2014 Annual Report Episcopal Church Women Diocese of Texas. Let Your Light Shine

Transcription

1 2014 Annual Report Episcopal Church Women Diocese of Texas Let Your Light Shine 113 th Annual Retreat for Women October 17-19, 2014 Camp Allen, Navasota, Texas

2 The mission of the Women of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas is to bring women together for sharing gifts of fellowship, service, and outreach while spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. The ECW Prayer Almighty God, Heavenly Father, source of all knowledge and truth, be present with each of us meeting together as the Women of the Episcopal Church. Grant us open minds, compassionate hearts, honest words and gentle ways. Give us the grace to know your will, the courage to accept it and the strength to accomplish it. May we not forget the lessons from the past nor fear the challenges of the future. Bless us with your peace today and all the days to come, and may we ever pray, "Thy will be done." We live in your presence and pray in your Holy Name. Amen All women in the parishes and missions of the Episcopal Church, Diocese of Texas, are members of this organization by virtue of their baptism and confirmation in the Episcopal Church.

3 Table of Contents Standing Rules...4 Business Meeting Agenda. 5 Minutes of the 2013 Annual Retreat ECW Board...8 Report of the Nominating Committee...9 Proposed 2015 ECW Budget Annual Reports of the Board...11 Thank You for 2014 Fair Shares Paid...20 Thanks to the Host Committee from Grace Episcopal, Georgetown...21

4 Standing Rules Episcopal Church Women Diocese of Texas 2014 Annual Business Meeting The voting body of this assembly shall be attendees of the Annual Retreat. A majority of the attendees at the meeting shall constitute a quorum. The chair shall recognize persons speaking in support of, and in opposition to, a question alternately, with the makers of the motion having the first right to the floor in debate. A motion to adjourn shall not be in order until all items on the agenda have been acted upon. Robert s Rules of Order: Newly Revised shall govern all proceedings of this meeting not covered in these Rules or not inconsistent with the ECW Diocese of Texas Bylaws.

5 Episcopal Church Women Diocese of Texas 113 th Annual Retreat for Women Business Meeting Agenda October 18, :00 a.m. Call to Order Introduction of Special Guests Minutes Standing Rules Proposed Budget 2015 New Business Proposed By Laws Nominating Committee Report Election of Officers Installation of Officers Invitation to Next Annual Retreat Announcements Betsy Sullivan, President Betsy Sullivan, President Lisa Martin - for Cathy Capers, Secretary Pam Holley, Parliamentarian Jane Brown, Treasurer Betsy Sullivan, President Gloria Schlemmer, Co-Chairman Betsy Sullivan, President The Rt. Rev. Jeff Fisher, Bishop Suffragan Lisa Martin, Incoming President Patricia Swaby, Vice President Adjournment of Business Meeting

6 112th Annual Retreat Minutes Episcopal Church Women, Diocese of Texas November 22, 2013 President Betsy Sullivan called the business meeting of the 112 th Annual Retreat of the ECW Diocese of Texas to order at 7:00p.m., November 22, 2013, at Camp Allen in Navasota. She then began with a prayer. Betsy thanked the women of St. Dunstan s, Houston and their clergy for all the work they had put into the Annual Retreat and presented them with a gift. Betsy also thanked Vice-President, Dee Darby for her tireless efforts in coordinating the event with St. Dunstan s. President Sullivan thanked Cathy Capers secretary, for putting together the Annual Report and obtaining the vendors, Christianne Melanson, Treasurer, for managing our finances and creating a budget, Michelle Carlson, our Communications Coordinator for the 2014 calendars, and Pam Holley, Parliamentarian, for her work on the Necrology report. President Sullivan then introduced our special guests, our keynote speaker, and the 4 previous presidents of the ECW Diocese of Texas. Betsy then announced that our Outreach project for this year is Freedom Place, a home in the Houston area for minor girls who are victims of human trafficking. She thanked all who had donated a gift card and reminded participants that they could take their card to the Hope Outreach Room in the Conference Center. Secretary, Cathy Capers reported that the minutes from the 2012 Annual Retreat had been certified by Anne Berry and Teresa Lawrence of Liberty. They are filed as the official record of that meeting. Cathy reported attendance at the 2013 Annual Retreat was 165. Cathy moved the adoption of the report. This report needs no second and requires a simple majority for approval. The motion was adopted. Pam Holley, Parliamentarian, read the standing rules of the meeting and moved the acceptance of the report. Needing no second, the rules were voted upon and adopted. Christianne Melanson, treasurer, presented her report. The 2014 proposed budget is printed in the Annual Report Booklet on page 7, and the financial report on page 8. She moved adoption of the 2014 budget as printed. The motion passed. President Sullivan then announced the election of officers and asked Lisa Martin, Co-Chair of the Nominating Committee to present the nominees. Lisa presented the following: Jane Brown, St. Stephen s, Liberty, treasurer; Debbie Johnson, St. Dunstan s, Houston, Outreach Chairman. Betsy then asked for nominations from the floor. Being none, she declared nominations closed. Lisa Martin then moved to elect the slate of nominees. This requires no second, and the motion passed. President Sullivan declared these women duly elected officers of the Diocesan Episcopal Church Women. She then recognized the outgoing Board members and thanked them for their service: Betty Beathard, West Harris Convocation Coordinator, Jane Brown, Outreach Coordinator. Chairman, Christianne Melanson, treasurer, Ginny Reinhardt, Northeast Convocation Coordinator. President Sullivan reported that, for the past year, the board has undertaken a visioning process in order to ensure a viable ministry of support for the women of the Diocese of Texas both today and in the future. The board concluded this effort by voting on recommendations to implement. Some of these will require by laws changes. She encouraged everyone to read the

7 summary report on page 20 of the Annual Report Booklet to consider voting on those changes next year. Betsy concluded the business meeting and asked Bishop Fisher to ask the blessing for our meal. Following dinner, an Honored Women presentation took place. Michelle Carlson shared a video she had prepared of this year s honored women. Cathy Capers then announced the names of those nominated in the diocese. A special presentation was made to those who were in attendance: Anne Pankratz, St. Dunstan s Houston; Rona Drake, Christ the King Episcopal Church Houston; Velma Busby, St, Stephen s Liberty; The Rev. Ann Normand and The Rev. Helen Appelberg. Betsy then introduced our keynote speaker, Louise Bayless Parsley of Houston. Cathy Capers Secretary

8 2014 EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN BOARD, DIOCESE OF TEXAS President Betsy Sullivan (2014) Vice-President Patricia Swaby (2015) Secretary Cathy Capers (2015) Treasurer Jane Brown (2016) Austin Convocation Lisa Martin (2014) Central Convocation Susan Ashley-LaFitte (2014) East Harris/ Southeast Convocation Karen Wesley (2015) Galveston/Southwest Convocation Gloria Schlemmer (2015) Northeast Convocation Mary Price (2016) Outreach Debbie Johnson (2016) United Thank Offering Ellen Cook (2014) Vera Gang Scott Scholarship Roberta Vallantyne (2014) Bishop Kinsolving Memorial/ ECW Endowment Fund Trish Johnston (2014) Communications Michelle Carlson (2014) Altar Guild Director Joan Konecny (representative) Daughters of the King Jackie Eckersley (representative) Parliamentarian Pam Holley (appointed) Bishop Suffragan The Rt. Rev. Jeff W. Fisher Northwest Convocation Barbara Wright (2015) San Jacinto/West Harris Convocation Jennifer Chachere (2016)

9 Report of the Nominating Committee Members: Cathy Capers, Chair Gloria Schlemmer Karen Wesley Michelle Carlson Ellen Cook Board Nominations for 2015: President: Lisa Martin, Austin Northwest/Central Coordinator: Pamelyn Reed, Cypress Austin Convocation Coordinator: Susan Gezana, Austin Northeast Convocation Coordinator: Susan Brown, Longview UTO/Bishop Kinsolving/Endowment Fund: Nancy Dalton, Pearland Communications: Ann Seyler, Austin Triennial Delegates Lisa Martin, Austin Jane Brown, Liberty Nancy Dalton, Pearland Ann Seyler, Austin Triennial Delegate Alternates Debbie Johnson, Houston Cathy Capers, Waco

10 Episcopal Church Women, Diocese of Texas Proposed Budget 2015 Income ECW Income Fair Share 36, Interest Vera Gang Contributions 8, Annual Retreat Income Annual Retreat-Room/Board 17, Annual Retreat-Vendors Annual Retreat Income 17, ECW Income 61, Total Income 61, Expense Event Expense Summary Annual Retreat Registration Expense 16, Annual Retreat Speakers 3, Annual Retreat - Other Expenses 3, Spiritual Growth/Convocation Expense 3, Event Expense Summary 25, Outreach Expense Summary Vera Gang Scholarships 8, Outreach Grants 5, ECW National DFMS Cont 1, Other Outreach 2, Outreach Expense Summary 16, Delegate Expense Summary Triennial Delegate Expense 7, Diocesan Council Expense 1, Delegate Expense Summary 8, Administrative Expenses Board Expenditure Reimbursements 1, Board Mileage Expense 4, Board Meetings 3, Calendars 3, Accounting Review Expense Other Administrative Expenses Administrative Expenses 13, Total Expense 63, Net Income -1,500.00

11 Episcopal Church Women, Diocese of Texas 2014 Reports of the Board President Betsy Sullivan My third and final year as president of the Diocesan Episcopal Church Women began at the 112 th Annual Retreat for Women at Camp Allen, where we welcomed a total of 165 women. I presided at all board meetings during the year and stayed in close communication with Bishop Jeff Fisher, our diocesan representative. Working with our board members to implement our vision, a process which we completed last year, I helped revise our by laws, consolidated board positions, and expanded both outreach and spiritual growth opportunities. I represented our organization throughout the diocese in various capacities, visiting St. John s, Columbus; St. Matthew s, Henderson; St. Martin s, Houston; St. Joseph s, Salado; Trinity, Galveston; St. James, Houston; Lord of the Streets, Houston; St. Vincent s Episcopal House, Galveston; and St. Dunstan s, Houston. I attended Diocesan Council, participated in the opening Eucharist, and supervised our exhibit booth. As an ex officio member, I attended all Executive Board meetings of the diocese and reported on the activities of Diocesan ECW. I also met with the Canon to the Ordinary to discuss ways for ECW to better reach out to local communities and churches. My goals as president have been to increase outreach grants and opportunities, continue our scholarship program for college bound Episcopal women, increase spiritual growth opportunities, and continue to reach out to all women. I pray for the Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Texas as we move into the future. Betsy Sullivan, President ` Vice-President, Patricia Swaby In January, I accepted to fill the remaining two-year Vice-Presidency term of Dee Darby. Due to a conflicting schedule I was not able to attend the January board meeting. Before the May Executive meeting I had met with Dee and Betsy, to learn more about my responsibilities as Vice-President and to begin preparing for the Annual Women s Retreat. Activities are as follows: Attended ECW Executive Board meeting at Camp Allen Handled accommodations and meals for the ECW July board meeting at Camp Allen Attended July ECW board meeting Spoke with and delegated responsibilities to members of the Events Committee for Retreat Began work on Retreat Coordinated with Bishop Fisher s office for 2015 Retreat dates

12 Retreat planning - Working closely with our President, Betsy Sullivan and Communications Chair, Michelle Carlson, and Treasurer Jane Brown Secured Workshop leaders & speakers Brochure printing & distribution to Bishops & Convocation Coordinators Preparing other documents for printing Registered board members & speakers for retreat Coordinating with Cathy Capers on vendors Coordinating with Georgia, Grace Church, Georgetown Corresponding with guests relating to retreat Purchased & setup a new laptop with finance & productivity software for Treasurer Working with Jane on Records Management for our board members, relating to retainage and archiving methods of records. In His Name, Patricia Swaby Secretary, Cathy Capers As ECW Diocese of Texas Executive Board Secretary, I attended all board meetings and prepared minutes for these meetings. I then sent the minutes to all board members. I also served on the Annual Retreat Planning Committee and secured vendors for the event. I prepared the Annual Report booklet for the 2014 Annual Meeting. Cathy Capers Treasurer, Jane Brown In my first year as Treasurer of the Episcopal Church Women I have concentrated on two (2) goals. The first was to learn the history of all of the funds held by the ECW-DOT. The second was to develop the QuickBooks software owned by the ECW-DOT to accurately and transparently account for all of the financial transactions of the organization. Along with President Betsy Sullivan, I co-authored the letter that accompanied the 2014 Fair Share Assessment statements mailed to 150 churches in the Diocese of Texas. There remain a number of churches that have not yet responded to that letter. In addition to issuing checks, receiving deposits and reconciling statements, I have also made recommendations to the ECW-DOT board regarding financial matters and presented the new format for the Balance Sheet and P&L from QuickBooks. My goal for next year is to document ECW-DOT financial policies and procedures for future use and conformity. Respectfully, Jane E. Brown

13 Austin Convocation, Lisa Martin It has been a blessing to serve as the Austin Convocation Coordinator for the past year. It is always a pleasure to visit with the more established ECWs in the convocation as well as assist those churches that are interested in forming a women s group. One of the highlights for the year was the Spiritual Growth Workshop held in conjunction with the Northwest Convocation at St. Joseph s Episcopal Church in Salado on March 15, The workshop was entitled Tending Your Spiritual Garden and featured the Rev. Mary Koppel of Good Shepherd, Austin, as speaker. The quaint church setting was perfect as the backdrop for the gathering. Participants enjoyed making bath crystals, rock salt potpourri, and prayer beads after the presentation. They also took away containers of lotion as well as recycled paper with wildflower seeds and travel bags with information on Texas destinations. A big thank you to Rev. Bliss and his wife, Melanie, for their hospitality in hosting the event. I also attended Good Shepherd s Christmas tea, St. Mark s champagne brunch, St. John s Stations of the Cross from the female perspective, St. James Lenten tea, St. Michael s potluck dinner and labyrinth presentation, assisted with the ECW information table at Council, and delivered several hundred little dresses to El Buen Samaritano. In June, I attended the Province VII meeting at Camp Mitchell in Arkansas representing the Diocese of Texas ECW. During a mission trip to assist with the refugees in McAllen in July, I coordinated a $500 donation from the Diocesan ECW for the purchase of women s underwear and shoes to Catholic Charities in McAllen. I will close by giving praise for Grace Episcopal Church, Georgetown, for hosting the 2014 Annual Retreat. I m just delighted that a church from the Austin Convocation stepped up to host the retreat and give thanks to Georgia Raffalovich, the Annual Retreat Chair, and all the women of Grace that are involved with the retreat. In God s Service, Lisa Martin Central Convocation, Susan Ashley LaFitte As I come to the end of my 3-year term, I know that I have been truly blessed to have been given this opportunity to serve with women of the Diocese of Texas. During my term, I became very aware of how much we depend on communication. Whether it s techy or old school, things just will not happen without communication between all the parties involved. With that in mind, I have been a gatherer and dispenser of information during Keeping contact information up to date and getting the information to those contacts has been a priority for me this year. As I pass this information on to my successor, my prayers are with her and the entire ECW as they continue on to 2015 and beyond. Faithfully Submitted, Susan Ashley-LaFitte East Harris/Southeast Convocation, Karen Wesley No report submitted

14 Galveston/Southwest Convocation, Gloria Schlemmer It has been an honor and pleasure to serve as the Galveston/Southwest Convocation Coordinator in 2014 and I look forward to meeting and working with the church women in both convocations in Included below is a list of my activities pertaining to this position during the last year: Attended Diocese of Texas ECW Annual Retreat and ECW Board Meetings. Sent Survey of Women s Ministries to churches in the Southwest Convocation. Helped in the ECW exhibit booth at Diocesan Council. Mailed calendars to churches in Galveston and Southwest Convocation. Sent information to both convocations concerning ECW Retreat, Honored Women of Texas and a reminder of the Fair Share assessment. Met with the ECW president of St. Augustine s, Galveston, to discuss reorganization of the ECW. Mailed information to St. Mark s, Bay City, about organizing an ECW. Held the Trinity ECW/Galveston Convocation Luncheon in April with sixty in attendance and seven churches represented. Gloria Schlemmer Galveston Convocation Coordinator Southwest Convocation Coordinator United Thank Offering - Ellen Cook In the fall 2013 and spring 2014 in - gatherings more than $ from 35 churches was offered and sent to the national United Thank Offering. Acknowledgments were sent, and the bank account reconciled. In June, the national board awarded $1.5 million in 48 grants for mission and ministry around the world. Grant guidelines for the next granting period will be published in November, and I have encouraged a missioner to our companion diocese of Southern Malawi to consider applying for a grant. In February I attended Diocesan Council in Galveston and helped with our ECW booth. In the spring I attended our convocation gathering in Galveston, hosted by Trinity, and had an opportunity to encourage UTO participation. In September I attended events in Galveston celebrating the 60 th anniversary of St. Vincent s House, and worked with Michelle and Jane on submitting a tribute from the Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese. I corresponded with the national board about acceptable accounting methods for our UTO funds and am working with our treasurer, Jane to consolidate banking for UTO into the main ECW bank account. Supplies were sent to churches requesting them, and more were ordered for retreat bags. Ellen G. Cook UTO Coordinator

15 Outreach, Debbie Johnson Attended ECW Board meeting at Camp Allen Met with Canon Ann Normand and Canon Kai Ryan for ideas regarding ECW Outreach projects Met with Gail Bray to determine ECW involvement with the Episcopal Health Foundation Sent an Outreach letter including grant applications, an Outreach Information Form, an ECW brochure to all churches in the Diocese of Texas Compiled information from returned Outreach Information Forms Worked at the ECW booth at Diocesan Council in Galveston Participated in the planning and execution of Lord of the Streets Annual Luncheon Fundraiser Received and processed Outreach Grant Requests from Sisters at Heart (women s organization within Lord of the Streets Houston), St. Vincent s House (Galveston), Girls of Grace Ministry (Austin) grants awarded Went with Betsy Sullivan to Sisters at Heart (Lord of the Streets) and St. Vincent s House to take ECW grant checks Attended ECW Meeting at Camp Allen Created a handout of Outreach ideas for Board Members to distribute Requested funds from Other Outreach for the Crisis on the Border funds awarded Agreed to host an Outreach Workshop at Camp Allen for Annual Retreat Received and disseminated information regarding St. Alban s grant request for Mission Waco Legal Service grant awarded Met with Bishop Fisher regarding a video for PowerPoint for Outreach Workshop in October Prepared PowerPoint and Handouts for Outreach Workshop Contacted Canon Kai Ryan to do a short video for Outreach Workshop Debbie Johnson, Outreach Chair Vera Gang Scott Scholarship Roberta Vallantyne The Vera Gang Scott Scholarship Fund was established in 1972 for young women in the Diocese of Texas who were seeking higher education. All applications are sent to the chairperson, who then works with a committee to review the applications. This year the committee awarded scholarships to fourteen women from all over the Diocese of Texas, for a total of $8,000. It is important to share the information about the fund with your church and to make donations to the fund, so it will grow and continue to be there for young women of our diocese. All information can be found at:

16 It has been my pleasure to be the chair for the Vera Gang Scott Scholarship the last several years. Higher education is very important in our culture. Roberta Vallantyne Communications Michelle Carlson The goal of this position is to maintain communication with the congregations and women in the Diocese of Texas. Michelle maintains and regularly updates the ECW information on the diocesan website ( and annually updates all webpages and supporting documents to reflect current information, e.g. the ECW Outreach application, the Vera Gang Scott scholarship application, the Honored Women Nomination form, and the ECW Endowment form. She keeps the website up to date with changes on Spiritual Growth Retreats, and includes member submissions to the Whatcha Been Up To page (a brag board page). All events included on the brag board are submitted to the EDOT calendar. Michelle has ensured throughout the year that the web pages are up-to-date. She also edits the Google Group that manages our listserve for the board. A multimedia slideshow was added to the Annual Retreat page this year to better advertise what the event is like to those who have yet to attend. In the spring, Michelle assisted in gathering and making items for the goodie bags given out at the Spiritual Growth Event in Salado, Texas. Michelle has worked with the Diocesan Communication Office to see how we could use their skills to better advertise our events such as Spiritual Growth Retreats and the Annual Women s Retreat and has posted to the Women s Ministries Facebook page multiple times. To assist the Convocation Coordinators in staying abreast of seasonal responsibilities, Michelle sent reminders of their monthly responsibilities to the coordinators. For the past several months, Michelle has been working with Vice President Patricia Swaby to publicize the Annual Retreat. She made recommendations for possible speakers for the Retreat, discussed web needs, made updates to the website for the ECW home page and the Annual Retreat page, and worked on the multiple documents for the Retreat. Michelle also created the 2015 ECW calendar, collecting information from multiple board members for inclusion in the calendar and had it printed in time for the 2014 Annual Retreat. An electronic version of the 2014 calendar was created, but very few people were interested in it, so it is not recommended that this be continued for Michelle has also sent out multiple mass ings to individuals who are past attendees of ECW events. She has prepared a slide show presentation for the banquet at the Annual Retreat. Michelle met quarterly with her rector to assure he was kept up to date with ECW events and information. In addition, she asked her rector to address the lagging financial support of her church for ECW via the Fair Share assessment, and was successful in seeing her church meet its assessment. Michelle was on the Nominating Committee and was successful in finding her replacement for the Communications Chair position, Ann Seyler. Michelle will be meeting with Ann prior to and after the Annual Retreat to assure a smooth transition of responsibilities happens.

17 Michelle designed an ad that was submitted for publication to recognize St. Vincent s House 60 th anniversary. She also assisted with the edits of the bylaw changes that will be submitted for approval at the Annual Retreat. Michelle Carlson ECW Endowment/Bishop Kinsolving Fund Trish Johnston Attended all but one board meeting and participated in the Outreach committee Total funds received in the mail and forwarded were as follows: Bishop Kinsolving Memorial Fund: $ from six churches since January 2014 ECW Endowment Fund: $2, from nine churches since January 2014 As of this writing, we have a total of 16 names for Honored Women for 2014 and a total of 25 names to add to the Book of Remembrance for Bishop Kinsolving Memorial Fund donations. All Thank you letters and acknowledgements were completed and mailed accordingly. The implementation of archiving the Book of Remembrance and Friends of the Episcopal at the Diocesan offices has not yet started. It has been a pleasure and an honor to serve on this board the past three years. Trish Johnston Diocesan Funds Coordinator Bishop Kinsolving Memorial Fund ECW Endowment Fund Northwest Convocation, Pamelyn Reed July 2014 October 2014 Attended the July ECW Board meeting. Met with the Central Convocation Coordinator to discuss future plans for Central/Northwest Convocation. Prepared and mailed an information packet to the churches in Northwest Convocation. This packet contained and introduction of myself as the new coordinator, and information about the Retreat, Honored Women, Outreach Grants, etc.

18 Reviewed and approved Outreach Grant. Yours in Christ, Pamelyn Reed President s Report Daughters of the King, Jackie Eckersley Instituted and presented a chapter for membership into The Order of the Daughters of the King a Sr. DOK chapter St. Michael s, Austin, Tx Instituted and presented a chapter for membership into The Order of the Daughters of the King a Jr. DOK chapter Little Flower Trinity Episcopal Church, Woodlands, Tx Instituted and presented a chapter for membership into The Order of the Daughters of the King a Sr. DOK chapter St. Joseph s Episcopal Church, Salado, Tx Instituted and presented a chapter for membership into The Order of the Daughters of the King a Jr. DOK chapter St. Mary and Martha Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Dickinson, Disbandment of a Sr. Chapter, 23 members, Grace Anglican Katy, Tx Membership in Diocese of Texas Total Sr. and Jr. DOK members 2,865 Total Sr. DOK 2638 Total Jr. DOK 227 Total DAL 112 Total Chapters both Sr. and Jr Total Sr. Chapters 99 Total Jr. Chapters 15 Jackie Eckersley, DOK DOT President Altar Guild Joan Konecny This has been a very busy and productive year for Altar Guild Ministry. We began our regional workshops at Good Shepherd, Austin last October. We introduced Bishop Fisher to our gatherings and shared Altar Guild 101 CD program for both introducing our ministry as well as polishing our knowledge and skills. During a cold, wet November evening, training was held for the Sacristans at Texas A&M University Canterbury. There were about a dozen faithful wanting to learn more and that was accomplished along with lots of hands on experience. This Canterbury is growing by leaps and bounds and what a special treat to be able to help them grow in their ministry, thanks to The Rev. Matt Wise. In January we were hosted by St. Thomas, Houston, a 1923 Prayer Book Church and School. We were thrilled to be entertained by their famous and successful Pipe and Drum Corps.

19 February was busy with Council and finding ways to make a hotel space into a worship space. But we are getting better and better at doing this for our annual Diocesan gathering. March we were hosted by St. Richard s, Round Rock and in May by St. Alban s, Waco. Our program days included Greetings from Bishop Fisher, Altar Guild 101, Linen care, history of Anglican worship, flower arranging, round table discussions, wonderful meals and renewing and making new friendships. The Loan Closet has been filled with good quality paraments, linens and candles. Having these available during clergy conference helps to move these items to where they are most needed. Some items not needed were sent to an outreach organization. Special needs were filled for the Newgate Mission whose director is The Rev. Jeannine Laurinec, a by-vocational priest who does Episcopal services at this United Methodist facility. These included communion vessels, linens and a processional cross which was made by Ron Winn of Bryan, TX. Help was also given to St. Philip s, Hearne which is being supported to help grow by St. Andrew s, Bryan. After a good cleaning day, paraments and linens no longer useable were removed and some were framed and given to the church as an historical remembrance of items used during its long history in Hearne. Training for our ministry will be done on an as needed basis when this community grows. My term will end March Many blessings have come my way and God has surely directed my paths during these three years. Joan W. Konecny, Director, Altar Guild, Episcopal Diocese of Texas Thank you to Bishop Jeff Fisher The Episcopal Church Women, Diocese of Texas, would like to thank our Suffragan Bishop, Jeff Fisher, for being our ECW Representative.

20 Thank You for 2014 Fair Shares Paid The ECW of the Diocese of Texas gratefully acknowledges those parishes and missions which support the work of the women of this Diocese. ALL SAINTS', AUSTIN ALL SAINTS, CAMERON ALL SAINTS', HITCHCOCK CALVARY, BASTROP CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL, HOUSTON CHRIST CHURCH, JEFFERSON CHRIST CHURCH, SAN AUGUSTINE CHRIST CHURCH, TEMPLE CHRIST CHURCH, TYLER CHRIST THE KING (ALIEF), HOUSTON EPIPHANY, BURNET EPIPHANY, CALVERT GOOD SHEPHERD, FRIENDSWOOD GRACE CHURCH, GEORGETOWN HOLY INNOCENTS, MADISONVILLE HOLY SPIRIT, WACO HOLY TRINITY, DICKINSON HOLY TRINITY, PORT NECHES LORD OF THE STREETS, HOUSTON REDEEMER, HOUSTON RESURRECTION, AUSTIN ST.ALBAN'S, HOUSTON ST.ALBAN'S, WACO ST.ANDREW'S, BRYAN ST.BARTHOLOMEW'S, HEMPSTEAD ST.CHRISTOPHER'S, AUSTIN ST.CHRISTOPHER'S, LEAGUE CITY ST.DUNSTAN'S, HOUSTON ST. FRANCIS, HOUSTON ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI, PRAIRIE VIEW ST.JAMES', HOUSTON ST. JAMES, LAGRANGE ST.JOHN THE DIVINE, HOUSTON ST.JOHN'S, CENTER ST.JOHN'S, COLUMBUS ST.JOHN'S, LA PORTE ST. JOHN S, MARLIN ST. JOHN S, SEALY ST. JOHN S, SILSBEE ST. JOHN S, TYLER ST. LUKE THE EVANGELIST, HOUSTON ST.LUKE'S ON THE LAKE, AUSTIN ST.LUKE'S, LINDALE ST.LUKE'S, LIVINGSTON ST.MARK'S, AUSTIN ST. MARK S, BAY CITY ST.MARK'S, BEAUMONT ST.MARK'S, RICHMOND ST.MARTIN'S, HOUSTON ST.MARY'S, LAMPASSAS ST.MATTHEW'S, HENDERSON ST.MICHAEL'S, AUSTIN ST.PAUL'S, KILGORE ST. PAUL S, WACO ST.PETER'S, LAGO VISTA ST. PHILIP S, HEARNE ST.PHILIP'S, PALESTINE ST.RICHARD'S, ROUND ROCK ST.STEPHEN'S, LIBERTY ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE, HOUSTON ST.THOMAS', HOUSTON ST.THOMAS', WHARTON TRINITY CHURCH, ANAHUAC TRINITY CHURCH, BAYTOWN TRINITY CHURCH, GALVESTON TRINITY CHURCH, JASPER

21 The ECW Board gives heartfelt THANKS to the host committee of Grace Episcopal Church, Georgetown, for its work on this meeting and their generous gift of time to further the work of the Episcopal Church Women in the Diocese of Texas. Special thanks go to the following committee members: Georgia Raffalovich - Chairman Julie Greer - ECW President Judy McKinney - Cookie Chairman Sandy Wilson - Registration Records Brenda Kilgard, Cathie Reeves, Barbara McGrail, Jane Williams, Marcia Healey, Judy Granger and Margaret Raper Hospitality Committee