"And all shall be well"

118^th Annual Fall Conference

October 11th and 12th, 2007  Auburn, Alabama

See note from Tana Branch

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Auburn was the setting for the 2007 ECW Fall Conference. Over 130 ladies from around the diocese were greeted warmly by their hosts from The East Alabama Convocation under the expert guidance of Tana Branch their convocation coordinator. The ladies from Emmanuel in Opelika served food and drinks as the ladies from Holy Trinity took care of the registration details. Everyone received a goody bag which contained a hand knitted scarf, along with several other goodies. For the next 2 days these beautiful scarves were spotted adorning the necks of the attendees.

The women of East Alabama knitted over 170 scarves. Extra scarves were given to some of the rectors and deacon's who were present for the people in their parishes who are ill and need our prayers. Ann LaBand, Holy Trinity, designed and knitted the stole for Dr Gatta. The designs represented the 4 Gospels, The Holy Trinity and the mountains of Sewanee, Tennessee. Linda McPheeters, Emmanuel, knitted the prayer shawl for Alleen Cater in her favorite color, purple.

The ECW board met for dinner on Wednesday evening and again for a joint meeting of the old and new board on Thursday morning. This was a time to share information and to pass on notebooks. Several people will be remaining on the new board; the retiring officers will be missed.

The conference opened with Noonday Prayers led by The Rev. Liston Garfield. This was followed by a light lunch. We returned to the church for the business session led by Alleen Cater ECW President. During the business session the new budget was approved, the new calendar was presented. Several by law changes were approved and there was an update on fundraising for the ECW pledge to the ACTS 2 campaign. Olivia Weingarten presented a beautiful “Brighton” leather purse that had been donated to the ECW. Chances were sold on this purse and the lucky winner was ……………  This was the first fundraiser towards fulfilling our ACTS 2 pledge. The final item of business was a very informative presentation from Sally Sinclair and Lisa Gruner about communications. Sally demonstrated all the wonderful functions of the ECW website www.alabamaecw.org.  She also reminded those present to be sure to send her any information that you want to have posted on the website.

Now it was the time we had all been waiting for, the introduction of our speaker, The Rev. Dr. Julia Gatta, Associate Professor of Theology, School of Theology, Sewanee TN. She is a very popular professor with the theology candidates at Sewanee and a highly respected scholar. Dr Gatta spoke most eloquently about Julian of Norwich and the book she wrote “The Revelation of Divine Love”.  Julian lived a life of solitude and prayer, she wrote her book after experiencing several visions during an illness. The book though written in 1373 was not discovered until the early 20th century when it was edited and published. Dr. Gatta spoke twice on Thursday and again on Friday morning.

One of the most important aspects of the Fall Conference is the opportunity to meet up with ladies from all over the diocese. The Wine and Cheese held at St. Dunstan’s certainly provided that opportunity. The ladies of Alex City made sure that the wine flowed and provided delicious hors d’oevre’s to go with it. There was even a chance to tour the student living quarters which had been cleaned and tidied by the church mice. After a short stroll to the Auburn Hotel, dinner was served. The lovely fall arrangements brightening the dinner tables were provided by the ladies of St. Barnabus, Roanoke. The evening came to a close with Compline led by the students from St. Dunstans. Those who looked closely could see the Rev. Wells Warren wearing his hand knitted scarf as he played his guitar. What a wonderful end to a lovely day.

Friday morning began with the sharing session. This is a time to hear of all the wonderful things going on in the diocese. What busy women we have here in Alabama. Between the sharing session and Dr. Gatta’s third and final talk, snacks and candy were provided by the ladies of St. Stephen’s, Smith Station and St. Matthews In the Pines, Seale. Bishop Parsley then installed the 2008-2010 officers: President Dee Buzby, President Elect Gethren Giles, Recording Secretary Marilyn Atkins, Treasurer Carolyn Woodson, and UTO Chair Barbara Carpenter. The conference concluded with the celebration of the Eucharist and the reading of the Memorial Roll. Cynthia Shearer ECW President at the Advent brought the beautiful Alms Basin to collect our offering, which will be donated to the upcoming Mission Trip to Haiti our companion diocese.

To conclude two wonderful days on the plains the ladies from St. Andrews Tuskegee sent us on our way with a delicious lunch.

Many thanks to Alleen Cater for her leadership of the Alabama ECW for the past two years and God’s Peace to Dee Buzby as she assumes that role.

The Birmingham Convocation invites everyone to the Fall Conference in October 2008. The Rev. Dr. Jo Bailey Wells will speak on the theme “Blessed is She Who Believes”.

From Tana Branch:

"The Episcopal Church Women of the East Alabama Convocation are wonderfully talented.  Their kindnesses, helpfulness and generosity in planning and implementing their different parts of the 2007 ECW Fall Conference in Auburn was greatly appreciated.  We had many hands at work knitting, setting up, registering, decorating, preparing food and the innumerable activities that make our fall gatherings successful.  Thank you to the ECW board members for their steadfast leadership.  They understand the needs of the different parishes and can "sit their own brooms" with great dignity and perseverance.  As soon as St Stephen's Birmingham gets their registration material out for 2008, I'm there!!  Please be sure to register early!"