PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE ECW CENTRAL FLORIDA
The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) of the Diocese of Central Florida held its 48th Annual Meeting at St. Augustine of Canterbury Church in Vero Beach. The all-day event on Saturday, Oct. 28, drew 106 participants, including four guests, for year two of the event, whose theme was “Building Bridges of Peace and Reconciliation: Within Parishes and Our Communities: With a Focus on Racial Discrimination.”

It has been 54 years since the bombing at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, killed four young African-American girls, setting off civil unrest and condemnation.

Although the white supremacist terrorist act helped lead to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, similar criminal acts have followed over the years, showing that America has yet to rid itself of racial violence and tensions, and economic inequality. Seeking ways to find peace and reconciliation today are members of the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) organization, whose Central Florida chapter recently held its 48th Annual Meeting at St. Augustine of Canterbury Church in Vero Beach.

The all-day event on Saturday, Oct. 28, drew 106 participants, including four guests, for year two of the event, whose theme was “Building Bridges of Peace and Reconciliation: Within Parishes and Our Communities: With a Focus on Racial Discrimination.” Among the attendees were Bishop Greg Brewer and his wife, Laura Lee, and St. Augustine of Canterbury’s rector, the Rev. Michael Goldberg. A total of 14 churches representing all five deaneries of the Diocese of Central Florida for the ECW and all women’s groups in those churches were represented.

“Regarding my views, I believe that as a black Caribbean woman I am aware that racial prejudices still exist here in the United States,” said Winsome Stern, president of the ECW for the Diocese of Central Florida. “However, as a Christian, I focus on people and not race, and building meaningful relationships if the opportunity presents itself.

“If I have a concern, I ask myself, ‘What would Jesus do?’” Stern said. “I support anything that will bring about peace and reconciliation in a world that is full of strife and conflict, all in a struggle to gain power. Our God is a God of love, forgiveness and equality, not strife and war.”

This year’s meeting was the second of three themed events about peace and reconciliation. The first meeting’s theme was: “Building Bridges of Peace and Reconciliation: Within Ourselves and Our Families.” Next year, the theme will be “Building Bridges of Peace and Reconciliation in the World.”

Dr. Patricia Rutenberg, the Province IV ECW president and a history professor at the University of Tennessee, served as guest speaker this year and spoke about the need for building bridges of peace and reconciliation in our parishes and communities with a focus on racial discrimination, Stern said.

“She had selected the themes for her three-year tenure (from) 2015-2018.” Stern said. “Her focus was on the presiding bishop’s (Michael Curry) call for the Jesus Movement: 1. Evangelism – need training to be effective; 2. Care for our creation; and 3. Reconciliation of the church and race.”

Stern said Rutenberg adjusted her speech from the Province IV ECW Retreat held in June at Nauvoo, Alabama, where she discussed the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing and how the racial divide is still present after a half century. Rutenberg talked about what ECW members can do as Christians, and how they need to follow Bishop Curry’s call to be the Episcopal branch of the Jesus movement and to embrace the old children’s hymn, “red, and yellow, black and white, all are precious in his sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world,” as outlined in her speech.

In addition to hearing Rutenberg speak, diocesan ECW members selected a special project to undertake. “For the past two years, we supported the Timothy Fund for Seminary Education,” Stern said. “For the 2017-2018 (season), we are supporting the Central Florida Domestic Violence Centers in all five deaneries. Each deanery will select, identify, determine how best to offer support.”

Additionally, the ECW Board elected the Distinguished Woman to represent the Diocese of Central Florida, selecting from five nominees from the diocese based on criteria. Elected was Dr. Karen Adderly Clark, Ed.D, who is also the ECW Central Deanery director from The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist in Orlando. She will attend the Triennial ECW meeting as one of four delegates in Austin, Texas, Stern said.

Also, officers for 2017-2018 were installed by Bishop Brewer during Eucharist, and a collection was taken for the Episcopal Relief and Development fund.

“(The) Bishop’s sermon (was) based on Collect of the Day for Saints Simon and Jude with emphasis on their work as evangelists,” Stern said. “The music and choir were outstanding, (led by) organist/choirmaster Dr. Jason Hobratschk.”

Bishop Brewer also held a spontaneous Q&A with ECW members for 35 minutes following the service, Stern said.

Looking ahead, the 49th Annual ECW Meeting will be held Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, at The Episcopal Church of Saint John the Baptist in Orlando. Bishop Brewer will be the Celebrant.