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Church women meet, learn and worship at annual event

By Melodie Woerman

Editor, The Harvest

More than three dozen women gathered at St. Thomas Church, Overland Park Oct. 28-29 for the annual gathering of the Episcopal Church Women of the diocese.

Deacon Chrystle Whitaker, St. Alban's, Wichita, read the Gospel during the opening Eucharist of the Episcopal Church Women's annual meeting at St. Thomas, Overland Park on Oct. 28. Photo by Melodie Woerman

The event included an opening Eucharist, a business meeting and a workshop by a member of St. Michael’s, Mission.

Diocesan ECW president the Rev. Helen Hoch thanked those present for their hard work on behalf of the church in the past year.

Canon to the Ordinary Jo Ann Ford celebrated and preached at the Eucharist. In her sermon she noted the service was taking place on the feast day of St. Simon and St. Jude. She said women in the Episcopal Church often follow their example.

“We see that two or more working together can do more than people working alone,” she said. She added, “It takes all of us working together to do God’s will in the world.”

ECW can witness to what is possible in the world, she said, including great faith and zeal and a deeper appreciation of our own gifts and those of others.

Mary Hockersmith offered a presentation on the Enneagram, which identifies nine personality types and looks at how they assist in spiritual growth.

Two new members were added to the diocesan ECW board for the coming year: Beth Criss, Wichita, as southwest convocation chair and Dee Farris, Sedan, as endowment fund president.