As we step further into the new year, I want to take a moment to invite you to celebrate with us what God is doing here at ECC and in our Women’s Ministry.
From the time I joined the staff in 2016, I knew it was essential to develop a team to serve God and the women here at ECC. We have long seen the benefits of team ministry in our annual women’s retreat and teams for the NET Bible studies, and I fervently prayed for and worked toward an established team for all of women’s ministry.
During the spring of 2020, nine women regularly gathered (on zoom) praying, dreaming, exploring, and creating a mission statement and a structure for a team based on ECC’s touchstones. I am so grateful for each of them and the time they invested – and for the Women’s Ministry Team and mission statement that was birthed out of those conversations.
Women’s Ministry Mission Statement
ECC Women’s Ministry cultivates an authentic community where every woman
is encouraged and equipped to connect more deeply with each other and
to grow into a transformational relationship with Christ.
The current Women’s Ministry Team (Amy Focosi, Jill Smith, Carla Weathers, Katarina Webb, and Kate Cogswell) meets regularly for encouragement and equipping, and this team (plus Katie Jewett and Candy Scott in 2020-21) planned and hosted events for the women in our church and community since 2020.
In August of 2022, a WM Event Planning Team was developed. The team, led by Amy and Carla, Deb Burrow, Danielle Clark, Pam Crum, Denise Gish, Janet Neese, Liz Schmalzried, Patti VanAlstine, and Sandy Waninger, have planned and hosted the WM events in Fall 2022 and now into 2023. I am so thankful for each of them and the privilege of serving God and you with them. (Please be sure to thank them when you see them!!)
It continues to be a gift and a joy to serve God and the women of ECC with these women! We keep moving forward, trusting God knowing we will continue to adjust as we grow and learn together. Our hope and prayer is that more and more women will participate in the Women’s Ministry opportunities and serve with us on various teams as we seek to encourage and equip each other.
With that in mind, I want to invite you to prayerfully consider joining us for any of the following upcoming events:
NET Bible Studies:
As an extension of our church focus on what it means to dwell in the house of the Lord, to gaze upon the beauty of God, and to seek him in his temple (from Psalm 27.4), our NET Bible studies will be unfolding the story of our matchless Savior through His mission, miracles, and message.
We invite you to join our NET Bible study by Angie Smith. Together we will encounter and get to know Jesus on a deeper level. Whether you are brand new to Bible study or have been doing this for a while – this study is for you.
NETpm – Wednesdays (*new night!), 6:30-8:15pm, beginning February 15
NETam – Thursdays, 9:30-11:15am, beginning February 16
Details for these events and more at ecclife.net/women
One of my favorite things about my role is the gift of walking alongside the amazing women of ECC and having a front row seat to watching women grow, heal, and serve in ways that they might not have thought possible. God is indeed good and moving here at ECC. God is doing exciting things in and through the women of ECC – I look forward to what is next!
Praying you will come grow with us.