Faith


Bless us that our lives may shine forth the joy and wonder   we share in Your Name.

Episcopal Church Women’s Prayer
Almighty God, we pray that You will bless our work in mission and ministry in the
world. We give thanks for the gifts of joy and wonder to be found in Your works. Make us
so thankful for the power of Your love, given through Your Son, Jesus, that we may pray,
labor and give liberally to make known that love throughout the world.
We are women and girls of all ages and ethnic backgrounds, who offer You our
ministries at home, in the workplace, community, and school. Bless us that our lives may
shine forth the joy and wonder we share in Your Name, Amen.

Oraciones de las Mujeres da la Iglesia Episcopal
Omnipotente Dios, te suplicamos que bendigas nuestros esfuerzos en mision y
ministerio en el mundo. Te damos las gracias por los dones de alegria y maravilla a ser
descubiertos en tus obras. Que nos hagas tan agradecidas por el poder de tu amor, dado
a nosotras en tu hijo Jesus, que podremos orar, trabajar y donar generosamente para que
se conozca tal amor en todo el mundo.
Somos mujeres y ninas de varias edades y origenes etnicos que te ofrecemos
nuestro ministerio en casa, en el trabajo, en la comunidad y en la escuela. Que nos
bendigas para que la vida nuestra pueda iluminar la alegria y las maravillas en que
participamos en nombre tuyo. Amen.


Education

 


"A Christian Prepares for Death - A spiritual guide for helping   loved ones you leave."     From St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Evanston                          Adapted from St. Anne's in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, Lincoln, MA and The Episcopal Church in the United State

This booklet is a step by step checklist for supplying an invaluable list of general and legal information as will as wishes for a funeral or memorial service.  It is designed for use at any point in life and provides an important addition to planning a will and/or trust and can also be used as a discussion tool when dealing with elderly or ailing relatives or friends.

To download a copy of the booklet, please click here.




Service

 


R.E.L.I.C.S  St. Hugh of Lincoln, Elgin

      The women of St. Hugh of Lincoln in Elgin are not resting on their past accomplishments - they are sharing their faith and fellowship through their fundraising efforts.  The Retired Episcopalian Ladies in Christ's Service has raised over $20,000 in the last 6 years providing funds to a wide variety of organizations:various Episcopal Relief and Development initiatives, the Episcopal Camp Coast Care of Katrina victims, the Hole in the Wall Camp, All People's Interfaith Food Pantry, PADS of Elgin and the Elgin Salvation Army among many others,  This year, funds will be provided to support this young Ugandan woman with her education.

Within St. Hugh they have given gifts to the nursery, the children’s library and books for their seminarian.  The members of St. Hugh honored the women for their tireless efforts in April of this year, celebrating their service with a coffee hour and by placing a plaque at the church.

Our thanks to Linda Youngren and The Rev. Marion Phipps for filling us in on the wonderful R.E.L.I.C.S in Elgin!

Do you have a group of women at your church who are doing good works?  Let us know – we love spreading the word about our wonderful women!  Please submit articles to Bev Madsen, Mirror editor – editor@ecwchicago.org or by mail to the ECW office:  Episcopal Church Women, St. James Commons, 65 E. Huron Street, Chicago, 60611-2728.



International Outreach Committee

                                               
      The International Outreach Committee (IOP) has been a special committee of the Board of Directors for 10 years.  The IOP raises funds for international outreach and special concerns through the purchase of molas from the Kuna Indians of Panama. These beautiful pieces of handworked fabric represent a traditional art form in Panama and they are offered for donations at the Diocesan Convention and General Convention.  The purchase of these items helps support the Kuna Indians and the funds which are raised go towards the purchase of more molas and outreach.  The IOP provided the seed money for the purchase of Spanish editions of the Book of Common Prayer.   Most recently, the companion diocese of Renk, South Sudan has received donations for the purchase of mosquito nets and support for the Mother's Union.  In the Diocese  of Southeast Mexico, the IOP has contributed to the family and children's programs of Amiquitos. 
  
 Members traveled to Panama in early 2012 for their last mola purchasing trip and the 2012 Triennial and General Convention will be the last convention for the IOP as it has been organized.   Molas were available at the Diocesan Convention.

Judy Greaves and Jane McCarron are the conveners for the International Outreach Ministry which will follow in the footsteps of the IOP.  For further information regarding the International Outreach Ministry, please contact the conveners:  international@ecwchicago.org



Support Haiti                             




Haitian Hand Embroidered Linens

   Supply your sacristry with these beautiful
hand embroidered linens. Help support the
women of Haiti and the outreach efforts of
the Society of St. Margaretin Port-Au-Prince.

   Their catalogue is available here. 






 


Pillowcase Dresses

   These sweet little dresses can be easily made by
beginning sewers. Ideal for young girls' service projects
for church or Scouts.  The women of St. Mary's,
Crystal Lake, sent 162 dresses to Haiti in 2011. 
   For more information about their service project,
please click here.

    New materials cost less than $5 per dress,
and with leftover materials and gently used pillowcases,
the cost can be even lower. 
   Directions for the dresses are available by clicking here
and a cutting diagram is available here.