The Episcopal Church Women
Charlotte Lough, St. Thomas ECW President
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 Click here for minutes of previous meetings
Normally, all women at St Thomas are considered members of Episcopal Church Women (ECW), and we look forward to welcoming you to our monthly meetings in the Parish Hall. Covid forced us to alter our normal routine. We had some meetings in the park this past year, and during winter we met by zoom. We have resumed socially distanced meetings with masks at the church since almost all church members have received their vaccine. Any meetings will be announced by email.
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Our meetings include the coordination of many aspects of our church’s social life. ECW sponsors church potluck dinners, special events, rummage sales and an annual Christmas Bazaar. Needless to say, those activities were curtailed last year. BUT last year we held a successful virtual bazaar. Combining our talents, together we renew ourselves as we serve the Lord and St. Thomas Church.
On the diocesan level, there is also an active ECW, but just as our St. Thomas group, they have also had to approach their ministry in a different way, according to their annual report. "The Episcopal Church Women are all about Outreach, Mission and Ministry. Our main Mission is to empower women to do God's ministry in the world. We seek to support all women through our faith and sisterhood with programs and gatherings around our diocese reaching out with events, meetings and activities as we strive to be one with each other in Christ."
"Each year the Board sets five times to meet, in accordance with our by-laws. This year, we along with all others in the diocese, have had to rethink our planning to reach our goals. The January Annual Gathering Business Meeting was hosted at Good Samaritan in Corvallis. Our year was on its way...just not as we had just planned. Covid-19 became the ruling force for our year. We found ourselves bound by the guidelines and importance of The Quarantine. Under the logic of science and the guidance by Bishop Hanley we are in compliance and trying to make some sense as we go forward. Spirituality Day was cancelled for 2020, as was our August Retreat/Business Meeting. Last month we stretched ourselves and held A ZOOM ADVENTURE Annual Meeting. About 40 attended and the event was a wonderful experience. The Convention Luncheon also was canceled. Our year is complete."
"Each year the Board sets five times to meet, in accordance with our by-laws. This year, we along with all others in the diocese, have had to rethink our planning to reach our goals. The January Annual Gathering Business Meeting was hosted at Good Samaritan in Corvallis. Our year was on its way...just not as we had just planned. Covid-19 became the ruling force for our year. We found ourselves bound by the guidelines and importance of The Quarantine. Under the logic of science and the guidance by Bishop Hanley we are in compliance and trying to make some sense as we go forward. Spirituality Day was cancelled for 2020, as was our August Retreat/Business Meeting. Last month we stretched ourselves and held A ZOOM ADVENTURE Annual Meeting. About 40 attended and the event was a wonderful experience. The Convention Luncheon also was canceled. Our year is complete."
Worldwide, ECW energy works through many other women's groups within and without the church searching for social justice for women in the world. The National Episcopal Women and the Episcopal Women's Caucus are jointly sponsoring seven (of our 20) Episcopal delegates to this year's United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Remember, we are still working toward implementing the Millennium Development Goals for women and girls throughout the world.
Click below or on the ECW logo to go to the National website
http://ecwnational.org/
Click below or on the ECW logo to go to the National website
http://ecwnational.org/
