PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
My Dearest Sisters-in Christ:
It is with great joy and privilege that I serve as your AW president for the 2011-2013 term. I’m excited to get to know you and work with you during my term in office. I especially want to encourage each and every woman of St Ignatius Orthodox Church to serve the Body of Christ by contributing her time, treasures and special talents. Our success depends on the combined efforts of all the women of our parish. It is on the local level that the fruits of the spirit shine forth.
“Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, to minister it to one another, as good servants of the manifold grace of God.” (I Peter 4:9-10)
We are very fortunate to have many dedicated and experienced women who work so tirelessly. Let us be thankful for all AW women who serve. Also, let us be very thankful for our Clergy who have prayed and encouraged our women to excel. It is truly a great blessing to serve the Lord!
Yours in Christ,
Jane Ann Mirse
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Antiochian Women’s (AW) organization is to encourage our women in the areas of spiritual growth, fellowship and humanitarian service. In the words of our beloved Metropolitan PHILIP it is “Theology in Action.” The women of St. Ignatius serve our parish by preparing for feasts and special events. We also raise money for our national project, which currently is the Women’s Monastery at Antiochian Village in Bolivar, Pennsylvania. Our humanitarian efforts include sending cards to shut-ins, providing compassion meals for the sick and new mothers, assisting the bereaved, and supporting our local outreach ministries.
ANTIOCHEAN WOMEN OFFICERS
President: Jane Ann Mirse
Vice President: Ann Elliott
Secretary: Jacquie Topinka
Treasurer: Lisa Trimble
Past President: Gail Hyatt
Members-at-Large:
Ann Baumgartner & Kh. Terry Rogers
Spiritual Advisor: Fr. Stephen Rogers
COMMITTEE COORDINATORS
Beautification: Joan Kirkpatrick
Bereavement: Alexandra Larrison
Calendar of Feasts & Special Events: Ann Elliott
Compassion Meals: Misha Farrish
Fall Retreat 2012: Lorri Smith
Fund-Raising: Kh. Terry Rogers
Historian: Susan Hunter
Humanitarian: Celeste Thompson
Kitchen: Myrna Martin
Kroger Money: Vicki Parr
Lenten Dinners: Cathy Parsons
New Membership: AW Officers
Liturgical Cloths & Clothing: Jacquie Topinka
Welcome Bags: Brenda Reynolds
SERVICE
Serving others is vital to maintaining a prosperous, healthy and above all a loving church family. Our organization is dedicated to encouraging and nurturing service in women. We especially invite our new members and our your women to participate. I you are single or married, with children or without. Please join us!
Service is critically important in the life of the church. If everyone participates then the work- load is evenly distributed and no one is overly burdened. The next two years will be especially challenging as we build our new temple. This transition to a larger facility will be a tremendous blessing to all parishioners of St. Ignatius. We exhort ever woman to be an active part of the Body of Christ, which is the Church.
Those women of our Parish, who are physically able to work, are asked to volunteer to help with at least two feasts and/or activities per church year. Our church calendar includes the Lenten Wednesday night dinners and the feasts of the Advent, Pascha, and Pentecost, as well as other special events throughout the year.
LEADERSHIP
The leadership of the AW is made up of the AW officers and the various committee coordinators.
Our officers are appointed by a committee with Fr. Stephen’s approval. The officers serve two- year terms. Committee coordinators are chosen by the AW officers. You may be asked to serve as a committee coordinator or you may be asked to serve on a committee. We encourage you to volunteer rather than wait to be asked.
Our officers form the ministry team and conduct the regular business of AW. Minutes of the meeting are available upon request.
FELLOWSHIP
All women of St. Ignatius are automatically members of AW and are encouraged to participate in our monthly meetings, retreats and committee activities.
The focus of our meetings is fellowship and spiritual growth. AW meetings are usually held once a month at a Sunday luncheon or a weeknight supper. We meet either at the home of one of our parishioners or in the Church Fellowship Hall. Please feel free to host a luncheon by contacting an AW officer.
In the fall, we set aside a weekend in November for a Women’s Retreat. This is a special event for our women. It is a time of relaxation, refreshment, and spiritual renewal.
The Antiochian Women is a national Archdiocesan organization that is subdivided into dioceses with chapters that operate at the parish level. St. Ignatius AW Chapter is in the Diocese of Miami & the Southeast.
3535 St. Ignatius Lane, Franklin, TN 37064
(615)791-8134 phone
(615)791-8135 fax
www.saint-ignatius.org