The Episcopal Women’s Caucus is preparing to create a "leadership development college," that will prepare women clergy for positions as bishops and rectors of corporate-size parishes, one of a number of new priorities developed during a two-day board meeting last month.

"We will be working with other justice organizations on legislation in Columbus and assisting bishops who are women at Lambeth," said the Rev. Elizabeth Morris Downie, EWC president in a letter sent recently to members. "There is also the very important work of supporting women and men in unfriendly dioceses, and telling their stories of suppression and abuse to the whole church."

Other priorities announced after the board meeting are formation of legislative and press teams for the 2006 General Convention and the 2008 Lambeth Conference of Bishops. "I’m sure you are aware of the extensive ‘spinning’ of recent events done by the American Anglican Council and the Network, which has led to some very distorted coverage in the secular press," Ms. Downie said. "We have to be able to get our story and our views out, and we can’t wait until the last minutes if we are to do effective work."

According to the mission statement on its website, the Episcopal Women's Caucus is committed to:

"Empowering women and men to challenge oppressive structures ...

"Giving visibility and respect to women's perspectives and actions in the work and struggle for justice, peace and the integrity of creation" and

"Enabling the church to free itself from ... teachings and practices that sustain and reinforce power inequities."

To find more news, feature articles, and commentary not available online, we invite you to subscribe to The Living Church magazine. To learn more, click here.