Episcopal Church Women of Province VIII TRI-ANNUAL REPORT | SEPTEMBER 2025

By: GINNY GUZMAN-WALSH, Province VIII Representative, National ECW

Board and Committee Work

The NECW Board met in Billings, Montana (May 1–5, 2025). Committees—Social Justice, Triennial Convention, Communications, and Finance—continue to work toward goals despite slow progress. There is growing interest in inter-meeting collaboration for more efficient and continuous project development.

Key Highlights

•           International Connections:

◦           Invited by Bishop Lennon Chang (Taiwan) to visit and speak at their Diocesan Convention in May 2026, furthering a four-year effort to strengthen ties with ECW women in ministry across Taiwan.

◦           Visited St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Honolulu, met with Dean Heather Patton-Graham and presented ECW packets/items for several parishes to help them discern sustainable ECW engagement. Plans for a themed event to attract broader participation are in progress.

•           Social Justice & Indigenous Advocacy:

◦           Collaborating with the Commission on Indigenous Boarding Schools to publicize research on the Church’s 34 historic boarding schools and the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG).

◦           Supporting NECW’s hosting of a Parallel Event at the UN Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW), March 2026, focused on MMIW advocacy.

•           Partnerships and Local Engagement:

◦           Encouraging the start-up of a Girls’ Friendly Society (GFS) chapter in Las Vegas/Henderson, with events scheduled for 2026.

◦           Began planning a Virtual Event Series (2026) to connect diocesan ECWs via Zoom with sessions such as Spiritual Direction, Labyrinth Training, Gratitude Retreat, and showing The Philadelphia Eleven.

Committee Assignments

Active: Finance; Marketing & Merchandising; Social Justice; Triennial Convention

Resigned (advisory role): Communications/Virtual Events; Strategic Planning

•           Finance: Developing 2026 budget and processing grant applications.

•           Marketing & Merchandising: Designing ECW merchandise for multiple purposes

•           Social Justice: Managing grant cycles, MMIW merchandise, and UNCSW coordination.

•           Triennial Convention: Preparing sign-ups for Share Fair and Exhibit Booth.

Province VIII Overview

Province VIII includes 876 churches across 18 dioceses, spanning the western U.S. and the Pacific. We continue to uphold ECW’s mission through women’s ministries. The ECW of Province VIII Annual Retreat will be held in Fort Hall, ID, September 26 to 28, 2025.

Proposed ECW Chapter Planting

Arizona: Church of the Nativity (Scottsdale), St. Andrew’s (Glendale), St. George’s (Holbrook)

Hawai‘i: St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and Cathedral of St. Andrew (Honolulu)

Oregon: St. Luke by the Sea (Waldport), St. Aidan’s (Portland)

Highlights from Diocesan ECW & Women’s Ministries

•           Alaska: Collaboration planned with the Commission on Indigenous Boarding Schools.

•           Hawai‘i: Recovery continues from the 2023 Lahaina wildfires. Holy Innocents congregation worships at Honolulu UMC; cemetery restoration is underway. ECW hosted events including guest speakers, prayer gatherings, and joint meetings w/DOK.

•           Idaho: ECW held fundraisers and outreach programs (period packets, food drives). “WINE” fellowship group actively continues to host monthly social events.

•           Los Angeles: Will focus ECW on needs and participation of Indigenous women in ECW; encouraging DOK to build relationships with ECW in support of women’s ministries.

•           Nevada: Supported women’s retreat at Galilee Conference Center; Women’s group in formation at Epiphany, Las Vegas.

•           Olympia (WA): Active ECWs hosting teas, storytelling events, and outreach for domestic violence survivors.

•           San Diego: ECW transitioning from fundraising to balanced ministry emphasizing fellowship, outreach, and spiritual growth.

•           San Joaquin: No ECW chapters since the diocesan schism, though interest remains in DOK and retreats.

•           Spokane: Annual women’s retreats emphasize “Leading with Heart” leadership models; communication network development ongoing.

•           Taiwan: Strong growth across 17 parishes with training in liturgy, gratitude, and unity; preparing for diocesan women’s gathering in October 2025.

•           Utah: Held first intergenerational retreat; strong ECW participation at UNCSW 2025; local women’s ministries active in formation and advocacy.

Summary: There are deepened relationships, international outreach, and spiritual growth among our women through inclusive, modern ministry structures beyond formal ECW chapters. The next NECW Board meeting will be held in San Antonio, TX, January 15 to 19, 2026.