Episcopal Press and News
Women's Ministries Council Holds Meeting
Episcopal News Service. January 9, 1986 [86003]
Salome Breck, Editor of Journal of Women's Ministries
HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (DPS, Jan. 9) -- Thirty-one women, leadership representatives from the 19 member-organizations which make up the Council of Women's Ministries, met at the Kanuga Conference Center here for three days at the beginning of December. This was the sixth such gathering for the Council, which is not an organization as such, but is simply what its name implies: a council where representatives from national organizations and groups of Episcopal women meet for discussion twice a year.
The stated purpose for the winter session at Kanuga was "to continue our spiritual journey together. To reflect on past and present journeys, and to become 'doers of the Word.'"
Marylyn Adams of Tulsa, Okla., convenor, opened the first session, informing the group of the recent death of Lois Clark, who from the first had represented the Native American group of women.
Marge Christie of the Diocese of Newark reported on General Convention and also announced the conference for Anglican women to be held April 18-20 at Canterbury Cathedral in England. The conference is sponsored by the Movement for the Ordination of Women (MOW) in England. American delegates may number 25, with others joining unofficially. The deadline for participants is Feb. 15. Each organization present was asked to consider sending a woman to Canterbury.
Five special concerns were decided upon as major projects to be given emphasis during the next six months:
- Poverty: Council members pledged help to projects of assistance, such as food distribution and clothing needs. The causes of poverty will be studied with Women in Mission and Ministry material on "Justice for Working Women" as resource material.
- Leadership Training: Those who can were urged to schedule leadership training groups with Ann Smith, coordinator for Women in Mission and Ministry at the Episcopal Church Center.
- Young Leadership: The development of young leadership both in youth groups and among young women who are as yet not involved in women's church activities was targeted.
- Communication: Promotion of better understanding of the Council was considered through such things as modeling Council programs on province level programs and using all forms of media to promote women's involvement in the Church.
- South Africa: Find ways to assist women of South Africa. Use study material on black women in that part of the world and encourage that study in parishes. Sign petitions for Bishop Tutu.
Representatives of the following groups and organizations were present: Church Periodical Club; Daughters of the King; Episcopal Women's Caucus; Episcopal Women's History Project; Episcopal Society for Ministry on Aging; Executive Council; Fellowship of Women in the Diaconate; Fellowship of Church Secretaries; Journal of Women's Ministries; Episcopal Communicators; National Association of Diocesan Altar Guilds; seminary women; Episcopal Church Women; religious orders; United Thank Offering; and, from the Episcopal Church Center, Women in Mission and Ministry, World Mission, and ethnic desks: black, Asian, and Hispanic.