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Province 1 Episcopal Church Women

Newsletter
Easter 2020
“We will fight this particular contagion and all of our preexisting social contagions and divisions by the disciplined labor of love. Love working through medical folk, love working through leaders, love working through each one of us who can help and heal maybe in small ways but add them up and they make a profound difference.“
The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry 
 
Greetings Province 1 Women and Happy Easter!
Although it may seem like we are still traveling a long road in Holy Week we know that in times of crisis and adversity God calls us to Hope, Faith and Love.  What we see will look different from person to person and community to community but together, with God as our guide, we will do the next loving thing.

In 2019 Province 1 ECW was literally  "On the Road"  with women's ministry "Road Shows" all over Province 1.  The Road Shows have come to an end for 2020, but we are still on the move in many other ways. 

For one, the Province 1 ECW executive committee and others continue to meet monthly by Zoom for support, sharing, and exploring ideas of what we can still do in 2020.   Zoom has now become a household word for many,  but we have made good use of this way of gathering for over a year. As ideas emerge we will share with all. For a recap of our last two meetings: CLICK HERE 

There are many inspiring stories of how people are helping one another and supporting the most vulnerable. I will share with you my personal story....
 
Southbridge, Massachusetts ~ March 2020
My husband and I started a 12-bed homeless shelter six years ago called St. Luke's Guesthouse.   In March, when physical distancing became necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19,  we had to decrease our census at the Guesthouse.  The governor asked everyone to stay at home but what about those in our area suffering from homelessness? Calls for shelter increased but there was no space to accommodate those in need. With public spaces like libraries and  coffee shops closed, the homeless even lost access to toilets. We became very concerned about the people on the street, their health, vulnerability to illness and potential to spread the virus. 

The first thing we did was order a portable toilet for public use near the sidewalk on Main Street where the Guesthouse is located. Second we contacted the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency about the possibility of putting a tent on the property for homeless persons.  Within a week we had an 11-person heated tent set up on the property and a total of three portable toilets.  Space in the tent quickly filled with those in need. Guests are given masks and hand sanitizer and are able to shower in the Guesthouse and do laundry. We do health checks daily and so far, thank God, have had no cases of COVID-19. Tamsin Lucey of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Southbridge and a life long Episcopal Church Woman has organized three meals a day for our guests.

Our regular Guesthouse staff are working with our guests providing case management help, everything from getting socks for a man with none to helping find affordable housing. The mission of St. Luke's Guesthouse is to provide Christian hospitality and support self-sufficiency. 

The tent will be operational for two months during the "surge"  in Massachusetts. Here are two photos taken when we began operations. 











We will slowly start to re-open the Guesthouse once the tent comes down. It will not be "business as usual" for a long while, but we will continue to help make a difference for homeless people in our corner of God's Kingdom.

If you would like to know more about St. Luke's Guesthouse you can visit our website: stlukesguesthouse.wordpress.com  or visit us on Facebook: .facebook.com/StLukesGuesthouse/ 
Easter Blessings, 
Susan Howland
News from the Province 1 Representative to the National ECW Board
Margaret Noel
 
Just before travel came to an abrupt halt, the National ECW Board met in Nashville Tennessee from Feb 20-25, 2020.

During our meetings we:
  • worshipped and sang together.
  • studied and discussed ways ECW may be able to address social justice issues.  
  • firmed up the choice of chaplain and musicians for Triennial Meeting.
The Spring Communique is out and is dedicated to Earth Day.
~~ Special request: We are looking for the Triennial cross from 1988 held in Detroit. We have all but that one! So, if you or someone you know has one please let me know. 
 
On a personal note, I was able to go to The Rev. Becca Steven’s Thistle Farm, enjoy a fabulous tea and see the operation firsthand.

I also had the opportunity to worship at Church of the Holy Trinity as well as partake in the afternoon service they hold for the homeless and those who are uncomfortable entering a church (Kind of a Church Beyond Walls.). The parish then offers a lovely meal. 
 
I had a moving time at this meeting. It is a wonderful experience being with women who love God and want to be of service to others.
 
Our next meeting was scheduled for Baltimore in May but now is moved into September.
 
Blessings and Faith and Courage in this time of uncertainty. The God of Love is with us.
 
Margaret
Margaret_e_noel@hotmail.com
News From the Episcopal Church in Connecticut ECW
The board of the Connecticut Episcopal Church Women have voted to cancel the September 10, 2020 Annual Meeting. Being unsure when there will be an opening of the state, plus the closeness of the seating at the Aqua Turf and the ages of most of those in attendance, we felt it best to not hold the meeting. With most of the businesses closed down plus the stay at home in place we felt it was the proper thing to do. 
In the many years I have been involved with the ECW we have never had this happen, but of course this is something we have never seen before either. God willing we will be able to hold our Annual Meeting next May, as usual.    
God's Peace and Blessings,
Betty
 

United Thank Offering News

Sherri Dietrich, UTO Board President and Joyce Joyce Landers, UTO Vice President


April 20, 2020

Dear UTO Coordinators/Organizers,
On behalf of the entire UTO Board and Staff, I want to wish you a happy Easter and say that you all are in our prayers during this challenging time. I write to you today to offer some encouragement and share some updates on the work of UTO.  Read more: HERE 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Read the most recent UTO Newsletter: HERE 
Give now to UTO
If you have 6 minutes to spare for a message on Gratitude CLICK HERE 
and you will not be disappointed.
It is a short film by Louie Schwartzberg , Narrated by Brother David Steindl-Rast  

Book recommendation:
The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World,  by Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu and Douglas Carlton
ALICE WHELAN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Province 1 ECW has a $50 scholarship available annually. This scholarship is given to enhance the involvement of women in the Episcopal Church in the Province of New England to  carry on Christ's work of reconciliation in the world and to take their place as leaders in the life, governance and worship of the church when financial need is an obstacle.  It is expected that the applicant, or other sponsoring group, will match this gift. For more information and an application please email Province1ECW@gmail.com
Miles of Pennies News
Pennies Count
Like the Widow's Mite was worth the search, the penny is worth the picking up...  Here's why.  In 1988 the Church Periodical Club celebrated its 100th anniversary and one thing they did was establish the Mile of Pennies ("MOP") Grant Award.

So how much money does a mile of pennies make? $844.80! That is the most that a grant can be!  The collection of the smallest of our coins provides grants for books and materials for children from kindergarten through high school.  It makes good use of our least coin to do great good for children!

Our friends in  Maine continue to collect pennies.  The total collected in 2020 is $46.87.
If you would like to learn more about Miles of Pennies and the Church Periodical Club. Click Here
 
Girls Friendly Society Book Scholarship Application

GFS Members!

The book scholarship application is available below. Due date is June 15, 2020.

Please read the application information carefully and use the correct form. Start early in order to obtain all documentation required and to comply with new procedures.

The new application can be found of the GFS USA website.

BOOK SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Thank you,
GFS Book Scholarship Committee
 
 
Girls' Friendly Society || www.gfsus.org
 
Province 1 Episcopal Church Women are eager for You to Communicate with Us
 

Our email address is: Province1ECW@gmail.com
Our Website is: province1episcopalchurchwomen.wordpress.com
Find and Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ECWProvince1






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Province 1 Episcopal Church Women · Susan P Howland, President ECW Province 1 · 132 Osgood Rd · Charlton, MA 01507-5342 · USA

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