Episcopal Church Women's 51st Diocesan Conference
The 51st Diocesan Episcopal Church Women's Conference was held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Virgin Gorda, on the weekend of May 26th and 27th, 2017. The women of faith traveled from the islands of St. Croix and St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, and the nearby island of Tortola, British Virgin Islands to join the women of St. Mary’s Church for a thought provoking conference.
The Conference opened on the evening of Friday, 26th with a Eucharist Service, the celebrant and preacher of which was the Rector of St. George’s Church, the Rev. Dr. Ian Rock. He was ably assisted by Reverends Sandra Walters Malone and Esther Georges, of St. Paul’s Church and St. Mary’s Church, respectively. After the service, the women dined and shared fellowship together at Fischer’s Cove Restaurant for a night of relaxation and preparation.
The following day, Saturday May 27th following Morning Prayer, Diocesan ECW President, Eura Gosha, opened the Business Session and began the usual receipt of reports and elections for representatives to attend the National ECW Triennial Meeting, which will be held in Austin, Texas in July 2018. The highlight of the conference was the message delivered by the guest speaker, the Reverend Deacon Andrea Peacock, Alabama Diocesan ECW President, who spoke on the 4th Mark of Mission: To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation.
Noting the recent celebration of Mother’s Day, Deacon Peacock said that women are in a unique position to help mold and guide a human life --- a very powerful responsibility. Women have a responsibility to teach and model the way we want our children to act and the kind of people we want them to become. If they grow up with violence, they will be violent. If they see us treating others unfairly, talking about them, or cheating them, they will be rude, disrespectful, mean and bullies. This 4th Mark of Mission begins in our homes with us, the women, the mothers and nurturers in our children’s lives. It starts from birth and continues all through our lives until our life ends on this earth.
The Reverend Deacon expounded on the 4th Mark of Mission:
She explained that when we teach our family, friends, and strangers to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation; we teach the world. When we are asked, "Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?" how do we respond? "I will with God’s help!"
In conclusion, Deacon Peacock reminded the conference: “As Episcopal Church Women, we have a platform to model and teach this 4th Mark of Mission. We must cheer each other on – jealousy and bickering have no place in the ECW. We encourage and empower all women to be the best we can be for ourselves and the world. Women started the Jesus movement and we need to keep it going!”
The Conference opened on the evening of Friday, 26th with a Eucharist Service, the celebrant and preacher of which was the Rector of St. George’s Church, the Rev. Dr. Ian Rock. He was ably assisted by Reverends Sandra Walters Malone and Esther Georges, of St. Paul’s Church and St. Mary’s Church, respectively. After the service, the women dined and shared fellowship together at Fischer’s Cove Restaurant for a night of relaxation and preparation.
The following day, Saturday May 27th following Morning Prayer, Diocesan ECW President, Eura Gosha, opened the Business Session and began the usual receipt of reports and elections for representatives to attend the National ECW Triennial Meeting, which will be held in Austin, Texas in July 2018. The highlight of the conference was the message delivered by the guest speaker, the Reverend Deacon Andrea Peacock, Alabama Diocesan ECW President, who spoke on the 4th Mark of Mission: To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation.
Noting the recent celebration of Mother’s Day, Deacon Peacock said that women are in a unique position to help mold and guide a human life --- a very powerful responsibility. Women have a responsibility to teach and model the way we want our children to act and the kind of people we want them to become. If they grow up with violence, they will be violent. If they see us treating others unfairly, talking about them, or cheating them, they will be rude, disrespectful, mean and bullies. This 4th Mark of Mission begins in our homes with us, the women, the mothers and nurturers in our children’s lives. It starts from birth and continues all through our lives until our life ends on this earth.
The Reverend Deacon expounded on the 4th Mark of Mission:
- To seek to transform unjust structures of society: Children face many challenges growing up. They quickly learn that life is not fair. Rather than avoiding these challenges, we must learn to confront what we believe is unfair for ourselves and for others, and we must work to change it. Now as adults when we encounter discrimination because of race, gender, orientation, social status or any system that makes someone feel less of a human being, we should do what we can to change it.
- To challenge violence of every kind: Deacon Peacock said that violence starts with trivial things like children hitting each other or kids kicking a dog. This kind of violence, she noted, if left unchallenged without discussion, will escalate as children grow into adults. Today we are witnessing many acts of violence. Remember, if it feels like violence, it is. We must challenge violence of every kind.
- To pursue peace and reconciliation: As children grow, their transgressions get larger and more expensive. This is the time to pursue peace and reconciliation. Children must learn to apologize; to forgive; and to make reparation for the wrongs done. Hopefully at this point we have modeled and taught them what true remorse and a sincere apology look like.
She explained that when we teach our family, friends, and strangers to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation; we teach the world. When we are asked, "Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?" how do we respond? "I will with God’s help!"
In conclusion, Deacon Peacock reminded the conference: “As Episcopal Church Women, we have a platform to model and teach this 4th Mark of Mission. We must cheer each other on – jealousy and bickering have no place in the ECW. We encourage and empower all women to be the best we can be for ourselves and the world. Women started the Jesus movement and we need to keep it going!”
