2022 Conference

2022 GEMN GLOBAL MISSION CONFERENCE

May 12-14th, 2022
online, via Zoom


Conference Theme: Women in Mission

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Conference Overview

Guided by the vision that mission is about becoming a world where love is the way, this conference focused on how women participate in God’s mission around the world. The gathering lifted up the experiences of women in mission as they have found the God of love and are working to address injustice in their societies. GEMN’s core values of humility, inclusion and companionship were highlighted in presentations, alongside how women were catalyzing mission amid the challenges of Covid-19. The conference included initiatives both from communities on other continents as well as from the Episcopal Church.

Conference attendance was free and open to the public.  Freewill donations were encouraged and could be made at registration.  Zoom sessions were held 1-4 p.m., Eastern U.S. Daylight Time on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the conference, May 12-14.  The GEMN Annual Meeting was held an hour earlier on Friday the 13th at 11:45 a.m.

 

Conference Greetings

Find the greetings of GEMN President, the Rev. Canon Dr. Titus Presler, and GEMN Vice-President, Mrs. Patricia Martin, below: 

Plenary Speakers

  • The Rev. Carolyne Adhola, Anglican Church of Kenya
  • The Rev. Canon Hilda Kabia, Dean, Msalato Theological College
  • Ms. Elizabeth Boe, Mission Personnel Officer, Office of Global Partnerships, The Episcopal Church
  • Dr. Dana Robert, Professor of Mission and World Christianity, Boston University School of Theology
  • Ms. Lynnaia Main, Episcopal Church Representative to the United Nations 

Keep scrolling to view the the recordings of the four Plenary presentations, as well as Canon Kabia’s PowerPoint presentation! Videos will appear immediately beneath each speaker’s biography and presentation description. You’ll also find Mission Workshops, Spotlights, and Testimonies, from the conference. 


Plenary Speaker Biographies & Talk Descriptions

Carolyne Adhola

The Ministry of the Mothers’ Union in African Anglicanism

The Rev. Carolyne Adhola, Anglican Church of Kenya

The Mothers’ Union, begun in England in 1876, has become a galvanizing movement of spirituality and solidarity throughout African Anglicanism.  In many dioceses, the MU is the main place where scripture study, mutual support and community organizing occurs. The Rev. Carolyne Adhola will explore the ramifications of this movement for grassroots theologizing, gender roles and women’s empowerment in the African context.

Rev. Adhola spoke on short notice in place of Canon Hilda Kabia, Dean of Msalato Theological College in Dodoma, Tanzania, whose presence at the conference was interrupted by internet difficulties.

Hilda Kabia

The Ministry of the Mothers’ Union in African Anglicanism

The Rev. Canon Hilda Kabia, Dean, Msalato Theological College, Dodoma, Tanzania

The Mothers’ Union, begun in England in 1876, has become a galvanizing movement of spirituality and solidarity throughout African Anglicanism.  In many dioceses, the MU is the main place where scripture study, mutual support and community organizing occurs.  Canon Hilda Kabia will explore the ramifications of this movement for grassroots theologizing, gender roles and women’s empowerment in the African context.

In 2015 Canon Hilda Kabia became the first woman to lead Msalato Theological College in Dodoma, which is located in the Diocese of Central Tanganyika, the first Tanzanian diocese to ordain women.  Prior to becoming dean, Hilda was dean of students and assistant lecturer at Msalato and at St. John’s University of Tanzania.  She was ordained a deaconess in 2003, a priest in 2004 and named a canon in 2015.  She holds a diploma in ministry from St. Philip’s Theological College in Kongwa, a B.A. in theology from the University of Gloucestershire, U.K., and an M.A. in Islamic studies from St. Paul’s United Theological College in Limuru, Kenya.

Canon Kabia has provided the following PowerPoint of her original presentation for the benefit of participants following the conference: 

Elizabeth Boe

Women in God’s Mission: Faith, Relationships & Transformation

Ms. Elizabeth Boe, Mission Personnel Officer, Office of Global Partnerships, The Episcopal Church

What does it mean to be part of God’s mission in the 21st Century? How do those called to global ministries serve as companions in mission today? What does authentic ministry of presence look like both in-person and virtually? Do women bring distinctive gifts and experiences to mission service? What are some challenges women might encounter in mission and the Church? Join Elizabeth and our panelists for a lively and thought-provoking conversation. Panelists include Rev. Melanie Slane, Ms. Sophie Swallow, YASC missionary, Guatemala Youth Initiative. 

Ms. Elizabeth Boe serves as the Mission Personnel Officer of The Episcopal Church. In this role, she oversees Episcopal Church missionaries around the world through Episcopal Volunteers in Mission (EVIM) and the Young Adult Service Corps (YASC). Prior to joining the Presiding Bishop’s staff, Elizabeth served as a YASC missionary in the Diocese of Central Tanganyika in Tanzania for two years. When not traveling for the Church, running missionary discernment/training programs, or serving on the vestry of the Church of the Heavenly Rest, NYC, she can be found reading, brushing up on her Norwegian and Russian, and trying to entertain her curmudgeonly cat, Mr. P. Elizabeth is a Fellow of Liverpool Cathedral and the Diocese of Liverpool (England), an Associate of the Order of the Holy Cross, and a member of the Board of the Episcopal Parish Network.

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“Talitha Cumi”: Historical Issues for Women in World Mission 

Dr. Dana Robert, Professor of Mission and World Christianity, Boston University School of Theology

Women’s leadership is essential to the global mission of Christian communities around the world.  Dana Robert will introduce biblical and historical frameworks for women in world mission, with particular focus on the history of North American women in mission. She will show that women remain central to the worldwide work of churches today.

Dr. Dana L. Robert is Truman Collins Professor of World Christianity and History of Mission, and Director of the Center for Global Christianity and Mission at the Boston University School of Theology, where her research and teaching interests span mission history, world Christianity, and mission theology. She teaches the course “Women in World Christianity and Mission.”  A member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Dana is the author of numerous publications, including Faithful Friendships: Embracing Diversity in Christian Community (2019); Converting Colonialism: Visions and Realities in Mission History, 1706-1914 (2008); and American Women in Mission: A Social History of Their Thought and Practice (1997). An active lay United Methodist, Dana received her BA from Louisiana State University and her MA, MPhil, and PhD from Yale University. 

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In a Mirror, Dimly: Women and Mission through the Lens of the United Nations

Ms. Lynnaia Main, Episcopal Church Representative to the United Nations, Office of Global Partnerships, The Episcopal Church

Truly global in their mission, Christians see reflected in the mirror of the United Nations a global mission with a secular face. How does this lens affect women and mission, and how does the approach to their concerns and needs differ according to underlying values and connotations? We will explore examples from The Episcopal Church’s ministry with the United Nations, the UN Commission on the Status of Women, the Sustainable Development Goals and the pandemic’s worldwide impact on women.

Ms. Lynnaia Main serves as The Episcopal Church Representative to the United Nations, within the Office of Global Partnerships on Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s staff. She loves serving Jesus and her fellow Episcopalians by lifting up their persons, voices and ministries within the United Nations. She nurtures relationships, advocates for Episcopal concerns, accompanies Episcopalians and partners with Anglican Communion, faith-based and civil-society organizations. Her professional experience in international relations and political science has led to positions in academia, United Nations, church and business settings in the United States, France and South Africa. She is active in lay ministry at the Eglise Française du Saint Esprit, Manhattan, and in the Diocese of New York. 

Mission Spotlights

Short overviews of particular mission initiatives were screened from time to time during the conference to illustrate the diverse ways in which people are participating in the richness of God’s mission. 

Haitian Mission of the Society of St. Margaret – presented by SSM sisters in Port au Prince, Haiti, and Duxbury, Massachusetts

Virginia Seminary’s Center for Anglican Communion Studies – presented by the Rev. Dr. Katherine Grieb, director

Global Mission Digital Toolkit & the Standing Commission on World Mission’s Guiding Principles – presented by Ms. Jenny Grant 

Riches of the World Christian Encyclopedia, 3rd edition – presented by co-author Dr. Gina Zurlo

Stand With Iraqi Christians – presented by the Rev. Chris Rock

World Mission Board of the Diocese of Texas – presented by the Rev. Meredith Crigler, chair

Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing – presented by Dr. Catherine Meeks, director

GEMN’s Mission Formation Program – presented by the Rev. Holly Hartman, convener

Missional Aspects of the 2022 Lambeth Conference – presented by the Rev. Dr. Chuck Robertson, Canon to the Presiding Bishop for ministry outside the Episcopal Church

Guatemala Youth Initiative – presented by Mr. Greg Lowden and Ms. Sophie Swallow, Episcopal Church missionaries

Mission Testimonies

Conference registrants were invited to submit one-minute, pre-recorded Mission Testimonies about women in mission. Did you have an inspiring time working with women in some part of the world? Were you awestruck by a particular woman missionary? Are you intrigued by the work of a women’s group grappling with a particular challenge? The Mission Testimonies were dropped in at points during the conference. 

Tribute to the late Rev. Elizabeth Frank – presented by the Rev. Dr. Grace Burton-Edwards

Tribute to Marilyn Kean Robertson – presented by the Rev. Abeoseh Flemister

Mission Journey in the Dominican Republic – presented by Mrs. Karen Carroll

Mission Journey in Madagascar – presented by the Rt. Rev. Todd and the Rev. Patsy McGregor

Mission Workshops

Ten workshops in breakout rooms included:

  • Ms. Elizabeth Ha, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Five Talents, presented on the work of Five Talents, which since 1998 has been transforming lives through economic empowerment in 20 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, often through women’s savings groups business ventures.
  • Dr. Chiseche Mibenge, director of gender initiatives at Episcopal Relief and Development, highlighted ERD’s mission companionship with women in diverse parts of the world, especially through its priorities of women, children and climate change.
  • The Rev. Canon Dr. Helen Van Koevering presented on the work of the Mothers’ Union in southern Africa from the perspective of her 26 years of mission work in Mozambique.  
  • Mrs. Alice Garrick, executive director of the Women’s Development and Service Society in the Diocese of Raiwind in the Church of Pakistan, presented on efforts to liberate women from human trafficking in an environment of religious persecution.
  • The Rev. Canon Heather Melton, staff officer for the United Thank Offering, spoke on the work of this historic mission outreach and will review its grants process.  UTO was established in 1889 by the Women’s Auxiliary to the Board of Missions.
  • The Community of the Transfiguration, a women’s monastic order based in Ohio, presented on their longstanding work in the Dominican Republic.
  • Indigenous Anglican Women of Colombia, convened by Bishop Francisco Duque, discussed how they are transforming lives in a society historically plagued by poverty and violence.
  • Women of Costa Rica and the Rev. Rebecca Yarborough discussed women’s outreach in the Central American country and how it is affecting the ministry of the Diocese of North Carolina. 

2022 Conference Schedule

WOMEN IN MISSION

Thursday, May 12:

12:45 p.m.: Arriving in good time

1:00 p.m.: Greetings from the Rev. Canon Dr. Titus Presler, GEMN President, and Ms. Patricia Martin, GEMN Vice President

1:10 p.m.: Worship led by the Mothers’ Union, Dioceses of Niassa and Nampula, Northern Mozambique

1:20 p.m.: Plenary 1: “‘Talitha Cumi’: Historical Issues for Women in World Mission” 

  • Dr. Dana Robert, Boston University School of Theology

2:00 p.m.: Breakout Rooms: small-group discussions of first plenary

2:15 p.m.: Mission Spotlights #1: 

  • Center for Anglican Communion Studies at VTS: Dr. Katherine Grieb
  • Society of St. Margaret and its work in Haiti 

2:25 p.m.: BREAK

2:35 p.m.: Welcome back/Announcements

2:40 p.m.: Plenary 2: “The Ministry of the Mothers’ Union in African Anglicanism”

  • The Rev. Canon Hilda Kabia, Dean, Msalato Theological College, Dodoma, Tanzania
  • The Rev. Carolyne Adhola from Kenya was substituted because of connection problems. 

3:20 p.m.: Breakout Rooms: small-group discussions of second plenary

3:40 p.m.: Mission Spotlights #2:

  • World Christian Encyclopedia: Dr. Gina Zurlo
  • Diocese of Texas World Mission Board 

3:55 p.m.: Closing Prayer

4:00 p.m.: Adjourn for the day. See you tomorrow!

Friday, May 13:

11:45 a.m.: GEMN Annual Meeting 

12:45 p.m.: Annual Meeting adjourns. Attendees have a 15-minute break before start of Day 2 of the conference.

1:00 p.m.: Greeting from the Rev. Maurice Dyer, Conference MC;

1:03 p.m.: Mission Testimony in memory of the Rev. Beth Frank: The Rev. Dr. Grace Burton-Edwards

1:05 p.m.: Worship led by the Tsedaqah Community, Triangle of Hope, Dioceses of Kumasi, Ghana; Liverpool, UK; and Virginia, USA

1:20 p.m.: Plenary 3: “In a Mirror, Dimly: Women and Mission through the Lens of the United Nations”

  • Ms. Lynnaia Main, Episcopal Church Representative to the United Nations

2:00 p.m.: Breakout Rooms

2:15 p.m.: Mission Spotlights #3:

  • Global Mission Digital Toolkit and the Standing Commission on World Mission Guiding Principles: Ms. Jenny Grant
  • Stand with Iraqi Christians: The Rev. Chris Bishop

2:25 p.m.: Mission Testimony by the Rev. Abby Flemister about Marilyn Kean Robertson

2:30 p.m.: BREAK

2:40 p.m.: Welcome back & instructions to join Mission Workshops – Choose one to attend

  • Helen Van Koevering on Mozambican Mothers Union: On Being Missionary: A Complicated Love
  • Chiseche Mibenge on ERD: Women in Development: Storytellers and Sovereigns
  • Rebecca Yarborough and panel: Women and Children’s Ministries in Costa Rica [main Zoom room]; (en español; hay interpretación en inglés) (in Spanish; English translation available)  
  • Heather Melton on UTO: A Brief History of the United Thank Offering and Overview of the 2023 Grant Process (en inglés; hay interpretación en español) (in English; Spanish translation available)
  • Prita Samantaroy of Diocese of Amritsar, Church of North India: Dignity and Livelihood for Women in Northwest India

3:20 p.m.: Regathering in main Zoom room

3:25 p.m.: Mission Spotlights #4: 

  • Absalom Jones Centre for Racial Healing: Dr. Catherine Meeks, Executive Director
  • GEMN Mission Formation Program: The Rev. Holly Hartman

3:35 p.m.: Summary Reflection from Ms. Molly O’Brien, GEMN Board member

3:55 p.m.: Closing Prayer

4:00 p.m.: Adjourn for the day. See you tomorrow!

Saturday, May 14:

12:45 p.m.: Arriving in good time

1:00 p.m.: Greeting/Welcome Back by the Rev. Maurice Dyer, Conference MC 

1:03 p.m.: Mission Testimony by Karen Carroll, former DFMS Missionary in the Dominican Republic 

1:10 p.m.: Worship led by the Society of St. Margaret

1:20 p.m.: Plenary 4: “Women in God’s Mission: Faith, Relationships & Transformation” 

  • Ms. Elizabeth Boe, Mission Personal Officer, Episcopal Office of Global Partnerships, & Panel 

2:05 p.m.: Breakout Rooms

2:25 p.m.: Mission Testimony by Bishop Todd and Rev. Patsy McGregor, former missionaries in Kenya and Madagascar 

2:30 p.m.: BREAK 

2:40 p.m.: Welcome Back

2:45 p.m.: Mission Workshops – Choose one to attend

  • Community of the Transfiguration: Need as Determinant of Mission Focus (en inglés; hay interpretación en español) (in English; Spanish translation available)
  • Laura Sarraff Fundora on Cuba: Lidias de ayer y hoy: piedras vivas en la misión de la Iglesia Episcopal de Cuba (en español; hay interpretación en inglés) (in Spanish; English translation available)  
  • Colombia Indigenous Women: Micro Creditos y ahorros- Sirviendo a los mas necesitados, empobrecidos, desplazados – Migrantes Micro Credits and Savings- Serving the Most Needy, Impoverished, Displaced – Migrants [main Zoom room] (en español; hay interpretación en inglés) (in Spanish; English translation available)  
  • Alice Garrick on Pakistan Women’s Center: The Church’s Mission of Liberation and Empowerment for the Women of Pakistan 
  • Liz Ha on Five Talents: From Fragility to Empowerment
  • Kyrie Kim on Korean Women in Mission: Importance of Co-Operation Between Women Nationally/Internationally (en inglés; hay interpretación en español) (in English; Spanish translation available) 

3:25 p.m.: Regathering in main Zoom room

3:30 p.m.: Mission Spotlights #5: 

  • Lambeth Missional Resources: The Rev. Chuck Robertson, Canon to the Presiding Bishop for Ministry Beyond the Episcopal Church
  • Guatemala Youth Initiative 

3:40 p.m.: Closing Reflection by the Rev. Grace Burton Edwards, GEMN Secretary

3:50 p.m.: Closing Worship

4:00 p.m.: Adjourn

Conference Fees

Attendance at the conference was by donation.  There was no fee, but attendees were encouraged to make a donation as they are able. Suggested donations and GEMN membership levels appeared on the registration form. Payment was accepted by PayPal or by check. 

To pay by PayPal, choose “Pay at Door” while registering, then use the red “Donate” button at the top right hand corner of this page to donate (or below if using an iPhone). Or, make checks payable to: Global Episcopal Mission Network, P.O. Box 1434 Dublin, OH 43017-6434. 

Workshop Descriptions and Presenter bios

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From Fragility to Empowerment

Ms. Elizabeth Kim Ha, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Five Talents

Monica began her journey out of extreme poverty selling a cup of gas at a time at the side of a dirt road. Today she has sent her oldest child to university and has provided jobs to other women in her village. Come hear her story of transformation through economic empowerment. Women are not only a strategic investment, but also a multiplier of blessing. When you lift up a woman, you lift up a family, you lift up a village, and you impact a culture. Five Talents facilitates microenterprise development in areas of the world that are high- risk and often post-conflict. FT seeks to empower the global church to respond to the issues of poverty.

Liz currently leads the advancement efforts at Five Talents, an international nongovernmental organization that teaches business skills and entrepreneurship through saving and loan groups. With over 80% of FT program participants being women, Liz is passionate about God’s heart for the marginalized and empowering those living in the most fragile areas of the world. She attends Christ Church, Vienna, with her husband and three children in Vienna, Virginia.

Mibenge, Chiseche

Women in Development: Storytellers and Sovereigns

Dr. Chiseche Mibenge, Director, Gender Initiatives, Episcopal Relief and Development

In his statement to the United Nations during women’s history month 2022, the Presiding Bishop referred to women as ‘Indigenous and traditional knowledge keepers, adaptation and mitigation entrepreneurs, storytellers and speakers, stakeholders and sovereigns.’ Episcopal Relief & Development will share stories from global partners that embody the agency and abundance inherent to the roles suggested by the PB. We will center women’s testimonial and knowledge in the implementation of climate resilience, early childhood development and gender equity programming.

Chiseche Mibenge is the Director, Gender Initiatives at Episcopal Relief & Development. She provides leadership on human rights and gender strategy and supports global partners addressing early childhood development, gender equity and climate resilience. Chiseche received her PhD in International Human Rights Law from Utrecht University in 2010. She is the author of Sex and International Tribunals: The Erasure of Gender from the War Narrative (University of Pennsylvania Press), and co-edits the book series, Human Rights Interventions (Palgrave MacMillan).

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Dignity and livelihood for women in the North-west region of India

Ms. Prita Samantaroy, Development Officer, Diocese of Amritsar, Church of North India

The workshop will look at the socio-economic challenges faced by women in the north-west border region of India where many women are subjected to abuse, deprivation, and violation of human rights on the basis of their gender, caste and ethnicity. We will see how these women are strengthened through the community development and economic empowerment initiatives of the Diocese of Amritsar, Church of North India.

Prita Samantaroy is the Development Officer in the Diocese of Amritsar, Church of North India. She oversees the social outreach projects of the Diocese including community interventions on education, health, and human rights. She has done her graduation in English Honours and Masters in Social Work, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Religion Studies. 

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On Being Missionary: A Complicated Love

The Rev. Canon Dr. Helen Van Koevering, Rector, St. Raphael Episcopal Church, Lexington, Kentucky 

In this workshop, Helen discusses what she learned about God’s mission and love in her lifetime in Southern Africa, particularly in northern rural Mozambique with the Anglican Diocese of Niassa (part of ACSA until recently, when the Lusophone Province of Mozambique and Angola was formed: IAMA). Friendships formed with Mothers’ Union members in the midst of some of the most vulnerable and unheard of the world birthed a mutual regard for their missionary work among the multi-dimensionally poor.

Born in England, ordained in Wales, and a mother, former lay person and priest in northern Mozambique, Helen Van Koevering has been the Rector of St. Raphael in Lexington, Kentucky, for the past four years. She and her husband Mark know themselves as formed and informed by life, love and mission amidst the Anglican Diocese of Niassa. She holds the DMin degree from Virginia Theological Seminary. 

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The Church’s Mission of Liberation and Empowerment for the Women of Pakistan 

Mrs. Alice Garrick, Executive Director, Women’s Development and Service Society, Diocese of Raiwind, Church of Pakistan

Alice will present on four specific emphases from her 27 years of work with the Women’s Development and Service Society: Human Rights: The Church of Pakistan’s efforts to prevent the forced conversion and marriage of women and girls. Human Trafficking: The church’s effort to combat the selling of Hindu and Christian women and girls into prostitution. Aid for Families: Feeding, clothing, and housing destitute women and children. Vocational Training: Helping women and girls to leave prostitution and earn a living in fields such as healthcare.

Alice Garrick brings vision and passion to her ministry with Pakistani women through the Diocese of Raiwind in the Church of Pakistan.  After secondary school in Lahore, she earned the B.A. and M.Sc. degrees in psychology at the University of Punjab, as well as the B. ed. and M. ed. degrees in administration and education law.  She taught high school for several years before joining the Raiwind Diocese’s women’s desk.  She has participated in trainings in India and South Africa and has represented the Church of Pakistan at ten annual meetings of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. In addition, she has served on the steering committee of the International Anglican Women Network (IAWN) since 2018. 

Viviana Calambas

Micro Credits and Savings- Serving the Most Needy, Impoverished, Displaced – Migrants

Micro Creditos y ahorros- Sirviendo a los mas necesitados, empobrecidos, desplazados – Migrantes

Viviana Calambas, Resguardo Misak, Silvia Cauca, Colombia 
Ines Flor Cuchillo, Comunidad Nasa, Cauca
Revdmo. Francisco Duque, Obispo Diocesano
Reverenda Luz María Lambis, Parroquia Santa Cruz
Reverendo Bladimir Pedraza, Parroquia Divino Salvador

Los pueblos indígenas de América Latina, ricos en conocimiento tradicional, cultura, identidad y recursos naturales, se encuentran entre las poblaciones más desfavorecidas y vulnerables de la región. Ellos conforman el 14% de los pobres y el 17% de los extremadamente pobres. Adicionalmente, las brechas entre los pueblos indígenas y el resto de la población persisten —y en algunos casos han aumentado— en casi todos los indicadores usuales de desarrollo. La pobreza material afecta al 43% de los hogares indígenas de la región, más del doble de la proporción del resto. De igual forma, el número de hogares de pueblos originarios indígenas que vive en condiciones de pobreza extrema es 2,7 veces mayor.

Ante esa realidad podrá conocer en este taller, como la Iglesia Episcopal-Anglicana de Colombia lleva a cabo el acompañamiento a un grupo de mujeres indígenas en programas de desarrollo de toda una comunidad en Colombia. Logrando avances significativos que les colocan como modelo para otros sectores indígenas y del pais.

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A Brief History of the United Thank Offering and Overview of the 2023 Grant Process

The Rev. Canon Heather Melton, Staff Officer, United Thank Offering
 The United Thank Offering (UTO) was founded in 1889 by the Women’s Auxiliary to the Board of Missions to support innovative mission and ministry through the collection of thank offerings. UTO continues to help individuals deepen or create a spiritual discipline of gratitude. 100% of what UTO receives is given away annually to support innovative mission and ministry in The Episcopal Church and The Anglican Communion. Heather will review the history of the UTO and discuss the process of applying for grants.

The Rev. Canon Heather Melton is the Staff Officer for the United Thank Offering and is grateful to work alongside the Board and staff in helping to promote gratitude and generosity through participation in UTO. She holds an MA in Religion and Psychology, from the Graduate Theological Union, an MDiv from Church Divinity School of the Pacific and a BS from Kent State University. She is also a Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator from The Brené Brown Education and Research Group.

Laura Sarraff Fundora

Lidias de ayer y hoy: piedras vivas en la misión de la Iglesia Episcopal de Cuba

Ing. Laura Sarraff Fundora, Asesora de la Organización de Mujeres Episcopales de Cuba

Las Mujeres de la Iglesia Episcopal en Cuba han sido protagonistas de la labor misionera, educativa y evangelística. Visibilizar su liderazgo desde los inicios de la historia diocesana y comunitaria, fue la razón del libro Lidias de ayer y de hoy, Memoria Histórica, así como la motivación de esta conferencia taller. Laura Sarraff Fundora presentará un resumen del impacto y participación activa de mujeres que constituyen testimonios de fe y compromiso eclesial hasta el presente.

Ing. Laura Sarraff Fundora, cubana (21-11-1965). Ministra Laica graduada del Programa Diocesano Nuevos Ministerios en 2009. Presidenta diocesana de la Organización de Mujeres Episcopales de Cuba (2014-2018). Compiladora del libro Lidias de ayer y de hoy, Memoria Histórica, proyecto aprobado por la CETALC. Graduada de Bachiller en Educación Cristiana por el Seminario Evangélico de Teología de Matanzas en 2016.  Actualmente es Asesora de la OMEC.

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Need as Determinant of Mission Focus

Sister Jean Gabriel, C.T., Mother Superior, Community of the Transfiguration, Cincinnati, Ohio

I will talk about the various aspects of our ministry from 1984-2014 at Centro Buen Pastor, our mission in Barrio Las Flores, a poor neighborhood in San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic, with emphasis on how the needs of children and their families determined the focus of our work among them, and the impact of that work.

Sister Jean Gabriel grew up in the Methodist Church and graduated from Duke University with a BS in nursing in June 1965.  She worked as a nurse both throughout the United States and internationally before moving to the Community of the Transfiguration in 1981.  During the five years of her novitiate and juniorate, she served in several areas: the guest and retreat ministry (kitchen supervisor), Chapel (sacristan), Bethany School (nurse, Christian education), St. Michael’s summer youth program, (Ponce, Puerto Rico), and the nutrition program at Centro Buen Pastor in the Dominican Republic.

On St. Andrews Day, 1987, she made her profession of vows, after which she served several short terms in the Dominican Republic.  She was assigned there on a more permanent basis in 1991, where she served until returning to the motherhouse in Cincinnati in 2014.

Of all my ministries, what has given me the most joy was caring for the children and families of Barrio Las Flores, an impoverished neighborhood in San Pedro de Macoris, R.D.  To see children with severe malnutrition or serious medical problems receive the love and care they needed to survive and thrive has been an incredible experience. Another joy has been providing them with opportunities to learn about Our Lord and his Body, the Church, to go to school, and to see some of them graduate from university and become young professionals.

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Importance of Co-Operation Between Women Nationally/Internationally
The Rev. Kyrie Kim, Missioner for Asian Ministries, Diocese of New York 

Although many Northeast Asian countries are considered developed countries, there are still many hurdles to overcome, especially with regard to women’s issues. Anglican churches in Korea and Japan were started by western missionaries, but it was women who helped their missionary work. However, women’s mission is regarded as ‘service’, and women’s sacrifice is still taken for granted.

Human rights and human dignity become compromised where there are no shared standards and objective mutual accountability. Ecumenical solidarity is a key to promote and protect human rights and dignity.

Rev. Kyrie Kim is the first woman to be ordained in the Seoul Diocese, the Anglican Church of Korea (2002). She served in ecumenical and interfaith relations work, as Director for Communication, and Director of the Women’s Desk of the ACK until she joined the Episcopal Diocese of New York April 2021 as the Missioner for Asian Ministries and Missioner of MJM. She continues to work with the CCA as Program Committee Chair, and maintains her relationships with WCC, NCC-Korea, Amnesty-Korea, YMCA, and YWCA.

Women and Children’s Ministries in Costa Rica

Obispo Orlando Gómez Segura
Ms. Sandra Piedra Quesada, Director, Hogar Escuela Barrio Cuba, San Jose, CR
Ms. Rosibel Zuniga, Executive Director, Esperanza Viva, San Jose, CR  
Ms. Linda Watts, Diocesan Women’s President 
The Rev. Rebecca Yarbrough, Former Chair, Costa Rica Companion Diocese Committee, Diocese of North Carolina, and Deacon, Chapel of Christ the King, Charlotte, NC   
Ms. Lauren Cavins, Director of Hispanic Ministries, Church of the Holy Comforter, Charlotte, NC     [Not pictured]
 

Iglesia Episcopal Costarricense has had as one of its long-term priorities care for the special needs of women and children.  This has manifested in several major areas of ministry: Hogar Escuelas, Esperanza Viva, and other programming.  You’ll hear more about these ministries and how they have grown in scope and service, and also how they have influenced the work of Episcopal congregations in the Diocese of North Carolina, one of Costa Rica’s Companion Dioceses. 

 

GEMN Annual General Meeting, 2022

On Friday, May 13th, GEMN held its Annual General Meeting at 11:45 am. Participants gathered to hear presentations from officials and vote on new Board members. The Agenda for the meeting can be found here. 

Watch below the reports from the President, Vice-President, and Treasurer at the meeting. 

President’s Report

The Rev. Canon Dr. Titus Presler, GEMN President

Vice-President’s Report

Mrs. Patricia Martin, GEMN Vice-President

Treasurer’s Report

Mr. Bill Kunkle, GEMN Treasurer

Conference Sponsors

The Global Episcopal Mission Network wishes to thank all generous sponsors who have supported the work of the 2022 conference at both the Conference Partner and Conference Pacesetter levels: 

 Sponsoring Organizations  

The Standing Commission on World Mission

St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Diocese of Georgia

Episcopal Diocese of Ohio

Jerusalem Peacebuilders

United Thank Offering

Episcopal Relief and Development

American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem

Food for the Poor

Virginia Theological Seminary

American Friends of the Episcopal Church of the Sudans

InterChristian Initiatives (www.interchristian.org)

One World One Church, Episcopal Diocese of Iowa

Dominican Development Group

 

Sponsoring Individuals 

The Rev. Walter Brownridge

The Rev. Grace Burton-Edwards

The Rev. Canon Margaret D’Anieri

Nancy Hardison

The Rev. Deacon Jack Karn

The Rev. Robin Newman

The Rev. Canon Dr. Titus Presler

The Rev. Judy Quick

The Rev. Carola Von Wrangel

Dr. Martha Alexander

The Rev. Dr. Katherine Grieb

The Rev. Holly Hartman

Dr. Richard Jones

William Kunkle

Kathy Mank

Mr. Sean McConnell

The Rev. Paul Rajan

The Rev. Melody Rockwell

Dr. Nancy D. Searby

Christy Wallace