Episcopal Church Women (ECW)

What is the Episcopal Church Women?
Episcopal Church Women (ECW) is a group of women from all around the nation, focused on empowering women to do Christ's work in the world.  In 1902, the Episcopal churches in Hawaii joined a national group known as the Episcopal Women's Auxiliary. In 1985, Episcopal Women's Auxiliary's name changed to Episcopal Church Women.  For more information about the history, please visit the "Our History" page of Episcopal Church Women's national website.
What does the Episcopal Church Women do?
In the Diocese of Hawai`i, the ECW is involved with a variety of ministries, including the on-going collection of Campbell Soup labels that are sent to St. Jude's Ranch in Boulder City, NV.  St. Jude's Ranch then exchanges these labels for playground equipment and other items that are used for the children at the ranch. 

Throughout the Diocese, women in different parishes have formed ECW groups, providing service in their communities and linking up with organizations such as Easter Seals, Habitat for Humanity, and government agencies to help the homeless and needy.

Episcopal Church Women is also the parent group for the major entities of:
  • United Thank Offering - They fill grants around the world when it comes to helping women and children. Many Hawai`i churches have been awarded a UTO grant over several years.
  • Church Periodical Club - They have sent textbooks to seminarians, filled grants with Bibles, the Book of Common Prayer, Hymnals and printed materials to various churches for many years. They also sponsor a "Miles of Pennies", an ongoing collection that funds a Children's Book Ministry.
  • Diocesan Altar Guild - They have been the leading Episcopal Church Women's action-group throughout the years. They keep the supply of altar linens available for all churches and supply vestments and stoles for all new Deacons and Priests.
  • Christian Social Relations - Two grant applicants are selected as ECW Specials through the CSR Committee by July 15 of each year and pledges are made by churches and individuals to these programs. These grants help to provide seed money for start-up ministries and also provide funds for the Bishop's Pastoral Fund.
VISION STATEMENT
We are Episcopal Church Women
committed to one another
and called to be witnesses for Christ.
Our challenge is to provide a safe place
where every woman is free to become
the person Christ created her to be.
We are called. We are different.
We are one body.
~Adopted by the National ECW Board 
(Spring 1995)
Photos are from the annual Quiet Day retreats hosted by the Diocesan ECW at the St. Anthony Retreat Center.
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For more information about Episcopal Church Women, visit: www.ecwnational.org.

For more information on how you can join the Episcopal Church Women in the Diocese of Hawaii, please e-mail the Office of the Bishop, who will forward your e-mail to the Board President, Louise Aloy.