President's Message:
(Winter 2007)

 
Kay Meyer
National ECW President


Travels bring faith, love to life                                 
                                                                                           
My dear Sisters in Christ,

Some stories from my travels, beautiful stories which start at home where I found myself on a Sunday morning in a very special ECW meeting. It all began when Mary and I made the journey from her home to our parish for Eucharist and coffee hour. There we asked Emma Ruth, another member of the parish and friend of ours, to join us in driving a few more miles to see a former parishioner, organist and friend, Amy. The four of us had a delightful visit, reminiscing, visiting, laughing, and enjoying each other. After leaving I thought what a privilege to have been with these precious Episcopal Church Women.

Diocese of New York.  Their president, Margaret Cash (recently retired), made an outstanding welcome presentation to the delegates of UNCSW in New York in early 2007. She represented her diocese and, indeed, all the women of the church well. The greater part of her servanthood came later and would have gone unnoticed but for the grace of God. When I looked for her to say thank you, I found her in the kitchen, with work gloves on, washing the dishes, truly representing, as all of you do, the "hands and feet of Christ." Her daughter took the photography you see on this page (see photo in Winter issue of Communique) - what a privilege, honor and blessing to have our daughters follow us in faith and in service.

Province V meeting at Mackinac Island. An incredible gathering of women from all over the province in a very special place. You can read about it and other activities in their province in this issue. It was a privilege to join them and to have a meeting of the ECW-UTO Joint Committee while there.

Diocese of Long Island. My host was Daphne Small, their president, who served on the Hospitality Committee with me at Triennial Meeting 2003. Daphne and her husband, Irvin, were gracious hosts along with Jane and Chet Ames in whose home I stayed, and where I enjoyed, with their family, a celebration for a special 16-year-old. Jane is vice president of the National Altar Guild. Chet's grandmother was national president of Daughters of the King. They gave me one of the very early Women's Auxiliary UTO Blue Boxes. What a richness of ECW spirit these people demonstrate.

June board meeting in Colorado Springs. Women from Colorado joined us as well as women from Wyoming and Nebraska, including former board members Karyl Otten, Shirley White and Marcia Himes. We were so glad to see them. From this visit an invitation came to join the women of Colorado at their Annual Gathering. "Gathering" is far more inviting than meeting and the gather the women did, all ages, from all areas. They had a very fine meeting and set good plans for their future together. It was a pleasure to be there to embrace, enjoy and encourage them as well as to be fed by them.

Diocese of Western North Carolina. What an inspiring time with their president who is also our National Board Multi-Media person, Mary Ann Ransom, and Province IV Representative Marcie Cherau and Katerina Whitley, another ECW and published author. We presented a Leadership Day to four convocations assembled. Becky Whelan and her husband, Jude, were marvelous hosts to Marcie and me at their Moss Lake home. Their priest, The Rev. Cannon Richard Rowe, deacon, joined us and invited me to address the congregation the next day. What a joy to be with them all.

These journeys confirm in so many ways the value and treasure Episcopal Church Women are to the church, to the very Body of Christ. You are so very representative of that Body. To God be the Glory!
                  Love & Peace,
                      Kay

President's Schedule - 2008

February 27 - March -- UNCSW and Beijing Circles, New York, NY

March 1 - 10 -- Manilla, Philippines - Celebration of Autonomy, The Episcopal Church of the Philippines

April 20-21 -- UTO-ECW Joint Committee - Palos Verdes, CA

April 21- 27 -- ECW National Board Meeting and Site Inspection Visit for TM 2009, Palos Verdes and Anaheim, CA

May 12 - 14 -- Speaker for Diocese of Ohio Annual Meeting

June 1 - 4-- Province IV Women's Conference, Hendersonville, NC - Kanuga Conference Center

June 15 - 17 -- Planning & Arrangements, Albquerque, NM

June 19 - 22 -- Niobrara Convocation, Eagle Butte, SD

Meyer's Photos:
     
Kay at National ECW            Kay with PB Katharine Jefferts    L-R: Kay with Diane and Harriett    
Board Meeting Sept 2006     Schori at Nov. 4 Investiture
in Washington DC               celebration at Washington
                                        Cathedral

 
 Kay with The Rev. Margaret Rose                        Kay with Ms. Jackqueline Ogega