OCTOBER 23, 2008

Registration for the Annual Meeting flowed smoothly and participants were treated to an early morning coffee hour spread of delectable food prepared by our Host Church, St. Philip's of Jacksonville.  By the time our Eucharist began, there were 123 ECW members present.  Although our Bishop was unable to be with us, the Rev. Kammy Young, our Chaplain, celebrated assisted by the Rev. Hugh Chapman, Rector, of St. Philip's, the Rev. Pat Nahikian of Trinity, Melrose and the Rev. Teresa Eberhardt of St. Francis in Tallahassee.  The Eucharist began with the unveiling of our new ECW banner, made by Barbara Parks of St. Alban's in Chiefland, used for the very first time in our procession into the Chapel.  Since Barbara was unable to be with us and carry the banner, it was carried by incoming President Linda Baker's daughter, Mrs. Kristin Munroe.  It was quite a surprise and everyone there was stunned by how beautiful the banner is and how wonderful it looked in Mandi's Chapel.

 

  Following the Prayers of the People, President Marianne O'Neill called to order the 118th Meeting of the Episcopal Churchwomen of the Diocese of Florida and polled the registrar who declared a quorum to be present.  Roni Kelly and Hope McCharen were elected by acclamation, Roni as our new President Elect and Hope as our new UTO Coordinator.  Lori Harley was appointed to fill Roni's last year as Treasurer. 






Elections concluded, the meeting moved on to the Decomissioning of the President and the installation of the new Officers. 

We were treated to an excellent meal and welcomed by Joe Chamberlain who introduced Raleigh Dowling as the new Food Service manager.  All of the Camp Weed staff were recognized for their contributions to our gatherings in the visible setup and arrangements as well as those who unseen carry out their duties to keep the camp a clean and beautiful place for us to meet.  Delegates approved the August minutes, approved the 2009 budget, listened to reports on the budget, the United Thank Offering and the Church Periodical Club.  Outgoing Officers were thanked for their service and the ECW Board and Past Presidents were recognized and thanked for their continued support.  Highlights of the meeting included the auctioning of yet another birdhouse created by a St. Mary's parishioner won this year by Claudette Peck.  Our featured speaker was Mrs. Marie Howard whose thoughtful reflections stemming from her Lambeth experiences and also her experiences in New York involved for all time in the attack that took place on our country and toppling of the World Trade Towers, gave us much to think about.  Mrs. Howard related how her experiences as a member of a very diverse Bible study group at Lambeth, gave her some insights about what we as Christians might be called on to focus our time, talents and treasures and how her perspectives had been forever altered by the witness of a Pakistani Bishop's wife who daily faced the threat of death and reprisal just for being a Christian.  She reminded us of the gift that our freedom of worship is to us and that it is time for us as a diocese to move forward, cease looking back and focus on turning outward in terms of our outreach and concerns employing a broader and more global lens.  Her reflections were obviously the result of experiences that were processed both with a gift of intellect, deep faith and an open and sincere heart for all and gave us as Episcopal Church Women and men some challenges that will inspire us to new growth and a sustaining faith in the midst of what seem to be unsure and unsettling times both for our church and our nation.  Once Old Business was concluded and the new budget was approved, President Marianne O'Neill turned the meeting over to incoming President, Linda Baker who delighted all with the long-awaited announcement of our Spring Retreat Leader for 2009, our own Chaplain, the Rev. Kammy Young.  The registration form for Spring Retreat was included in the package and everyone was so excited at this news, that some were turned in on the spot.  New President Elect and Retreat Coordinator, Roni Kelly, reports already many requests for this form and additional information.  It is almost certain that conference rooms will go very fast this year! The Retreat will be April  24-26, 2009, and the Registration Form may be downloaded under the heading Spring Retreat on this page.  Linda Baker after a few announcements concerning the 2009 year called for an adjournment of the meeting and asked one of our guest clergy, the Rev. Dinwiddie from Holy Comforter, to close the meeting with prayer.  And so begins some exciting times ahead for our new Officers and for us as Episcopal Church Women called to "Carry the Light," and be all that we were created to be, doing all that HE meant for us to do and all in HIS name!