Episcopal Church Women

Episcopal Church Women

Who Are We?

We are all women of the Episcopal Church: rooted in our past
and growing into God's future.

How We Operate

The structure of the Episcopal Church Women has its roots in
the local congregations.

ECW Structure

Local Congregations' Women's Groups
Diocesan ECW Boards
Provincial Episcopal Church Women
National Board of Episcopal Church Women

Each level of the structure makes its own unique contribution
to the mission and ministry of women.

About our Logo

The Cross represents Christ and our service to Him in the World.
The circle stands for our hope for wholeness in our lives.
The out flowing lines from the center depict the many works of
Episcopal Church Women going out into the world.
The interwined lines represent our lives centered in Christ.

Our Mission

Episcopal Church Women exists to support all women in their
Mission and Ministry in the world.

Our 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 God-spark, shining and sharing the love of Christ.

What We Offer

Spiritual Growth and nourishment
Fellowship
Education
Leadership Training
Focus for mission and ministry
Opportunities for service, social action, and advocacy
Connection to a worldwide network of Anglican Women
Information found on the website www.nationalecw.org
and in the newsletter publication Communique.

             Affiliated Organizations

   Church Periodical Club (CPC) www.churchperiodical.com/   

   Daughters of the King (DOK) www.dok-national.org/  

   Episcopal Women’s Caucus (EWC)www.episcopalwomenscaucus.org/  
 
   Episcopal Women’s History Project (EWHP) www.ewhp.org/

   Girl’s Friendly Society (GFS) www.gfsusa.org/ 

   National Altar Guild Association (NAGA)  www.episcopalchurch.org/altarguild.htm 

   United Thank Offering (UTO) www.episcopalchurch.org/uto.htm

 

 

Episcopal Church Women's Prayer

Almighty God, we pray that you will bless our work in mission and ministry in the world.  Help us to pray fervently, labor diligently and give liberally to make known the power of your love given through your son Jesus Christ. Let us not forget the lessons from the past nor fear the challenges of the future. Anoint us with your grace and shine in our hearts as we reflect your light throughout the world.   Amen.
 

 

Episcopal Church Women’s Ministries Commission

Diocese of Central New York

           The Episcopal Church Women’s Ministries Commission represents women’s organizations and concerns within the Diocese of Central New York. It provides a unique opportunity for women of all ages, ethnic origins, and socio-economic backgrounds, who work in and outside their homes, single, married, widowed, divorced – ordained as well as lay, to share the gifts God has given us.           

            In the years since Bishop Huntington commissioned Deaconess Mary Burnham to begin organizing the work of the women in 1875, organized women’s ministries have continued to serve the people of the Diocese.  There are parish records that go back even farther.

            Since the beginning of organized women’s ministries, we have gathered for worship, sharing, education and outreach. We are Christian women in community.
                                                   Jennifer Kenna, Chairperson 




                                            Mission Statement

• To support and encourage all the women of the Diocese of Central New York in a spirit of sisterhood as they serve our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in their various and unique ministries in the church and in the world 
• To offer opportunities for spiritual growth
  
                                                 Vision
  
  
• To nurture spiritual growth through retreats, community prayer, and Daughters of the King
• To celebrate the Sisterhood of all women
• To support those leading parish women's ministries with educational programs
• To increase awareness of opportunities for service

Episcopal Church Women’s Ministries Commission

Honored Women’s Tea

In October of 2004, the ECW’s Ministries Commission held its first Tea to honor women from the parishes of the Diocese of Central New York. Each parish was invited to choose a woman from their congregation whom they felt had made a difference in the life of their church. (see separate pages for photos)

ECW's Ministries Commission Provides
Information and Opportunities to Share

Episcopal Church Women's Ministries Commission Newsletter 
     Our newsletter is one page, front and back, and is sent out two to four times each year to the parishes of our diocese who are willing to post it, reproduce and include it in their newsletter, or post it on their web site.  This often contains information about the ministries and events that both the Commission and the parishes want to share with women of the Diocese.

Diocesan ECW's Gathering  
     We held a gathering in Skaneateles where we shared the ministry ideas of our parish women's groups and the Commission reported on the Province II meeting.  The meeting was followed by a boat cruise and luncheon on Skaneateles Lake. 

 HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?      WANT MORE INFORMATION?  

        Want to start an Episcopal Church Women's group
                   or reorganize an existing group?

ECW's Ministries Commission members can help. 

See contact information that follows:  

  

MEMBERS OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN’S MINISTRIES COMMISSION

 

Chairperson:  Jennifer Kenna – 333 Dodge Avenue

                                                  Sackets Harbor, NY 13685

                                                  (315) 646-2022

 

Church Periodical Club

            Chairperson:  Ann Smith – 54 Pearl St.

                                                       Bainbridge, NY 13733

                                                       (607) 967-8328

 

Daughters of the King

            Chairperson:   Maria Dawson – 8528 Woodbox Road

                                                               Manlius, NY 13104

                                                               (315) 682-3360

 

United Thank Offering

            Chairperson:  Nancy Rancier – 15 Clark Street Road

                                                              Cayuga, NY 13034

                                                              (315) 252-1064

 

Chaplin:

            The Rev. Margaret (Toppie) Bates – St. James Church

                                                              96 E. Genesee St.

                                                              Skaneateles, NY 13152

                                                              (315) 685-7600

 

Secretary:  Donna Madara – 4 Scott Avenue

                                       Greene, NY 13778

                                       (607) 656-8866

Province II
Episcopal Church Women

The Episcopal Church is divided into nine provinces and the Diocese of Central New York is a member of Province II

 

Province II is comprised of the six dioceses of the State of New York, the two dioceses of the State of New Jersey, and the Diocese of Haiti, and Diocese of the Virgin Islands and the Convocation of American Churches of Europe

 

There are currently eight dioceses in Province II that remain active participants of Episcopal Church Women at the province level.  The Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Central New York is one of those that remain active.

 

Province II ECW 2008 Annual Meeting

May 16-18 at Spiritual Life Center, Greenwich, NY

Diocese of Albany

 

The weekend began Friday evening with a shared dinner and the opening of the business meeting.  We approved the 2009 budget proposal for $5,330, which covers travel and meeting expenses for Board members, for Annual and Triennnial meetings, office supplies, postage, and a $1000 line for misison.

 

The last item was instituted in 2006 as a means of outreach in the form of annual grants specifically targeted for women’s and children’s ministries; the receipients are selected by the annual meeting after an application process allowing each diocese to submit one application for cinsideration.  Monies from each diocese that are contributed in addition to yearly Province dues support it.

 

The first award was made in 2007 to an Anglican Women’s Empowerment project in honor of Phoebe Griswold, wife of our former presiding bishop and was a gift of the Province.  The 2008 award was granted in the amount of $500 each to two parishes; The Church of the Good Shepherd, Bronx, NY for its Summer Bible School/Cultural Expressions through Dance, Music and Art Program; and the Church of St. Mark the Evangelist, Syracuse, NY for its Fun Fridays and Sundaes, a Friday neighborhood outreach program.

 

The business meeting then continued with nominations and elections.  Jennifer Kenna of Central New York was re-elected President for a second term of three years.  Ann Smith from Central New York was approved and appointment to the position of Province II Representative to the National Board of the Church Periodical Club and Carolyn Belvin, Diocese of New Jersey was approved as alternate for the same position.  The meeting was then adjourned until Saturday afternoon.

 

The Diocese of Albany shared some of their mission activities and experiences with us on Saturday, Entitled “One Village at a Time” the presentation included presentations by two speakers, Karen Love, wife of Albany’s bishop, told us of her misison trip with nineteen others, including ten teenagers, to Bolivia last summer to help build and rebuild various structures and to do anything at all to supply helping hands.  Living without the amenities of their normal life while experiencing the joy of those they served was transforming for all who went along.  Linda Stevens, who is deeply involved in mission in the Diocese of Albany, told us about the shared mission to the Sudan that the diocses supports with the Church of Ireland, as well as, parish mission partnership programs to Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

 

Finally, after lunch, our chaplain for the weekend the Rev. Dr. Ann Curtain, presented a program about a parish ministry to victims of domestic violence which is called “Healing a Woman’s Soul,” a ministry with a goal of providing a place where women can learn to trust educating pastors and laity and using existing parish networks to establish advocacy and support groups.  It is most important to listen, love, and pray with these victims.

 

Continuing the business meeting, we heard reports from our representatives for National ECW Board and National United Thank Offering Committee, as well as, the Presidents of the dioceses.  The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

 

Blended into the fabric of the weekend were opportunities for wonderful worship, including a healing Eucharist on Saturday evening, a bus tour of the Center, fellowship, and fun.  The Province II ECW Board is deeply grateful to the women of the Diocese of Albansy for their warm and loving hospitality

    

 

 

Jennifer and Mary at the Province II Annual Meeting - 2008