The 213th Annual Council - Diocese of Virginia

Annual Reports
National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, May 26, 2007. In keeping with past
tradition, the Episcopal Church Women, through contributions to the Altar Guild Fund,
furnished Bishop Johnston’s vestments (rochet and chemire). As the president, it was
my privilege to represent the ECW, present the vestments and help vest Bishop Johnston
during the installation service.
The Virginia Historical Society held a pre-exhibit reception for the July 19, 2007-January
13, 2008 exhibit celebrating 400 years of Anglicanism in Virginia. The black onyx cross
(1890) originally worn by our founder, Miss Sallie Stuart, was part of the exhibit.
The United Thank Offering National Committee held a “Face to Face” training session
and meeting at Roslyn, August 9-11, 2007. Our ECW Board hosted this gathering,
providing transportation needs and several receptions. Presentations were made to the
committee by prior United Thank Offering Grant recipients from our Diocese. The Rev.
Lynne Washington represented the Peter Paul Development Center, Richmond. The Rev.
Paul Parker and Ms. Denise Brown represented the Dill House Ecumenical Home for
Women coming out of Prison (in partnership with ECW). The Rt. Rev. Shannon Johnston
and his wife Ellen joined us for a reception and celebration of Holy Eucharist.
The 116 th Annual Meeting and 118 th United Thank Offering Ingathering was October 23,
2007. The women of All Saints, Richmond, were our gracious hostesses. The theme of
the day was “God’s Gift of Hospitality…Feeding our Spirit.” The keynote speaker was
the Very Rev. Martha J. Horne, dean and president emeritus of Virginia Theological
Seminary. The Rt. Rev. Peter Lee and the Rt. Rev. David Jones joined us for the meeting
and Holy Eucharist. The Rt. Rev. Shannon Johnston was our celebrant for Holy Eucharist
and gave a challenging sermon.
The Episcopal Church Women adopted a new Constitution and By-Laws. We heard an
update from Jennifer Ernst, Hope for Humanity (Sudan Ministry). New board members
were elected.
Communion Alms were given to the Diocesan Commission on World Mission and the
ECW Fund for Scholarships.
Continuing our focus on women and children at risk, the Vive Voce contributions (“by
word of mouth’) was given to the following:
• Clare’s Kids Camp, Richmond – a two week, cross-cultural, tuition-free weekday camp.
• Mary’s House of Hope, Purcellville – provides shelter, counseling, education, love
and support to homeless women experiencing a crisis pregnancy.
• The Pregnancy Resource Center of Metro Richmond – dedicated to providing
compassionate care and practical assistance to teenagers and women who are
unprepared for pregnancy.
• The Congregational-Community Action Project, Front Royal – provides
emergency assistance such as food, clothing and limited emergency financial
assistance to the needy.
Episcopal Church Women in the Diocese made it possible for $5,700 to be awarded to
eight students for beginning or continuing their college education.
As we continue to encourage women to become active in the organization, we held an
“ECW Meet and Greet” at Trinity, Upperville. We also prepared ministry information
packets for new clergy in the Diocese.
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The Diocese of Virginia t Journal of the the 213 th Annual Council