Women s Ministries Newsletter~ Diocese of West Virginia Gifts from the Heart Summer 2014

Transcription

1 Women s Ministries Newsletter~ Diocese of West Virginia Gifts from the Heart Summer 2014 Women s Ministries Committee Convener Becki Krzywdik PO Box 526 Wellsburg, WV Phone: bkrzywdik@msn.com Book of Remembrance Darlene Slusher th Street Parkersburg, WV Phone: darlene.slusher@frontier.com United Thank Offering (UTO) Becky Szabo 1328 Main St. Follansbee, WV Phone: becky8910@aol.com Church Periodical Club (CPC) Debbie Ventura 201 Shady Acres Lane Daniels, WV Phone: dventura1021@gmail.com Love-In-Action Margie Gault 252 Terrace Ave. Elkins, WV Phone: gaultmm@ab.edu Conference Coordinator: Nancy Tonkin Tonkin Management Group Suite 220, 2110 Kanawha Blvd E Charleston, WV Phone: nancy.tonkin@wvtmg.com Chaplain (Daughters of the King): Linda Johnson 1302 Dunn Street Morgantown, WV Phone: ljohnson144wv@comcast.net Members Emeritus: Karen Grissel Paula Hoffman Dear Sisters in Christ, Summer is here and almost over! I hope that you are enjoying the warmer weather after such a cold winter. Many of you already know me, but just as many of you do not. So, let me introduce myself. My name is Becki Krzywdik and I m the Convener of Women s Ministries for West Virginia (formerly known in this diocese as Episcopal Church Women or ECW). I was not an Episcopalian when I entered the doors of Christ Church in Wellsburg 28 years ago, but it was there that I was introduced to the Episcopal Churchwomen (ECW). At that time, most churches in the diocese had an active E.C.W. It was there that the women met regularly for fellowship, devotions, and prayer. It didn t stop there though. We worked together in ministry supporting our local churches, communities, and the ministries of the Diocesan ECW. That, however, isn t the case in most churches in the diocese today. The times are different. Our schedules are so busy juggling work, kids, and home that we choose not to add one more thing and sadly, what was the norm -- to have an organized women s group in every parish, is not the case today. As I have been talking with women around the diocese I am finding that, our younger women especially, are surprised to hear that there are exciting things going on in this diocese under the banner of Women s Ministries and they want to know how they can become a part of it and how they can share this information with the women in the parish. Hopefully this newsletter, which I hope make available quarterly, will help all of us be better informed, connected to each other, and inspired and fed by one another in the larger community outside of our four church walls. Each edition will include: Highlighting one of our diocesan women s ministries (Book of Remembrance, Love-In-Action, CPC (Church Periodical Club), and the UTO (United Thank Offering), ministries going on in our local parishes, and any news and resources from the National E.C.W. that I can pass along. I am open to your suggestions of other items you may want to see included. I am looking forward to what your women are up doing. Please send me information about the ministries and outreach going on in your parish that excite you, and don t forget to attach a few photos too (please send in jpg format and include the name of the persons in the photo and who took the photo)!! In order for this attempt at communication to be a success, I need your help in getting the newsletter to the women in your parish. Please ask your priest or church secretary to make copies available to the women in your church. This newsletter will sent to every woman for whom I have currently have an address, posted on wvmission, and will also be accessible on the diocesan website under Women s Ministries. If you or someone you know did not receive this through and would like to, please me and I will be glad to add your name to my list! May God bless you and your ministries! Becki Krzywdik Women s Convener

2 Our Annual Women s Conference at Peterkin! This year's Women's Conference at Peterkin (May 16-18) was called, " Say YES to life: Opening to God's Power Within." Led by the Rev. Dr. Jane Tomaine. The Rev. Dr. Tomaine brings with her years of experience living and teaching the Rules of Saint Benedict. During this weekend, she pulled out of her toolbox the following tools to share: 1. Stability 2. Obedience 3. Conversion 4. Prayer with scripture ( Lectio Divina) 5. Centering prayer 6. Taking power over your thoughts 7. Nip your grumbling 8. Curb idle talk 9. Wipe out wanderlust And above all, prefer nothing whatever to Christ RB To find out more about these tools, ask someone who was in attendance, check out Jane's book called Saint Benedict's Toolbox, or visit her website at What was so refreshing and renewing about this retreat was that Sister Jane is a living example of St. Benedict's Rules for living. Her presence is calming, her voice soothing, the material enlightening. Throw in the backdrop of Peterkin- the serenity and peace of the surroundings, the absence of the hustle and bustle of city life. No TV, no internet, and for most of us, no cell phone service forced us to be still in the presence of God and allowed for the silence necessary to hear His voice. The descriptor "Center for Renewal" comes to life. If you long for spiritual renewal, consider attending the conference next spring. Everyone needs a time of escape from daily stresses to renew mind and spirit. Nothing compares to being in this place with a group of women with the same purpose. I want to add a personal footnote. I was shocked at the physical condition of many of the buildings at Peterkin. I think it would be great to consider this for any service project for a church group. The diocese certainly cannot afford to neglect the camp if we hope to attract visitors, campers, and groups. Yours in Christ, Connie Bookman Trinity, Parkersburg

3 The Book of Remembrance For many of our young women, the excitement of their graduation from high school is now over and they are seeking a higher education in either a college or trade school this fall. Do you know of a young woman in your congregation who would benefit from some financial assistance with her post high school education? Do you know that there is help available through the Book of Remembrance? Education Loans: Each year up to three (3) low interest loans are awarded to our young Episcopal women based on the funds we have available. Beginning this year the application process is slightly different from previous years. Young women can initiate the application process by requesting a letter of recommendation from her rector, and writing a letter herself to the Book of Remembrance Chairperson. To help in the selection process it would be helpful to know: 1) the church she attends; 2) the school she will be attending; 3) the education she is seeking; 4) how long she anticipates that the schooling will take; 5) and how she sees herself using this education. Once applications for the education loans have been received, the Chairperson and Women s Ministries Convener will review them and submit their recommendations along with copies of all applications received to the Bishop of West Virginia for his input and recommendations. Recipients of loans will be contacted to confirm the name of their chosen school and given letters of agreement for repayment of the loan. These repayments go back into the Book of Remembrance funds to help other young women in future years with their education. Book Grants: Up to three (3) book grants are also available to male and female students each year. Amounts of the book grants will depend on the number of applicants and funds available. There is no repayment for these grants. Application can be made directly to the chairperson. Where do these funds come from and how can I be a part of this ministry? The Book of Remembrance is funded entirely on Memorial Gifts. These gifts can be given in any amount and at any time. If you would like to help our young women with continuing their education while at the same time honoring the memory of a loved one, friend, or member of your congregation, please consider making a Memorial Gift to the Book of Remembrance. The name(s) of your loved ones will be added into the beautiful leather bound book which currently resides at the Memorial Church of the Good Shepherd, Parkersburg where they are prayed for on a regular basis. When sending a gift, please include the name of the person being remembered, their family member s name and address, and your name and address so that acknowledgments of your gift can be made. Your gifts can be sent to: Book of Remembrance c/o Memorial Church of the Good Shepherd 903 Charles Street Parkersburg, WV Yours in Christ, Darlene Slusher (Chairperson)

4 LOVE-IN-ACTION Love-In-Action is a part of Women s Ministries in the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia. This ministry began sometime in the 1980 s and currently focuses on young people preschool ages through preparation for adult life. Every organization that is supported focuses on educating and assisting youth financially to take advantage of the program(s) in their geographic area. Love-in-Action is funded by donations from Episcopal Churches across West Virginia. Barbara Carter, formerly of Grace Episcopal Church in Elkins was the Chairperson for many years before she moved out of state. Margaret Gault of Grace Episcopal Church in Elkins has been the Chairperson since Love-in-Action gives donations to the following Ministries: Big Ugly Dreamers: : Creation of the West Virginia Dreamers model: Step by Step focused on creating resources at the local level so that parents and communities could support their children before families were broken or children fell behind in school. Models for stewarding children of all ages emerged at the Big Ugly Community Center 2010-ongoing: Dreams for the Long Haul: We have focused our commitments to communities of great need and opportunity in the coalfields including Big Ugly Creek and Harts in Lincoln County and Omar and Man/Buffalo Creek in Logan County. We are building capacity in community education through increased training of enrichment leaders in our after school programs and establishing and annual Experiential Education Fair to hold up best practices The previous information is taken from the Step by Step site. See the Step by Step site for more information: Church Periodical Club (CPC): CPC receives funds to assist seminarians with course texts and to build a library of resources for their future. Higher Education Project (HEP): HEP in Welch, WV High Rocks Academy: High Rocks is located in Hillsboro and is an award-winning leadership program for young women ages We work with girls from all walks of life and accept girls from all different tables in the cafeteria. What they have in common is their heart and their deep desire to make the world a better place. This information is taken from Peterkin Episcopal Conference Center in WV: This donation is used towards helping with the upkeep of the buildings and grounds at Peterkin. Love In Action Ministry is grateful for the support and donations received to help with these worthwhile organizations and programs. Respectfully Submitted, Margaret M. Gault Note: Our weekend offering of $200 from the Women s Conference in May was given to Love-In-Action to help this ministry continue their good work as their financial report showed a $94.00 balance. Should you want to also contribute to this ministry you may contact Margie directly.

5 Coming Soon! This spot is reserved for you to brag a little about the outreach ministries going on in your congregation. Please send me a description of those ministries along with a few photos in jpg format (please include the names of those in the photos and who took the picture). We want to highlight and lift up the ministries of one or two congregations in each edition while maybe inspiring others at the same time! st Deadline for the Next Edition is October 1. Please send Becki Krzywdik a brief article of your unique ministries and don t forget to include photos in jpg format where possible! Episcopal Church Woman s Prayer Almighty God, we pray that You will bless our work in mission and ministry in the world. Help us to pray fervently, labor diligently and give liberally to make known the power of your love given through your son Jesus Christ. Let us not forget the lessons from the past nor fear the challenges of the future. Anoint us with your grace and shine in our hearts as we reflect your light throughout the world. Amen. Diocesan Distinguished Women th The 48 Triennial Meeting of the Episcopal Church Women will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah in June of Diocesan Presidents have been asked by the National Board of the Episcopal Church Women to identify and submit the name of one woman in their diocese whose life in the secular community reflects her Christian values. I need your help identifying our nominee from West Virginia! If you know of a woman in your congregation that would be deserving of the Distinguished Woman Award, please fill out the enclosed nomination form, or download it from the diocesan website (under Women s Ministries), and send it back to me either by snail mail or (see my contact info on the front page) by October 31, 2014 along with a 4x5 color photograph which will be included in the printed 2015 Distinguished Woman Booklet. Nominations can be made by women or men. For 2012 we received six nominations! I hope to receive as many or more nominations this time. The selection of our nominee will be made by our Diocesan Women s Ministries Board and submitted to the Chairperson of the Distinguished Woman Program in November. Please tell us briefly about her history and why you believe she deserves the name Distinguished Woman. While we can only submit one to the National Board, we would like to honor her with you! Becki Krzywdik, Convener of Women s Ministries

6 th 48 TRIENNIAL MEETING Convocacion de la Inglesis Episcopal OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN DISTINGUISHED WOMAN Mujer Distinguida Name of Woman Nominated: Church Affiliation: Diocese West Virginia Address of woman: Brief Biographical Sketch We think she should be honored because (in 40 words or fewer): Signature of Nominator(s) Signature of Diocesan President Address PO Box 526, Wellsburg, WV Telephone Picture Attached Picture Sent via to: Remit before October 31, 2014 to: Becki Krzywdik, PO Box 526, Wellsburg, WV or