The 62nd session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) meeting in New York City March 12 to March 23 will gather women and girls, men and boys from the Episcopal Church and throughout the Anglican Communion.

The 2018 UNCSW Priority Theme is “Challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls”. See more here. 

The delegates listed below will be able to attend the official UNCSW proceedings at the United Nations, including joint advocacy with the group Ecumenical Women. Episcopal advocacy will be based on the written statement submitted by the Presiding Bishop to UNCSW, which is based on General Convention resolutions, and can be found here.

Episcopal delegates will represent the Church through advocacy, including training, ecumenical worship, visiting permanent missions at the United Nations, and continuing advocacy upon return to their local communities.

Delegates

The delegates named by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry are: Dr. K. Holly Carter, Diocese of Massachusetts; the Rev. Annalise Castro Pasalo, Diocese of Hawaii; Dr. Damaris De Jesús Carrasquillo, Diocese of Puerto Rico; Lois Frankforter, Diocese of Connecticut; Maria Gonzalez, Diocese of Olympia; Stephanie Gray, Diocese of Arkansas; Claudia Haltom, Diocese of West Tennessee; Dr. John Harris, Diocese of Oklahoma; Clare Hendricks, Diocese of Montana; Pragedes Coromoto Jimenez de Salazar, Diocese of Venezuela; the Rev Deacon Myra Kingsley, Diocese of Arizona; the Rev. Dr. Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook, Diocese of Los Angeles; Annika Lewis, Diocese of Colorado; Maire Powell, Diocese of Iowa; Lydia Simmons, Diocese of South Dakota; the Rev. Stacy Walker, Diocese of Chicago; and Amanda Ziebell Mawanda, Diocese of Minnesota.

Presiding Bishop’s staff members accompanying the delegation are: Lynnaia Main, Episcopal Church representative to the United Nations; Katelyn Kenney, Julia Chester Emery United Thank Offering intern; and the Rev. Glenda McQueen, Staff Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Presiding Bishop Curry named the Rev. Dr. Deborah Jackson of the Diocese of Florida as the Episcopal provincial delegate to the Anglican Communion delegation.

The Episcopal Church Center also will welcome participants from the Anglican Church of Canada, Earth Child Institute, Ecumenical Women, Episcopal Indigenous Ministry – Young Adults, Episcopal Relief & Development, National Episcopal Church Women, St. George’s Episcopal Church in Fredericksburg, VA and from churches in the Episcopal Diocese of New York.

Of note for the event:

• The Episcopal Church will host an opening Eucharist at 12:10 pm Eastern on Monday, March 12. Presiding Bishop Curry will be the celebrant and preacher.

• On Wednesday, March 14, 10 am – 11:30 am Eastern, the Anglican Communion will host Sameena Nazir, human rights defender with Peace Out Loud.  The Anglican Communion also will host parallel events at the Church Center for the United Nations.

• On Wednesday, March 14, a special UNCSW Eucharist for participants, Episcopal Church Center staff and the public will feature the Rt. Rev. Carol Gallagher, Bishop of Native American Ministries & Assisting Bishop, Diocese of Montana celebrating

• There will be a closing Eucharist on March 23 at 12:10 pm Eastern and will incorporate the stories, songs and experiences of the delegates.

In addition to these events at the Episcopal Church Center, Episcopalians will be organizing many other UNCSW parallel events and worship opportunities throughout New York City, at the Church Center for the United Nations, and at churches in the Episcopal Diocese of New York.  More information is located here  

The Episcopal Church Center, located one block from the United Nations, will provide hospitality space for participants throughout the two weeks.

For more information contact Lynnaia Main.