Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Delaware
Next Annual Gathering, October 18, 2008
The Annual Gathering of the Episcopal Church Women of Delaware will be held October 18, 2008 at St. Peter's Church in Lewes, DE. The theme for the day is the third Millennium Development Goal - The Empowerment of Women. Lunch will allow time for networking and visiting. Special Music will also be a highlight of the day. The St. Peter’s choir will sing and special music has been composed. See below to learn about our 2008 project to benefit the Seamen’s Center in Wilmington.
Election of Officers at Annual Gathering:
Rose Sombar and Florence Keith are running for their second terms as President and Vice-President respectively. Dianne Burlew is running for Treasurer. The Board is currently seeking nominations for the Communicator Chair. For further information, please contact Florence Keith at 302-945-0937.
The 2008 ECW Project will benefit the Seamen's Center of Wilmington, Delaware.
The Seamen's Center has graciously provided us a “wish list” and we are asking the parishes of the Diocese to help with whatever and wherever they can.
- Volunteers are needed as greeters, drivers, ship visitors. There is a critical need for Friday evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays.
- Monetary Donations will help defray the cost for TWIC (security) cards and for “Pay as you go” cell phones and the phone cards needed to replenish them. Checks must be marked on the memo line to denote TWIC or “PAY AS YOU GO” and should be sent directly to:
Seamen’s Center
PO Box 405
Wilmington DE 19899 - Items Wanted: Guitar, keyboard, bicycles (coaster brake and “fat” tires preferred; volunteers can repair donations), stationery including stickers, prayer cards—can be written by children as outreach project. See below for drop-off locations.
- Clothing Wanted: Men’s Winter Clothes (hats, scarves, coats, sweaters). See below for drop-off locations in Delaware. Attendees of the Annual Meeting will be asked to bring men’s winter gloves with them to the meeting.
- Drop-Off Locations:
- New Castle County: St. James Church, 2 S. Augustine St., Newport, DE 19804; 994-2029.
- Kent County: Christ Church, Milford, 200 Church St., Milford, DE 19963, 422-8466 (until August 1, 2008 only)
- Sussex County: St. John’s, 307 Federal St., Milton, DE 19968; 684-8431 (Sundays, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon until August 1, 2008 only)
- Drawing: To help support this worthy cause, a drawing was held at the Diocesan Convention in April for a wrought iron birdcage filled with a fresh flower arrangement. This raffle netted $72 and was won by Bob Shea, Education for Ministry Coordinator for the Diocese.
- Click here to learn more about the Seamen's Center of Wilmington.
Wanted: Communicator
The Dioscesan ECW Board is in search of a publicist for Board activities and events. Computer skills a plus but not necessary. Click here to send an email to Rose Sombar or call her at 684-0313.
Our Annual Gatherings
by Genia Thomas, The Church of the Ascension, Claymont
Women from all around the Diocese of Delaware met at The Church of the Ascension on October 20, 2007, for the annual meeting of the Diocesan Episcopal Church Women (ECW). After registration and a continental breakfast, we heard of the wonderful work being done in the name of the women of the diocese to accomplish Christ’s mission in Delaware. Women from each church represented next told of the work being done in their own parishes. We then put together “Coming Home Kits,” using items donated by the parishes, for the Way Home Program which serves men and women being released from Delaware prisons. In addition to the practical items needed as the prisoners transition to life in society, we enclosed prayers written by the women for the inmates. The group also decided that our 2008 project will benefit the Seamen’s Center in Wilmington. Worship closed our day, with Bishop Wright preaching and celebrating and a collection for United Thank Offering taken up. A special thanks is due to the women of Ascension who, by donating wonderful food and drink for our breakfast and lunch, made more funds available to aid mission projects sponsored by the ECW of Delaware. Thank you to all of the women of Delaware who made for such a wonderful, productive day together.
Episcopal Church Women's 12th Annual Prayer Breakfast, Saturday, September 20, 9:00 a.m. at Saints Andrew and Matthew. 11:54 am will address the theme, “Moving to Christ Through Your Gifts.” The cost is $10. For details, call 656-6628.
Board Meetings 2008
SEPTEMBER 20, ST. MARK’S, MILLSBORO
OCTOBER 18, ANNUAL MEETING, ST. PETER’S, LEWES
NOVEMBER 8, NEW CASTLE, ST. JAMES, NEWPORT
Meetings begin at 11:00 a.m. and continue until 1:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Attendees bring a sandwich and the host church provides coffee and dessert. The meetings are open to everyone. Please plan to attend.
Board Members 2008
- Honorary President:
Holly Wright - Chaplain To The Board:
The Rev. Sarah Nelson - President:
Rose Sombar - Vice-President:
Florence Keith - Recording Secretary:
Stumpy Moore - Treasurer:
Dianne Burlew - New Castle Co. Rep.:
Ginny Wingate - Kent Co. Rep.:
Phyllis Kemp - Sussex Co. Rep.:
Lorraine Bozman - Church Women United:
Charlotte Hunt - United Thank Offering:
Beth Fitzpatrick - Christian Social Relations:
Dottie Vuono - ERD/Nat’l Board Sec.:
Barbara Mc Kee - Province Iii Vice-Pres.:
Helen Whitson - Historian:
Ellie Hoffman - Budget Officer:
Dianne Burlew - Corresponding Sec.:
Sr. Cassandra Grace - Parliamentarian:
Stella Williams - Member-At-Large:
Claudia Pistek - Member-At-Large:
Mary Parsons
National ECW
Click here to visit the National ECW website.
Hats for Seamen’s Center
May 20, 2008 was an exciting evening at Christ Episcopal Church, Milford, DE. That was the night some of the ladies of Christ Church and the girls from Girl Scout Troop 109 gathered to sew hats for the Seamen’s Center in Wilmington. The Seamen’s Center is a home away from home for the seafarers, many of whom come from tropical climates and many not be fully prepared for winters on the Delaware shore and surrounding areas. Thus the hats are a welcomed gift to these men.
The ladies of Christ Church together with the girls learned about the Seamen’s Center and learned to layout, cut and sew the hats. Pictured are the ladies and girls of Troop 109. The girls will be able to apply this learning session to be put toward their Community Service badge.
A total of 53 hats were cut and several sewn that evening. The ladies will be busy finishing these hats to be given to the Director of the Center, Ms. Joan Lyons, at the Annual Episcopal Church Women meeting in October along with winter gloves being collected throughout the Diocese of Delaware.
Special thanks to all who participated. The men will know people care and will be grateful to Episcopalians in Delaware and the Girl Scouts.