THE GRAPEVINE Episcopal CHURCH WOMEN Spring 2018 Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia

Transcription

1 THE GRAPEVINE Episcopal CHURCH WOMEN Spring 2018 Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia The President s Message Love Thy Neighbor Life Matters Domestic violence is a hidden plague on our families and communities. Those who are victimized often keep it a private matter for various reasons: fear, shame, well-intended efforts to preserve the family. Aggressors, if they even recognize their problem, are not likely to have it addressed. Yet it touches many, and knows no boundaries of race, social class, ethnicity, creed or age (most victims are first abused as teens). Statistics suggest one in four women experience domestic violence in their lifetime, and three in four Americans are reported to know a victim, though most episodes are not reported to the authorities. Although the majority of victims are female, an estimated 15% are males. Domestic violence and emotional abuse are typically used together in a relationship to control the victim. Persons may be married, living together, or dating. Examples of emotional abuse include name-calling, putdowns, restricting contact with family or friends, withholding money, preventing a partner from working, actual or threatened physical harm (hitting, pushing, shoving), sexual assault, stalking, and intimidation. How vital it is to understand how to keep family members safe from violence in their homes, and how to heal and reunite families where violence has occurred, when possible. Continued page Yearbook & Directory Available The 2018 ECW Yearbook and Directory is now available. To receive your copy, contact the Diocesan Communications Officer, Ann Turner, aturner@diosova.org or (The ECW directory is not posted on the diocesan website due to privacy concerns.) ECW At Council Back Row, L. to R. Tia Morings, Dr. Angela Parker, Laura L. Manigault, Helen Sharpe-Williams, Deborah Austin and Louise Boss. Front Row, L. to r. Nancy Smith, Stephanie H. Kendall, Maureen Fuster, Ronda Toll, Sharon Goforth and Rose Parker WHERE: St. Francis Church 509 South Rosemont Rd. Virginia Beach, Virginia WHEN: May 19, 2018 TIME: 9:30 A.M. Registration & (Coffee & etc.) COST: $20.00 MEETING: 10:00 A.M. Guest Speaker: To Be Announced (Domestic Abuse) Please respond if attending by May 12th. Please let us know if your have special dietary requirements. Tia Morings, 2031 Indian Point Road, Suffolk, VA (home) The deadline to apply for the Elise Holladay and Beverley D. Tucker Scholarships is April 26, Use the same form to apply for either scholarship available at diosova.org, and on the Page 9. Inside This Issue President s Message continued Getting to Know Board Members The Treasurer s Report Women-to-Women First Vice President s Report Church Periodical Club News Women s Lenten Retreat United Thank Offering News Scholarship Application Form ECW Calendar New ECW at St. Aidan s 1

2 The President s Message continued from the Front Page This is especially true because as abused persons they are often plagued by feelings of shame, fear, and depression, and have lost sight of the essential fact of their dignity and worthiness to be loved. At times they may also make decisions that cause an observer (family member or friend) to question their judgement, or become frustrated with them for remaining in what seems to be an obviously dangerous or hopeless situation. It is commonly accepted that domestic violence is rarely an isolated incident, but is a pattern of behavior aimed at establishing and maintaining power and control over another. The pattern is typically described as a cycle of violence, and the seriousness escalates with each occurrence. The cycle begins with a set-up phase: The abuser creates a situation in which the victim has no choice but to react in a way that, in the abuser s mind, justifies the abuse. After the violence, the abuser may fear being held accountable, and so may apologize or make excuses for his or her behavior, pledge to never do it again, or use gifts as a way of coping with guilt or preventing the victim from telling. Next, however, the abuser may excuse the incident as the victim s fault, or resume life as usual as if nothing happened. The abuser expects that the victim will participate in the cover-up. If you believe someone you know may be in a troubled situation, you should call a hotline number for assistance, or encourage the person to do so themselves. Offer forgiveness and receive peace. I know well that it is hard, and sometimes even appears to be impossible to forgive, but it is the only way, because all revenge and all violence give rise to further revenge and violence. It is certainly less difficult to forgive when one is aware that God never tires of loving and forgiving us Let us never forget that everything passes, and only the eternal can fill the heart. Helen Sharpe-Williams, ECW President, Diocese of Southern Virginia Getting to Know Board Members Ann Allen, Prayer and Worship Chair Ann Allen said yes when Helen Sharpe-Williams asked her to join the ECW Diocesan board aa Prayer and Worship Chair. Ann was installed at the Fall Annual Meeting, Nov. 4. This is Ann s first term on the ECW Diocesan Board. She has been a member of Grace Church since She is a past president of the Grace Church ECW, she has served on the church s breakfast team and is a member of St. Julia Guild. Ann is single and has two children, Michael and Michelle. Deborah Austin, Deborah Austin was installed as the nominating committee chair at the Fall Annual Meeting, Nov. 4. Deborah also serves as the Church Periodical Club Chairperson. At St. Mark s she accompanies the priest to homes to administer communion to the sick or shut ins; assigns lectors to read and assigns hymns for Sunday services. She is also the parish life coordinator, a lay reader, eucharistic minister, choir member, co-chair hospitality and keeps the bulletin boards and décor in the parish hall up-to-date. Previously, on the ECW Diocesan Board, she has served as Prayer and Worship Chair and Student Work Chair on the ECW Diocesan Board. She has served as president and secretary of St. Mark s ECW. Deborah is married to Kenneth Austin. They have two sons - Brad and Kyle; and four grandchildren Noelle, Trey, Kendall and Kai. Deborah is also a dedicated Daughter of the King. (DOK). I decided to serve on the ECW Board because I am a servant for the Lord., she said. I also try to abide by the DOK motto. The DOK Motto For His Sake... I am but one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I ought to do by the grace of God I will do. Lord what will you have me do? 2

3 The Treasurer s Report Betty Mariner, ECW Diocesan Treasurer Sixteen churches across the Diocese submitted dues during 2017 for a total of $1,717. Of that total, one third, or, $568, was credited to Administrative Expenses. Two thirds, or $1,131, was distributed through the ECW Diocesan Budget. as recommended by the Finance Committee and approved by our membership at the Fall Annual Meeting. See the budget in the left column. Special donations funded by parish contributions and our endowments for 2017 are shown in the right hand column. ECW Diocesan Budget Diocese $ % Chanco on the James $ % Department of College Ministries This commission helps guide ministry initiatives for collegeage persons in Southern Virginia, manages the Bishop Vaché Scholarship Fund and provides peer support for the campus chaplains and Canterbury Club programs of the diocese. $ % Jackson-Feild Homes - Jackson Feild Homes provide at-risk adolescent youth ages with basic human services, counseling and education in a caring residential environment. $ % Boys Home of Virginia - Provides positive role models and a supportive quality of life. Showing each boy that each day is a step toward their success. $ % Dos Santos This food pantry program serves the Latino/Hispanic immigrant and migrant farm worker population on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. $ % Mission of the Holy Spirit -This program offers spiritual, educational, and psychosocial services to at-risk, inner-city children, adolescents, and their families in Norfolk, VA. Nation $ % Washington National Cathedral Preservation Fund Supports Cathedral ministries, programs, and all the work of restoration and renewal that takes place at the Cathedral. World $ % With These Hands Holy Cross Anglican School, Belize provide meals for students. $ % Episcopal Relief & Development The international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church. $ % Women-to-Women - A ministry linked with efforts being made by the national Episcopal Church to help the Anglican Church of the Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo rehabilitate women who are victims of the war-related violence in their country. Special Donations 2017 United Thank Offering (UTO) $ Council Collection Church Periodical Club (CPC) $ Miles of Pennies (CPC) $ Dos Santos $ Parish/Individual Contributions Holy Cross Anglican School, Belize $ Endowment Interest Malawi Scholarship $ 2, Women-to-Women Scholarship $ 2, Bishop Tucker Memorial Fund Jackson Field Homes $3, Little Roses Honduras $ 4, Louisa Taylor Letcher Endowment Elise Holladay Scholarships $9., Flora A. Penick Fund Parish donations Book of Remembrance Boys Home Graduation Gifts $ Jackson Field Graduation Gifts $ 1, God Bless the Children Chanco Scholarship $ 570,00 Women to Women $11, Donations and Savings 2017 ECW Diocesan Budget $1, Dues Donations to 2017 Diocesan Budget in the adjacent column. TOTAL Donations $38,

4 Treasurer s Report continued 2017 Donations as of 12/31/17 Convocation I $69.00 All Saints, S Hill $60.00 Christ & Grace, Petersburg $ Christ Church, Danville $ CPC $85.00 Dos Santos Contribution $72.50 Eastern Shore Chapel $ Emmanuel, Jenkins Bridge $ Goodwin Bentley, Williamsburg $ Grace, Norfolk $ Redeemer, Midlothian Dues $ St Cyprian's, Hampton $ ECW Diocesan Budget The Finance Committee prepared the 2018 Diocesan Budget. The budget was presented at the Fall Board Meeting and the board voted to accept the new budget. See below ECW Diocesan Budget Diocese 15% Chanco on the James 15% Dept of College Ministries 12% Dos Santos 12% Mission of the Holy Spirit 16% Love Thy Neighbor 7% Boys Home Nation 7% Washington National Cathedral World 10% Episcopal Relief & Development 6% Women-to-Women St Georges, Pungoteague $75.00 St James, Portsmouth $80.00 St Monica, Richmond $60.00 St. Augustine's, Newport News $ St. Anne's, Appomattox $60.00 St. Christophers, Portsmouth $ St. James, Warfield $ Apply Now for ECW Scholarships The deadline to apply for the Elise Holladay and Beverley D. Tucker Scholarships is April 26, Use the same form to apply for either scholarship available at diosova.org, and on the Page ECW Diocesan Budget Diocese 15% Chanco on the James 15% Dept of College Ministries 12% Dos Santos 12% Mission of the Holy Spirit 6% Jackson-Feild Homes 7% Boys Home Nation 7% Washington National Cathedral World 10% Episcopal Relief & Development 10% Holy Cross Belize 6% Women-to-Women 4

5 Women-to-Women for Congo: Congo Guest for PIRD By Susan Broaddus, Women-to-Women Mme Esperance Kungoza Will Speak at Christ and St. Luke s at 9 a.m. April 15. This year W2W is supporting PIRD, an indigenous NGO or non-governmental organization, which stands for the Program in Ituri for Rehabilitation and Development. It was founded ten years ago by Mme Esperance Kungoza who holds a degree in economics and works in the US Embassy in Kinshasa where she oversees the financial side of an AIDS program. We just learned that she will be in the States in April and she has blocked off April to visit us!!! She will speak at the Adult Forum at Christ & St. Luke s at 9 AM on April 15th. Do plan to come! PIRD focuses on women and girls, survivors of gender based violence in the region of Ituri who need counseling and education. Some choose to finish their schooling, others prefer to learn a trade such as tailoring or hairdressing. Of the 15 young women we are helping, those who are in school are assured of their schooling through June. Many are asking to be supported in the coming years so that they might earn their diplomas. We have raised almost all of the $5,125 we committed to and need only $791 to complete the first amount. We are asking individuals, small groups, and parish outreach committees for gifts ranging from $200 - $350, but any amount will be gladly accepted! Please have checks made out to the ECW and sent to Susan Broaddus, 1323 Lafayette Blvd., #1, Norfolk, VA News alert : March 11, 2018 In northern Ituri Province near the Uganda border fighting has broken out causing masses of internally displaced persons to run to safety. Last week the number in already exhausted Bunia doubled to over 85,000 with more coming. Churches and NGOs are scrambling to feed, clothe and house them. Rainy season has just started. Hospitals and health centers have depleted their resources. The fighting continues, and when it ends, these people have burned-out houses and villages to return to minus their family members and friends who have died. Above all, pray! And where you can, please contribute. Susan Tent City in Bunia, Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Sometimes eight persons live in a 2-meter square shelter. 5

6 First Vice President Report Laura L. Manigault, First Vice President Attended Women Retreat December 2, 2018 at Chanco. It was an uplifting experience as well as informative to be there among our sisters in Christ. Hosted the Convocation V pre-council meeting on January 23, 2018 at St. Cyprian s Episcopal Church. Attended Absalom Jones Day services at Grace Episcopal Church, Norfolk VA on February 10, 2018 to an inspirational service by Rev. John T. W. Harmon along with a symposium on Violence and Church Safety which has become necessary because of the conditions our society is at present. It stimulated many suggestions that we could institute in my parish. We, however; have already installed panic buttons strategically around the church and plan to along with the Junior Warden conduct fire and panic drills for the parishioners soon. Attended the 126 th Annual Diocesan Council Meeting- theme Fear and Love in a Divided World on February 16-17, in Williamsburg, VA. Keynote speaker was Scott-Bade-Saye, the theme was Following Jesus in a Culture of Fear It was indeed a new approach to looking at life as we continue in our spiritual journey; to look at love as our priority in life for all instead of our personal safety. Our president delivered a dynamic, heartwarming and inspiring presentation, leaving us with challenges for the future of ECW. I plan to attend the 99 th Province III ECW Annual meeting in Martinsburg, West Virginia May 6-7, Theme Go! Share the Word: Every day Comunicamos, Everywhere. Church Periodical Club Report Deborah Austin, CPC Chairperson The following churches contributed to the Church Periodical Club since our Fall meeting: St. Cyprian, Emanuel, Jenkins Bridge, St. James, Warfield, Christ & Grace, Petersburg and Grace, Norfolk. Available for distribution are brochures and other Church Periodical Club materials. May is nationally known as CPC month in most Episcopal Churches. Women s Retreat Day in Lent Chanco on the James Chanco on the James is proud to offer Women s Retreat Day in Lent. This year s theme, Spiritual Disciplines as a Path to Joy, explores some of the rich offerings of the monastic tradition and how these tools of prayer and spiritual development may open new avenues for personal growth and celebration. The retreat will offer an arts workshop and plenty of opportunities for reflection and fellowship. Open to all women ages 18 and older who would seek to enhance their experience of Lent, the event will take place on Saturday, March 24, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. The cost for the day is $35, which includes luncheon and an afternoon tea. You may also choose to arrive on Friday, March 23 at 7:00 p.m. to take part in additional programs at our Overnight Retreat for $95, which includes accommodation in our retreat lodges, breakfast on Saturday morning, as well as the Saturday program. Scholarships (sponsored by the ECW of the Diocese of Southern Virginia) are available. To register: chanco.org/event/womens-lenten-retreat. For assistance with your registration and information about the scholarship, please contact Ronda Toll at or rtoll@cox.net. Welcome to St. Aidan s, VA Beach New ECW Last year, thanks to Kathy Benson, the women of St. Aidan s began meeting for lunch once a month. Now we have restored ECW to life at St. Aidan s. 6

7 United Thank Offering News Province III Navajoland Pilgrimage Several members of the UTO Executive Board, in addition to members of The Episcopal Church organizations, are working together to organize a fall 2018 pilgrimage to Navajoland. This pilgrimage will be open to the entire Episcopal Church. The planning group will review TEC s presence in Navajoland and the ministry efforts made thus far and visit the people of the Diocese as well as UTO grant sites. More information and details will be presented at General Convention. Events at Triennial Much is being planned for Triennial in Austin, TX, from July Workshops, raffles, giveaways, and many other UTO materials will be available. Please visit the UTO website to see an array of items promoting UTO; however, many new items, such as the Julia Chester Emery crosses, stress cubes, and prayer cards, will not be available until Triennial. Ronda Toll, diocesan UTO coordinator, will be selecting materials based on your prior orders to her. Ingathering Eucharist One of the traditional events at Triennial and General Convention is the Ingathering Eucharist. Each diocesan coordinator will present an accounting of the amount of UTO Ingathering funds collected during the Triennium ( ). Then, a total amount for each province will be announced. At the 2015 Triennial, Province III came in a close second to Province IV. Province III ECW and Synod In preparation for Triennial and General Convention, Province III ECW and Synod will meet at the Holiday Inn in Martinsburg, WV, May 6-8. ECW s meeting will adjourn on Monday after a business meeting and elections. The schedule for Synod has not been announced, but election of officers and other key positions will occur at the Provincial Synod, which will adjourn on Tuesday, May 8, at 3 p.m. Joyce E. Haines Province III UTO Representative Diocese of Southern Virginia Many Thanks for Your Contributions The ECW sends out a heart-felt thank you to everyone who donated to the United Thank Offering in A total of $31, was collected for UTO in $26, was collected in the Spring and $4, was collected in the Fall. Here s more happy news donations for 2018 have already started coming in! $2, has been collected for This number includes $ collected in the Blue Boxes at February s Annual Council in Williamsburg. This number is up from $ collected at Council last year. Again, thank you!! Donations collected during April and October 2018 In-gatherings throughout the Diocese may be mailed as follows: Ronda Toll, UTO Coordinator 42 Cherbourg Drive Newport News, VA Contact Ronda at or rtoll@cox.net with any questions or requests for UTO materials. Donations are collected for UTO throughout the year donations will be collected until December 10, Blue Box Offering Prayer The National UTO Board has created a simple prayer (memorable and easy enough for children to recite) that can be said when making an offering in a Blue Box. Here s the 2018 prayer: Almighty God, I give you praise for blessing me in many ways. Create in me a grateful heart and with this gift, a blessing start. Amen. Save the Dates March Women s Retreat in Lent at Chanco on the James. See page 6 for more information. April 14 (Open House from 11 am to 4 pm) Rev. Kathie Price s Peacock House Home Tour to benefit the Campaign for Chanco April 15 at 3 pm Celebration Concert at Emmanuel, Hampton to benefit the Campaign for Chanco Contact Ronda Toll at or rtoll@cox.net for more details on any of these events. 7

8 2018 ECW CALENDAR Where to Find & Share ECW News Feb March 10 April May May 19 Diocese of Southern Virginia 128th Annual Diocesan Council Williamsburg Lodge, Williamsburg, VA Diocesan ECW Spring Board Meeting Christ Episcopal Church The Rev. Michael Stone Court Street Amelia, VA IN GATHERING: UNITED THANK OFFERING, UTO IN GATHERING: CHURCH PERIODICAL CLUB, CPC Diocesan ECW Annual Spring Meeting St. Francis Episcopal Church The Rev. Conor Alexander 509 South Rosemont Rd. Virginia Beach, VA Louisa Taylor Letcher Observance will be held at Annual Spring Meeting Weekly Enews Sign up online at diosova.org and click on News and Publications for the latest news from around our diocese in weekly newsletters. Diocesan Enews distributed on Wednesday, includes ECW news. Send the news by Tuesday to Ann Turner, Parish Enews distributed Tuesday The Diocesan Connection is a quarterly print-ready newsletter available for individuals and churches to receive via . If you have news you would like included in the Diocesan Connection, or would like to be added to the list, please contact Ann Turner, aturner@diosova.org. The next deadline is June 1, 2018 National Episcopal Church Women Signup at ecwnatinal.org/ For online news about ECW & the ECW COMMUNIQUE MAGAZINE September 8 Diocesan ECW Fall Board Meeting October October 20 Grace Episcopal Church The Rev. Harold James Cobb, Jr East Brambleton Ave. Norfolk, VA IN GATHERING: UNITED THANK OFFERING, UTO Diocesan ECW Fall Annual Meeting St. Cyprian s Episcopal Church The Very Rev. Dr. Ronald E. Ramsey 1242 West Queen St. Hampton, VA The Grapevine is a quarterly print-ready newsletter available for individuals and churches to receive via We appreciate your help sharing the news. If you have news you would like included in The Grapevine, or know of someone who would like to be added to the list, please contact Nancy Smith at nsmithwtr@aol.com. The deadline for Summer issue is May 25,

9 Elise Holladay Scholarship Application For young men and women who want to further their education. Beverley D. Tucker Scholarship Application For men and women who seek education in an accredited Episcopal Church training school. Requirements for application: The applicant must be a communicant of the Diocese of Southern Virginia. The applicant must have at least a B or 2.75 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale. The student must be enrolled full time for the coming year. Complete the following: Full Name of applicant Date of birth Telephone number address Home/mailing Address (Street address, City, State, Zip code) Name of parish Priest Parish address Priest s ECW scholarship received before? When Name of high school /college/seminary attended last semester Last semester s Grade Point Average Year in high school/college/seminary Number of adults & children in family Number in college (including parents and self) College (applied to or returning to) EFC from FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) Parents Gross Adjusted Income (IRS) (signed) Student s Gross Adjusted Income (IRS) (signed) Signature of Applicant Date Signature of Parent/Guardian Date The following must accompany this form: ---a letter of reference from the church Rector or other clergyman (give referees plenty of time!) ---a letter of reference from the school guidance counselor or a teacher ---a letter of reference from a third party not in the family ---an official transcript of grades ---a copy of page 1 of the SAR letter ---a (SSN blacked out) ---an essay explaining (a) why the applicant seeks the scholarship and (b) his/her educational goals ---a list of school, church, community activities and jobs including the hours devoted to these activities ---if this is the second Elise Holladay Scholarship, up-date the letters of reference including priest at campus ( (college town) chapel (church) and up-date the official transcript showing the college courses ---a list of other scholarships received for the coming year including amounts Only complete applications will be considered and must be postmarked by Thursday, April 26, 2018 for the student s application to be considered for the fall semester. A student may receive funds twice. Questions? Call (757) Send the complete package to the attention of: Tia Morings ECW Scholarship 2031 indian Point Rd. Suffolk, VA