EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN (ECW)

What is the ECW?

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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 ECW and its history, visit the national website HERE.  

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)

What Does the ECW 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.  Each year grants are awarded to programs in the Diocese through ECW Specials). The Bishop's Pastoral Fund is a permanent recipient of the ECW Specials.

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 unsheltered and needy.

Episcopal Church Women is also the parent group for the major entities of:
United Thank Offering: UTO & You!
Sharing Blessings with Thanksgiving and Love, the United Thank Offering (UTO) is a ministry of the Episcopal Church. Through the UTO, men, women and children nurture the habit of giving daily thanks to God.  These prayers of thanksgiving start when we recognize and name our many daily blessings. Those who participate in the UTO giving campaign have discovered that thankfulness leads to generosity. A short prayer of thanksgiving leads to an offering in the UTO envelope.  All offerings are used to support grants for ministries at home and oversea as an outreach of the Episcopal Church. Prayers and offerings make it possible for the UTO mission to stretch in unexpected ways.  Many Hawai`i churches have been awarded a UTO grant over several years.  We hope your church will plan a Spring or Fall In-gathering or both. If your church need blue boxes or envelopes, feel free to contact Louise Aloy and we will send some to your church.  Learn more about UTO HERE.
Church Periodical Club (CPC)
The Ministry of the Printed Word "to make the word of God fully known" Colossians 1:25
CPC is an independent affiliated organization of the Episcopal Church. CPC 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. Since its pioneer beginning, CPC has depended entirely on voluntary contributions to carry out its unique ministry. Your contribution is worth more than words. Learn more HERE.
National Book Fund
The National Book Fund (NBF) is the oldest national granting fund of the Church Periodical Club. Since 1922, this fund has helped meet religious and secular needs by providing printed and audio-visual materials to individuals, churches, seminarians and organizations affiliated with the Anglican Communion. Learn More HERE.
Miles of Pennies Fund
The Miles of Pennies (MOP) funds became the second national granting funds of the Church Periodical Club since 1989. This separate fund is for children only, preschool to 12. In addition to providing printed or taped books and related materials, MOP gives grants for the shipping costs of recycled children's books. The Miles of Pennies Committee distributes the contributions in the MOP fund year round. Learn more HERE.
Christian Social Relations - ECW SPECIALS
Two grant applicants are selected as ECW Specials through the Christian Social Relations Committee by August 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.  (See more about ECW Specials HERE
Diocesan Altar Guild
They have been the leading Episcopal Church Women's action-group throughout the years. Altar linens are available for all churches to purchase at  nominal fees including priest stoles. We currently have red palaka stoles available for purchase for $45. Contact Louise Aloy.  Learn more about the National Altar Guild HERE.

UPCOMING EVENTS & IMPORTANT DATES:

Listed below are upcoming events and meeting dates for the ECW in the Diocese of Hawai'i.   
September 14, 2019: 
The Annual ECW Meeting was held in the Von Holt Room, at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, Honolulu
With registration at 830am, followed by Morning Prayer at 9am and then the business meeting.
After lunch, the women gathered as a working community, preparing Emergency Eucharist Kits for all churches in the Diocese of Hawai'i. They were distributed to each church at the Diocesan Annual Meeting held on October 27th. Volunteers Sharon Muramaru and Georgie Kam managed the ECW booth and passed out the kits to majority of all churches in the state of Hawai'i. They also shared information on UTO, CPC and ECW in general.

December 14, 2019: 
The Annual ECW Holiday Luncheon was hosted by Epiphany Episcopal Church. A wonderful Fashion Show of various ethnicity was the highlight of the morning with ten models. There were 30 people in attendance with Christmas caroling led by Lot Lau. There was music provided by a violinist and Epiphany's own DJ. We all played a left right grab bag gift exchange game and created reindeer candy canes with a little help from Katie Wong. A fabulous time was had by all and the food was exceptional. A big mahalo to Sharon Muramaru and her TEAM of wonderful volunteers from Epiphany for hosting such an awesome holiday gathering. And a great big mahalo to The Rev. Chris Bridges for his presence and for playing a Bible Trivia game with the ECW members.

Stay tuned for more events coming up in 2020.
Contact Louise Aloy for more information on the listed events and activities, and also how you can become a part of this wonderful group! E-mail Louise at louisealoy63@gmail.com.

The ECW Board of the Diocese of Hawai'i

Louise Aloy
​President
​E-mail
(Open)
First Vice President
​Program/Hospitality
Fran Thomas
​Recording Secretary
Laurie Lee
​Treasurer
Jan Motoshige, Chair
Christian Social Relations
(Open)
​United Thank Offering Coordinator for Hawai'i
Sandy Leialoha
​Church Periodical Club Coordinator

ECW In the Diocese:

Several churches in the Diocese have active ECW groups that work hand in hand with ministries in their church and communities, and enjoy opportunities for fellowship.  Check with your local church to see if they have an ECW group, or for more information on how you can join the Episcopal Church Women in the Diocese of Hawai'i, please e-mail President, Louise Aloy at louisealoy63@gmail.com

Other Affiliated Organizations:

As an Episcopal presence, Episcopal Church Women has served on the committee of Church Women United, whose mission is to be a racially, culturally and theologically inclusive Christian women's movement celebrating unity in diversity and working for a world of peace and justice. Church Women United strives to provide for its members resources and information on a wide range of social justice issues, opportunities for worship and action, and an expansive network of women and women's organizations working to ensure a better world for all.
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