Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Memorial Scholarship Fund (MSF) of the Diocese of Washington, established in 1925, is awarded to lay and ordained Episcopalians pursuing post graduate degrees in Christian ministry, social work, and nursing. Individuals enrolled in the Diocesan Diaconate program are eligible.
The ECW Board plans to award scholarships of $2000 in 2026.

Want to apply?

The deadline for submitting scholarship applications is March 13th each year, with awards being made in April. Letters of recommendation should be emailed to us at [email protected].

Who Funds the Memorial Scholarship Fund?

The Memorial Scholarship Fund is supported by the members of churches across the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. Many parishioners are now  thinking of MSF as a unique way of expressing one’s gratitude for the good life that God has granted.
Some parishes have designated the Memorial Scholarship Fund in their budgets as a special line item.
The MSF is also a way to commemorate those who have left us. Contributions are made by Episcopal parishes in the Diocese of Washington in memory of their deceased women.
Donations to the Memorial Scholarship Fund (MSF) should be made using the Donation Form. Completed donation forms should be returned to the ECW-EDOW Treasurer by September 30th each year, in order to be acknowledged at our annual meeting.

For additional information, please contact the MSF Custodian at [email protected].

Our Most Recent Scholarship Recipients

Two individuals received scholarships from the fund in 2026.

The Reverend Creamilda Shirley Wulck-Nortey Yoda is the 6th Rector of Christ Episcopal Church, Clinton, Maryland, in the Diocese of Washington, DC. She started her call at this church as a Priest-in-Charge. She is the first African female priest to have ever served this parish in its 150 years of existence.. She is a Spiritual Director as well as a PREPARE-ENRICH Family-Marital Counselor/Facilitator. She is an active member of both the Daughters of the King (The Phebe Chapter’s Chaplain) and the ECW at Christ Church, Clinton. Reverend Creamilda Shirley is an associate female member of the Brotherhood of St Andrew who diligently supports the work of this Order as the parish’s priest.

In addition to being a priest, she is experienced and holds two master’s degrees in business administration and project management. She graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary (Virginia) with a master’s in divinity and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Ministry at Wesley Theological Seminary (Washington, DC). Her concentration is in Leadership Excellence. Upon graduating, The Reverend Creamilda hopes to become a more equipped and efficient female leader and priest, using her skills, knowledge, and God-given gifts to serve the church of God, particularly by encouraging and empowering women and girls.

The Rev. Shayna J. Watson serves as the 15th Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., becoming the first woman to lead the historic parish in its 138-year history. She was officially welcomed at a Service of Installation on March 14, 2026. Her leadership reflects a commitment to spiritual vitality, a healing-centered mission, and the building of inclusive, Gospel-rooted community.

Rev. Watson joined Trinity from St. James Episcopal Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where she served as Associate Rector. Previously, she was Canon Pastor at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral. She was ordained to the diaconate in 2018 and to the priesthood in 2019. Prior to ordained ministry, she served as a board-certified chaplain in hospital and hospice settings.

A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Rev. Watson earned degrees in Political Science and African Diasporic Studies. She also holds a Master of Divinity with honors from Lancaster Theological Seminary and a Diploma in Anglican Studies from Virginia Theological Seminary. Originally formed in the Church of God in Christ, she later found a spiritual home in the Episcopal Church, drawn by its commitment to healing, justice, and mission.

Rev. Watson’s ministry is shaped by a passion for preaching that offers comfort, encouragement, and hope through the teachings of Jesus Christ. She brings a strong background in community engagement, having served as Religious Affairs Chair for the NAACP Lancaster Branch, and is particularly committed to supporting veterans and communities impacted by trauma, as well as fostering conversations around anti-racism and cultural sensitivity. She is the founder of ΘeoCon: Where Theology Meets Pop Culture!, a creative initiative that explores moral and spiritual themes in the arts and entertainment. Her interests include trauma-informed ministry, biblical studies, grassroots organizing for justice, and developing spiritual care resources in times of crisis.

She is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Howard University, feeling that it will equip her to serve the church more effectively through preaching, formation, and institutional leadership.

A native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Rev. Watson values family, faith, and service. In her free time, she enjoys travel, film, theater, and time with loved ones.
2026 Memorial Scholarship Fund Recipients
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Rev. Creamilda Yoda, Christ Church Clinton
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Rev. Shayna Watson, Trinity DC