Episcopal Church Women (ECW) serves to join the women together, to give an opportunity for fellowship and to increase faith and service to Christ. The ECW holds three social meetings annually, sponsors many of the St. Mark's activities, holds an annual fund-raiser known as The Paper Party, works with Meals on Wheels and coordinates and United Thank Offering each year. All women of the parish are members.

The ECW has made several recent donations.  These include $10,000 provided for campus landscaping, $10,000 given to the preschool which will be used to install an air conditioning system and  $possibly a playground, $6100 paid to Durham Service Company for a new AC unit in the administration building, a $1000 donation to Meals on Wheels, and a $500 donation to PALs of Central Texas.  The ECW has also pledged $30,000 to the St. Mark’s building fund; of this amount, $15,500 has already been spent on appliances for the new parish hall, and $6100 has been placed as a deposit with American Pew and Bench for 150 new chairs, also for the parish hall.  These donations were made possible through the ECW’s annual fundraising activities and through the generous gift of Ms. Maetha Weatherby.

FALL Kickoff Meeting Thursday, August 19

This year our annual August meeting will be held in the new St. Mark’s Parish Hall beginning at 6:30 pm.  Plans for the Paper Party will be presented, and there will be opportunities to sign up for various duties concerning upcoming events. We will also discuss our Christmas plans. Everyone is invited to bring a bottle of wine or favorite hors d’oeuvre to the meeting.  For more information contact Naomi Berdeen at 392-1026 or nberdeen@centurytel.net.

Wednesday Morning Bible Study

The Wednesday Morning Bible Study group offers an informal Bible study and camaraderie to all those interested.  The group meets every second Wednesday at 9:30 am from September thru June.  Meetings are held either in someone’s home or at St. Mark’s church.  Please call Ellie Stewart at 392-7205 for information.

 

Paper Party

The St. Mark’s Paper Party is an almost annual fundraising event for the ECW at which the women of the church come together to work and enjoy each other’s company while offering for sale an array of Christmas bells, bangles, and bows.  It is an event rich in tradition which captures the warm and welcoming spirit of St. Mark’s and enables the ECW to assist many worthwhile charities in our community.

Pastoral Care

 

The Pastoral Care ministry of ECW is dedicated to parish members in need of food or attention during stressful times.  We keep in contact with them by phone, cards, or email, reassuring them that help is always near.

 

Sometimes committee members may provide transportation when needed; at other times contacting family members is helpful. Often just a visit with a pretty flower can brighten an otherwise difficult day. Each situation receives confidential and personal attention so that all aspects of the problem are addressed. The members of the Pastoral Care Committee feel a special calling for this ministry and are willing at all times to do whatever is necessary to assist fellow parishioners in times of need, addressing all the problems that they can and praying regularly for those things that are left to God.

 

For information please contact Patsy Brown at 392-6742 or patsybrown@austin.rr.com.