THE EPISCOPAL
CHURCH WOMEN (ECW) is a national organization which has as its
mission uniting the women of the parish in a program of worship, study,
service, and fellowship. All women of the church are members of this
group. The ECW Board meets periodically during the year to plan the
activities of the organization. Three annual meetings with special
programs are held in the fall, winter, and spring. The ECW also produces
the Annual Tour of Homes. This project involves over 400 church and
community members and over 1,000 tickets are sold annually to this
event. Funds raised from the tour proceeds and cookbook sales are
designated annually to assist worthy charities and ministries in the
local community and beyond. The schedule for ECW meetings and news from
the ECW president are published monthly in the parish newsletter, “The
Grapevine.” All women of the church are invited and encouraged to visit
and join one or more of our six guilds offered. The guilds of the ECW
are the Martha Guild, the Angel Guild, the Charles Wesley Guild, The
Frederick Cousins Guild, The Mary and Joseph Guild, and the Susanna
Wesley Guild.
THE MARTHA GUILD
AND THE ANGEL GUILD are service guilds that work closely with the
clergy to serve the individual needs of our church family throughout the
year. Working in three teams, The Martha Guild provides a reception in
the Parish House following funeral services throughout the year. The
Angel Guild provides one or more meals for members who are ill,
incapacitated, or coming home from the hospital.
THE CHARLES
WESLEY GUILD meets monthly in the morning, October through April.
The meetings are in members’ homes or at the Parish House.
THE FREDERICK
COUSINS GUILD meets monthly, September through May, in the evening
at members’ homes. The guild has sponsored an Oyster Roast to benefit
The Compass Rose Society.
THE MARY AND
JOSEPH GUILD unites families with children by providing
opportunities for fellowship and service. Events are scheduled
throughout the year, such as a pool party and cook-out, a wine and hors
d'oeuvres party, and the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. Many of the
activities of the guild are planned to raise funds for children’s
scholarships in our Companion Diocese of the Dominican Republic.
THE SUSANNA
WESLEY GUILD meets October through May at the Parish House and
continues meeting during the summer months for lunch and fellowship. The
group currently functions as an ECW sub-committee that receives reports
from those groups or organizations who have been the beneficiaries of
ECW funds.
ST. FRANCIS GUILD
is answering God’s command to protect and conserve His lands, animals,
and waters upon which all life depends. The guild has the vision and
commitment to work with alternative energy, the environment, its
wildlife and biodiversity, landscape gardens ,and pets through community
outreach. The guild believes that education of the young and old will
not only foster awareness of the importance of our responsibilities to
safeguard the environment and to repair damage that has been done, but
will spur us to protective action.
THE DAUGHTERS OF
THE KING is a women’s order dedicated to prayer, study, and service.
It meets monthly in the Parish House and addresses specific needs and
projects within the church and community.
ALTAR GUILD
In the early days of the church, the duty for caring for the altar and
sanctuary was the concern of the priests and attendants. Today, in most
churches, these duties are performed by a specially chosen group known
as the Altar Guild. Individuals aspiring to become members of the Altar
Guild should be well informed communicants. They must be recommended and
approved by the Rector.
