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
Ms. Laura L. Manigault, President – Term 2023-2025
Ms. Ronda Toll, Vice President – Term 2023-2026
Ms. Deborah Paule Morton, Recording Secretary – Term 2023-2025
Ms. Nancy Smith, Treasurer – Term 2023-2025
Ms. Cornelia Taylor, Corresponding Secretary – Term 2023-2025
Dr. Renee Escoffery-Torres, Parliamentarian – Term 2023-2025
Dr. Angela Parker, Communication Chair
Ms. Helen Sharpe-Williams, Student Work Chair
Ms. Deborah Austin, Prayer & Worship Chair
Dr. Renee Escoffery-Torres, Church Periodical Club Director
Ms. Joanne Alston-Hooker, United Thank Offering Coordinator
VACANT, Historian & Archivist
Ms. Nancy Sands, Nominating Committee Chair
Ms. Helen Sharpe-Williams, Special Stewardship Chair
Ms. Lydia Dyson, Daughters of the King
Ms. Susan Schrader, W2W4 Congo
Diocesan ECW President Ms. Laura L. Manigault would love to hear from you! Her email address is akumlovj.bfrh87@gmail.com or home address: 232 West Gilbert Street, Apt. 143, Hampton, VA 23669. If you have any questions you may telephone: 757-765-0083.
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
Schedule 2023
February
February 25 - Diocese of Southern Virginia Annual Council
March
March 16 - Diocesan ECW Spring Board Meeting (Virtual)
April
INGATHERING: UNITED THANK OFFERING (UTO)
April 29 – Autism Acceptance Month Program (Virtual)
May
INGATHERING: CHURCH PERIODICAL CLUB (CPC)
May 20 – Diocesan ECW Annual Spring Meeting (Virtual) with Louisa Taylor Letcher Observance
September
September 21 – Diocesan ECW Fall Board Meeting (Virtual)
October
INGATHERING: UNITED THANK OFFERING (UTO)
October 28 – Diocesan ECW Fall Annual Meeting (Emmanuel, Hampton)
Schedule 2024
February
February 10 - Diocese of Southern Virginia Annual Council (Williamsburg)
March
March 14 - Diocesan ECW Spring Executive Board Meeting (Virtual)
April
INGATHERING: UNITED THANK OFFERING (UTO)
April 20 – Autism Acceptance Month Program (Virtual)
May
INGATHERING: CHURCH PERIODICAL CLUB (CPC)
May 18 – Diocesan ECW Annual Spring Meeting with Louisa Taylor Letcher Observance (St. Paul’s, Norfolk)
September
September 19 – Diocesan ECW Fall Board Meeting (Virtual)
October
INGATHERING: UNITED THANK OFFERING (UTO)
October 26 – Diocesan ECW Fall Annual Meeting (All Saints’, South Hill)
Past Events
2022 ECW Annual Fall Meeting
Our 2022 Fall Meeting was held virtually on Saturday, October 15, 2022.
- Click here to watch the video of this meeting.
2021 ECW Annual Fall Meeting
Our 2021 Fall Meeting was held virtually on Saturday, October 16, 2021.
- Click here to watch the video of this meeting.
- Click here for the slides from the presentation by Dr. Renee Escoffery-Torres.
- Click here for an Autism Awareness Reading List.
- Click here for an interview with Terrie Desloge of Synapsory.
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.
2022 ECW Yearbook & Parish Directory
The 2022 ECW Yearbook & Directory is available by contacting Shauna Daley, Administrative Assistant, sdaley@diosova.org or 757-423-8287. (The directory is not posted on the website due to privacy concerns.)
Click here for 2022 ECW reporting forms
Click here for ECW media release form
Click here for ECW Information Handbook
Click here for 2023 ECW Scholarship information and application. Applications must be received by May 5, 2023 to be considered for the fall semester. Questions? Contact Helen Sharpe-Williams, 757-487-8183.
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 Order of the Daughters of the King is 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.
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.
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 Winter 2023 CPC Newsletter.