Written by Kim Robey 

 

"Violence against women is the most pervasive human rights violation in the world" is a sentiment spoken by Kofi Annan and echoed by almost every human rights organization, the United Nations, and countless other NGOs around the world.  Everyone from Eve Ensler, who has created her own non-profit to advocate against violence to Nickolas Kristoff in his best selling book Half the Sky, has voiced what we all know...violence against women continues at an alarming pace.  Right here in the US, violence against women and girls manifests itself in human trafficking, rape, domestic violence, pornography and less severe ways every day. No aspect of our society is immune.
 
For the first time, the Episcopal Church Women (ECW), the Episcopal Women's Caucus (EWC) and Anglican Women's Empowerment (AWE) will partner for the purpose of developing an Episcopal Church campaign of activism and awareness to coincide with the 16 days of activism international campaign established by the Center for Women's Global Leadership at Rutgers University.

 

Known as the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign, the campaign starts on November 25, International Day Against Violence Against Women and runs for 16 days until December 10, International Human Rights Day, in order to emphasize that gender violence is a violation of human rights. This 16-day period also highlights other significant dates including November 29, International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, December 1, World AIDS Day, and December 6, which marks the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre.

 

Since 1991, over 2,000 organizations in approximately 156 countries have participated in the campaign which focuses on:

 

The Episcopal Church version of the campaign will recognize that the dates will overlap with Advent and will begin on Thanksgiving.  There will be opportunities for people and churches to write and share prayers and liturgies celebrating both Christ's coming into the world and the elimination of violence against women.  Our campaign will be shared with other provinces within our Communion on the International Anglican Women's Network (IAWN).  IAWN considers the elimination of violence against women to be it's number one priority.

 

During the 16 days of activism, churches will be encouraged to participate through prayer, special services to mark the occasion, sermons to emphasize the issue, speakers or films at adult forums, articles written in church and diocesan publications, and many other ways. A website blog is in development so that people can share what they are doing. Each organization will have information available but together we will create a resource which can be distributed to all.
We invite you to share your prayers, liturgies, stories, and resources about gender violence by sending them to president@ecwnational.org.
 
Together in solidarity, we lift up this very important issue. 

 

Marcia Himes, President for ECW 

http://ecwnational.org/                

Elizabeth Kaeton, Convener for EWC  http://www.episcopalwomenscaucus.org/

 

Kim Robey, Chair for AWE                   http://anglicanwomensempowerment.org/ 

For additional information please see http://www.cwgl.rutgers.edu/16days/about.html

The Episcopal Church of Liberia received a 2010 United Thank Offering grant of $36,800.00 to purchase a vehicle and to pay salaries for new positions including Director, Accountant and Assistant Director of the Education Secretariat of the diocese for one year.

As a result of many years of war and civil unrest in Liberia, the lives of families and children have been severely affected.  Schools have been greatly damaged and education for children has been interrupted to say the least.  There are 31 primary, junior and secondary schools which fly the Episcopal Church flag enrolling over 10,000 students.  Each school must meet standards set by the country's Ministry of Education but receives no public financial support so operates independently. 

 

Using this UTO grant the Episcopal Church of Liberia will establish the structure which includes the position of Secretariat/Superintendent that will do the following:
"Will mandate that all the schools will maintain the highest academic, moral and ethical standards; that there will be open communication among the schools to form a self-help network; that academic standards meet or exceed those required by the Ministry of Education; that concrete and verifiable efforts are made to increase female enrollment; that each school have a local board; that the parish priest take an active role on the board and in administrative oversight; that there be financial transparency on all income and expense items; determine what revenue enhancements can take place at the school level; and there be a central reporting system for self- and comparative- evaluation of performance to standards."
 
The Episcopal Church of Liberia is moving ahead on this project and hopes to be ready for the opening of school in September.  They are in process of hiring for the three positions and are about to purchase a vehicle.  Construction of the new office is progressing nicely.
 
A diocesan staff member reported that, "the reception by the Bishop, the Diocesan Staff and clergy has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic.  I won't pretend that the money doesn't count.   Every dollar counts.  But having the support of UTO is very, very positive for a country still recovering from the ravages of war."
 
            This is just one example of where your prayers and gifts of thanks go....around the world by God's plan - neighbor to neighbor, church to church, country to country.  Please join us with your prayers of thanksgiving from your own Blue Box and in that way you receive our prayers of thanks.
 
Contributed by:  Jan Goossens, United Thank Offering Board

 

The Smallest People Have the Biggest Jobs
Submitted by Cordelia Burt, VP of Program ECW National Board
 
St. Andrew's Mission, the most westerly mission in the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin has three children, two of which are acolytes (the third is only two and can't quite master the skills needed).
 
Katie McKown is only seven years old and four and a half feet tall so the large adult processional cross was a bit much for her to carry.  The wooden cross that was made by a parishioner and used on the altar for Good Friday was just the right size, so her father put a dowel in it and it is now the processional cross of St. Andrew's.
 
Thomas Wilson is two years older and a little taller than Katie so it is easier for him to light the tapers on the altar.  Both take turns collecting the offering and no one lets the plate pass without putting something in.
 
We at St. Andrew's are pleased that our children are actively involved with the services and look forward to the day that Claire, Thomas's sister, is old enough to begin her training.

In this issue the responses come from the Diocese of Long Island
 
Barbara Taylor states:
I am an Episcopal Church Woman because I feel that the ECW calls attention to the issues that affect women and children worldwide and then acts to attempt to solve some of the issues. Since women are the backbone of the church, it is important that they are recognized as a force in the church. How did you discover ECW? It was mentioned by my priest years ago and the women of the parish took up the charge and ran with it. When did you feel you belonged in ECW?  When I became involved with the programs of the ECW on the diocesan, province and national levels.
 
Daphne Small states:
I am an Episcopal Church Woman because it is my Ministry, my family and my friends. How did you discover ECW? My Rector started a group at my parish over 30 years ago. When did you feel you belonged in ECW? When I became President of my parish ECW.
 

Birdie Blake-Reid, ECW Brooklyn Archdeaconry President states:
I am a member of the Episcopal Church Women because of my faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and the mission of this organization. The varied ministries and special projects have enabled me to utilize my gifts and talents in furthering His work through our sisterhood.
 
How did you discover the Episcopal Church Women? I was introduced to this organization through the active involvement of my mother who served as the ECW President of St. Augustine's Episcopal Church in Brooklyn, and President of the Brooklyn Archdeaconry in the Diocese of Long Island.
 
When did you feel you belonged in the Episcopal Church Women? My involvement and sense of belonging developed through my parish ECW sisters and their encouragement and support to assume a leadership role and bring a new perspective and understanding of their evolving role in fulfilling ECW ministries. By acquiring ECW ministry publications, materials and documents, and networking with ECW sisters at Diocesan, Province II Annual meetings/Conferences and my first Triennial Convention reaffirmed that this was the organization I belonged in and was committed to.

 We invite Diocesan Presidents to gather responses to these questions and submit them through your Province Representative for publication in future issues of the eCommunique and the Communique.