Episcopal Church Women Diocese of Louisiana

Transcription

1 ECW mbrace the ommunity & orld 130th Annual Gathering Episcopal Church Women Diocese of Louisiana Friday and Saturday June 2-3, 2017 Host Church: St. Augustine s Church Metairie, LA The Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Louisiana is pleased to invite you to its 130 th ECW Annual Gathering to be held at St. Augustine s church, Metairie, June 2-3, 2017.Our theme this year is: ECW Embrace the Community and World. The Scripture focus comes from the Gospel of Matthew, I was a stranger and you welcomed me. (Matt. 25:35B) Indeed, all are welcome to join us at the Annual Gathering for Christian fellowship, worship, learning and fun! So, do not be a stranger; embrace and celebrate with us the divine spark that God gives to each of us. The Annual Gathering planning team has designed a wonderful program. On Friday, June 2, the Rt. Rev. James B. Brown will lead us in Evening Prayer assisted by the Very Rev. A. J. Heine, rector of St. Augustine s and dean of the Jefferson Deanery. St. Augustine s parishioner Ann Sale will lead a tour of the church s stained glass and icons. Friday s featured presentation will focus on the ministry for women conducted at Eden House, New Orleans. A jazz reception will conclude Friday s program at the home of ECW Vice President Jeanne Roques and husband Chuck Blanchard. The ECW of St. Augustine s and the churches of the greater New Orleans area are sponsoring the soiree. The Rev. William Miller, a popular author and rector of Christ Church, Covington, will be Saturday s keynote speaker. Miller is the author of The Gospel According to Sam and The Beer Drinker s Guide to God. He is a dynamic speaker, innovator, and Jazz enthusiast who recently moved to Louisiana following tenures at churches in the Dioceses of Texas and Hawaii. We are blessed to have Bishop Morris Thompson on Saturday who will bring us news about our diocese and who will serve as celebrant at the Festival Eucharist complete with parish banners. A wonderful luncheon will be prepared by Chef Morgan James. The Honored Woman Program will be featured Saturday along with several workshops designed to embrace women s minds, bodies, and spirits. Overnight guests may take advantage of special event rates at the Marriott Metairie at Lakeway, located near the south shore entrance of the Causeway Bridge, a short distance from St. Augustine s venue. Please review the Important Details page enclosed with this letter for information on booking a room and other important items. The Annual Gathering is a nurturing springtime event offering women an opportunity to enjoy one another s company, share ideas, and make new friendships among your sisters in Christ. Join us for a wonderful two days! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jeanne B. Roques, Vice President, ECW Diocese of Louisiana, at (504) or her: chuckjeanne504@gmail.com.

2 William Bill Miller is a man of many roles. He s a teacher, motivational speaker, author, former co-owner of a bar and founder of various jazz fests with a soulful purpose. You would think all of that would keep him busy, but those accomplishments take a back seat to his main calling; he s also an Episcopal priest with a lot of stories to tell. Father Bill, as he s affectionately referred to, uses his sense of humor and his gift of storytelling to intertwine real life tales with those of the Gospel as a way of enlightening, not only his congregation but all those he comes into contact with. He s even taken his stories a step further and has written two books, The Gospel According to Sam: Animal Stories for the Soul and The Beer Drinker s Guide to God: The Whole and Holy Truth About Lager, Loving and Living. It s those books and his engaging talks that now have Fr. Bill traveling for appearances and book signings. His career has been a journey of twists and turns. He began his ministry in 1986 as the Director of Youth Ministries in Houston, Texas. From there, he became Vicar and later, Rector of St. James Church in Austin, Texas, only to move back to Houston to serve as Rector of historic Trinity Church in Midtown Houston. It was a complete change of pace in 2006 when Fr. Bill found himself ditching the cowboy boots for flip-flops, as he became Rector of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church on the island of Kauai. He settled nicely into the leisurely pace of Hawaii, but in 2015, Fr. Bill notes, Covington, Louisiana came a calling. His love of the South, music and food convinced him it was time to pack up his belongings and two beloved dogs, Nawiliwili Nelson and Sinbad, and head to the tight-knit community of Covington, located just outside New Orleans. He is now Rector of Christ Episcopal Church. But it s his books and his personal style of engaging everyone he meets that is making him a household name. Words are so important to Fr. Bill and when asked to name a few of his favorite words, he says without hesitation, Laughter, joy, risk, adventure, innovation, yes, aloha, howdy, dogs, beer, waves, and travel. And for anyone who has read one of his books, they will find all of those words and much more within the pages of his writings. He uses his wit and love of animals to connect with readers on topics of spirituality and faith.

3 IMPORTANT DETAILS 2017 DELEGATES The ECW By-laws allow for "four voting delegates from each branch which gives active financial support to the ECW diocesan budget." Visitors are welcome too. REGISTRATION A separate registration sheet for each person is necessary. Please make as many copies as you need. Early registration is helpful and facilitates the registration process. EXHIBITS See the Registration form in this mailing to reserve a space for an exhibit. ECW groups, church groups, church bookstores and other outside vendors are encouraged to bring their goods for sale on Friday and Saturday. Register early for a space. LOCATION: St. Augustine s Episcopal Church, 3412 Haring Rd., Metairie LA Parking lot on Green Acres Rd plus curbside parking HOTEL RESERVATIONS/MARRIOTT METAIRIE at LAKEWAY The Episcopal Church Women of Louisiana have a block of rooms reserved for the night of Friday, June 2, 2017 at the Marriott Metairie at Lakeway for the rate of $ Valet parking is available for the special rate of $5.00. Marriott Metairie at Lakeway is located at 3838 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie, LA Make your reservations early. Only a limited number of rooms have been reserved for this price, and the hotel will only hold the rooms for us until Friday, May 5, To book a room, call Marriott reservations at The reservation is under "Episcopal Church Women of Louisiana." If you want to book online, Jeanne Roques at chuckjeanne504@gmail.com and she will forward you the Marriott s link to our group booking. If the Marriott is booked up, consider calling The SHERATON METAIRIE-NEW ORLEANS HOTEL, 4 Galleria Boulevard, Metairie, LA 70001, Hotel: We don t have a special rate or group booking at the Sheraton. OTHER ITEMS NEEDED FOR ANNUAL GATHERING MEMORIAL LIST The Memorials form is in the back of the ECW Handbook. Use the form to provide the names of women in your congregation who have died during The names are remembered in the Prayers of the People at the Annual Gathering. Send the form to Virginia Blanke Briant, 821 Bocage Lane, Mandeville, LA or vpblanke@bellsouth.net by May 15 so your church women will be remembered. BANNERS Banners add a festive air to the Annual Gathering Eucharist and we encourage you all to bring your banner for the processional leading into Saturday's Celebration of the Eucharist. Please be sure to bring a stand or base on which to put your banner. Bring the banner to the church when you arrive. WORKSHOP MATERIALS Check the workshop offerings when the final agenda comes out. (We may have a couple workshops for which you will want to bring special items like a yoga mat/beach towel or a vase and garden clippers!) A SWEATER OR JACKET We never know how cold a meeting room might become and want you to be comfy. Please bring a sweater or jacket. 1 The room rate is subject to applicable state & local taxes at the time of check-out, which are currently 13.75%.

4 OFFERINGS & COLLECTIONS DURING ANNUAL GATHERING UNITED THANK OFFERING Parish UTO coordinators sit together at the Saturday Eucharist in the front pews and present their parish offering to the Bishop or his designee. Bring your UTO checks to put in the "Blue Box" during the Eucharist. If you have not yet had your spring UTO ingathering, please bring a white envelope containing the date of your ingathering. Please designate a substitute person to present your UTO gift if your UTO coordinator cannot attend. MINISTRY OFFERING An offering will be received during Evening Prayer on Friday for Eden House New Orleans, our featured ministry. CORPORATE GIFT The designated corporate gift offering is received at the Saturday Eucharist. This year's offering will be used to establish a need-based scholarship fund for youths to attend Happening, Junior High Rally and Senior High Rally. JERICHO ROAD is in need of new or gently used work gloves, rakes, shovels, shears & wheelbarrows for the maintenance of the community garden and orchard. Jericho Road's programs include providing healthy and affordable food preparation, growing education and resources at their community green spaces. They also use this equipment to implement strategies on vacant lots that reduce incidents of blight. Please collect the needed items and bring them with you to the Annual Gathering. The mission of Eden House is to end human and sex trafficking one woman at a time. Eden House empowers women to transform their lives through the healing power of life in community. We do this by providing a safe home, coordinating recovery services, and through advocacy, outreach, education, and love. In-Kind Donation Needs Office Needs House Needs Avery Address Labels Forever Stamps Printer Paper HP 131A LaserJet Toner Cartridges HP 6700 Ink (Black and XL) HP LaserJet 12A (Black Ink Cartridge) Storage Bins Dishwashing Detergent Tide Laundry Detergent Pods Dryer Sheets Toilet Paper Kleenex Tissues Sturdy clothing racks 108 Room-darkening curtains Silverware Find more information about Eden House s mission and our complete wish list on our website: Bring donations for Eden House with you to the Annual Gathering.

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6 130 th Annual Gathering Episcopal Church Women, Diocese of Louisiana St. Augustine s Episcopal Church, Metairie, LA June 2-3, 2017 ECW: Embracing the Community & World Friday June 2 AGENDA (subject to change) 4:00 pm Registration/Exhibits/Light Refreshments Byrd Hall 4:30 pm Welcome Announcements St. Augustine ECW President Jeanne Roques, Diocesan ECW Vice President 4:45 pm Ministry Presentation Eden House New Orleans The Reverend Mitchell Smith, et al 5:15 pm Break 5:30 pm Stained Glass & Icon Tour of St. Augustine s Church St. Augustine s Church Ann Sale, Stained Glass Artist & Member of St. Augustine s Church 6:15 pm Evening Prayer The Right Reverend James B. Brown, IX Bishop of LA, Retired, and The Very Reverend AJ Heine, Jr., Rector 7:00 pm Welcome Reception The Blanchard s Home Saturday June 3 8:15 am Registration & Continental Breakfast Byrd Hall 8:45 am Welcome Announcements Opening Devotion 9:00 am Plenary Session Call to Order & President s Report Roll Call & Minutes Treasurer s Report Nominations & Elections St. Augustine ECW President Jeanne Roques, Diocesan ECW Vice President Cecile Torbergsen, Diocesan ECW Board Ann Ball, Diocesan ECW President Marilyn Hines, Diocesan ECW Secretary Ellen King, Diocesan ECW Treasurer Laurel McCartney, Diocesan ECW Nominations Chair 9:45 am State of the Church Address The Right Reverend Morris K. Thompson, Jr. XI Bishop of Louisiana 10:15 am Break Page 1 of 2

7 10:30am Keynote Address The Reverend William Miller, Rector of Christ Church Covington and author of The Gospel According to Sam and The Beer Drinker s Guide to God 11:00 am Break & Book Signing 11:15 am Honored Woman Presentation DeLores Jenkins, Diocesan ECW Board 11:45 am Festival Eucharist with banner procession, Installation of Officers & UTO Ingathering St. Augustine s Church Bishop Thompson and Father Heine 12:45 pm Luncheon by Chef Morgan James Byrd Hall 1:45-2:45 pm Workshops Locations TBA Workshops 1:45 2:15pm Embrace the Beauty of the Community & World: Floral Arranging for Church & Home Presented by Reba Mackey, Master Gardener Embrace the Spirit in the Community & World: Mindful Meditation Guided by Gael Thompson, Co-Founder of Tibetan House (NOLA) 2:15-2:45pm Embrace the Unity & Diversity of the Community & World: We re All Just Tootsie Pops Presented by Myra Noustens, M.S.W., L.C.S.W. Embrace the University Community & World: A Look at Ecumenical Campus Ministry Presented by Chaplain Watson Lamb, Episcopal/ELCA Chaplain to Tulane/Loyola, New Orleans 3:00 pm Invitation to 131 st Annual Gathering Closing Prayer & Adjournment Byrd Hall ECW Representative from Host Church Ann Ball, Diocesan ECW President Page 2 of 2

8 REGISTRATION FORM 130 TH ANNUAL GATHERING OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA ST. AUGUSTINE S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, METAIRIE, LOUISIANA JUNE 2-3, 2017 A separate registration form is required for each person attending so please make and distribute copies as needed. Each church is allowed four delegates for voting and is encouraged to invite exhibitors and additional women to attend as guests. Diocesan Board Members, Delegates & Guests Spouses (meals & refreshments) Sent by MAY 5 Friday Only $25.00 $20.00/day Saturday Only $30.00 $20.00/day Both Days $40.00 Sent after MAY 5 Friday Only $30.00 $20.00/day Saturday Only $35.00 $20.00/day Both Days $50.00 Please Print Name: Mailing Address: City: Zip: Address: Phone: Church Deanery Please Mark the Appropriate Box(es) Below: Diocesan Board Member Guest Clergy Delegate Spouse Ministry Exhibitor EXHIBITORS: No. of Tables Requested Vendor Exhibitor* Exhibit Name/Type: $20.00/day Include Me in Meals & Refreshments Friday Saturday *$20.00 Table Fee/Vendors Only For information on tables & exhibit area, contact: Joy (504) or Joy.Roques@yahoo.com Make Checks Payable to: "ECW Diocese of LA" Send Registration Forms & Payments to: Ellen King, Diocesan ECW Treasurer 7963 Walden Rd. Baton Rouge, LA Total Amount Enclosed $ For additional information or with questions about registration, contact Jeanne B. Roques, ECW Vice President, at chuckjeanne504@gmail.com or (504)