Whether or not someone’s bridge hand is dealt all aces and other high cards, Tuesday’s benefit bridge luncheon at Trinity Episcopal Church is bound to be a grand slam.

“We are simply delighted with the positive response,” said event Chairman Pat Dickens. “We have completely filled the space available for tables in the parish hall.”

Those who cannot attend are encouraged to donate funds to the Episcopal Church Women, which will use the money for outreach programs in Natchez and elsewhere, Dickens said.

The bridge luncheon is a new fundraising event, said Carla Johnson. “It has met with such great support that it will likely be held again in the future,” she said.

This event joins other ECW activities that raise funds for outreach projects, Johnson said. Among these are bake sales and luncheons hosted for out-of-town Elderhostel participants who visit Natchez through Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s Elderhostel program.

In addition, the ECW collects funding from church members twice annually for the United Thank Offering and the Church Periodical Club.

“In 2008, the ECW distributed more than $4,500 to a variety of outreach programs,” Johnson said.

Local charities supported by the ECW are Natchez Community Stewpot, which provides hot meals for the needy; Pleasant Acre Day School, which provides services for those with disabilities; Sunshine Shelter, which is an emergency shelter for victims of child abuse and child neglect; and Trinity Episcopal Day School, a parochial school originally founded in 1885 by Trinity Episcopal Church.

National and international charities supported by the ECW include Children at Risk, an international program focusing on health, education, nature and transportation for children; scholarships for Panama school children in partnership with the Episcopal Diocese of Panama; and Global Charities, the Panama Medical Mission, which provides medicine and hygiene products for children in Panama; the ECW Jericho Road House in New Orleans, an Episcopal Housing Initiative; the United Thank Offering; and the Church Periodical Club.

UTO donations are sent to the state (Diocesan) UTO chairman, who in turn sends offerings to the national UTO office of the Episcopal Church. There the money is joined by donations from Episcopal churches nationwide, Johnson said.

“In 2008, more than 90 grants totaling more than $2,400,000 funded the building of schools, hospitals and church buildings in the United States and around the world,” she said. Grants also supported training women in the church and supporting and sending women missionaries domestically and overseas.

The Church Periodical Club dates to 1888, when Mary Ann Fargo traveled with her husband on his Wells Fargo Stage Coach Line to the Dakota Territory, Johnson said.

Horrified by the harsh conditions there, she was inspired to respond to the needs. Back home in New York City, she and a small group of women at her Episcopal church began sending church periodicals, Bibles and prayer books to clergy, missionaries and Indians.

Thus began the CPC, which is today a part of the national Episcopal Church Women, Johnson said. The CPC is dedicated to a world-wide ministry of the printed word and promotion of Christian mission.

“Members of the Trinity Episcopal Churchwomen are diverse, multi-talented Christian women serving Christ in our families, parishes and larger communities,” Johnson said. “Through prayer, worship, communication and nurturing, we respond to God’s call to serve.”

Working with Carla Johnson and Pat Dickens on the upcoming fundraiser is the new ECW Diocesan president Grace Steiner, a member of Trinity Church. Also assisting are Kit Parker, Mary Ann Jones and other members of Trinity’s ECW.

“Even though this is a church women’s event, don’t be surprised to see some men there,” Dickens said. “Many men enjoy playing bridge, and we welcome their support in this and future ECW benefits.”

Tax-deductible donations can be sent to ECW, Trinity Episcopal Church, P. O. Box 1323, Natchez, MS 39121.

Carolyn Vance Smith is the past president of Episcopal Church Women at Trinity Episcopal Church.