OF NOTE: thru November 2025

ACKNOWLEDGING THE SACRED ONES

Kudos to ECW of Province VIII on a successful Annual Retreat in Fort Hall, Idaho. Many Thanks to Ron Braman and the congregation of Good Shepherd Church in Fort Hall, ID for their incredible hospitality and hard work coordinating the use of the parish hall, Church and vendor fair. Of the ten (10) dioceses represented, we had close to thirty -delegates representing a quorum. My special guest was GFS World President-Elect, Lois Frankforter from Province I.

Event Highlights:

-  The Doctrine of Discovery presented by Rev Rachel Taber-Hamilton, DioOlympia

-  Indian Day Parade, Fort Hall Community

-  Welcome Address by Bishop Jos Tharakan, Diocese of Idaho

-  MMIP Presentation by Dr. Melissa Bird, Diocese of Western Oregon

-  Indigenous Boarding School Presentation by Pearl Chanar, Diocese of Alaska

…and so much more!

DEVASTATION IN TAIWAN & ALASKA / PROVINCE VIII NATURAL DISASTERS

Fall began with two catastrophic disasters in our Province which included: September - flooding/mudslides in the southern region of the Diocese of Taiwan and

October - the catastrophic devastation in the Western region of the Diocese of Alaska due to storm surges from Typhoon Halong.

As in the past, I’ve requested assistance from the NECW for each of the affected dioceses. All requests for disaster assistance will be addressed at our January meeting in San Antonio, TX.

Each year, UN WOMEN’S 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER-BASED

VIOLENCE calls people around the world to stand together in prayer, awareness, and action to end violence against women and girls. This global campaign begins on November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) and concludes on December 10 (Human Rights Day).

In connection with this observance, the Episcopal Church will commemorate Break the Silence Sunday on November 30, 2025. This day provides us an opportunity to lift our voices in solidarity with survivors, to confront the sin of gender-based violence, and to renew our commitment to creating communities of safety, justice, and peace.

Attached you will find a Toolkit that includes:

-  A message from The Most Reverend Sean Rowe, Presiding Bishop.

-  Worship resources to support your parish observance of Break the Silence Sunday.

We encourage you to share these materials with your local churches and clergy as well as with your ECW sisters, so that all may incorporate this observance into their liturgy and prayers.

Also attached is the Episcopal Relief & Development’s 16 Days of Activism Toolkit, which the National Episcopal Church Women (ECW) will be using throughout the campaign. This resource is designed to inspire faith-based action and deepen our collective efforts to end violence against women and children.

Thank you for your faithful partnership in this vital ministry of justice and compassion. Together, may we continue to pray, speak, and act for a world free from violence.

TOOLKIT

NOVEMBER 30, 2025

“God heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.”

— Psalm 147:3

16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM

A FAITH- AND COMMUNITY-BASED TOOLKIT

“Pride Lights” — Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York City. Photo courtesy of Cathedral staff.

Prepared by

The Episcopal Diocese of New York Task Force on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault