Episcopal Churchwomen Self-Study Has Results
Diocesan Press Service. September 7, 1966 [46-3]
Self-study and greater participation in the life of the whole church, called for at the 1964 Triennial Meeting of the women of the church, has caught the imagination of Episcopal Churchwomen across the land with some startling results.
In the diocese of Central New York officers and personnel of the departments of Christian Education, Christian Social Relation, the Laity and the Division of Stewardship and the Episcopal Churchwomen have been consolidated into one department on an experimental basis. In the Diocese of West Texas the Board of the Episcopal Churchwomen embarked on a campaign to put itself out of existence and succeeded. The Board felt that the needs of parish women's groups could be met by existing diocesan departments. A lay activities committee has been appointed to serve until the transfer of responsibilities can be completed.
In the Missionary District of Idaho, one of the pilot dioceses of the Joint Urban Program, the women are also caught up in the spirit of change. After considerable study of how the contribution of churchwomen might have greater impact on the life and work of the church, the District organization, the Episcopal Churchwomen of Idaho, was disbanded with the understanding that their time, resources and talents would be invested through the total program of the District. Election of delegates to the Triennial Meeting was also integrated into the total life of the District, becoming a part of the regular agenda of the District Convocation. One of the delegates so elected was the Rev. William Spofford, Jr. A similar honor was given the Rev. V. Powell Woodward of Central New York.
The responsibilities of the diocesan board of the ECW of Maryland are in the process of being merged with those of diocesan departments and visions. In Utah the women have decided, again after extensive study, that "informal and flexible" women's groups to help newcomers, to offer study and discussion, and to help women recognize that "Church work" is being Christian in the community would better meet the needs of parishes and diocese.
While such drastic changes have not occurred in many dioceses efforts are being made throughout the United States to increase communications between churchwomen's groups and clergy, laymen and young people. Several diocesan boards have taken a detailed look at their jobs and have streamlined their structures. Although study has taken on different characteristics in different parts of the country, with differing results, churchwomen throughout the country have responded to the call for self-evaluation and for increased participation.