Copyright © 2003 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee

Mary MacGregor, director of Leadership Development for the Diocese of Texas, gave the keynote address, “Hungry Hearts and Hectic Lifestyles: The ECW Challenge.” Her inspiring presentation was heartily received by the women, clergy and visitors in attendance.

Bishop vonRosenberg installed the newly elected officers along with those who were continuing their service to the ECW. Cathy Varner of All Saints, Morristown, will be president; Betty Morris, St Francis of Assisi, Ooltewah, will be secretary; and Alice Payne of St. Paul, Kings-port, will be treasurer. The complete roster of officers and their contact information will be posted on the ECW Web site after the first of the year when they officers take up their duties.

UTO Coordinator Katie Piper, who will continue in that role next year, also shared the news that a grant in the amount of $10,000 has been awarded to Chattanooga Community Kitchen, a diocesan Jubilee Center, toward the purchase of a truck to handle recycling.

The meeting adjourned, participants enjoyed a catered lunch.

In her address, President Nancy Bosson communicated news from the Triennial Meeting held concurrently with General Convention in Minneapolis (see below). She accepted the traditional pin for her service, and she will pass on the cross of the ECW president to Cathy Varner at year’s end. The ECW banner also will take up residence at All Saints, Morristown.

Bishop vonRosenberg thanked Church of the Ascension for its hospitality and offered a few remarks. He noted conversations about General Convention decisions, and said “I am grateful to you as church women for maintaining your reason for being, which is the mission of the church. May we all follow your lead so that you may show us the way even as we are confused and upset and unsure about many other things – because it is the mission of the church that brings us together and which carries us forward … the ECW is the light of that mission.”

Mary MacGregor’s presentation outlined the five living American generations’ attributes. She stressed that women have a continuing need to be in community with one another, and they must find how best to communicate with individual women where they are.

MacGregor advised ECW groups to undertake a series of actions that would give “health, purpose and new life”: assess what is being done; take leadership into retreat periodically; realize each organization will have different needs; listen; know the group’s mission; work closely with clergy; support one another as members of a team; define ministries clearly; hold business meetings separately from programs; conduct business with a prayerful touch; meet in small groups to build community; commit to outreach; limit energy-sapping fund-raising and housekeeping activities; and communicate.

She said a healthy ECW group typically has one-third its activities in “in-reach,” one-third in outreach and one-third in spiritual growth.

The dynamic speaker captivated the audience in a workshop-style presentation and distributed materials to assist chapters in taking lessons home.

Related stories in this issue:

• Special recognitions at ECW meeting