News from Marcie Chérau, Province IV Representative, National ECW Board

ECW National Board - Report of Fourth Meeting   November 10, 2007      

 

I have recently returned from our fourth ECW National Board Meeting.  What a pleasure to represent you and to meet at our National Church Center in New York City! Having a group meeting with our Presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts-Schori was indeed one of the highlights of the trip. She sees us as a bridge-building ministry in the life of the church, connecting women with each other and with the larger church.  She admonished us to “…keep doing what you’re doing well “!  While there we enjoyed the LIVE WEB CAST of the Presiding Bishop.

           

We had lunch with the National UTO Board, as they were meeting in New York at the same time we were meeting, and had the opportunity to meet their new coordinator. Her name is Elizabeth Beech-Hacking, and she is a delightful person. Due to health problems in Connie Seguro’s family, Regina Rattarree has assumed the National UTO Presidency, and Pam Stewart is the new Vice-President. Others we met with were:  Margaret Rose, Office of Women’s Ministries; Kurt Barnes, from Finance; Bob Williams, Head of Communications, and joined by Maggie Williams, from Mississippi, our Communiqué’ Editor; Mary Brennan, World and Global Missions; Jackie Osega, Director, Religions for Peace; and David Beahrs, Chancellor to the Presiding Bishop. Kim Robey, from Women’s Ministries, discussed the Beijing Circle Plan of Action, and took us through one of the 12 critical planks addressing global issues affecting women.  

           

Your National ECW Worship Committee, of which I am chair, finalized some important decisions pertaining to our 2009 Triennial Meeting. The Board chose the Musician and Chaplain for the meeting. I will announce this as soon as they are contacted and confirm our nomination. I am pleased to announce that the theme for the Triennium is “GROW IN GRACE”, 2 Peter 3:18. You may begin using that as your Diocesan theme, if you wish. Your Board is getting excited about our upcoming Triennial Meeting. I hope that you are already making plans to attend. I would like to see Province IV well represented!

           

During the meeting, the Board made 10 blankets for the homeless center at St. Bart’s Episcopal Church in the city. We also voted to support the Jericho House Project for homeless victims of Katrina, and we will begin collecting money to help support this project. We need to raise $110,000.00 to build a house. These projects came from the Social Justice committee.

           

Twenty Episcopal Women from Province II joined us for lunch on Friday.  It is a joy to have the various Province women join us at each of our Board meetings.

           

REMINDERS: The Communiqué is now online. Visit us at www.nationalecw.org. Our own Province IV will be featured in the next Communiqué. Please begin now sending me your news and pictures, as well as articles and recipes for “Radical Hospitality”.

           

I have met with some of our Diocesan ECWs, but I still have many to go. Please give me the dates of your meetings so that I can plan a visit.

 

Until then, my love and blessings to each of you.

 

Marcie