Province 2 report to the National Episcopal Church Women May 2026

​Greetings to all Province II Bishops, Province II ECW Board Members, Diocesan Representatives and Friends!
 
I attended the National Episcopal Church Women’s (NECW) Board meeting held from April 30 – May 4, 2026, at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Providence Downtown in, Providence, Rhode Island
 
Province I had the privilege of hosting the National ECW Board meeting in Providence, Rhode Island. On Saturday, May 2 we were honored to attend the Church Beyond the Walls service in Burnside Park.   Although the weather was overcast, drizzly and cold, the service itself was warm, welcoming, and spirit filled.
It was a unique and deeply spiritual experience serving the hungry and unhoused visitors, the ones whom Jesus would have cared for.  They gathered at an appointed time and became family and friends while Missioner Linda Forsberg officiated at the bilingual service in English and Spanish, and celebrated Holy Communion. 
 
Following the service, members of the National ECW Board helped to serve the meal and distributed loaves of bread and clothing to those in need.  After the service, we attended St. David’s Church on the Hill in Cranston where Bishop Nicholas Knisely welcomed us.   We were treated to a delicious meal prepared by the ECW in the Diocese of Rhode Island and the ECW at St. David’s ECW.  It was a joy to spend time with, our hostess Linda Guest, and the many women who traveled from near and far to greet us.  The church was open for tours and so was the thrift store which did a brisk business with us.
 
On Sunday, we attended the 10:00 a.m. service at Grace Episcopal Church in Providence. The historic sanctuary was the perfect place to celebrate the last day of our board meeting as we thanked God for this ministry.
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Following a meaningful and inspiring weekend of worship and fellowship, the Board returned to its business sessions which focused on preparing for Triennial.
 
The 2027 Triennial will be held in Phoenix, Arizona from July 3-8, 2027. “Women at the Well: Faith in Action” is our theme for Triennial.  Each Diocese is allowed four delegates and two alternates.  Visitors are welcomed and encouraged.  The Registration costs will be announced soon.  The National ECW Board has set aside $54,000 for financial aid to assist delegates. Each Province will be allowed up to $6,000 each to provide aid where needed. Applications for financial aid will be announced as we get closer to the date of Triennial. Each Diocese may also nominate a distinguished woman who will be recognized at a special luncheon. Each nominee may invite two guests. The Distinguished Woman’s lunch will be paid for by the National ECW, but her guests must buy their own tickets for the luncheon.  Triennial delegates may also attend the luncheon. All those who attend must be registered by General Convention or the National ECW.  Provincial boards should meet prior to Triennial to elect new officers.  We will also have nominations for the elected National ECW board positions of President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Member-at-Large for Social Justice, and Member-at-Large for Creation Care and Environmental Justice.  The National ECW Board is in the process of developing our workshop offerings and a Share Fair where each Province and affiliated organizations will have an opportunity to share their projects and information. You can keep up with all the Triennial information by using our Triennial QR code.

 
The following were among the significant motions discussed and approved:

• A $1,000 Provisional Grant was given to Church Beyond the Walls in Providence, Rhode Island
• A motion to donate $150 to Grace Episcopal Church in Providence, Rhode Island and $100 to St. David’s on the Hill in Cranston, Rhode Island.
• A motion to undertake additional efforts to increase the diversity of our Social Justice Committee particularly with respect to the ministry of our MMIW advocacy initiative which would include inviting the virtual Parallel Event speakers to participate with the committee.
• The full amount of the MMIW t-shirt donations will be given to an MMIW organization fund.
• A $3,000 donation would be sent to the Diocese of Hawaii to assist with the recovery after the floods earlier this year.
• A $3,000 donation to be sent to the Diocese of Nebraska due to the recent fires across the area.
• A donation of $500 be given as sponsorship for the Big Provencial Gathering (BPG) in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
• The Merchandising Committee will provide a gift box to the Province Representa-tives to distribute at their annual meetings. The content of the box will be decided upon by the Merchandising Committee annually.
• The Triennial budget was accepted as revised.
• The National ECW Board to provide start-up grants for local parish ECWs up to $250.00.
• The National ECW Board will sponsor a 30-minute segment during the Prayer Vigil on the Doctrine of Discovery on May 17, 2026.

We have deferred the announcement of our scholarship winners, but we are hopeful to share this information in the very near future.
 
Our next scheduled board meeting will be held at Bellwether Farms in Ohio from September 30 - October 4, 2026.
 
Please let me know if you have any questions.
 
Respectfully submitted,
               
Dianne I. Roberts, Esq.
 
Dianne Roberts, Esq.
Representative, Province II