ECW Meets in Florida
Episcopal News Service. March 23, 1989 [89059]
WINTER PARK, Fla. (DPS, Mar. 23) -- San Pedro Conference Center in Winter Park, Florida, was the site for the recent board meeting of the National Episcopal Church Women (ECW). Marjorie Burke, ECW head, presided at the week-long meeting that included daily worship, Bible study, business sessions, and committee meetings. Much of the agenda focused on addressing the concerns articulated in the vision statement and goals adopted by the group in November 1988.
As a response to the baptismal covenant, the board will pursue action for change in the area of social injustice and has appointed Emily Wilson, representative from Province I, to represent the ECW at a spring conference sponsored by Bread for the World. Wilson also will serve on the board of the Religious Network of Equality for Women (RNEW).
Gloria Brown from the Episcopal Church Center assisted board members in a series of exercises on the issue of inclusion that will help the ECW build an accepting atmosphere where every woman is welcomed and valued for her individual ministry.
As part of their ongoing support for ECW members in the Philippines as their Church moves toward autonomy, the board sent a letter of affirmation and support to the ECW national president in the Philippines. Ann Smith, executive for Women in Mission and Ministry at the Episcopal Church Center, present at the Winter Park board meeting, will be among those from ECW in the United States at the Philippines ECW meeting to be held in Manila in March.
Committees for the coming triennium were appointed and began their work. The chairs of the various committees are worship, Myra Bone; finance, Mary Leigh Armstrong; program, Enid Bishop; social justice, June Gregory; and communications, Helen Young. These committees, together with the Women of Vision Management Team and the Women to Women Committee, are responsible for the ongoing programs of the ECW and the planning and implementation of the triennial meeting. The ECW Communique, published four times a year, is the reciprocal communication link that connects the woman in the pew with the national board, with news of programs, resources and events. Gay Gamage, RD #1, Box 174, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, is the new editor of the ECW Communique.
Ginger Paul, convenor of the Management Team for Women of Vision (a spiritually based leadership skills training program), announced that 1,058 women have participated in presentations across the United States. There are 15 presenter/trainers and 153 presenters, with Training of Presenters (TOP) scheduled for Provinces II, III, and VI this summer. Susan Young has been appointed to serve on the executive committee of the Episcopal Diocesan Ecumenical Officers (EDEO).
Young will attend the EDEO annual meeting in April in Indianapolis. The Presiding Bishop has appointed Evelyn Brchan as Executive Council liaison to the board. Doris Attridege, vice president for program, was elected to the Executive Committee of the Joint Standing Committee on Planning and Arrangements for General Convention.
First Lady Barbara Bush has accepted an invitation to be an honorary member of the ECW board for 1989. Board members attended Sunday services at St. Richard's Church in Winter Park. William Folwell, Bishop of Central Florida, and Mrs. Folwell, and Lydia Hollands, president of the ECW of Central Florida, joined the board for dinner one evening. Ash Wednesday services were celebrated by the Rev. Barbara Mueller, college chaplain for the Diocese of Central Florida.
Several members of the ECW board -- including Sherry Maule, Emily Wilson, Dorothy Brittain (board consultant), and Marge Burke -- went on to Boston to attend the consecration of Barbara Harris. Burke participated in the service. A bishop's scarf was presented to Harris by the ECW board.