A Rare Opportunity

Early this year, I was asked by the Episcopal Church Women's National President, Harriet Neer, if I would be interested in being the booth manager for ECW at the Triennial Meeting in June in Columbus , Ohio . I was honored and accepted.

What is the “booth?” We had a space in the exhibit hall, along with well over one hundred other vendors. They represented many organizations of the Church who distributed information and companies who sold vestments and everything religious. At our booth, we distributed information about ECW and sold merchandise with our logo and emblem as souvenirs. We had shirts, tee shirts, tote bags, umbrellas, Frisbees, note pads, folding chairs, and lots of other items. What a wonderful, varied experience it was. There was work involved with long hours, but it was all a joy for me.

During breaks, I visited the House of Deputies and the Triennial Meeting where Harriett was presiding. I met people from all over the world. There was one Arab Christian from Jerusalem who came by and visited every day. He was very interested in U. S. politics.

There were lots of Religious. Sister Mary Cecilia, OSA, of Chicago was interested in learning all she could garner about ECW. She works with women's ministry in Chicago . I even met a woman delegate who lives six blocks from where I grew up in Michigan .

I was there when the newly-elected Presiding Bishop came and spoke to ECW. I was there when she gave her first homily at Eucharist.

All this was wonderful, but the best part was the daily Eucharist. I still get chill bumps when I remember being part of the hundreds in that huge room lifting our voices in unison to God in worship.

It was truly a privilege to serve.

 

Beverly Helton

 

Top