I am the vine . . .

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:1-5

Be still and know . . .

O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit, lift us, we pray, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ out Lord. Amen.

Do you need a Spiritual Refresher?

In his book, Rebuilding your Broken World, Gordon MacDonald referred to "the Seven Deadly Siphons" which cause us to lose enthusiasm for ministry as our spiritual passion runs dry. Often, the more we do, the more we are asked to do. Are you guarding against these?

1. Words without actions
(talking a good spirituality without real-life practice in private)
Do you set aside time to be alone with God?

2. Busyness without purpose
(the lazy shallow river of busyness)
What is your focus? What do you want to accomplish?

3. Calendars without a Sabbath
(a filled-up calendar with no margin planned for quiet and reflection)
Are you intentional about scheduling time for rest?

4. Relationships without mutual nourishment
(acquainted with too many and intimate with no one)
Do you have a spiritual mentor?

5. Pastoral personality without self-examination
(healing others without genuine self-evaluation)
Can you take a long, hard look at yourself?

6. Natural giftedness without spiritual power
(allowing your natural gifts to carry you will eventually catch up with you as you run out of soul power)
Are you relying on the Holy Spirit to power your agenda?

7. An enormous theology without an adequate spirituality
(a giant view of God and His work but a pea-sized personal spirituality)
Will you join God in His work, or are you telling Him what your plans are?

This long weekend ahead is an opportunity to recharge before the rush of September activity is upon us. Spend some time this weekend with the Lord. "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." John 15:5

Our Daily Bread

“Thus when we pray ‘Give us this day our daily bread,’ we are to take no thought for the morrow. For this very end has our wise Creator divided life into these little portions of time, so clearly separated from each other that we might look on every day as a fresh gift of God, another life, which we may devote to his glory; and that every evening may be as the close of life, beyond which we are to see nothing but eternity.”

From a sermon of John Wesley, 1748

We have a winner!

Gail Fennimore, past president of the NC ECW, was the first one to answer correctly the riddle posted on Monday -- the answer is Samuel Johnson Howard, the newly confirmed Bishop Co-Adjutor in the Diocese of Florida. She wins a copy of Girl Meets God by Lauren Winner (2002, Algonquin Books). Here's a little from this spiritual coming-of-age story by a 27 year old Anglican who came to us by way of Orthodox Judaism:

“The other familiar thing, when I first walked into an Episcopal Church, was the prayer book, the habit of fixed-hour prayer, the understanding that you were saying more or less the same liturgy as Anglicans around the world, that you would say the same prayers every morning, every evening, over and over and over, till you knew them by heart, and long after that, till they were rote and boring, comfortable as your best friend’s kitchen and familiar as flapjacks.”

By the way, Lauren Winner would be a terrific guest speaker in any Southern diocese as she grew up in Asheville and Charlottesville -- audiences love her, and she's about to debut two more books. If you're interested in contacting her, let me know and I'll give you her address, e-mail, etc.

Joy Tway Elected National UTO President

Isn't it exciting? Joy H. Tway of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, in Andalusia, Alabama (Central Gulf Coast) has been elected as president of the National United Thank Offering Committee for 2003-2006. Joy has been a member of the Episcopal church since 1967 when she was confirmed at St. Paul's in Marion, Ohio and says that the UTO is what attracted her to becoming a member.

At St. Mary's in Andalusia, Joy has served on the vestry, and has been Senior Warden for two terms. She teaches Sunday School, Bible Study, sings in the choir and edits the "Bells of St. Mary's" newsletter. She was also instrumental is creating St. Mary's web site. More recently, she worked extensively on the church's building program and was a part of the start up for "Second Blessings", a thrift shop that donates all of it's proceeds to outreach. For the diocese, Joy has served as chair of the Commission for Personal Spiritual Growth, the Commission for Mission churches, and currently is serving on the Commission for Communications. She is a member of the ECW board and active in all diocesan functions.

Joy's real passion, however, is the United Thank Offering. She has served as diocesan coordinator in three dioceses, and was serving as your Province IV coordinator when elected to this position. Her goal for this term of office is to raise the amount of annual diocesan ingatherings through more prayers and thank offerings. Check out the website at United Thank Offering.

Way to go, Joy! Province IV is well-represented with Regina and Joy working together. Thanks be to God!

Rev. Becca Stevens to keynote Tennessee ECW Meeting

The Rev. Becca Stevens, founder of Magdalene House and an Episcopal priest at St. Augustine's Chapel of Vanderbilt University, will address the Episcopal Church Women in the Diocese of Tennessee at their September 13th annual meeting. St. Bartholomew's in Nashville is host church for the meeting.

Magdalene House is a recovery program supplying housing and complete care for Nashville women with a criminal history of prostitution and drug abuse. In September 1997, the first Magdalene residence opened with 5 women -- today there are 20 women living in three houses. For up to two years, Magdalene women are provided care and shelter to achieve the following goals: recovery from alcohol and drug addiction, legal employment at a living wage, safe and permanent housing, and improved physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

Phyllis, a former resident, says, "Magdalene saw a lost soul in me and reached out to help. They loved me when I believed that I was unlovable. Magdalene entered my life 4 years ago and it was then that I began this wonderful journey of freedom from darkness. I am a mother of 4 beautiful children -- the mother God created me to be. I am blessed because Magdalene polished and shined me until I could see that I am a wonderful, beautiful, and unique creation of God."

As of today, Magdalene is blessed with an 87% success rate for its residents. In the end, they find that love and grace are more powerful than the forces which drove them to the streets. It is for this reason that the ECW in the Diocese of Tennessee chose Magdalene House as its Call to Action project this year. They have sponsored Thistle Farms home parties to benefit the program, and have donated offerings from various gatherings to Magdalene House. (Thistle Farms is a cottage industry producing herbal products which allows the residents to help fund the program.) Plans are in the works for more fellowship opportunities between the Episcopal Church Women and the women at Magdalene House.

The founder of Magdalene House is an energetic woman with a remarkable story -- Becca Stevens received a Masters of Divinity Degree from Vanderbilt Divinity School and an Anglican Studies Certificate from St. Luke's Seminary at the University of the South. With her husband, Grammy-nominated songwriter Marcus Hummon, she has three sons: Levi, Caney, and Moses. She was named Nashvillian of the Year by the Nashville Scene in 2000, and in 2001 was recognized by the Nashville Academy of Women of Achievement. For more information on this event, contact Suzie Woolwine at sbwoolwine@comcast.net. To learn more about Magdalene House, check out Magdalene House.

Western North Carolina Meeting to Feature Katerina Whitley

The Western North Carolina ECW is holding its Annual Meeting, Thursday, October 2, at the Ascension Church in Hickory, NC. The speaker will be Katerina Whitley, a church journalist, retreat leader, and the author of "Speaking for Ourselves: Voices of Biblical Women" (Morehouse). Well-versed on the Middle East, Whitley will address the Palestinian - Israeli conflict and the role of the Christian church. Jerusalem 2000 will be the recipient of the annual meeting offering. For further information, contact Joan Summerfield, President, 828-437-1592, or summerfield@vistatech.net.

Step by Step

"The path of discipleship is narrow, and it is fatally easy to miss one's way and stray from the path, even after years of discipleship. . . The way is unutterably hard, and at every moment we are in danger of straying from it. If we regard this way as one we follow in obedience to an external command, if we are afraid of ourselves all the time, it is indeed an impossible way. But if we behold Jesus Christ going on before step by step, we shall not go astray. But if we worry about the dangers that beset us, if we gaze at the road instead of at Him who goes before, we are already straying from the path. For He is Himself the way, the narrow way and the strait gate. He, and He alone, is our journey's end."

from The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Dogwood ECW Crosses

The Episcopal Church Women in the Diocese of Atlanta are selling their silver dogwood crosses, made by James Avery Craftsman, which may be worn as a pin or as a pendant with a chain. The cost is $39 postpaid, and they are not available at James Avery stores. Order from Belinda Wedgwood, ECW treasurer, 2542 Warwick Circle, Atlanta, GA 30345. Phone 404/982-0912. Checks payable to ECW - Diocese of Atlanta.

Central Gulf Coast Announces Upcoming Retreats

WOMEN OF VISION RETREAT - This retreat sponsored by the Diocesan Commission for Episcopal Church Women, will be August 22 - 24, 2003 at Beckwith Camp & Conference Center. Cost is $94.00 for double occupancy and $110.00 for a private room (price includes six meals). Registration begins at 5:00pm on Friday evening with the program beginning at 7:00pm. The Women of Vision program will conclude around 3:00pm on Sunday. Presenters for this program are Cecil Williamson and Joy Tway. For more information or a registration form, please contact Jessie Drossos at the Diocesan office at (850) 434-7337.

BLUE LAKE WOMEN’S FALL CONFERENCE - will be September 30 - October 2, 2003 at Blue Lake Methodist Conference Center near Andalusia, AL. The speaker for this year’s conference will be The Rev. Thack Dyson, Rector, St. Paul’s, Daphne. This conference, as always, offers the opportunity to enjoy great fellowship, good teaching, good music, good food and a wonderful time. If you’ve never been before, don’t miss this opportunity! For more information, contact Carolyn Levensailor at 251-342-3275, or clevensailor@sprynet.com.

Louisiana ECW Plans Silent Retreat

A silent retreat is planned for Friday, September 26th thru Sunday, September 28th at the Solomon Episcopal Conference Center. Located on 80 rolling acres of piney woods north of Robert, Louisiana, the SECC also features a 12 acre lake. For more information on this unique opportunity to savor God's glorious creation, contact Janie LeBlanc at 225-687-3667, or jjleb@bellsouth.net.

Diocese of Mississippi ECW Meeting Set for November 7-8

The ECW Annual Meeting and Fall Conference will be hosted by Trinity Episcopal Church in Pass Christian. Featured speaker is the Rt. Rev. Jon Bruno, bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles. For more information, contact Evelyn Gregory, 115 Wisteria, Pass Christian, MS 39571 228-452-2195.

East Tennessee ECW Annual Meeting to feature Mary MacGregor

On Tuesday, September 9th, the Church of the Ascension in Knoxville will host the Annual Meeting of the Episcopal Church Women in the Diocese of East Tennessee. Keynote speaker will be Mary MacGregor, Director of Leadership Development for the Diocese of Texas. Mary will address "Hungry Hearts and Hectic Lifestyles: The ECW Challenge."

Mary MacGregor's work with women has focusd on their needs as they have been profoundly impacted by changing roles in American culture and in the church. She works for the Episcopal Diocese of Texas as Director of Leadership Development. This creative position is responsible for all diocesan sponsored training of clergy, lay leaders, and congregations. Mary has been involved in congregational development and, particularly, women's ministries for over twenty years. She may best be known for her high energy, engaging presentations. The past three national Triennial Meetings of the ECW have utilized her gifts as leader and facilitator, and she was keynote speaker at the 2000 Triennial. Mary is a graduate of Louisiana State University and holds a master's degree in education. She has been married to Bob for 34 years, has two young adult sons, and lives in the greater Houston, Texas area.

Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by Holy Eucharist at 10:00 with the Rt. Rev. Charles G. vonRosenberg celebrating. Preacher will be the Rev. Ladson F. Mills, III, rector of the Church of the Ascension. The Business Meeting will begin at 11:15 a.m., and will be followed by a delicious lunch -- basil chicken penne salad (penne pasta tossed with tender chunks of chardonnay-poached chicken breast, scallions and grape tomatoes in a creamy dressing that features a hint of Dijon mustard); bread and butter; yellow apricot layer cake; iced tea, coffee and water.

Mary MacGregor will speak from 1:15 to 3:00 p.m. If you are interested in attending, please register by September 2, 2003. For further information, contact Nancy Bosson, 865-691-6980, or NBB721@aol.com.

East Carolina ECW Summer Meeting Set for August 28th

The Episcopal Church Women in the Diocese of East Carolina will meet at Trinity Center on August 28th -- registration begins at 9 a.m. followed by a short business meeting at 10. Program speaker is May Sherrod, from Enfield, N.C., of the National Altar Guild Association. Hannah Kitchin of Scotland Neck will bake communion wafers. A demonstration of altar flowers will be offered by Ann Parker and Betsy Overton. Eucharist will be at noon, celebrated by The Rev. Lynn Peterman, followed by a luncheon. For more information on this event, contact Betsy Overton at 252-332-8222 or bepi@coastalnet.com.

Province IV ECW Launches Weblog

Welcome to the new home of the Province IV ECW -- we are Episcopal Church Women in nine states in the Southeast, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The largest of all provinces, we represent women in the following dioceses:

Alabama Atlanta Central Gulf Coast Central Florida East Tennessee Eastern North Carolina Florida Georgia Kentucky Lexington Louisiana Mississippi North Carolina South Carolina SouthEast Florida SouthWest Florida Tennessee West Tennessee Western North Carolina Upper South Carolina

We offer an annual Womens Conference at Kanuga Conference Center each June. More information on next year's conference will be posted shortly.

For more information on the ECW in Province IV, contact Lydia Evans, President, lydiaevans@comcast.net or Margie Williams, Secretary/Treasurer, at margiew@lowcountry.com