Members from the Council of Women's Ministries concluded a successful planning retreat attended by leaders from 8 of the founding organizations of the Council, and The Rev. Margaret Rose and Kim Robey of the Office of Women's Ministries. Out of the retreat has come a decision to rename the council and refocus on the original mission of the council -- to provide a support network to encourage cooperation among those organizations that began as ministries by women. Many of the groups have male members, but all remain under women's leadership.
Recognizing that women do ministry in many ways, and that working as part of a formal ministry begun by women is only a part of this array of ministry, the group has chosen a new name, the Council of Episcopal Women's Organizations. Members of the Council are the presidents of each group. Groups are expected to name an alternate so that there will always be a representative able to attend meetings. The purpose of the group is to provide support for each other and to look for ways that organizations can cooperate in ways that will extend the reach of each organization.
The Rev. Barbara Schlacter, chair of the Committee on the Status of Women, was enthusiastic about the possibilities of cooperation between groups, and pointed to the collaborative efforts of the Committee, the Episcopal Women's Caucus, and the Episcopal Women's History Project to produce an interactive Timeline exhibit for Triennial and General Convention as an example of the kinds of cooperation that benefited everyone.
Director of Women's Ministries, the Reverend Margaret Rose, was pleased with the outcome. "These organizations offer important ministries to the church, and the Council will facilitate their work while leaving room for other forms of ministry to develop and function separately from the council. I am looking forward to working with CEWO as a part of my work with women's ministries."
Organizations represented for some or all of the retreat were the Episcopal Church Women, the Committee on the Status of Women, the Episcopal Women's Caucus, the Episcopal Women's History Project, the National Altar Guild, the United Thank Offering, the Girl's Friendly Society, and Episcopal Asian Women. Other organizations that are currently part of the council are the Church Periodical Club and Daughters of the King. The Council would welcome additional organizations joining.
