The Committee on Women’s Ministry

January 6, 2022

Good day and Happy New Year:

The Committee on Women’s Ministry is pleased to announce our 2022 Women’s Day Project to assist in reuniting Father Enrique Melchor, one of our Reformed Episcopal priests in Cuba, with his family. Some details of the project follow.

Given the choice of fleeing the country or being returned to prison for his witness to the Gospel, Father Melchor, who served as Diocesan Dean in Havana, and his family decided that he should leave Cuba immediately with the family: his wife and two children (who have been denied medical care and educational services because of their husband and father’s Christian witness) joining him later. Father Melchor has been in the United States since March 2021 and may begin his immigration process in March of 2022, after which the United States Government will consider his family.

While the cost for this process has not yet been determined, the goal of the 2022 Women’s Day Project is to raise a minimum of $7,500 to assist in reuniting this family.

Regarding our Women’s Day Project Luncheons, plans are being discussed to hold luncheons in each of our dioceses—either in-person or virtual. More details to come soon.

In the meantime, please keep Father Melchor and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Yours in Him,
Gale G. Hill, Chairperson
Committee on Women’s Ministry

Download PDF: Letter from Gale Hill regarding the Women’s Day 2022 project

Dear Ladies:

I’m so excited and I just can’t hide it, and so very pleased to share the following updates –

First, our 2021 Women’s Day Project Offering Luncheon Goal has been EXCEEDED! Yes, as of this writing we have received $10,647.56 to assist in the purchase of electric bikes for our clergy in Cuba. This offering combined with our 2020 Project Offering totals $20,647.56 – YIPPEE, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Secondly, an additional virtual devotional book study platform and a prayer fellowship are now available. Everyone is invited to dial-in:

Grace REC – Starting in October, the second Tuesday of each month at 12:00 noon
Dial-in Number: 781-448-0417, No Access Code required

Diocese of the Southeast Diocesan Prayer Fellowship – first Tuesday of each month at 8:00 p.m.
Dial-in Number: 605-313-5109, Access Code: 494466#

Excitedly yours,
Gale G. Hill, Chairperson

Read Gale’s Letter (PDF)

Good day ladies:

We pray that you are well and look forward to beginning our 2021-2022 Devotional Studies. While many of us were not able to meet face-to-face this past year, we are thankful for the availability of virtual platforms which have been very effective in bringing us together for our study. Listed below are several Women of the Church Groups that will continue virtual study this year. Everyone is invited to dial-in to any of these gatherings.

Mount Olivet REC – September–June, Tuesdays after the second Sunday at 6:30 p.m.
Dial-in Number: 605-313-4441, Access Code: 633930#

Saint John’s REC – September–June, third Sundays at 12:00 p.m.
Dial-in Number: 267-807-9495, Access Code: 900791161#

Saint Paul’s REC – September–June, fourth Sundays at 2:00 p.m.
Dial-in Number: 602-580-9304, Access Code: 3086694#

Below are updates on other COWM activities.

Spiritual Enrichment Conference

Our Spiritual Enrichment Conference, which is usually held the first or second weekend in October, will not be held in 2021. We are hoping to resume this gathering in 2022.

2021 Women’s Day Project Offerings

We are pleased to report an offering of $7,802.56 for our 2021 Women’s Day Project Offering. This offering, combined with our 2020 Project Offering totals $17,802.56 collected to assist in the purchase of electric bikes for our clergy in Cuba. Sincere thanks is extended to everyone for your generous contributions.

2022 Women’s Day Project Offering Luncheon Gatherings

Praying that there will be a diminution of the effects of the Covid-19 Coronavirus and its variants, plans are being discussed for possible in-person Women’s Day Project Offering Luncheon gatherings in 2022.

Yours in Him,

Gale G. Hill, Chairperson

Read Gale’s Letter (PDF)