Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross facts for kids
The Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross (SCHC) is a special group for women who are part of the Episcopal or Anglican Church. It was started in 1884 by a woman named Emily Malbone Morgan. The SCHC helps women grow in their faith and work together to help others.
The Companions have groups, called chapters, in many places across the United States and India. There is also a special online chapter, called the Far & Near Chapter. This chapter lets women join even if they don't live near a physical group. Members of this online chapter come from places like the United States, Belize, Canada, Great Britain, India, and Japan.
The main home for the Companions is in Byfield, Massachusetts. This place is called the Adelynrood Retreat and Conference Center. It's a historic spot where members can gather for quiet reflection and learning.
Who Can Join the Companions?
Women who are members of the Episcopal Church can join the Companions. Women from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Moravian Church can also become members. These churches work closely with the Episcopal Church.
Important Women in the Companions
Many inspiring women have been part of the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross. Here are a few:
- Emily Malbone Morgan – She was a leader in her church and helped start the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross. She also helped create another group called the Colonel Daniel Putnam Association.
- Vida Dutton Scudder – She was an American teacher, writer, and activist. She worked to help people in need and was part of a movement that focused on social justice through faith.
- Madeleine L'Engle – She was a famous American writer. She wrote many books, including stories for young adults. Her books often showed her Christian faith and her interest in modern science.
Books About the Companions
You can learn more about the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross by reading these books:
- Letters to Her Companions by Emily Malbone Morgan from Project Canterbury
- The Vocation of Companionship by Joanna Bowen Gillespie
- Hymnal of the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross
- To bind together" : a brief history of the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross by Miriam Usher Chrisman
- Gift for an agonized world : women, men, and movements for social justice in the Episcopal Church, 1887-1919 by Pamela W. Darling
