The Story Goes On
THE STORIES OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN
OF THE DIOCESE OF NORTH CAROLINA
IN THE WORDS OF THOSE WHO LIVED THEM.
We will tell the stories not because we live for the past but because the past informs the present,
and we must be present before we begin, with God’s help, to claim our future.
The story fragments below were collected and published during the five-year lead-up
to the 200th anniversary of the Diocese of North Carolina in 2017.
Much good has been done by the work of zealous women, and there is bright promise of further well-directed self-denying effort on their part. The Sunday School Superintendent has successfully trained the children in the songs of the church. A lady communicant, as an Easter-offering, furnished the Church with handsome and costly Bishop’s and Chancel Chairs.
(Source: The Rev. W. S. Bynum, Parochial Report, St. Barnabas, Greensboro, 1878 Journal of Convention, p. 80)
Of the sum reported as collected for Missions, $47.92 were received by the Bishop at his annual visitation, and $41 were contributed by the Female Missionary Society of Raleigh.
(Source: The Rev. R. S. Mason, Parochial Report, Christ Church, Raleigh, 1860 Journal of Convention, p. 46)
It’s been said that most organizations meet, eat, and retreat. I pray we do not retreat. What can we do to bring about change? We must be informed and educated. We must be aware of situations facing us, our sisters, daughters, and granddaughters in this time and place. We must seek solutions. Two women in California were responsible for bringing about tougher legislation for offenders driving under the influence. Lives are being saved. You too can make a difference. You too can bring about change. If you want to see justice, equality, and dignity for all God’s children, you will have to speak out. The Churchwomen must lead the way by becoming involved and by acting on behalf of the church and all women. Here am I. Here we are. Will we respond? Will we act to bring about justice and relieve suffering? Are we our sisters’ keepers? Will our response be, Here am I, send me?
(Source: Mary Varden Harris, President’s Address, 1982 ECW Centennial Meeting)
Rockingham, N.C., November 18th, ‘27
My dear Bishop Penick:
It has been suggested at our Guild meetings that we give a card party as a means of making money for church activities. Mr. Hartzell, our rector, is agreeable, provided it is not out of harmony with church procedure in the larger parishes in the state. Some of us are from the north where Bridge parties are used to raise money for church funds, but we feel that our little church here in Rockingham had better follow established precedents.
Will you please let us know if card parties have been held in larger parishes, and what you would think of our having one here; we are anxious to make no mistakes.
Sincerely yours,
Nora Thompson Dicks (Mrs. R. P. Dicks)
To indicate the essence and date of his reply Bishop Penick wrote in the corner: “Don’t do it Nov 22”
[Source: Bishop Edwin A. Penick Papers, Correspondence 1927 – D, Archives of the Diocese of North Carolina]
The Interracial Committee, appointed a few years ago for the purpose of coordinating the work of the Woman’s Auxiliary, has served you faithfully to the best of its ability in bringing about better and more effective relations among the districts. Last year you approved the abolishing of the Negro District as requested. This year the committee urged each district to offer its services and friendship to other branches in the districts. Some branches have included definite ways of doing this in their plans for the year. Some have expressed their sincere pledge to be witnesses. But there have been too few. Our Christian Social Relations program outlines what it means to give witness, though this is much easier to repeat than to do.
(Source: Elizabeth D. Koontz, Chairman, Woman’s Auxiliary Interracial Committee, 1956 Annual Report)
The establishment of Female Societies for the purpose of aiding the contingent expenses of their respective congregations, and for the more worthy objective of relieving the poor; calls for the commendation, and from their general existence in almost every parish, we believe that the aggregate benefit to the church will not be inconsiderable.
(Source: Report of the Committee on the State of the Church, 1830 Journal of Convention, p. 17)
It is not incompatible with the 45th Canon, renewedly to notice, and to recommend to the notice of others, the Female Working Association. This Association, by the mere ordinary labor of the hands, during one half day every week, has made enough since last Convention, to contribute, For the annual education of a heathen child, $12.00; In clothing for heathen children at one of the Missionary establishments in our country, $10.00; To our Missionary Society, $20.00; To the Library above mentioned, $50.00; We cannot help saying to others – Go thou and do likewise.
(Source: The Rev. Adam Empie, Parochial Report, St. James, Wilmington, 1822 Journal of Convention, p. 8)
The society in which we live still depends on us ‘women folk’ to come together in spite of the odds against it, to reach out and remind all of us that the times may be changing, but the issues of life are still the basic ones of loneliness, hunger, shelter, and the need for loving community. Just as our foremothers stood up to the task of extending the church to the frontier and into foreign lands, we today are called to extend the church into the frontier of social change, as well as into the ever-increasing need for support in not so distant but foreign places.
(Source: The Rev. Elizabeth Habecker, as quoted by Carolyn Osborne Darst in her President’s Address to 1993 ECW Annual Meeting)
The Committee cannot refrain from noticing the pleasure with which both these gentlemen speak of their visits to Warrenton. The small congregation collected in that place by the Rev’d Mr. Phillips, seem distinguished for their attachment to the Church. A few ladies of the congregation have formed a school, in which upwards of twenty children are instructed in the rudiments of learning, and the principles of our religion, free from expense.
(Source: The Rev. William M. Green, Report of the Committee of the Missionary Society, 1821 Journal of Convention, pp. 16-17)
There is a feeling of fear on the part of some of our women, that perhaps our Auxiliary, by becoming a member of the organization asking for remedial legislation, is slipping too much into politics. We pray to God that His women may never become a political machine. But we must remember that Jesus taught us to attack the forces of evil in His name. In the prayer written for our daily use, we ask “that we make no peace with oppression, that we reverently use our freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice among men and nations to the glory of Thy Holy name.”
(Source: Rosa W. Bulluck (Mrs. R. D.), Christian Social Service Secretary, 1926 Woman’s Auxiliary Annual Report, pp. 25-26)
