Did you know we have an active local group of the Episcopal Church Women at Grace Episcopal Church? Did you know that all women members of Grace church are automatically members of ECW?
The ECW was established in 1871, and since the beginning, they have championed women’s rights and the Christian foundation of God and family. They are a volunteer organization and they participate in ministries and programs that feed, educate, and provide community grants around the world.
The purpose of this organization is to empower the women of the Episcopal Church to carry out Christ’s work throughout the world. From the Spirit of Missions, a journal of missions in the Episcopal Church in 1872:
“It is our desire as speedily as possible…by every means within our power, to awaken deeper and more permanent interest and zeal in the Missionary work among the women of the Church. We long to have each one feel that she, individually, has something to do for Christ and for the coming of His Kingdom…What we seek is to quicken the Missionary spirit, and then to urge it to prompt and generous action.”
At Grace, the ECW supports our mission by contributing to local ministries that help women and children. Last year we donated to the following organizations; Ocala Farm Ministries, The Domestic Violence/ Sexual Assault Center, Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection, and Project Hope. We raise money each year through two fundraisers; a Holiday Bazaar is November and a yard sale in April.
ECW meets monthly August though May, on the second Thursday at 11:30am in the Parish House. We gather for fellowship, to plan our support of local ministries, and to provide learning and enrichment opportunities. Hopefully, we will be able to resume our monthly meeting this coming August.
We welcome all the women of Grace to become active in ECW. If you would like to learn more about this ministry, chat with one of the ECW members in our church.
