Join us!

....as we move toward a deeper understanding of Christ in our lives and the lives of others.  We welcome your participation at the parish, deanery, and/or diocesan level.

To join please contact us or your local church or deanery member

Leadership Level

  • Your ECW meets regularly and some members participate in Deanery and Diocesan events.  How can your ECW move forward?
  • Programs can be expanded to include parish-wide events under the ECW banner.  Consider providing speakers on family and women’s issues.  Reach out to women in crisis, both in your church and in the community.
  • Encourage the women in your church to participate in the Deanery and Diocesan events.  Meet other women from throughout the region and re-light the fire!  Women from your parish may choose to represent you in the Diocesan ECW.
  • Providing additional financial support to the ECW is also critical.  The income from our endowment provides our philanthropic funding.  Consider a gift to the endowment in honor or memory of a parish member.  Help expand the work of the ECW here in the Diocese as well as nationally and inter-nationally.  Set aside support in your annual budget, either through the ECW or the parish.  Help keep the ECW a vital part of your faith community!

Participating Level

Now you have an organized ECW.  What do you do now? 

  • Maintain your regular programming of faith, fellowship and service activities.  Explore activities that would encourage guild or group participation such as Bible study groups, days out for mom, or a knitting ministry.  Focus on an underserved group in your church whether it is the young moms, working women, or senior women.
  • This is a wonderful time to increase your participation in the Deanery and the Diocese.  Meet the vibrant women from the area and adapt their programs for the women of your church.
  • here are several organizations within ECW that may enhance your chapter such as Daughters of the King or Church Periodical Club.  Expand your understanding of the United Thank Offering and consider two offerings each year.  The UTO is a church wide program so that you can begin to involve the children and the men, too!  For further information about any of these groups, please contact the ECW at the Diocesan center.
  • Help shape the direction of women’s ministries in the Diocese of Chicago.  Provide leadership within the Deanery and Diocesan levels by becoming a member of the Board of Directors or as the Deanery Chair.

             The next step:  Leadership Level.

Joining Level

Most churches have several groups of women who meet regularly for sharing faith, fellowship or service.  But to provide a structure to your new organization, we suggest that you hold three events each year which are parish-wide events open to all interested women.  Perhaps you might wish to follow the “Faith, Fellowship & Service” format.

 Faith

These events would focus on the spiritual side of women and could include meeting with clergy, a special worship service, an interfaith event, or a presentation on the Bible or other thoughtful book of interest.


Fellowship or Sisterhood      

Events focusing on just having fun are sometimes hard for women to accept!  Set aside a time for the women of the church to enjoy each other’s company, learn about each other and reach out to women of each generation.  Entertainment and refreshments help encourage visiting.