Saint Mary's Episcopal Church Women (ECW)

Every woman of Saint Mary's is a member of the ECW (Episcopal Church Women). We were organized on May 7, 1975, and have remained an active diocesan group since that time in both outreach and fellowship opportunities. Recent outreach projects include: Sistercare, Sharing God's Love, Women's Community Residence, Bishop Gravatt Center, Shepherd's Center of St. Andrews, York Place, Finlay House, Seven Oaks Cares, Haitian Library Fund and Scholarship Fund, Diocesan Seminarian Book Fund, Bena Dial Student Loan, and ECW world, national, and diocesan mission projects. Within Saint Mary’s we have provided everything from wallpaper, to dishes and bulletin boards, to tablecloths, nursery furniture, and children's choir robes, and more. We also host events as requested by the church, such as receptions for the new confirmands during the Bishop’s visit, and we give cradle crosses to all newborns. To support these projects, we have several fundraisers, with the annual bake sale at Christmas being our major effort.

Within the ECW is the St. Margaret’s Guild, which meets monthly to work on a variety of ongoing projects for local ministries, learn from visiting speakers, and enjoy day trips to such sites as Mepkin Abbey and local churches.

At least twice a year, a social event, usually with a speaker of general interest, is held in order for all women at Saint Mary’s to enjoy fellowship. All women are invited to these as well as to the monthly planning meetings for ECW. For 2010 the officers are: Barbara MacWilliam, President; Lessie Bailey, Vice-President; Jerva Applegate, Secretary; and Michele Lyerly, Treasurer.