Ministry 03 of 13

Women’s Fellowship

Faith • Fellowship • Empowerment

Objectives

What the ministry sets out to do

In the committee's own words.

01To nurture womenin faith, fellowship and purposeful Christian service through spiritual formation, mutual support and meaningful participation in the life of the Church.

02To create opportunitiesfor women’s leadership and personal development through learning, reflection, fellowship, mentoring and collective action.

03To equip womenwith practical skills, livelihood opportunities and entrepreneurial capacities that promote self-reliance, dignity and economic empowerment.

04To strengthen the wellbeingof women, children and families through education, pastoral care, counselling and community-centred initiatives.

05To empower womento become confident leaders and active contributors to the Church, family, community and wider society.

The 2026 report

The year in the ministry

An illustration of the Women's Fellowship committee's work, from its 2026 report.

The Women’s Fellowship Committee seeks to nurture a vibrant ministry of faith, fellowship, leadership, and service, while empowering women and strengthening families and communities across the Diocese.

Diocesan Women’s Fellowship gatherings are organised across the various districts, bringing together hundreds of women for worship, fellowship, learning, and collective action. The annual Women’s Fellowship Conference, usually hosted at Bishop Heber College, Tiruchirappalli, provides a significant platform for women from across the Diocese to come together for inspiring worship, biblical reflection, expert-led sessions, and meaningful fellowship. Participation in wider Church gatherings, including CSI-level conferences and prayer initiatives, further enriches spiritual formation, leadership development, and ecumenical fellowship.

Dedicated retreats and one-day gatherings for pastors’ wives and women workers provide opportunities for spiritual renewal, mutual encouragement, reflection, and professional development. The Fellowship also extends its ministry of compassionate care through Christmas celebrations at Homes for the elderly and other institutions, sharing food, gifts, and joyful fellowship with women and older persons.

Through its network of 21 pre-schools, the Fellowship continues to contribute to early childhood education, particularly in underserved communities, while supporting teachers and sustaining educational opportunities for young children. Women workers receive continued support through appointments, ministry gatherings, and pastoral guidance, while capacity-building initiatives create opportunities for livelihood development and greater self-reliance.

pre-schools run by the Fellowship

In partnership with Bishop Heber College, a recent micro-enterprise training initiative at Thirupalathurai introduced women to practical skills such as jute work and flower-making. Such initiatives strengthen the Fellowship’s commitment to equipping women with skills that can contribute to sustainable livelihoods, economic self-reliance, and the well-being of their families.

Through its diverse programmes, the Women’s Fellowship seeks to create spaces where women can grow in faith, discover and develop their gifts, support one another, and respond to the needs of their families and communities. The Fellowship seeks to empower women to become confident and compassionate contributors to the Church and society. In this way, the ministry translates faith into purposeful action and strengthens the Diocese’s wider mission of service, inclusion, and community transformation.

Website-ready adaptation from the Women’s Fellowship report presented to the Diocesan Special Council 2026.

Focus areas