Episcopal Church Women
The ECW champions women’s rights and the Christian faith, serving as a ministry of the Episcopal Church through global programs that support women, children and communities, creating a legacy of stewardship.
Who We Are
We are Episcopal Church women of all ages, ethnic origins and socioeconomic backgrounds who hold a variety of views. However, our common denominator is our love of God and the desire to do his work.
Our Mission
Centered in congregations, the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) empower women to do Christ’s ministry in the world.
Our Vision
Our vision for all women of the Episcopal Church is that we become a vibrant blend of all ages, coming together as a peacemaking, healing part of the church. We aspire to be a God spark – shining and sharing the love of Christ.
Episcopal Church Women'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. 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 ECW Board Members
Episcopal Church Women Official Call for Nominations
The Episcopal Church Women is accepting nominations for officers for the 2025-2027 term:
VP, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Communication Chair and Historian/Archivist.
Criteria for selection, as well as roles and responsibilities can be found in the Handbook. Please contact Mrs. Nancy P. Sands, ECW Nominating Committee Chair, for more information.
Dr. Ann Nkiruka Ifekwunigwe, President – Term 2025-2027
VACANT, Vice President
VACANT, Recording Secretary
Ms. Nancy Smith, Treasurer, St. Aidan’s, Virginia Beach – Term 2025-2027
VACANT, Corresponding Secretary
VACANT, Parliamentarian
VACANT, Communication Chair
Ms. Helen Sharpe-Williams, Student Work Chair, Christ and St. Luke’s, Norfolk – Term 2025-2027
Ms. Deborah Austin, Prayer & Worship Chair, St. Mark’s, Suffolk – Term 2025-2027
Dr. Renee Escoffery-Torres, Church Periodical Club Director, St. Augustine’s, Newport News –Term 2025-2027
Ms. Joanne Alston-Hooker, United Thank Offering Coordinator, St. Augustine’s, Newport News – Term 2025-2027
VACANT, Historian & Archivist
Ms. Nancy Sands, Nominating Chair, Christ Church, Danville –Term 2025-2027
Ms. Helen Sharpe-Williams, Special Stewardship Chair
Ms. Victoria Koch, Daughters of the King
Ms. Susan Schrader, W2W4 Congo, St. Paul’s, Norfolk
Dr. Renee Escoffery-Torres, President, Province III, St. Augustine’s, Newport News
Convocation Chairs
I Eastern Shore – VACANT
II Virginia Beach – VACANT
III Norfolk – VACANT
IV Suffolk – Ms. Deborah Austin
V Jamestown – VACANT
VI Petersburg – VACANT
VII South Richmond – VACANT
VIII Farmville – Dr. Angela M. Parker
IX Danville – VACANT
News and Events
Events
ECW Master Class with Visual Artist Synthia Saint James!
On May 9, the ECW of the Diocese of Southern Virginia is honored to host a Master Class with renowned visual artist Synthia Saint James. This promises to be an extraordinary experience, and you may attend in person or via Zoom.
In-Person Location: St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, 2515 Marshall Ave., Newport News, VA 23607
Virtual Participation: Zoom Link will be sent to you after you register. We will send a list of materials you will need for the workshop. (Please note: In person attendees will have supplies provided at no cost.)
Schedule
- 10:00 a.m. Arrival and Registration
- 10:30 a.m. ECW Spring Meeting
- 11:00 a.m. Lunch
- 12:00 p.m. Master Class with Synthia Saint James
- 1:30 p.m. Adjourn
All required supplies for the class will be provided for in-person participants at St. Augustine’s. Online participants will receive a list of supplies when they register.
Registration: To register, please use the form at https://forms.gle/hUEGBEwjGkLaLcUj6
Questions? Email Ann Ifekwunigwe at annifekwunigwe@gmail.com
- Online participants will receive the Zoom link upon registration.
- In-person lunch is provided at a cost of $10.
- Mail checks to: Joanne Alston-Hooker, Treasurer, PO BOX 1272, Newport News, VA 23601
- You may also pay at the door, but advance reservations are required.
Registration deadline: Thursday, April 30th at 5:00 p.m.
About Synthia Saint James: Synthia Saint James is a celebrated American visual artist, author, and educator known for her bold, vibrant, multicultural artwork. She created the original cover art for Terry McMillan’s Waiting to Exhale and designed the first U.S. Postal Service Kwanzaa stamp (1997). Her work is featured internationally, and she is also a prolific writer and illustrator of children’s books as well as a dedicated instructor.
News
We Gave $37,242.00 in 2025.
Trust Fund Contributions: Total $11,752.00
2024 Diocesan Budget: Total $1,450.00
God Bless the Children Gifts to Graduates: We give $100 to each graduate at Jackson-Feild and the Boys Home. Funded by Individual and Parish donations. Total $300.00
Elise Holladay Scholarships: Given to High School graduates to further their education. Funded by Individual and Parish Contributions and the Flora Penick Fund. Total $10,000.00
W2W4Congo: Funded by parish and individual contributions and Special Stewardship Grants. Total $4,740.00
Special Stewardship Grants: Funded by Flora A. Penick Memorial Fund, Bishop Tucker Memorial Fund & Parish Contributions. Total $9,000.00
We Installed a New President in October 2024.
Ann Ifekwunigwe was installed as President, of the Episcopal Church Women (ECW), in Diocese of Southern Virginia at the Fall Annual Meeting in South Hill in October. Ann is a member of Christ & Grace Episcopal Church in Petersburg. She is proud to be installed as our new president and looks forward to meeting and serving with everyone. She is currently working to fill empty board positions. Her heartfelt request is to please consider serving in one of these essential positions. VP, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Communication Chair and Historian/Archivist. Criteria for selection, as well as roles and responsibilities can be found in the ECW Handbook. Please contact Mrs. Nancy P. Sands, ECW Nominating Committee Chair, for more information.
ECW Resources
The Grapevine
The Grapevine is a quarterly print-ready newsletter available via email through TIDINGS, our diocesan weekly newsletter, or linked here. We appreciate your help sharing ECW news. If you have news you would like included in The Grapevine, contact Angela Parker, ecwcommunication@gmail.com.
2026 ECW Scholarship
The Episcopal Church Women are currently accepting applications for the Elise Holladay and Beverly D. Tucker Scholarships. The deadline for all applications is Saturday, May 23. Please refer to the scholarship for instructions, contact information, and mailing address.
2024 ECW Yearbook & Parish Directory
The 2024 ECW Yearbook & Directory is available by contacting Susan Allen at sallen@diosova.org or 757-213-3391. We are currently working on updating the Yearbook and Directory, Parish Information and Convocation Report forms.
- Click here for 2025 ECW Annual Contribution Report
- Click here for 2025 ECW Parish Contribution Report to Diocesan President
- Click here for 2025 ECW Parish Information Report
- Click here for 2025 ECW Convocation Report
- Click here for 2025 ECW Church Periodical Club (CPC) Donations Allocation Form
- Click here for ECW media release form
- Click here for ECW Information Handbook
- Click here for a history of the ECW in Southern Virginia
The Tamar Project
Women to Women’s Tamar Project is the focus of our diocesan ECW Outreach. Learn more about this important ministry.
Women to Women, started in the Diocese of Virginia in 2012, now has a sister group in Norfolk where at least seven parishes are represented. The ECW of Southern Virginia has taken it on as an Outreach Project.
Started by the wife of Bukavu Bishop Bahati, Mme Nyota Bahati founded the Tamar Project. (See 2 Samuel 13.1 ff.) Her Anglican Mothers’ Union knows what is needed for their suffering sisters and how to proceed, but they need financial help to buy more Bibles, sewing machines for the tailoring and cooking pots for the catering courses. They need funds to help with medical attention and lodging where possible, and to increase their micro-credit system to provide a new start to a life seemingly over. When possible, they help the children of these abused women with school fees, supplies, and uniforms. Their work is amazing, moving, dynamic!
Click here for a presentation on The Tamar Project (PDF file)
Click here for a video about The Tamar Project
Agencies in ECW Fellowship
The School of Religious Literacy
In the midst of a world that is increasingly divided and tragically broken, The School of Religious Literacy strives to raise up leaders in two ways. First of all, we provide all students (traditional high school graduates, homeschool students and adult learners) with the rigorous undergraduate education necessary to make them religiously literate while also giving them the background needed to apply to well funded, elite universities. Secondly, The School also educates existing leaders in all professions, including Education, Law, Medicine, Business, and Science and Religion to better understand the impact and the scope of religious influences in, and on, their professions and their world.
WE OFFER:
ASSOCIATE OF THEOLOGY (A.Th.)
- We specialize in preparing all students, including homeschool graduates, for world-class, well-funded, universities
- Rolling Admission
- All U.S. Courses are accredited and all UK courses are from universities granted Royal Charter
- All courses are online
- Tutoring services offered
DOCTOR OF RELIGIOUS LITERACY (D.R.L.)
- We specialize in preparing college graduates for the British Style Ph.D.
- Rolling Admission
- All U.S. Courses are accredited and all UK courses are from universities granted Royal Charter
- All courses are online except for an optional ethics course
- Tutoring services offered
RECOMMENDATION AND ADMISSION
The School of Religious Literacy has no website and limited social media presence because application to The School is by recommendation only.
ENROLL NOW!
EMAIL OR CALL FOR INFORMATION
thestudium2023@gmail.com
434-632-0487
201 Franklin Street
P.O. Box 486
South Hill, Virginia 23970
The Order of the daughters of the king
A spiritual sisterhood of women dedicated to a life of prayer, service, and evangelism. We have made a commitment to Jesus as our Savior, and we follow him as Lord of our lives.
Click here to learn more.
Altar Guild
Learn about the Altar Guild ministry through the National Altar Guild Association.
For more about Altar Guild and guidelines for its work, click here.
National Altar Guild Prayer
Most gracious Father Who has called me Your child to serve in the preparation of Your Altar, so that it may be a suitable place for the offering of Your Body and Blood; Sanctify my life and consecrate my hands so that I may worthily handle Those Sacred Gifts which are being offered to You.
As I handle holy things, grant that my whole life may be illuminated and blessed by You, in whose honor I prepare them, and grant that the people who shall be blessed by their use, may find their lives drawn closer to Him Whose Body and Blood is our hope and our strength, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Church Periodical Club
The CPC is an independent, affiliated organization of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church, dedicated to the worldwide Ministry of the Written Word and to the Promotion of Christian Mission. Its ministry is to make grants that supply written materials of any type free to those who cannot otherwise obtain them and to raise money to do this.
Click here for an article from Diocesan CPC Coordinator Dr. Renee Escoffery-Torres.
Click here for the Spring 2024 CPC Newsletter.