXCELENCIA EN LAS COMUNICACIONES Name of Publication or URL (web address) Nombre de la publicación o URL (dirección de internet) ______________________________________________________________________________ Diocese or Province Diócesis o Provincia_______________________________ Name & Address of Publication Editor/Webmaster Nombre y dirección del Director de la publicación / Webmaster______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Telephone teléfono _____________________ E-mail e-mail ______________________________ Why is this publication/website successful? ¿Por qué es esta publicación / sitio web sea exitoso? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Signature of Diocesan/Province President Firma de la Presidenta Diocesana o Provincia ______________________________________________________________________________ Telephone teléfono __________________ E-mail e-mail _________________________________ Please send 2 copies of each print publication with this form, or submit online at www.ecwnational.org Favor de enviar dos copias de cada publicación impresa con este formulario, o presentar en línea en www.ecwnational.org Mail to: Marilyn Rishkofski, 186 Little River Road, Hampton, NH 03842 Ph. 603-926-2344 DEADLINE DATE: APRIL 16, 2012 ANTES DEL 16 DE ABRIL DE 2012 www.ecwnational.org
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The changing face of communication Submitted by Christine Budzowski Member at Large/Multi Media Have you noticed that many church publications that used to arrive as a magazine or newspaper in your regular mailbox are no longer showing up there? Dioceses seem to start by cutting back the size and frequency of print publications and then do away with them altogether, turning them into online news magazines. Before you read much further, please have no fear. This is not an article announcing that the National ECW print publication, Communiqué, is going away. We plan to keep printing Communiqué and mailing it out as long as there are subscribers who read it. We also supply current news in an electronic version, the eCommuniqué, and through the ECW web site, www. ecwnational.org and on our Facebook page. We know Episcopal Church Women come in all ages and levels of computer expertise, and we must communicate in various different ways to get our message across to everyone. That said, Episcopalians who attend General Convention in Indianapolis this Summer and ECW attending the 47th Triennial Meeting will notice there will no
longer be a daily printed newspaper. Convention Daily, and our ECW insert, Triennial Today, will be made available at General Convention in electronic format only. You’ll be able to read these publications on your IPad or your laptop or your smart phone or even your Kindle Fire, assuming you’ll have access to one of them in your hotel room or your bag. You’ll also be able to view the publications on one of the computers set up for the use of convention attendees. The real downside of this change in publication format is that you will need access to the internet to read the news while at the Triennial Meeting. There are upsides to this new electronic format, too. Here are a few of the positives of that new format: • Significant cost savings by eliminating printing costs. • Several trees saved. • Electronic format reaches a larger audience, faster. • Less paper to carry back to your hotel room and cram into your luggage or ship back home after Triennial Meeting 2012. You may have noticed already there are some Triennial Meeting forms available on our website, especially if you are a delegate. The entire delegate mailing packet contents will also be available on
our website as the forms and fliers are created. As a new feature, we plan to offer podcasts – short interviews with some of our Triennial Meeting program presenters and entertainers – on the website, beginning in February or March. The Communications Team is working with the latest communication technology to spread the word about ECW to a wider audience than was ever possible before the internet made new forms of electronic publishing accessible and affordable. We will not forget those of you who prefer to hold that printed newsletter or magazine in your hand while you read it. We are very proud to continue to offer the print magazine format of Communiqué. We hope you will stay connected through all the communications formats we are able to offer, choosing those that best suit your lifestyle. We look forward to seeing you soon, whether it is at the Triennial Meeting this summer in Indianapolis or in your own home via the web site, email or podcast. ***** – Christine Budzowski has served the ECW National Board since 2009 as Member at Large for Multi Media. You can communicate with her by email at ecwwebmaster@ecwnational.org
Community’s emblem symbolizes purpose Submitted by Karen Potts The Episcopal Community As women of The Episcopal Community, we chose our emblem as a visual representation of our commitment to live out the Baptismal Covenant more fully and to live more intentionally. This design is the gift of many and grew out of prayer, meditation, and research. The emblem’s contemporary design combines the cross, the shell in the center, and the circle inscribed with our motto, “Marked As Christ’s Own For Ever.” This Latin cross is a unique variation of both the Canterbury and Celtic crosses, ancient crosses that remind us of our Episcopal heritage and traditions. There are actually three crosses in our emblem: the larger outline cross, the interior cross formed by the shaded areas and the diagonal cross formed by the open spaces. Each open space between the arms and leg of the cross also suggests the shape of a bishop’s miter in profile.
The emblem can be used as a prayer tool. The edges of the cross along with the borders of the circle can be walked mentally or with a stylus as a mini-labyrinth. Any path leads us to our center in God’s transforming love. The circles complete the symbolism of living our Baptismal Covenant vows. Both circles remind us of the gift of the Holy Spirit which empowers us to keep that covenant. An interesting cross with a shell in its center surrounded by a circle can remind connected women to live with our focus on the Baptismal Covenant and always to remember whose we are.
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Art Exhibit seeks pieces for show Submitted by Margaret Jones National Altar Guild Association The National Altar Guild Association Ecclesiastical Art Exhibit for General Convention in Indianapolis opens July 3. Margaret Jones and Diane Chiasson are co-facilitating the show sponsored by NAGA and the Diocese of Indianapolis. Rob and Marie Shakespeare, members of the Indiana University theater faculty, have agreed to curate and design the show. Rob is a professor of lighting design, heads the design and technology area for the Department of Theater and Drama and leads the MFA lighting design program at IU, Bloomington. Marie serves as an adjunct professor of design in the Interior Design Department of IU, Bloomington. Others too numerous to identify are lending advice, time and talent to the exhibit. The exhibit will encompass strong visual elements from the past as well as contemporary interpretations of these elements. Indiana artists will have a decided presence with art work from Linda Witte Henke, fiber, of Indianapolis; Rosemary England, fiber, of Terre Haute; Rudy Pozzatti, print with mixed media, Margaret Dolinski, digital art, both of Bloomington. Sculpture, enamel work, liturgical vestments both vintage and contemporary, from regional artists and beyond will also be fea-
tured in the exhibit. If you have a piece you would like to show at the exhibit, fill out the application below and submit it by March 31. Up to three applications per artist will be accepted. Two photos of each piece of art work should accompany every application. Artists shipping art should be sure it will arrive in Indianapolis between June 20 and June 28. Shipping information is on the application. Those delivering art personally should bring it to the Indianapolis Convention Center, Room 120, July 3. For more information, contact Margaret Jones at 812-331-2251 or by email: msjones4@sbcglobal.net..
77th General Convention of the Episcopal Church Indianapolis, Indiana July 4-10 ECCLESIASTICAL ART EXHIBIT APPLICATION Please fill out and submit this form via email no later than March 31 to Margaret Jones at msjones4@sbcglobal.net. Please include two photos per piece. Thank you. NAME ____________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ HOME PHONE _________________
CELL PHONE _____________________
EMAIL ____________________________________________________________________ PARISH ________________________ DIOCESE _____________________________ DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT PIECE: ___ Painting ____Sculpture _____Icon _____Book ______Illustrated manuscript _____ Calligraphy _____Illustration _____ Vestment(s) _____ Ceramic _____Fiber/textile art _____Altar cloth _____Digital/electronic ____ Photo _____ Other (Please specify) ________________________________________________ www.ecwnational.org
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A resident of the John P. Craine House, above, smooches her baby. Craine House, located in Indianapolis and shown in the photo below, is the Community Connection for the 2012 Triennial Meeting.
Craine House: A vital connection for needed community Submitted by the Rev. Irene Miller Radcliff Member at Large, Social Justice Craine House looks like many of the other houses on Pennsylvania Avenue, but those looks are deceiving. Craine House’s residents and mission are different. Craine House is a place that offers second chances, life-changing opportunities, hope for a better future and justice for the residents. Craine House was established in 1979 by the Rt. Rev. John P. Craine, bishop of the Diocese of Indiana. Craine House is an alternative sentencing residential work-release facility for women convicted of non-violent crimes. It provides the opportunity for them to serve their sentences while living with Please turn to page 13
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Local ECWs diligently work for Craine House success Submitted by Marylin Day Diocese of Indianapolis The Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis was and still is responsible for initiating many outreach programs in the diocese to address numerous social justice causes. These programs include HIV/AIDS awareness and treatment, care of abused women/families, support for homeless teens, homeless shelters, etc. One very special program, the John P. Craine House, started in 1978 by Bishop John P. Craine and the Rev. Jackie Means as support for non-violent women felons with young children in an alternative sentencing setting. While living at Craine House, women are required to attend drug abuse counseling, take educational classes, learn parenting skills, nutrition guidance and much more. Upon completing their court-ordered sentence, they are much better able to provide for themselves and family rather than return to their earlier harmful lifestyle. Craine House is so successful – 20 percent recidivism versus 60 percent in traditional prison programs – that judges in Indiana are encouraging them to grow and make room for more participants. Craine House also helps stop the children from engaging in crime, violence and drug/alcohol abuse. Craine House was selected by our Episcopal Women’s Ministries and ECW chapter as the local charity for the ECW nationwide to support through fundraisers and donations taking place during the 2012 Triennial Meeting. I encourage you to take time during your stay in Indianapolis to visit Craine House and learn how this program is changing lives – one family at a time. For more information, please see the link from an article highlighting Craine House in the Indianapolis Star at http://www.indy star.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011112270320.
Craine House Wish List The Craine House depends on generous contributions and grants to meet the needs of the women and children served. We are asking that when you come to the Triennial Meeting, you bring an item or two from the following Craine House wish list: Disposable diapers Formula Pillows Mattress covers Umbrella strollers Dish towels Band Aids Paper towels Alarm Clocks Soap Rubber Gloves Antibiotic ointment Cleaning supplies Postage stamps
Baby wipes Crib/Toddler bedding Twin sheet sets Foldable cribs Bath towels Wash clothes Toilet paper Silverware Dish soap Plastic dinnerware Laundry detergent Hygiene items Bus passes Carseats for children from newborn to age 8
Gift Certificates to Kroger, Walmart or Target are also appreciated and put to good use. Those who wish to donate money should make checks payable to The John P. Craine House. www.ecwnational.org
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Children learn, share success of NetsForLife Submitted by Joy Shigaki Director, NetsforLife Inspiration Fund/Church Campaigns Episcopal Relief and Development With Africa’s largest population, Nigeria accounts for 25 percent of all malaria cases on the continent and is at risk for a malaria epidemic. NetsforLife is providing valuable malaria education in schools throughout the country to address this crisis. These trainings often are in the form of dramas, music, debates and lectures. The content includes information on how malaria is transmitted, how it can be prevented, the importance of long-lasting insecticide treated bed nets and demonstrations on how to use them properly. Children then receive nets, which are later installed in their homes. As part of the NetsforLife approach, families will then receive on-going monitoring and evaluation by local NetsforLife community volunteers. This information is vital to track how effective the program has been in delivering the malaria messages in homes and communities as well as overseeing infection rates. Following a training program at Ezena Primary School in the Diocese of Auguta, the headmistress reported that a number of parents came to the school to thank teachers for providing this critical education. Parents shared that their children came home and removed all containers in their compounds – which are known mosquito breeding sites – and advised their parents to use their bed nets to protect themselves at night. It is a reminder that information is power. This kind of innova-
Efforts to explain how NetsForLife work help encourage people to support the effort and to use the nets. tive approach to malaria prevention is making a difference one school, one home and one community at a time. Since 2008, NetsforLife has delivered more than 5.6 million nets across 17 countries in sub-Saharan Africa resulting in less sickness, fewer deaths and stronger communities. The program combats malaria by training community agents to deliver lifesaving nets, educating community members about proper net use and maintenance, and providing on-going monitoring and evaluation of net use. More than 22 million people have benefited directly from NetsforLife to date. The NetsforLife Inspiration Fund is grassroots, churchwide effort to educate, engage, and unite Episcopalians to support the Millennium Development Goals through the fight against malaria. Our goal is to build awareness about this disease, how it can be prevented, and raise $5 million by December. NetsforLife has been chosen as the 2012 Triennial Meeting Unified Gift. Our goal is to purchase 1000 nets at $12 each. Learn more about the NetsforLife Inspiration Fund and access a range of free, educational resources at www.inspirationfund.org
Program chosen as Triennial Meeting Unified Gift Submitted by the Rev. Irene Miller Radcliff Social Justice, Member at Large Malaria is a deadly disease caused by a parasite transmitted by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes usually attack people at night as they sleep. Malaria is treatable and preventable with the right tools: Long-lasting insecticide-treated nets and education in prevention and treatment methodologies. With work the disease may be eradicated. The ECW board elected to partner with Episcopal Relief and Development
NetsForLife to combat malaria, heal a hurting world and address the Millennium Development Goal #4 – Reduction in Child Mortality; Goal #5 – Maternal Health; and Goal #6 – Combat HIV/AIDs, malaria and other diseases. Even though NetsForLife has distributed more than 7.7 million nets throughout countries in sub-Saharan Africa, prevention, education and treatable nets are still needed. Malaria affects mostly poor women and children. According to the latest statistics there are more than 200 million cases of malaria each year resulting in 800,000
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deaths. The majority of the deaths are women with 75 percent being children under the age of 5. The goal for the 2009-2012 Triennial Meeting’s Unified Gift is to purchase 1,000 nets. With the help and commitment of our friends that have successfully contributed to the previous Unified Gifts, it is possible to more than double the goal of 1,000 nets. One insecticide-treated net can save three lives from malaria and death. Make a difference; join in this life saving effort by contributing generously to the Unified Gift.
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Demystifying and combatting malaria Editor’s note: This story explains how malaria is spread and how using nets can help limit that spread. Submitted by Dr. Keith Carter There are a number of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. Some, like yellow fever and dengue, are caused by viruses while others such as malaria are caused by parasites. Historical records from ancient China and other civilizations describe the association between man and malaria and characteristic symptoms of the disease. Although the symptoms of the disease were described and a number of Roman writers associated its occurrence to the presence of “bad air” – mal aria in Italian – from swamps, the cause of the disease was identified in Africa in 1880. Charles Louis Alphonse Laveran, a French army surgeon identified the parasite in the blood of a patient suffering from the disease in Algeria. Subsequently, Ronald Ross, a British officer in the Indian Medical Service, demonstrated that bird malaria parasites could be transmitted by mosquitoes from bird to bird in 1897. As there is as yet no vaccine available, the lingering question is whether anything can be done to prevent the disease. Before the cause and means of transmission of the disease were known, the association of “bad air” and health was documented in a number of writings including those of Hippocrates (460-377 BCE). Other factors also play a role: rainfall, which provides breeding sites for mosquitoes; temperature and altitude; and an abundance of Anopheles mosquitoes. Additionally, there is greater risk of persons being bitten by female Anopheles mosquitoes only if they live in houses close to breeding sites, if houses are constructed without complete walls and if there are no other sources of a blood meal which the female mosquitoes need for eggs to develop. In many rural communities where mosquitoes are abundant, smoke produced by burning a variety of materials and commercially produced mosquito coils as well
as the rubbing of oils on the skin are used as deterrents to mosquitoes. Another method of protection against mosquito bites was described in The Histories, Herodotus (480-425 BC): ‘The contrivances which they use against gnats, wherewith the country swarms, are the following: In the parts of Egypt above the marshes the inhabitants pass the night upon lofty towers, which are of great service, as the gnats are unable to fly to any height on account of the winds. In the marsh country, where there are no towers, each man possesses a net instead. By day it serves him to catch fish, while at night he spreads it over the bed in which he is to rest and creeping in, goes to sleep underneath. The gnats, which, if he rolls himself up in his dress or in a piece of muslin, are sure to bite through the covering, do not so much as attempt to pass the net.’ It was only in 1986 that the relationship between difference in the levels of malaria in and between communities and bed net use was described. Ever since then, constant efforts have been made at the global level to coordinate and catalyze increased use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets as well as the production of long-lasting insecticide nets to prevent malaria. The World Health Organization’s Global Malaria Program recommends three primary interventions for effective malaria control: • Diagnosis of malaria cases and treatment with effective medicines. • Distribution of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), more specifically long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), to achieve full coverage of populations at risk of malaria. • Indoor residual spraying (IRS) to reduce and eliminate malaria transmission. In its Position Statement in 2007, WHO/GMP called upon national malaria control programs and their partners involved in insecticide-treated net interventions to purchase only long-lasting insecticidal nets. These nets are designed to maintain their biological efficacy against vector mosquitoes for at least three years under recommended conditions of use. In order to maximize their potential,
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LLINs should be deployed as a vector control intervention and WHO recommends full coverage of all people at risk of malaria in areas targeted for malaria prevention with LLINs. The most vulnerable groups should be given priority for protection. In areas of low transmission where all age groups are vulnerable, national programs should establish priorities on the basis of geographical distribution of malaria burden. In the Americas, malaria transmission occurs in 21 countries with indigenous groups residing in forested areas, miners, loggers and agriculture workers being particularly affected by the disease. Tourists to areas where malaria occurs should also use bed nets in an effort to prevent the disease. In the most high-burden countries, such as those in Africa, the best opportunity for improving malaria prevention is through the free or highly subsidized distribution of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets by existing public health services. They should be considered a public good for populations living in areas where malaria is a constant threat. Their distribution should also be systematically accompanied by provision of information on how to hang, use and maintain them properly. What must be emphasized is that focus on the national health services in LLIN implementation does not exclude the important roles of others in implementing this intervention. Complementary to daily efforts at spiritual enlightenment, mobilizing supplies and distribution of LLINs is a wonderful opportunity for the church to also assist in reducing the burden of malaria and improve the physical wellbeing of community members. LLINs also help in reducing transmission of other vector borne diseases such as leishmaniasis, lymphatic filariasis, Chagas’ Disease, Japanese Encephalitis and the bites of nuisance mosquitoes. – Dr. Keith H. Carter currently serves as Senior Advisor for Malaria and other Communicable Diseases at the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization for the Region of the Americas, Washington, D.C; USA.
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Craine House, continued from page 9 their pre-school children in a safe and structured environment. Since its inception, Craine House has successfully served more than 500 women. It is one of only six facilities that offer this type of programming in the United States and the only one in the Midwest. In February, I had the opportunity to visit Craine House and meet Executive Director Suzanne Pierce and some of the residents. I arrived in the morning shortly after breakfast. It was refreshing to witness young children running around and happily playing. The women were busy cleaning up the kitchen. Craine House has women, children and many stories. This is Mindy’s story. Mindy is a beautiful, soft-spoken 22-year-old woman. Before coming to Craine House in early February, Mindy was incarcerated twice for non-violent drug-related crimes. She has two children, a boy who will celebrate his second birthday soon and whom she has not seen in six months, and a five-week-old daughter. Mindy’s daughter was born while Mindy was in jail. Her son currently lives with her parents, but Mindy hopes to have him with her in the near future. Mindy said she doesn’t go to church much but she does believe in God. She said she is thankful and considers being sent to Craine House a blessing. She also said transitioning from being incarcerated, where her every move was controlled and monitored, to Craine House, where her stay and success depend primarily upon her own decisions, is challenging. She said it would be difficult with two small children and a felony record to get a job and obtain child care. Mindy’s joy, hopefulness and optimism for a better and brighter future radiate in her face and smile. Why is Craine House important or necessary? Facilities like Craine House are necessary because according to governmental statistics, the incarceration rate for women has increased dramatically – more than 300 percent. Being a resident of Craine House lessens the children’s chances of living in unsafe and unstable conditions and/or developing dangerous lifestyles. The motherchild relationship is preserved and strengthened, and the possibility of the children becoming victims of or involved in criminal activity is lessened. The cost is approximately 50 percent less than prison and foster care. The National ECW Board chose Craine House as a worthy selection for the 2009-2012 Triennial Community Connection. Please join us in supporting Craine House.
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The Rev. John Branson, left, leads prayers at the altar blessing prayer shawls put together by members of the Christ and Holy Trinity Prayer Shawl group. As part of the church’s health ministry, prayer shawls are given to help those who are ill or those who are caring for ill individuals and family members.
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Calendar of Events Information for this calendar comes from ECWs throughout the church. If your group or diocese has plans for meetings, special events, special missions or other happenings, please send all pertinent information for inclusion in the next edition of Communiqué to: vpinformationcommunication@ecwnational.org
March 20 – Diocese of New York School of Worship, Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, New York City. March 24 – Diocese of New Jersey Lenten Quiet Day, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., St. James, Long Branch, N.J. The Rev. Valerie Redpath, leader. April 20-21 – Province II Annual Meeting, Stony Point, N.Y. April 21 – Diocese of Springfield Annual ECW meeting hosted by St. Thomas in Glen Carbon, Ill. April 27-29 – Province V in South Bend at the Ramada Plaza HotelDowntown. April 27-29 – Tennessee ECWs Tri-diocesan Spring Conference, DuBose Conference Center, Monteagle, Tenn. April 28 – Diocese of Newark ECW World of Women program, 12-3 p.m., Grace Church, Madison, N.J. May 3 – Diocese of Connecticut annual meeting and luncheon at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington. Featured speaker: Kim
Robey, executive director of Anglican Women’s Empowerment. May 4-5 – Diocese of Ohio ECW in Toledo. The Rt. Rev. Michael Curry, bishop of North Carolina, keynote speaker. May 12 – Diocese of New Jersey UTO ingathering and annual meeting, 10 a.m. Trinity Cathedral, Trenton, N.J. May 17 – Diocese of Newark ECW annual meeting and UTO ingathering. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Trinity – St. Phillip’s Cathedral. May 27-29 – Diocese of Northern Indiana Province V Annual Meeting, Ramada Plaza, South Bend, Ind. June 30-July 5 – Church Periodical Club Triennial Meeting, Hilton Indianapolis Hotel and Suites, 120 West Market St., Indianapolis, Ind. For information: hubaxley@aol.com. July 5-11 – 47th ECW TRIENNIAL MEETING, Westin Hotel, Indianapolis, Ind. This year’s theme: Many Paths, One Journey.
ECW National Board Contribution Form 2009-2012 Copy this form for contributions from individuals, parishes or dioceses. This form is not used for United Thank Offering or Church Periodical Club donations. Name of Donor or Organization Address:
Contribution for:
Amount
___ Annual Pledge
_____________
___ Aid to Delegates
_____________
___ Unified Gift “Nets for Life”
_____________
___ Triennial Meeting
_____________
Endowment
___ Women to Women
_____________
___ Communiqué
_____________
This gift is an ___ Honorarium ___ Memorial for_____________________________________ An acknowledgement may be sent to:
(Name and address) Make checks payable to Domestic & Foreign Missionary Society (DFMS) and mail to:
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Sandra Powers ECW National Treasurer 3 Adoracion Circle Hot Springs Village, AR 71909
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Global report needs ECW support Submitted by the Rev. Canon Alice Medcof and Lynnaia Main Episcopal Church Women are urged to help with the global women’s report that will go to the Anglican Consultative Council when it meets in Auckland, New Zealand in October. The International Anglican Women’s Network, the global voice of Anglican women, will submit a report focusing on violence against women and how the silence around this subject is being lifted worldwide. Said The Rev. Canon Alice Medcof of IAWN Canada, “Every country has its own unique cultural norms with its own traditional standards of how women should act and how men should treat women. Some of the cultural norms are quite violent, either openly or hidden and secretive.” ECW can help replace that silence with information in two specific ways: • Activities undertaken by churches which focused on the elimination of violence against women will be listed. So ask yourself: “How did my branch of ECW use the ‘16 Days’ resource last fall?” Examples might include initiatives in your community focusing on shelters, the White Ribbon Campaign, a discussion group on the glass ceiling, a speaker, a sermon, a real life story of a violent situation, missing women. • The most pressing challenges which women face worldwide will be gathered and summarized. Ask yourself, “What are the most difficult challenges of being a woman in today’s society?” Ask your local ECW, women in your neighborhood, your community leaders. Have a look at state- and national-level policies around these issues. The answers to the questions will be gathered by Lynnaia
Main, global relations officer at the Episcopal Church Center in New York, who is the IAWN Link for the Episcopal church. You can submit your answers directly at lmain@episcopalchurch.org. She will send her report to the international executive of the International Anglican Women’s Network. The network will report to the Anglican Consultative Council in October in Auckland and while there, its leaders will speak with top leaders in the Anglican Communion and will present resolutions to the council for its consideration. The resolutions will resemble those passed in 2005 and 2009: • Resolution 13-31 passed in 2005: Acknowledges the MDG goal for equal representation of women in decision making at all levels, and so requests all member churches to work toward the realization of this goal in their own structures of governance and in other bodies to which they nominate or appoint. • Resolution 14-33 passed in 2009: This council unequivocally supports the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls, including trafficking. These were momentous resolutions for women worldwide. IAWN has worked hard to ensure bishops, priests and lay leaders of local churches acted on these resolutions. But there is more to be done: patriarchal cultures are prevalent throughout the world. IAWN is the network with the mandate to highlight women's oppression in the Councils of the Church. Help IAWN construct a message that is clear and comprehensive. Answer the questions above and submit your responses. Together, let us ensure men and women throughout the church continue to practice gender equality at decision-making meetings and in one on one personal encounters in church and within families.
St. Timothy’s celebrates friendship, love Submitted by Donna Lewis Johnson Diocese of Washington, DC Forty years ago, Joyce Shaw and Peggy Edwards were new homemakers and neighbors who met through their young daughters. A friendship easily blossomed from their mutual love of children, sewing, bowling and homelife. Ever since, the two have been inseparable best friends. As Valentine’s Day neared, the ECW of St. Timothy’s commemorated friendships, like the one Joyce and Peggy share, in a Feb. 12 ceremony called “Celebration of Friendship and Love.” “Love and friendship are core values of Christianity. They bring us in communion with one another and Christ,” the Rev. Caron A. Gwynn, priest of St. Timothy’s, said.
At both the 8 and 10 a.m. services, parishioners assembled at the altar where they took a vow of friendship by reciting verses adapted from Prayers for Pastor and People, a liturgical handbook authored by John B. Coburn and edited by Carl G. Carlozzi. “In our busy lives, we sometimes forget love and friendship are fundamental to our identity, beliefs and actions. So, we wanted to stop and celebrate who we are and why we are,” Stephanie Byrd, president of ECW at St. Timothy’s, said. For the celebration, parishioners wrote thank-you letters to one another in appreciation for a smile, a kind word, a listening ear or other acts of caring. Dozens of valentines penned on red stationery and sealed with pink tassels quickly filled the at the altar. There was a valentine for
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everyone, each note flowing with compliments and admiration. “It’s been great watching you grow and mature as a fine young Christian woman,” wrote Sandra Yates to Stephanie Byrd. Young people got in on the act, too. Like Cupid volleying arrows, teens and pre-teens Tiana Robinson, Noel McNeil and Peggy Marie Price delivered the heartfelt missives to unsuspecting parishioners. While the young ladies zipped from table to table handing out letters, parishioners enjoyed strawberries dipped in chocolate and hors d’oeuvres festively decorated in pink and red. “Love you, appreciate you, and thank you for sharing,” wrote Meigan Chan to her longtime friend, Iris Harris. Iris flashed a smile that reflected the joy felt by all.
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A Word about the Word
Hannah’s faith teaches us all to wait and listen By the Rev. Nancy Crawford, deacon ECW Province VIII representative As I sit down to write a few words about the Word, it is the last week of the season of Epiphany, the time of our church year when we celebrate the Light of Christ coming into the world. Epiphany coincides with the weeks following the winter solstice, when each day becomes a little longer than the one before and the sun rises just a little earlier in the day. It is a hopeful time with thoughts of spring and new birth coming to mind. Soon after the Epiphany season began this year, a close friend of mine gave birth to her first child, a beautiful boy. This was just days after our Sunday lectionary reading from First Samuel and the familiar story of Samuel and the priest, Eli. Samuel and his mother, Hannah, are very dear to me and are an integral part of the story of my own son’s birth. More than three decades ago I was struggling to become pregnant. My husband and I took the appropriate medical tests. Then we waited. There was exploratory surgery. Then we waited. There was timing to try and more waiting. It was an anxious time for me, a young woman who lacked the wisdom to know that all would be well. In the city of Wichita, Kan., where we lived at the time there was a large evangelical movement taking place. Phone calls were going out throughout the city to try to spread the Good News. Such a phone call came to my house. Now, I was raised an Episcopalian – the type who didn’t generally talk about faith and such. But when the stranger on the phone asked if there was anything I wanted him to pray for me, I told him. He said for me to turn in my Bible to the first chapter of First Samuel and read about Hannah. Again, I was an Episcopalian. I knew my Book of Common Prayer and a few stories of the Bible, but I didn’t know Hannah. I read her story and she became my soulmate. She gave me hope and patience. In due time, I conceived and bore a son. Hannah wanted a child even more than I did. When God blessed her and her husband, Elkanah, she dedicated her son to God. After Samuel was weaned, just a little boy of two or three, she took him to live at the temple, to serve the Lord and to be raised by the priest Eli. Each year Hannah and Elkanah would return to the temple with a new robe she had made for Samuel. In time the Lord blessed them with five more children, sons and daughters, who I want to believe visited their brother each year, too. One night at the temple Samuel heard his name being called. Thinking it was Eli, he went to him. But it wasn’t Eli calling. With the help and wisdom of Eli, Samuel learned it was God calling his name. Samuel was instructed to go to his room, be still and wait. Samuel waited, and when he again heard his name being called, he said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” Who has helped you to know God is present in your life? Who has helped you to know God calls you? For some there is a startling encounter with the Divine and a profound experience in which everything is suddenly made clear. For others there is a slow realization of God’s voice in our lives. And for many of us we are touched by the concern of a stranger or by one of the saints of God revealed in Holy Scripture. Their touch reminds us that God is ever present. Sometimes we need to be still and wait with hope for that tender moment when God calls us by name.
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Why SIM One priest’s SIM story is vital to ECW Submitted by Rachael Desmond Past diocesan ECW president SIM board member Diocese of Connecticut “Excellent organizations invest in and nurture its future leaders.” – Tom Peters author, In Search of Excellence The Society for the Increase of the Ministry was featured in the Winter 2011-2012 Communiqué as one of the Episcopal church’s best kept secrets. During SIM’s 155-year history, this organization has been assisting Episcopal seminarians by providing financial and pastoral support and as an advocate for seminarians’ needs. SIM is the only organization in the Episcopal church raising funds on a national basis for Episcopal seminarian support. Take a look around our website, www.simministry.org, connect with current seminarians on “Meet Our Seminarians” page and read their stories. Hear from alumni on our “Alumni” page. Read about current events on our “News” page. Find out about the SIM Board on our “Who We Are” page. Sign up on the right hand side of any
“How does a single mother with a child in college manage to go to a private Episcopal seminary to pursue her priestly vocation? With the help of two large grants from the Society for the Increase of the Ministry (SIM), that’s how. When I first recognized my call to the Episcopal priesthood, I thought, ‘I can’t go to seminary. I have a daughter. I have to work.’ All Episcopal seminaries are private institutions with very high tuition bills and other expenses. “But the vocation just would not go away, so I figured that God would help me find a way to finance it. Unfortunately, my diocese and my sponsoring parish were not Janine Schenone able to offer much assistance at first, but through part-time jobs, scholarships and loans from my seminary and SIM I have been able to squeak by. “SIM is a unique organization in the Episcopal Church. It is the only church organization that supports Episcopal seminarians not only with financial help, but also with twice-yearly visits, prayer and encouragement. “It is such a relief to receive a visit and a check from SIM representatives when they come by twice a year. They usually come at the beginning of the semester, after I have spent several hundred dollars on (used) textbooks, and the heating bill is due, and the refrigerator is empty, and my student job paycheck last month was too small. “They deliver a check in person, which is wonderful, but they deliver far more than money. They offer support and prayers and a face to the Episcopal Church that is preparing us for ministry. They are a sign beyond our own sponsoring parishes and dioceses of the church’s concern for our formation as seminarians. “Without SIM’s financial support, I would not have been able to make it through seminary these past two years. I am deeply grateful for their constant advocacy on our behalf, prayer and support. – Janine Schenone
page to receive our online newsletter, The eCall or view our video. You will find an abundant amount of information here. We encourage ECW to help shape the future of the Episcopal church by investing
with SIM in seminarians – our future ordained leaders of the church. Please look for information about how you may support SIM on the website: www.simministry.org.
Sylvia Bellamy Corey, 1926-2012
Sylvia Corey
Sylvia Bellamy Corey, was born Sept. 27, 1926, in Southampton, England. She died several weeks ago. She was deeply involved in the Episcopal church and in 1983 served as president of the national ECW board. In 1985, she represented the ECW at the United Nation’s Conference, cel-
ebrating the Decade of Women in Nairobi, Kenya. Sylvia was a legal guardian for the Florida Circuit Court and co-founder of the Guardian Association of Pinellas County. She also assisted in co-founding St. Giles Manor in Pinellas Park. She was a 48-year member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church and
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the Flower Guild chair for 11 years. She and her husband, Ben Corey, who died in November, were married for 55 years. Their daughter, Pamela Corey Lester, lives in Denver with husband, Greg. Her grandson, David, lives in Tampa with his wife, Leann, and twins, Sydney and Luke.
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My life’s journey to the priesthood Submitted by the Rev. Ellen Kennedy, vicar Trinity Episcopal Church, Trumbull, Conn. “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps” Proverbs 16:9 I was asked to write an article on my journey to becoming a priest in the Episcopal church and I was tempted to begin it with “Once upon a time…” because it has been a journey I never, EVER would have imagined. A fairy tale would have been more realistic, at least to me. I can only look back and say “WOW. Look at what God has done.” I was born in New York City, and was not what one might call an academic achiever. During my high school years, I went to The Rev. summer school twice, once for algebra and Ellen Kennedy the other for Spanish. I later realized that some of my academic difficulty was most likely because of what is now called attention deficit disorder but back then, who knew? Certainly not me or my parents. I was fortunate. I had parents who loved me, a safe home and folks at church who affirmed and loved me. I may have not have topped the honor roll in school, but I did get recognition for some of my gifts and talents and that was enough to help me have some measure of self worth. I also was blessed with something few people have these days: an iron-clad plan for what I wanted to be. I knew since I was 8 years old I wanted to be a nurse. Now, when you are not particularly successful in the academic arena, this might be a problem. My parents kept telling me that I was too stupid to become a nurse. I think they thought I should be a secretary and commute to Manhattan on the Staten Island Ferry, as many girls did after high school or become a hair dresser. But I had a desire that I was not willing to give up on. I wanted to be a nurse and that was that. However, not everyone was in my corner. I remember standing before the admissions officer at St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing, and her saying to me “I can’t see how you have this class rating with THESE grades.” I wanted to say any number of responses, but being raised to be a polite child, I shrugged my shoulders and just kept quiet. Amazingly, I got admitted to that school and then it all began. I remember so very vividly in our first gathering of 72 students the words of the school’s director: “You would not be here if you were not able to do what is required.” I sat there and realized that somehow, in some way, I could really do this. I was able. It was a huge revelation for me, and I decided to go for it. The rest is history, except to say that some significant bumps in that road. But to persevere is to succeed – at least it was for me – and that nursing school was my first introduction into the Episcopal church. We sang Evensong each day of the week and in many of those times in the chapel, I poured out my heart to God, often with many tears. He was with me and I wanted to be a nurse in the worst way so the two of us succeeded. By May 1970, the
original class of 72 had dwindled down to 36 graduates and I was among them. Our graduation ceremony was held at St. John the Divine in NYC and it was a day I will never forget but could hardly believe. I worked for many years as a nurse in Manhattan, Connecticut and then in Texas, finding that I loved the field of intravenous therapy. I lectured in many states around the country in that field and I liked it very much. In that position I could get around to almost every area of the hospital and see patients of all ages, thus getting the variety of experiences that I liked. In 1979, I married, moved to Connecticut and worked part time in a local hospital. It was all just fine, until for several reasons I felt that I needed to stop working at the hospital. Raising my two daughters became my most important job. So that is what I did. It was then that I got more involved in the church. Training children “in the way they should go” (Prov. 22:6) was important to me, and one day I got a phone call from the church. I was asked to help with Vacation Bible School. After that it was one thing after another, nursery duty, VBS director, Vestry member, church school director, etc. My life was full and busy working for the Lord at Grace Church, Old Saybrook, for the huge salary of as many zeros as I wanted. It was rewarding and challenging work and I learned many lessons. I had not charted this course, but the Lord did indeed plan my steps. I learned to trust God more and worry less and I experienced his provision in a myriad of ways. I attended many Bible studies including the Bethel Bible Series and the Alpha program, later teaching children in that program more times than I ever would have imagined. But God was at work more than I would have ever thought, preparing me in advance for the ways in which I was to walk. (Eph. 2:10b) Then one day, it happened. People ask me how do you get the call? I usually say, “I should have had the answering machine on.” But this time the call did not come on the phone. I heard a voice say to me “priest.” That was it, just “priest.” I thought it was crazy and did not tell a soul for about 1½ years. For a woman of definite verbal ability, it is amazing how well I can shut my mouth when I want to. God, however, did not keep quiet. He kept opening doors and showing me again and again, that it was his voice calling me. In fact He got to be a real nag. He opened doors and seemed at times to push me through some. It took me three years to be able to say, without getting upset and crying, that I felt called to the ordained ministry in the Episcopal church. Many years earlier, at age 18 when I recommitted my life to the Lord, I stood in the Lutheran Brethren Church I attended and said that I would go wherever God sent me. God reminded of that vow when I was faced with this “ordination thing” because it meant that I would have to go to school. Remember that I had not been a delighter in the academic arena so to go to back to school after 25 years was most intimidating. He reminded me by putting in my face a verse from Judges, chapter 11, Jephthah’s vow: “I
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Polito’s work pays off for everyone Submitted by Margaret A. Cash Province II representative Thirty thousand dollars has been raised and provided to local charities by an outreach program founded by Joanne Polito at St. John’s Episcopal Church Women in Somerville, N.J. Joanne, an ECW member at her church, began an outreach program in St. John’s Parish Hall on Nov. 3, 2005. The program is called From the Heart Thrift Shop. In an article promoting this endeavor, Joanne said, “The thrift shop was a result of rummage sales. It became apparent after eight years of holding the rummage sales that there was a segment of our local population that needed good clothing at reasonable prices. The rummage sale helped but it was a once a year event and did not usually offer seasonable clothing. A few women in the church felt we could possibly open a shop that would be available on a monthly basis and offer gently used, clean, seasonable clothing. We also felt that we would try to return the proceeds of our monthly sales to local charities. With the approval of our rector, the vestry and our parish family, we felt we could make it work.”
Joanne also mentioned the great support they received from their community as a result of the publicity provided to all of the local papers. Everyone felt rewarded to see people with real needs able to find clothes they could afford and wear proudly. Since its inception six years ago, the $30,000 raised From the Heart Thrift Shop has been donated to 30 worthy organizations in the community. Joanne, our incredible servant leader, is also a member of the Mary and Martha Guild and has served on the vestry. In 2005, she received the prestigious honor of New Jersey’s Episcopal Church Women of the Year for Province II. Allison Voss, a member of St. John’s and an avid advocate of Joanne’s work and ministry and the thrift shop, shared that she has known Joanne for 52 years and has watched her quietly and unassumingly live the Lord’s word. “She has never sought accolades for what she has done, and has generously shared her time and talents with all around her. She is patient, kind and non- judgmental. Joanne is the spark that gets the fire going. To bask in her warmth is to know love.” We applaud the extraordinary service of Joanne Polito and all who have contributed to the success of From the Heart Thrift Shop.
My journey, continued from page 18 have opened my mouth in a vow unto the Lord and I cannot go back” (vs. 35). I did not receive this word with joy and delight. I struggled a great deal. I did not know how on earth I could live in obedience to this command. I knew I would not survive in disobedience. I remember saying to God I would go anywhere, but I meant foreign lands, NOT school. God, however, is patient and kind and provided people to help me and after one extremely difficult week I surrendered my life to him again. I prayed about seminary and was led to attend Andover Newton Theological School in Newton Centre, Mass. It was not all roses and chocolate, but it was the right place for me. I went to school part time for seven years and graduated in 2001. I was blessed to have 21 family and friends there to celebrate with me. It was, for me, a miraculous day. I had been in the process toward the priesthood for several years by then and in 2002 I was ordained a transitional deacon. I started looking for a job as a priest, and it may surprise you that it took six months to secure one. I surprised me. It was a good experience for me because as a nurse I never had to wait to get a job. I could always get a job, maybe not in the area I most desired but I always could get some
position. There were eight assistant positions available in Connecticut then and I was ordained in a group of 12 – a little gap there. Different positions would open up here and there, but I did not wish to relocate so I needed to find a job relatively close to home. It was a difficult time but I did get a wonderful position in Bridgeport at two churches, Calvary Church and St. George’s Church. One of my favorite Bible verses is when Elisha says to Elijah “let me inherit a double portion of your spirit” so a “double portion” of churches was a good sign for me. I worked there with the Rev. Douglas Nissing, learned a lot and after 3½ years and the merger of those churches, I secured my present position as vicar at Trinity Episcopal Church, Trumbull. As far as becoming the chaplain of the Episcopal Church Women, well I guess it is a job like the first ones I had in the church. I serve with wonderful women in a meaningful ministry for as many zeros as I want. Trinity Church had hosted the open board meeting of the ECW shortly after I started serving here and they were all just a fabulous group of ladies. We celebrated Eucharist together, ate together, prayed together and became a closer Episcopal family. I guess you could say we have bonded. We hosted some other events here such as
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the UTO ingathering and it was always a joy to have women from all over the diocese come and share our worship and our lives. When I was asked to become their chaplain, to say yes was really not a much of a struggle. I knew that time is always tight, but I felt God would enable us to grow together and not test any of us beyond our endurance. It is always a joy to take the time to meet with all the wonderful, dedicated women of the ECW and learn all the ways in which they help others. We are challenged to grow at a time where women are employed outside the home, while many are raising their family, and thus their time is most precious. Therefore, we are challenged to constantly seek ways to reach out to them and to accomplish God’s work in this part of the body of Christ. St. Paul’s question to God after his conversion experience was “Lord, what would you have me to do?” (Acts 22:10). We also need to listen for, and heed his answer to us. I have no doubt God can work great things through us and I pray for his grace and strength to accomplish his will. Episcopal Church Women, pray for us that ECW may also stand for Ever Challenged and Willing servants of Christ. Thanks be to God.
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My journey as an Episcopalian Submitted by Marie Queen Atonement Episcopal Church Washington, D.C. I was raised Episcopalian from age 7. Because I came into the church at such a young age, transition from the AME church was fairly easy for me. I learned very quickly to love the faith and the liturgy. I completely believe in and make every effort humanly possible to follow my baptismal covenant. However, somewhere along my Christian journey I began to feel restless within the church and I felt that all of the dots were not connected. I felt as though I was standing before a huge puzzle that was missing one of its key pieces. I did not find that missing piece until years later. For years I read about the Holy Spirit. I was taught the Holy Spirit was the third entity of the Trinity. I had listened to readings from the Book of Acts describing the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon those who were gathered in the upper room, fulfilling the promise of Christ to send a comforter. I have always loved and felt very connected to God and to his Son, Jesus Christ, but sadly, I never felt strongly connected to this Spirit which was to be a comforter to all including myself. Away from the church, I was never consciously aware of its existence. I am a former federal government employee who was blessed to work in an office with people representing many different Christian denominations. When we would attend weekly lunchtime Bible study at the Greater New Hope Baptist Church, I would hear many of those in attendance speak so enthusiastically and in such endearing terms about the Holy Spirit and the role it played in their lives. There was always a feeling of joy and Christian love throughout the room in which we met, making me more curious about this entity to which I never gave much thought. Eventually my curiosity got the best of
me. In my quest to find out what was the driving force behind all of the enthusiasm, I stepped away from the Episcopal church and started visiting churches of various Marie Queen denominations. It was in the multipurpose room of an elementary school where a non-denominational church was meeting that I was first introduced to praise and worship music. This is also where I first felt what the members of that church referred to as the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Now, I realize as Episcopalians we are baptized through water and the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ. Nevertheless, this was the first time I had consciously experienced the actual presence of the Holy Spirit in my life. I have had many people tell me that I was probably a victim of mass hysteria. To that I say, if that was the case, why do I feel that presence just as strongly today as I did some 30 odd years ago? I am an Episcopalian. Also, I’m pretty much convinced that for most people, once an Episcopalian, always an Episcopalian. The church had always been a major part of my life. Over the years, I had developed a very deep relationship with and a deep love for the church. In retrospect, I believe that the whole reason for my being led to step away from the church was to find and develop a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit in a way that worked for me. Once that was accomplished, I felt compelled to return to what was familiar to me for most of my life. Problem: We all know the Holy Spirit is a gift from God and is present in all churches. But its presence is definitely felt and acknowledged in different ways in different churches. Here I was, returning to a church that is very spiritual but is known for its very solemn demeanor. Thus, I felt it necessary to suppress certain actions to which I had
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become accustomed while away. These actions included clapping to the music, or lifting my hands in praise to the Almighty or saying amen in places where it was not written on a specific page. I was fearful of the reactions of the people around me. I felt like an anomaly within the church. On more than one occasion, I heard a member state that those who want to act like the Baptists should leave and go to a Baptist church. My belief is that if you truly feel the Spirit it is not about acting at all but about following where the Spirit leads. For the past six years, I have been blessed to worship under the spiritual leadership of the Rev. H. Jocelyn Irving. For those who may not know, she is a very lively, spirit filled priest. She is willing to allow the Holy Spirit to move freely within the church while maintaining the sanctity of the liturgy and the sacredness of the partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ. This spirit has caught on and what used to be the Amen Corner in the back of the church has pretty much spread all throughout the sanctuary at the 11 a.m. service. Consequently, I don’t feel so much like an anomaly anymore. Now, I am not advocating some great movement to change the way Episcopalians worship. I think everyone should worship in the way in which he or she is most comfortable and I can see the beauty in the different worship styles. However, since we pride ourselves on embracing diversity and we are accepting of people of all races, nationalities, ethnicities, and lifestyles, can we not consider being a little more accepting of those who say amen on the wrong page? As the church in general is looking toward growth, we can scarcely afford to tell someone to leave and go to the Baptist church because his or her style of worship does not conform to the “norm.” After all, our belief in one Lord, one faith and one Baptism is the tie that binds us all.
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UTO representative travels to Burundi for council meeting Submitted by Mari-Lou Triebenbach UTO Province VI representative The United Thank Offering received an invitation to send an observer to the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa and I was asked to represent UTO at this meeting in Burundi. It was an honor to be asked and a privilege to attend. Twelve provinces are members of CAPA, each headed by an archbishop. All 12 provinces were in attendance. Other observers were representatives from the Church of England, the Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, Trinity Church Wall Street and Petero Sabune, global partnership officer for Africa. The theme for the meeting was “Harnessing our unity to unlock our potential and secure our future.” The meeting started with a dinner Saturday night. Sunday we all went to services at Holy Trinity Cathedral. The average attendance for their main service is 1000 and they were all there. Five choirs performed, including a children’s choir of at least 150 members. This was a great experience. The meeting continued with introductions for all the provinces. A recurring theme seemed to be their difficulties and political unrest. They were passionate about their church and all said “pray for us.” Everyone I met knew UTO and thanked us for the grants we had given. I heard stories of grants given many years ago and because of those grants, the church is still there. I guess that was the best part of the trip. The most heart-wrenching story was from a man now studying for the priesthood about conditions in The Congo. He told of how little his church has and how poor they are. His bishop has to rent his own apartment, his office is not fit to work in and he has no car. When I asked how many Anglicans there are in The Congo, he said, as I remember, “about 45,000.” The rest of the meeting was a normal business meeting and included a guest speaker who gave a talk on sustainable agriculture using organic fertilizer which will increase crop yield, quality and shelf life. You can read more about the meeting at Episcopal News Service. The gathering concluded with an installation service at the cathedral of the new officers of CAPA. The morning, before I left, I was taken to a building project that was partially funded by two UTO grants. The Faith Center will include a conference center, offices, an Internet café (they are close to a university) in phase 1 and apartments and a hotel in the second phase.
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Don’t forget to commit the 47th annual ECW Triennial Meeting in Indianapolis to your prayers as those attending travel, take part and make plans for Episcopal Church Women across the United States July 5-12.
Good Friday service planned at hospital Submitted by Betty Murray Diocese of Massachusetts ECW president Since 2004, Episcopal Church Women in the Diocese of Massachusetts have sponsored a Good Friday service in the chapel at Massachusetts General Hospital. This service provides live music with musicians, meditations given by hospital staff members and prayer. At this service an Episcopal Church Woman reads a passage from Scripture. The hours are noon to 3 p.m. and the service is open to all of the hospital community. There are also arrangements for piping the service into hospital rooms when that is requested by the residents of those rooms. The Rev. Daphne Noyes, deacon at the Church of the Advent in Boston and chaplain at the hospital, orchestrates the program and has been doing so since 2004. The hospital chaplaincy sent copies for our archives of the service leaflets from prior services and issued a commendation for the work of Episcopal Church Women. We are not hiding our light under a bushel in the Diocese of Massachusetts.
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Project POWER:
Collaborating for good health Submitted by Eleanor Larrier Good Shepherd Episcopal Church Bronx, New York.
Diabetes facts and figures
The health ministry at Church of the Good Shepherd, Bronx, N.Y., grew during the past 10 years to encompass an annual Health Fair and a Speakers’ Bureau. While the Episcopal Church Women are the force behind the ministry, we are blessed to have many health care professionals in our congregation, willing to share their skills and to engage experts to discuss a range of health topics throughout the year. For more than 10 years, we hosted a Fall Health Fair, working with community health care organizations and our own professionals to offer health screenings, information and opportunities to discuss health issues, including medications, with our congregation and community. This past fall, the ECW decided to bring a more focused health initiative to the congregation in lieu of the health fair. In partnership with Bronx Community Health Network and the American Diabetes Association, the ECW launched Project POWER, the ADA’s faith-based program for African-Americans. Project POWER aims to integrate diabetes awareness, prevention and treatment messages into the life of the church and the family. Nationally, 23.6 million people are affected by diabetes. While 17.9 million have been diagnosed, 5.7 million are unaware they have the disease and are not being treated. Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of disease deaths and it affects all ages, genders and races. Sadly, the incidence of type 2 diabetes among youth under 20 years old is growing and African-Americans are disproportionately more affected by diabetes. According to the United States Office of Minority Health, African-Americans are twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes as non-Hispanic whites. In addition, they are more likely to suffer complications from diabetes, such as end-stage renal disease and lower extremity amputations, more likely to be hospitalized for diabetes, more likely to have high blood pressure and more likely to die from diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, once associated with older adults, is known as adult-onset or noninsulin-dependent diabetes. It is a chronic condition that affects the way our bodies metabolize or process sugar, which is the body's main source of energy. With type 2 diabetes, the body either resists the effects of insulin or it doesn't produce enough insulin to maintain a normal glucose level. Insulin is a hormone that regulates the movement of sugar into our cells. In October, 2011 Renee Whiskey, BCHN’s community health educator and ADA-trained Project POWER ambassador, introduced Project POWER Diabetes Day to members of Good Shepherd’s congregation during the Sunday coffee hour. At the participants’ suggestion, the Rev. Canon Calvin McIntyre, rector
• 25.8 million children and adults in the United States – 8.3 percent of the population – have diabetes. Diagnosed: 18.8 million people Undiagnosed: 7.0 million people Prediabetes: 79 million people • New Cases: 1.9 million new cases of diabetes were diagnosed in people aged 20 years and older in 2010. • 25.6 million, or 11.3 percent, of all people 20 years and older have diabetes. • 10.9 million, or 26.9 percent of all people 65 years and older have diabetes. • 12.6 million, or 10.8 percent of all women aged 20 years or older have diabetes • Morbidity and mortality – In 2007, diabetes was listed as the underlying cause on 71,382 death certificates and was listed as a contributing factor on an additional 160,022 death certificates. This means that diabetes contributed to a total of 231,404 deaths. Source: The 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet
of CGS, invited Ms. Whiskey to present the five remaining Project POWER workshops in the sanctuary prior to dismissal so the whole congregation could participate. For three Sundays, armed with projector, laptop screen and literature, and assisted by Winifred MacQuaye, BCHN Americorps intern, Ms. Whiskey discussed diabetes risk factors, symptoms and prevention, the importance of healthy eating habits and food portion control, regular physical activity, diabetes and heart disease and other complications and the growing incidence of obesity and type 2 diabetes among children and youth. Untreated, type 2 diabetes can be life-threatening, resulting in related complications including heart, kidney and oral disease, blindness, poor circulation and limb amputations, and generally poor health and disability. We don’t know how many of our parishioners are living with diabetes, but we know that because the majority of us are African-Caribbean and African-American, we are at higher risk for these chronic illnesses. Many of us and our close family members may either be
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Bronx ECW work varied, devoted Submitted by Francilla Moore St. Luke’s ECW president Bronx, New York You will show me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of you, and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11 The Episcopal Church Women of St. Luke’s in the Bronx, N.Y., continue to be an active body helping to spread God’s kingdom through worship, service and fellowship. During the year we have increased our numbers with three new members. We give thanks to our Lord and Savior for enabling us to work in His vineyard and help others throughout the world. We participated in the 48th School of Worship sponsored by the ECW of the Diocese of New York at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. The luncheon speaker was Deacon Eliza Davies, priest-in-charge of St. Martha’s, Bronx. Her meditation was on the family, both personal and church. She also encouraged us to share and utilize our
gifts and talents to enrich our personal and faith communities. We were honored to be an active participant in the 15th Anniversary Service of the consecration of the Rt. Rev. Catherine S. Roskam, bishop suffragan, Diocese of New York. Shirley Thompson-Nelson, our immediate past president and the current treasurer of the ECW Diocesan Board, carried the ECW Banner in the opening procession. The theme of the 48th Annual Stony Point Conference was “Many Paths, One Journey: Continuing to Grow in Grace.” The Rev. Joan Grimm, rector, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Hicksville, Diocese of Long Island, was the keynote speaker. She centered our thoughts on the gifts we’re given for the journey. As one of the workshop leaders, I led the session on Bible study where I applied the Bible to life’s journey. Other workshops we enjoyed were Caring for God’s Creation and Slavery in the 21st Century. St. Luke’s women, along with other women from Province II, were well represented.
In October, 2011, we hosted a Quiet Day with Carol Gaskill as our leader. She used the theme Many Paths, One Journey to guide us in searching God’s Word. We attended the Fall UTO Ingathering in November, 2011, at St. James Chapel in the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. The Rt. Rev. Catherine Roskam was the celebrant and preacher for the service. It was her final service with us prior to her retirement on Dec. 29, 2011. She presented us with a book entitled “New Wine” by P. Darling as a token of her appreciation. We thanked her for her love and faithful support of our mission and ministry and wished her God’s continued blessings in her retirement. She will truly be missed. It is with great excitement and anticipation that Shirley Thompson-Nelson and I look forward to serving as delegates to the 47th Triennial Meeting in Indianapolis. I am sure that it will provide us the opportunity to expand our many paths on our one journey. “Uphold my steps in your paths: That my footsteps may not slip.” Psalm 17:5 NKIV
Project Power, continued from page 22 diabetic, hypertensive, overweight, have elevated levels of cholesterol or all of the above. Cigarette smoking, unsafe levels of alcohol and other substances also contribute to the risks of developing diabetes. Nevertheless, we are very encouraged. To a great extent, we have learned that we do indeed have the power to control our health. As part of our individual ministries, we have the responsibility to share this information with family and friends. If we are already living healthy, we can invite others, in a non-judgmental way of course, to join us. We can all share a healthy way of preparing a favorite dish, add more fruits and salads to our meals, at home and at church, reduce salt intake, add spice – not salt – to our food and our lives. We can also reduce TV time for the whole family and find better ways to be active and get fit. We can put some music on and move to the rhythms while sitting, walking or dancing. start a walking group, meditate and spend quiet time with ourselves. Above all, we can talk to our doctors and ask about things like our AIC, which is our blood sugar level, our cholesterol, our body mass index, which compares our weight to our height. We can also discuss medications and ask for a change if there is dis-
comfort or possibly harmful side effects. The ECW plans to host monthly presentations on health topics and to explore regular fitness activities for all ages. Together with BCHN, the ECW will follow-up several times throughout the remainder of the year to learn if Project POWER helped to bring healthy change to the lives of our parishioners. Mary Ann Fullerton is ECW president at Church of the Good Shepherd, Bronx. The author, Eleanor Larrier, is CGS ECW health coordinator, and chief executive officer, Bronx Community Health Network, Inc. Bronx Community Health Network is a non-profit organization and federally qualified health center whose mission is to improve the health of medically underserved communities. BCHN’s Community Health Promotion and Education Program collaborates with Bronx organizations to educate community residents about various health topics and to connect people, who have no health insurance or regular doctor, to quality affordable health care. For more information about BCHN’s services or to introduce Project POWER to your congregation, call 718-405-4993 or send email to info@bchnhealth.org. Outside of New York go to www.diabetes.org for Project POWER and diabetes programs for other racial or ethnic groups.
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Always the cross Submitted by Elizabeth Campbell This is the last in a series of four synopses of the history of the organization of the Women’s Auxiliary, now known as Episcopal Church Women, to celebrate our 140th Anniversary. The story prior to 1985 is taken from Anne Fulk’s book, and later remembrances are taken from the subsequent Triennial reports written by the presidents and from personal experience. It is my hope that before the 150th anniversary of ECW in 2021, the board will commission a comprehensive research and writing of the full, fascinating story of the mission and ministry of the women of the Episcopal church. ****** An enameled cross on a stickpin was given to everyone attending the 37th Triennial Meeting in New Orleans in 1982. This is the first mention of a cross for all delegates in A Short History of the Triennial Meetings of the Women of the Episcopal Church written by Anne Bass Fulk in 1985. The gift of this precious outward and visible sign seems to have become a sentinel event for the women of the church. A renewal of the mission and ministry of the women of the church flowered. After almost being dismantled in the previous decade, those who kept meeting would not give up. Together they re-established a new identity, wrote bylaws and forged a format for Triennial Meetings that created the template we still follow. Much has been added but little has actually changed since that formative decade of the 1980s. At the 40th Triennial Meeting in 1991 in Phoenix, Marjorie Burke presided with the theme of “Restoring God’s Creation to Wholeness.” In lieu of trinkets and souvenir gifts, delegates were encouraged to contribute to a Unified Gift which made possible a grant for the Diocese of Navajoland to have a Women of Vision program. Continuing members of the national board were replaced by electing two new members-at-large to serve and it was stipulated that vice presidents must have already served a term on the board. Also at
that meeting, each diocese was asked to bring the name and biography of a woman in their diocese whose life in the secular community reflected her Christian values. We now call those women our Honored Women. The meeting ended with Presiding Bishop Edmund Lee Browning as the celebrant and preacher for the closing Eucharist. In what has become a tradition, he blessed and presented to all attending a beautiful silver cross which had been made by Episcopal Native Americans. To this day Bishop Browning is fondly remembered for his constant and unfailing support of the women of the church. The board had adopted a vision statement and goals for the triennium that clarified the work of the ECW National Board was two-fold: • To provide ongoing programs and resources for the women of the church. • To present a Triennial Meeting. The leadership was now looking outward, listening to the needs of women throughout the church, including meetings on the Pine Ridge Reservation with Native American sisters and in Mexico City with sisters from Province IX. Support for the Ecumenical Decade and the Church Women United’s imperative on poverty took them on travels to the Holy Land, South Africa, England, the Philippines, and Russia to gather data to shape the Triennial Meeting agenda. The board was greatly supported in its work by members of Bishop Browning’s staff, most notably the Presiding Bishop himself, Ann Smith, executive for Women in Mission and Ministry, and the treasurer of the national church. Board Treasurer Mary Leigh Armstrong worked closely with the treasurer to establish once and for all trust monies designated in the past for the work of the Women’s Auxiliary, including the Windham House Trust and the Wright Legacy, now under the control of the Episcopal Church Women. At the treasurer’s request, an in-depth dialogue was begun with the United Thank Offering committee to clarify accountability and relationships. And to assure there would always be funds to continue future Triennial
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Meetings, the Dollar Endowment was begun – each woman in the Episcopal Church was asked to contribute just $1. The list of donors for that beginning of the National Triennial Endowment Fund is still displayed at each Triennial Meeting. Like all Triennial Meetings, delegates were treated to notable speakers who were leaders in the church – many leading the church into new times. For the first time, the Triennial Meeting held its own Sunday morning Eucharist in a standing-room-only crowd with The Rt. Rev. Steven Plummer, bishop of Navajoland, as the celebrant. The Rt. Rev. Barbara Harris, suffragan bishop of Massachusetts and the first woman elected bishop in the Anglican reunion, was the preacher for this memorable event. The presiding bishop formalized the request for the president of the Episcopal Church Women and the chair of the United Thank Offering to set up a task force “to explore the historical, current and future possibilities of a relationship.” A vision of true unity emerged which was solidified by passing bylaws that more closely link the ministry of the two bodies at the 41st Triennial Meeting held in Indianapolis in 1994. Ginger Paul presided at that meeting and the theme was “Unite Us in Christ.” Again Presiding Bishop Browning was celebrant and preacher for the closing Eucharist and once again he blessed medallions given to each person attending the service. The previous General Convention had passed a resolution mandating women’s ministry be celebrated in significant ways. One of the outstanding moments of the meeting occurred when a throng of ordained women entered for the opening ceremony of the Triennial Meeting walking in solidarity with diocesan presidents, provincial presidents, members of the national board, the United Thank Offering Committee, Triennial Meeting staff and Anglican and ecumenical representatives. The Rev. Elizabeth Habecker was chaplain to the meeting. Please continue on the next page
Spring 2012 Continued from the previous page In addition, the women of the 41st Triennial Meeting were, for the first time, given an opportunity to plan and present a session to the General Convention. A panel moderated by Pamela Chinnis was selected to represent the diversity that is the Episcopal church. Not only was it presented to all three houses of the General Convention but through a television downlink, hundreds of people at home were able to watch. At the conclusion of the discussion, all viewers were allowed to call in questions to the panel and the presiding bishop, who joined them on the platform. Edmond Lee Browning continued to give his utmost support and encouragement to Episcopal Church Women, and his participation with the panel was but one more example. Jenny Ladefoged served as editor of the ECW Communiqué. The publication had continued to grow and a new emphasis was placed on articles about significant ministry done by women throughout the church. Communiqué was used to help build the Dollar Endowment and to develop the Women to Women program, which was established by Kenneth Dutter of Atlanta, Georgia, to honor his mother Mildred, through a substantial five-year pledge. Perhaps it also contributed to the slightly more than $3 million for grants from UTO Blue Box collections. And notably, the board joined cyberspace with online computer capability during this triennium. The 42nd Triennial Meeting met in Philadelphia in 1997 Gini Peterson presiding. The theme for that meeting was “Enlarge the Site of Your Tent.” At the conclusion of the closing ceremony, Bishop Browning and Gini Peterson distributed hand-painted enameled crosses made in El Salvador, a gift from the National ECW Board that were blessed by the presiding bishop. Other highlights were the presence of sisters from Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Panama. Mexico was no longer with us as they had said goodbye at the last Triennial Meeting and with its five dioceses was now autonomous. Again the UTO granting was over $3M. This triennium was marked by world-
Communiqué wide involvement. During a visit to Cuba, the national ECW president was approached by women in that country who asked for strengthened ties. Episcopal Church Women were represented by three board members at the Non-Governmental organization Forum held in conjunction with the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995. In the United States the national board’s meetings were intentionally planned to be held in all nine provinces and with the Niobrara Convocation. In each location the local women spent time meeting and sharing with national board members during their gathering. The 43rd Triennial Meeting took place in Denver in 2000. President Jan Waldron Banning presided over this meeting and the theme for the meeting was “The Gift of Joy and Wonder.” Polished brass crosses designed by Stephen Mackin of Colorado were blessed and given each woman by Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold. The doubling of the word Joy crisscrossed the center of the cross. While visiting Honduras during the triennium, the board was struck with the joy and wonder expressed by Episcopal brothers and sisters and their commitment to live out their baptismal covenant each day, thus the theme. A first for the 43rd Triennial Meeting was the setting for the commissioning of the new national board and United Thank Offering Committee. This took place in the daily worship space along with the formal commissioning of the House of Bishops, House of Deputies and Executive Council. The Bread of Life, A Cookbook for Body and Soul, an idea of the previous board, had been developed and was for sale in the ECW booth in the Exhibit Hall. The board believed that communicating with the woman in the pew was a high priority. The Communiqué was now a regular quarterly publication, and the ECW prayer was now printed both in English and Spanish. For the first time in Triennial Meeting history a daily newspaper, Triennial Today, chronicled events that were taking place as part of the Triennial Meeting. Triennial Today was included as part of the General Convention Daily. The most popular ECW traveler was the ECW quilt which traveled throughout
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Page 25 the country to be displayed at diocesan and provincial meetings. For the first time all board members had personal computers and convened online between meetings. This was also the first board to have a woman priest as an elected member. The 44th Triennial Meeting was held in Minneapolis in 2003. President Pam Stewart presided and the theme for this meeting was “A New Light is Shining.” The cross for this meeting had a shining light in the center. Nancy Denmark, a jewelry artist, designed a beautiful logo of “women wanting to make a difference.” At the first board meeting, the president had issued a challenge to develop a nationwide project about the use of gifts in a “Call to Action.” Education was the most important focus, with priorities of literacy, leadership, non-violence, and inter-faith relationships. This became a major endeavor over the triennium and stories, large and small poured in from all over the church. The chairpersons of the affiliated women's organizations and agencies were invited to attend at least one board meeting. Women of Vision and The Gates Program, for leadership training, returned to the ECW from the National Church Center. Both were revitalized and revamped and put into action. A comprehensive website was set up and translated into Spanish in its entirety. Perhaps the most ambitious undertaking was the production of a video “Women of the Table: A Celebration of Women’s Ministries” by Katie Sherrod, an independent television producer, and the national board. Narrated by the Rt. Rev. Barbara Harris, it paid tribute to women’s ministries, both traditional and those breaking barriers. This was used as one of the special presentations of the meeting. The board also planned a new format for the Triennial Meeting. The first part of the meeting was designated for spiritual work, or “the business meeting,” and the second for Spiritual Learning, or “workshops.” One of the spiritual learning portions dealt with antiracism, and six noontime offerings were presented for the entire General Convention to enjoy. “All That Jazz” was a beautiful social evening offering presented by a group from San Antonio. The next evening a large group Please continue on the next page
Page 26 Continued from the previous page of Lutheran women were invited along with bishops and other guests in recognition of the two churches' Common Mission. And again the United Thank Offering topped $3M. The continuing Community Connection Program collected school supplies to take to the Abraham Lincoln Schools for refugee and immigrant children. At the closing, the women walked around with banners and bells and everyone singing “We Are Marching In The Light Of God.” The 45th Triennial Meeting in 2006 was held in Columbus, Ohio. ECW National President Harriett Neer presided over the meeting which revolved around the theme “Live in the Light.” The cross for this meeting was made of Austrian crystal to represent the joy and beauty of the living in the light of Jesus. A highlight of the meeting was to have our dear friend, the late Dr. Horace Boyer, editor of the alternative hymnal, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” (also known as the Red Book), as musician for the meeting. Most delegates who attended remember three very important things that happened in Columbus. The first was sitting in the House of Deputies for the announcement of the election of the new presiding bishop. The air turned electric when the announcement that Katherine Jefferts Shori had been elected was made, and she walked in with her family. The second was the visit of two bishops whose dioceses were still reeling from the effects of hurricane Katrina. As Bishops Charles Jenkins of Louisiana and Duncan Gray of Mississippi finished speaking and left the room, a delegate got up and asked if there was a reason to wait or could the women gathered in the room just take up an offering immediately. Chaplain Marilyn Engstrom set out a big plastic punch bowl for an offering. As the women streamed up with their money, the board treasurer stood to say that the board would match the offering of the delegates In ten minutes at least $10,000 was raised. A check was cut, and the two bishops were asked to come back to receive the gift. We all realized the toll taken on these two men by their struggle in this catastrophic event as their eyes welled up with tears.
Communiqué The third was a more quiet remembrance that took place as the Rev. Bindy Snyder led an afternoon of thanksgiving to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the consecration of women in the priesthood. Each delegate was asked to bring a paper chain with the names of all ordained women in her diocese. When all were joined, the paper chain stretched around the entire convention hall – and then some. The election of a woman presiding bishop had repercussions around the church in the United States and in the world. At the beginning of this triennium, on the first evening of the first meeting of the board at the College of Preachers in the fall, President Harriet Neer began by saying that the first thing needed was to address “the elephant in the room.” And the conversation began, addressing the unrest in the church and the personal feelings that unrest gave to each member of the board. The next day, as the board pondered its mission and vision, all were in solid agreement that the women of the church would walk hand in hand as a united body of Christ regardless of personal beliefs and feelings. This commitment stood firm throughout the entire decade. During the triennium, again a greater effort was made to increase communication with women in the pew, and the circulation for Communiqué had doubled. Professional services for the larger mailings had to be secured. Member at Large for Multi-media Marcia Himes did much to upgrade online activities, including website linking and a comprehensive circulation list for Communiqué. The policy of offering all publications by mail or online was instituted. In lieu of having a central office, the board developed a toll-free telephone number that was printed on all written materials to make it possible for Episcopal women and other organizations to make contact with a board member at any time. A new informational pack was developed to help members start a new ECW group or revitalize its existing church women’s group. A meeting in the Dominican Republic renewed old relationships with past ECW Triennial Meeting delegates and projects. Shirley White represented the board at the United Nations NGO meetings on the Sta-
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Spring 2012 tus of Women, and through her daughter, Marcia White, a Peace Corp worker in the Ghana, the ECW was able to give ovens and sewing machines to help those women train for occupations in a home for children orphaned by the AIDS epidemic. The 46th Triennial Meeting in 2009 took place in Anaheim, Calif. with President Kay Meyer presiding. The theme for this meeting: “Grow in Grace.” The cross representing this meeting was designed with the emblem of the Episcopal Church Women in the center and was available for all church women to purchase through the Communiqué or online from the ECW website. At the beginning of each triennium in the past, the board had rewritten the mission and vision statements before setting goals for their three years of service. After 2000, it became apparent that each board was only tweaking what had already been decided, and the general membership appreciated the continuity of knowing what to expect. This board kept the previously stated mission and vision, but did verbalize “elucidation of the obvious” for the first time, which is “Episcopal Church Women is a congregationally-based organization.” This simple statement somehow frees the organization from turmoil in the church and allows women to proceed with mission and ministry to those around them. Changes in the church headquarters along with great financial struggle had an affect on board activities as everywhere else. However, following the lead of delegates or “the congregationally-based women in the parishes and missions,” the board took a good look at the auxiliary’s earliest missionary activities and the current Women to Women projects and saw the absence of mission here in the United States. For that reason, the board decided to continue with a fuller commitment to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. After hearing about the work of the Jericho Road Project for recovering flooded homes, sponsored by Christ Cathedral in New Orleans, the board scheduled a meeting in Louisiana so that they could tour the site. In the subsequent outpouring of gifts from parishes, dioceses and provinces, $100,000 was collected. The drive culminated in a wonderful Please continue on the next page
Spring 2012 Continued from the previous page Sunday evening fund-raising event at the Triennial Meeting, hosted by Elizabeth Von Trapp, granddaughter of the founders of the famous Von Trapp Family Singers of The Sound of Music fame. We could only say in the end, “our cup runneth over.” As usual, many notable speakers graced the podium at the Triennial Meeting. This time the Archbishop of Canterbury visited for a morning and made a few brief comments after insisting the Triennial Meeting chaplain present the usual morning meditation while he listened. He also visited the ECW Booth, where he was showered with hugs and gifts to take back for his wife Jane, who had met with and addressed several ECW groups while on visits in the United States, much to the joy of ECW women. The Province 9 meeting site was Puerto Rico during this triennium. Bishop David Alvarez welcomed the board and hosted visits to Episcopal day care centers, schools and hospitals. The board worshipped at the cathedral where the Rev. David Howell, dean, conducted a tour of both the cathedral and the cathedral school in downtown San Juan. A gift was given to help institute a multi-lingual program teaching domestic non-violence that was developed by a professional psychologist for all the grades in school. The overall goal was to bring about a much-needed new direction in cultural behavior. Another international visit took place when Cordelia Burt, the board’s member at large for social justice, accepted an invitation to return to meet with the Episcopal Church Women of the Philippines in their now independent church status. Cordelia had traveled to the Philippines previously to assist them in forming their organization. President Kay Meyer accompanied on that trip and also represented the board at the United Nations NGO meetings on the Status of Women. Projecting into the past and for the future, Katerina Whitley was commissioned to write a reading play on the formation and historical activities of the Women’s Auxiliary and its move to become the
Communiqué Episcopal Church Women. Yet We Persist was presented at the welcoming dinner of the 46th Triennial Meeting and provided great entertainment and delight. Those who were there can still hear someone yelling “But where’s the money?” The play is a resource that can be easily conducted by any large or small ECW group. During this Triennium the chief financial officer and treasurer for the Episcopal Church, Kurt Barnes, and the director of investments, Margarethe Crosnier de Vellaistre, provided the national board with trustworthy service and support. With their leadership and the watchful eye of the respective boards of the National Church Office, the trusts that are designated for the Episcopal Church Women – and before that for the Women’s Auxiliary – have been appropriately protected and so far have fared better than expected through the current recession. Since 2000 the Executive Council has not provided a liaison to the National Board of Episcopal Church Women as provided for in the bylaws, but the board has done everything possible to maintain contact with relative departments at “815” in New York. Hopefully, all crosses presented to delegates since 1982 will be available for viewing in Indianapolis at the 47th Triennial Meeting in 2012. Marcia Himes will preside and the theme will be: “Many Paths, One Journey.” Already, as in each triennium since 2000, the Communiqué has again doubled its circulation. Much of the credit is due to having Maggie Williams as our faithful editor for over a decade, supported by all of the hard-working vice presidents of communication for each of those boards. As the church struggles to open its heart and mind to new issues involving the children of God in their human condition, amid all the controversy there are the faithful women in every local, diocesan and provincial setting who quietly – though perhaps some not as quietly as others – continue their ministry and their offering is blessed. For there is “Always the Cross.”
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Who We Are: We are Episcopal Church Women of all ages, ethnic origins and socioeconomic backgrounds who hold a variety of views. However, the common denominator of our members is love of God and the wish to do His work. Mission, Vision & Role Mission: Centered in congregations, the ECW empowers women to do Christ’s ministry in the world. Vision: Our vision for all women of the Episcopal church is that we become a vibrant blend of all ages, coming together as a peacemaking, healing part of the church. We aspire to be a Godspark-shining and sharing the love of Christ. Role: The role of the National Board of ECW is to model and share best practice in communication, programming, leadership, and governance; develop, support, and inspire leaders at all levels: local, diocesan, provincial, national and represent and build support for ECW in the wider church and the world.
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Communiqué
Episcopal Church Women 186 Little River Road Hampton, NH 03842
Spring 2012
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2009-2012 ECW National Board President: Marcia Himes 45 Farview Circle Riverton, WY 82501 307-856-5934 president@ecwnational.org Vice President/Program: Cordelia Burt P.O. Box 6971 Ocean View, HI 95737 808-939-7555 vpprogram@ecwnational.org VP/Information & Communication: Marilyn Rishkofski 186 Little River Road Hampton, NH 03842 603-926-2344 vpinformationcommunication @ecwnational.org Secretary: Kathy Mank 9559 Kelly Drive Loveland, OH 45140 513-560-2126 secretary@ecwnational.org Treasurer: Sandra Powers 3 Adoracion Circle Hot Springs Village, AR 71909 501-922-3090 treasurer@ecwnational.org
Social Justice: The Rev. Irene Miller Radcliff 1094 Oakland Park Ave. Columbus, OH 43224 614-267-2145 socialjustice@ecwnational.org Multi-Media: Christine Budzowski 7230 West 80th St. Los Angeles, CA 90045 310-821-0111 ecwwebmaster@ecwnational.org Province representatives Province I: Shirley Greiman 25 Wolcott Woods Simsbury CT 06070 860-803-7525 province1@ecwnational.org Province II: Margaret Ann Cash 3923 Amundsen Ave. Bronx NY 10466 718-994-1946 province2@ecwnational.org Province III: L. Meigan Chan 1940 T Place SE Washington DC 20020 202-889-3802 province3@ecwnational.org Province IV: Barbara Owens 5 Mary Ridge Court River Ridge, LA 70123 504-737-1845 province4@ecwnational.org
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Province V: Valerie Hoffman-Hatcher 437 Vine St. Morris IL 60450 815-942-5432 province5@ecwnational.org Province VI: Mary K. Whisler 645 South 43rd St. Boulder, CO 80305 303-499-5551 province6@ecwnational.org Province VII: Patsy Duncan 2209 W. Spruce Ave. Duncan OK 73533 580-255-4310 province7@ecwnational.org Province VIII: The Rev. Nancy Crawford 1595 E. 31st Ave. Eugene OR 97405 541-543-1122 province8@ecwnational.org Province IX: The Rev. D. Digna Suyapa Rodriquez Colonia Trejo 23 Av.C Calle 21 Al Sur Oeste 1106 San Pedro, Sula/Honduras 011-504-773-6089 province9@ecwnational.org Parliamentarian: Connie Skidmore, RP P.O. Box 4588 Incline Village, NV 89450 775-831-6289 cwskid@att.net