The 145th Diocesan Convention - Home | Episcopal Diocese ......Jack Henry Demmink Joseph A. Parini John Steven Pratt Mary Louise Davies TRINITY, GRAND LEDGE Sharon Gilmore Linda Raymond

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Bishop’s Message..........................................3
Reports to the Convention...........................44
*The items in GREEN will be updated closer to the convention.
4 | The 145th Convention
7-9:00 PM
9:00AM
*These times are subject to change.
The Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan | 5
DIRECTIONS TO THE CONVENTION EUCHARIST
DIRECTIONS TO THE CHURCH This is a 2.2 mile trip. 1. Head out of the hotel parking
lot toward Kraft Avenue and turn right onto Kraft.
2. After 0.6 miles, turn right onto Burton Street.
3. Follow Burton Street for 1.4 miles. Thornapple Covenant Church will be on the left hand side of the road.
THORNAPPLE COVENANT CHURCH 6595 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546
UPCOMING DIOCESAN EVENTS
2019 Advent Youth Retreat (Middle School)* December 7-8 at Plainsong Farm Register: edwm.org/adventretreat
2020 The Gathering Youth Event* February 7-9 in Kalamazoo Register: edwm.org/thegathering
Provincial Youth Leadership Event* February 28-March 1 at Bellwhether Farm in the Diocese of Ohio Apply: edwm.org/provVyouth
Leadership Day Workshops* South - February 22 at St. Luke’s, Kalamazoo Central - March 7 at St. David’s, Lansing North - March 28, Northern location TBD
CHARGE Youth Event* March 20-22 at the Great Wolf Lodge Register: edwm.org/charge
Confirmation Services April 11 at Grace, Holland August 8 at Grace, Traverse City October 31 at Diocesan Convention Register: edwm.org/confirmation
Clergy Retreat* May 5-7 at the St. Francis Center, Dewitt
DREAM Mission Project* June 20-27 in the Dominican Republic Register: michigan-dominican.org
Episcopal Youth Camp Summer 2019 | www.episcopalyouthcamp.org
The Episcopal Youth Event* July 7-11 in Washington, DC Apply: edwm.org/EYE
Joint Diocesan Convention with Eastern Michigan, with guest PB Michael Curry* October 30-31 in Lansing
*Collaboration with the Diocese of Eastern Michigan
Assistant to Registration Chair
DIOCESAN STAFF
Bishop Canon Missioner for the Northern Region Canon Missioner for the Central Region Canon Missioner for the Southern Region Canon for Evangelism & Networking Finance & Benefit Administration Office Administrative Assistant
Bill Fleener, Jr.; St. David’s, Lansing Bill Fleener, Jr.; St. David’s, Lansing The Rev. Canon William Spaid Dave Croal; St. Mark’s, Coldwater Bill Fleener, Jr.; St. David’s, Lansing The Rev. Canon Michael Spencer Janet MacKenzie; Epiphany, South Haven Fred Skidmore; St. Andrew’s, Grand Rapids The Rev. Jennifer Adams; Grac, Holland Robert Schorle; Grace Church, Holland Anne Davidson; St. Mark’s, Coldwater The Rev. Deacon Pat Vinge; St. Martin of Tours, Kalamazoo The Rev. Mike Wood; St. Barnabas, Portage & St. Francis, Shelbyville Bill Hanson; St. Martin of Tours, Kalamazoo
The Rt. Rev. Whayne M. Hougland, Jr. The Rev. Canon Anne C. Hallmark The Rev. Canon Valerie Ambrose The Rev. Canon William Spaid Canon Katie Forsyth Tammy Mazure, CPA, CGMA Willa Williams
REMEMBERING THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED, OCTOBER 2018 - SEPTEMBER 2019
IN MEMORIAM O God, the King of saints, we praise and magnify thy holy Name for all thy servants who have finished their course in thy faith and fear; for the blessed Virgin Mary; for the holy patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs; and for all thy righ- teous servants, known to us and unknown; and we beseech thee that, encouraged by their examples, aided by their prayers, and strengthened by their fellowship, we may also be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; through the merits of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ST. JAMES, ALBION John Earl Ayers Judy L. Leedy Greer Carolyn Huvendick Andrew Masternak Russell C. Rowan The Rev. Edward Scully Lucile S. Strohmenger
Victor Lynn Williams
RESURRECTION, BATTLE CREEK David Barnes Thomas Cowan
David Mahoney
ST. THOMAS, BATTLE CREEK Janine R. Adrianson Phillip E. Bicknell
Irma A. Howard Joan Kuehnle Kaufman Alice Frazer Slaughter Marilyn I. Smith Ella Stephenson Irma Marie Webber
ST. PHILIP’S, BEULAH Mary Catherine McKinley Dilts Beverly Ann Compton
CHRIST CHURCH, CHARLEVOIX Jeanne Michael Paula Miller Norma Teague
ST. PAUL’S, ELK RAPIDS Ruth B. Klein
ST. PAUL’S, DOWAGIAC Martha Deming
ST. JOHN’S, FREMONT Russell E. Price
ST. JOHN’S, GRAND HAVEN Carolyn F. Bean Phyllis D. Blake Connie A. Deal Timothy S. Fluckiger Dana M. Gezon David R. Greer Stephen A. Hansen James Huggins Nancy A. Dykehouse Douglas H. Jones Hilda M. McBride Lynn D. Middlebrook James C. Mitchell Nancy A. Powell Gerald L. Walter Patricia Walter Clara M. Wexstaff
ST. ANDREW’S, GRAND RAPIDS Mary Jo Owczarzak Armen Oumedian Glenn Laverne Rotier, Jr. David Alan VerHeul Carol Ann Magnan (Peterson) Jack Henry Demmink Joseph A. Parini John Steven Pratt Mary Louise Davies
TRINITY, GRAND LEDGE Sharon Gilmore Linda Raymond
ST. MARK’S, GRAND RAPIDS Barbara Carduff Phyllis Danielson William VanDerBos Janet VanDeusen
ST. PAUL’S, GREENVILLE Ruth Bedore Bernadette Coyne Susan Rineheart
EMMANUEL, HASTINGS Donald Leon Blaszak Patricia Carol Bergh Kenneth James Robbe
GRACE, HOLLAND Elaine Boerigter Ruth Brown George Gallaway Birney C. Hoyt Tammy K. Kelly Warren Parker Carol Rickey Jack Shinabarger The Rev. Thomas L. Toeller- Novak Charles A. Turturici William R. Van Ark Melvin Van Oosterhout
ST. LUKE’S, KALAMAZOO Jean Mitchener Calloway S. Richard Goss Richard Emil Hartenberger The Rev. Beth Anne McLaren Dave Thorton Janet Marie Vanderberg Horton Paula Jeanne Walker
ST. MARTIN’S, KALAMAZOO Mavis J. Ardis Mary Ellen Bays Edward Allen Bickow Elaine Joanne Bickow Timothy David Blount Harold Bolles Suzanne Bronner
Horace Wade Bulger Jr. Anthony K. Burns Betty Lou Campbell Corinne Betty Cummins Gary Eugene Curtis Michael DeGraw Robert Garfield Etter Carl Fahrenbach Betty Ann Carnegie Floyd Christine Leigh Francis Anthony P. Gaines Stephanie Ann Gibb Teresa M. Gullett Theresa Marie Hanes Gerald Steward Hopkins Charles William Jones Jr. Jerry Nathaniel Jones Dennis Mentzert Donald Robert Milley Sr. Jeffery Scott Milner Stanley Cecil Milner John Peter Morris Douglass Ray Payne William Alfred Pope Theresa Joann Rendel John Jay Smiley Janice Marie Sevarns Paul Robert Smith Albert Raymond Steffens Sarah Margaret Taylor Gordon J. Weiland
IN MEMORIAM, CONT.
IN MEMORIAM, CONT.
ST. DAVID’S, LANSING Michael K. Benoit Pearl I. Brooks Marc A. Byers Anna J. Cannell Calvin Helmick Harold Higgins Samuel T. Miller James T. Ulmer, Sr.
GRACE, LUDINGTON John Ashley Virginia Kaines
HOLY TRINITY, MANISTEE William Henderson Tod
ST. PETER’S, MONTAGUE Andy Nuttall
ST. JOHN’S, MT PLEASANT Allan Lively Stanley Milton Beard, Sr. The Rev. Wayne Philip Nicholson Joan Salmonsen
ST. PAUL’S, MUSKEGON William Ashley Dr. Harold Bowman Dennis Cornwall Charles Dobberstein
Janet Obenauf Philip Stoffan
ST. CHRISTOPHER’S, NORTHPORT Marjorie Bennison Mike Danaher Halen Maher Joanne McCallum Sarah Strauss
ST. MARK’S, PAW PAW Marla Rae Brinkmoeller Evan Hughes
ST. JAMES, PENTWATER Alice Jean Amstutz Newell Ware Wright
EMMANUEL, PETOSKEY Harold Dorf The Rev. William James McGill Millie May Oxford
ST. BARNABAS, PORTAGE Dave L Hageman Alfred B Warwick Bruce A Watts
ST. TIMOTHY’S, RICHLAND Emil J. Gallay Delbert L. Holroyd Michael A. Speicher
EPIPHANY, SOUTH HAVEN Keith Nelson
ST. PAUL’S, ST. JOSEPH Malcolm David Jennings Bette Anne Smith The Rev. H. Steward Ross Joan Priscilla Durren
GRACE, TRAVERSE CITY Jane Carol Buller Carol Anne Butcher Benedict M. Clapp Ronald Charles Eckert William Phelps Foster Marian Lucille Ingersoll Richard Kies Maxcella Allegra Latimer JoAnne Boyt McCallum Carmen G. Miller Ann Elizabeth Nichols Larry Scott Nuismer Virgil Angelo Ritondale Bonnie G. Rollings Marion Lloyd Talbot John Curtis Zimmerman
Lay Nominee Laurie Atwater St. Martin of Tours, Kalamazoo
Brief Biography: Uncurched in childhood, I became an Episcopalian at the age of 11 after attending my aunt’s wedding at Trinity, Marshall. I fell in love with the church, the liturgy, the music – all of it. I was baptized and confirmed and began a long stretch of significant involvement. I was a member of the Diocesan Youth Council (back when we had one!), went to camp, counseled camp, was a member of the ICTHYS Players, doing medieval mystery plays.As an adult in Indiana I attended St. Peter’s in Lebanon. I moved back to Kalamazoo in 2010 and found St. Martin’s and a church family. I have two grown daughters, one teaches in Florida, the other raises my granddaughters and has her own business in Ohio. I am working through the two year discernment process to become an oblate of the Community of St. Mary in Sewanee. I now live quite happily downtown Kalamazoo, where I read every chance I get, do a daily video blog on Facebook with affirmations and challenges, write, crochet, and do community work.
Most recent parish level ministries and offices: Parish ministries are a huge part of my life. I love St. Martin’s, its missions and its people. I have served several years as an EfM mentor; a co-chair of our Social Justice Outreach committee; visited India two times as part of delegations to see progress of our St. Martin’s Children’s Hostel and Sewing Center in Purulia, West Bengal, the anti-human trafficking site in Malda, and the Blood Bank at the hospital in Sarenga; member of the Vestry--Junior Warden; AND I know how to turn on the sound system!
Most recent diocesan or church-wide ministries and offices: I served as the secretary treasurer of the St. Joseph Deanery when we were organized by Deaneries. I have served out a one year term on Diocesan Council and have truly loved this service.
Anti-racism training or engagement: Did Diocesan Anti-racism training with Joanne Mundy in Grand Rapids about three years ago. Did the Trinity Institute Anti Racism training in 2018. Am about to enroll in Eraace Training in Kalamazoo as a new board member of the PFC (People’s Food Co-Op).
Current service in the community: I volunteer with St. Martin’s at Loaves and Fishes, our local food bank. I help with gathering items for Welcome Packs for SEITA Scholars, WMU students coming in from foster homes. I work with Open Doors on affordable housing issues as a member of their activism team. I serve on the Kalamazoo Hunger Free Community Coalition. I am an Advisory Board member for Humanities for Everybody. I am a member of the Board of Directors of the PFC (People’s Food Co-Op).
CONVENTION BUSINESS
Lay Nominee Pam Chapman St. Philip’s, Grand Rapids
Brief Biography: Cradle Episcopalian Member St. Philip’s for 51 years Present work: The Grand Rapids Times -Administrative Assistant the Editor Past work: Spectrum Health Heart Reach, United Methodist Community House and Sysco /Frost Pack Mother of Sandra Michele (Gift from God)
Most recent parish level ministries and offices: Episcopal Church Women - President Lay Minister Lead person John M. Burgess Wellness Center - Program Director Delegate Diocesan Convention
Most recent diocesan or church-wide ministries and offices: Episcopal Church Women President Lay Alternate Deputy General Convention 2018 Dismantling Racism Parish Stragey and Mentering Sub Committee
Anti-racism training or engagement: St. Mark’s 2018-19 St Andrew’s 2018-19
Current service in the community: Volunteer Grand Rapids Health Institute Community Garden Rock the Block Community Fair American Heart and Stroke Associations
Lay Nominee Anne Davidson St. Mark’s, Coldwater
Brief Biography: Lifelong Episcopalian, raised in Wisconsin (Diocese of Fond du Lac), with 9 years spent in Utah and South Dakota prior to coming to West Michigan in 1974. Currently a member of Standing Committee, formerly a member and chairperson of Diocesan Worship Committee, former member of the Diocesan Consulting Team, and the Transition Team for the most recent two Bishop Searches. Long-time member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Coldwater, serving as Vestry member, Verger, chair of the Worship Committee, the Shawl Ministry, and the Memorial Fund Committee. I have served as Senior Warden in the past. General Convention Deputy 2012 & 2018, Gen. Conv. Staff 2015. I have been painting (writing) icons for the past 13 years, show my icon work at Diocesan Conventions, and serve the diocese as Vendor Chairperson. Married to my husband, Neal, for 55 years, we have two daughters and one grandson.
Most recent parish level ministries and offices: Member of the Vestry (current) Verger (current) Chair of Memorial Fund and Co-Chair of Worship Committee (current) Member of Parish Life Committee (current)
Most recent diocesan or church-wide ministries and offices: Member of Standing Committee (current) Member of new Task Force for Liturgy General Convention Deputy - 2012 and 2018, Member of General Convention Staff - 2015 Chair of the Committee on Certification of Minutes at General Convention 2018
Anti-racism training or engagement: Trinity Institute’s Values in Action (certificate)
Current service in the community: Member of Women Who Care of Branch County, supporting local charitable causes Former member of the Board of Directors of Tibbits Opera Foundation Supporter of the Branch Area Food Pantry and Branch County Foster Closet Former chair of the Tibbits Summer Theatre Committee Former Girl Scout leader
CONVENTION BUSINESS
Lay Nominee William Fleener St. Davids, Lansing
Brief Biography: Fred and his daughter Anna live in Grand Rapids and have been members of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids since 2011. Fred and Anna are both involved with St. Andrew’s. Fred was born and raised in Wyandotte and Southgate, which is located just south of Detroit. Fred moved to Traverse City, Michigan in 1975 and settled in the Grand Rapids area in 1987. Fred graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Eastern Michigan University in 1972. Fred is a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard and has been involved with the Real Estate industry since 1976. Fred is most proud of his family, which includes his 3 adult children, Brandon, Brent, and Kylie; his daughter Anna; his daughter in law Sheryl; and of especially his 3 grandchildren, Sage, Winston, and Freddie. Fred enjoys travel, especially visiting his adult children with Anna; biking, and swimming.
Most recent parish level ministries and offices: Fred is currently the Senior Warden at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. Has served on the Vestry five out of the past six years. Has served on the Finance Ministry for the past 3 years and was the Treasurer in 2018. Fred has been and continues to be an Usher since 2013. Fred is also currently a member of the Facilities Ministry and the Personnel Ministry.
Most recent diocesan or church-wide ministries and offices: Fred is currently the Nominating Chairperson for the Diocese and also served in 2018. Fred also participated in DCDI during 2015-2016 and again in 2018.
Anti-racism training or engagement: 2018 Anti Racism Training at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church provided by Trinity Wall Street Episcopal Church.
Current service in the community: Scout Leader
Lay Nominee Matthew Roney Grace, Traverse City
Brief Biography: Matthew (Matt) Roney was born in Detroit and grew up in Gaylord, Michigan. He developed a strong spirituality over thirteen years at St. Mary Cathedral School, and spent considerable time in his adult life seeking a spiritual home. In 2006, Matt moved to Ann Arbor, MI, graduating from the University of Michigan with a degree in liberal arts in 2009. In 2013, he followed a job opportunity to Seattle, WA. Matt felt a pull to return to church and, in 2016, fell in love with the Episcopal Church. After two years attending and participating at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Seattle, Matt was received in April 2018. Since returning home to Michigan in August 2018, Matt has been active at Grace Church, Traverse City as a member of the Chancel Choir and, since January 2019, the Vestry and Communications Committee. He and his wife, Nora, were married at Grace Church on July 20, 2019. By day, Matt works as a Marketing Strategist at a small digital marketing agency.
Most recent parish level ministries and offices: At Grace Episcopal Church, Traverse City: - Member - Vestry - Member & Vestry Liaison - Communications Committee - Member - Chancel Choir - Service participant (primarily, though not exclusively, as lector)
Most recent diocesan or church-wide ministries and offices: Member - Taskforce for Evangelism
Anti-racism training or engagement: Participated in Dismantling Racism at St Philip’s Episcopal Church, Beulah, MI on June 1, 2019
Current service in the community: - Organizer of monthly event for TCNewTech, a 501(c)(3) organization focused on economic development (2018 - present) - Meals Services Volunteer at St. Luke’s Edible Hope Kitchen at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Seattle, WA (2016 - 2018) - Pro bono marketer/Development Intern at Puget Sound Christian Clinic, Lynnwood, WA (2018)
CONVENTION BUSINESS
Lay Nominee Mary Simpson St. Andrew’s, Grand Rapids
Brief Biography: I am an active member at St. Andrew’s Grand Rapids and in the Diocese of Western Michigan. Currently you will find me working as the Business Administer at St. Andrew’s as well as two other part time jobs. The Dominican Center at Marywood’s Spiritual Direction Practicum also keeps me very busy. As a staff person I am aware of the many ministries at St. Andrew’s but have stepped back this year from parish ministries. Serving on the Commission on Ministry has taught me much about Church on a different level. Representing EDWM in 2018 at General Convention was a great honor which I hope to repeat in 2021!
Most recent parish level ministries and offices: Dismantling Racism committee which is part of St Andrew’s outreach program Lay Eucharistic Minister Health Council Member
Most recent diocesan or church-wide ministries and offices: Dismantling Racism 2018 Lay Delegate to General Convention Commission on Ministry
Anti-racism training or engagement: Healing Racism Workshop May 29,2017
Current service in the community: None currently.
Clergy Nominee The Rev. Jennifer Adams Grace, Holland
Brief Biography: The Rev. Jen Adams is a life-long Episcopalian, born and raised in the Detroit area. She came to West Michigan via Kalamazoo College where she played soccer (and majored in math and religion.) While at K College, Jen immersed in the intersections of faith, justice work, and learning, fell in love with Lake Michigan, scored a few goals, and, with the help of St Luke’s, Kalamazoo, discerned a call to the priesthood. Rev. Jen attended CDSP in Berkeley, California (making sure there was always a large body of water to her west.) In 1994, she became the Assistant Rector at Grace, Holland through the diocesan “Priest in Formation” program. Rev. Jen has since grown with Grace and served the diocese and vlarger church in varieties of ways. She became Rector in 2012 and this December will celebrate her 25th anniversary as priest. Rev. Jen and her spouse, Beth, a recently retired creative writing professor immersed in creating comics and graphic novels, live with their dogs and cats in West Olive.
Most recent parish level ministries and offices: Rector of Grace, Holland.
Most recent diocesan or church-wide ministries and offices: CHURCH WIDE: Five time deputy to General Convention and four-time Co-Chair of EDWM’s deputation. Media Spokesperson for the House of Deputies. Member of the Task Force for Reimagining the Episcopal Church. Co-Convener of the Chicago Consultation, an international group of bishops, clergy, and lay people working for LGBTQ inclusion in the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion. Member of the Commission on Ministry Development and Title III canon revision team. Member of General Convention Committees on Structure, Ministry Development, and Vice Chair of the Committee on Christian Formation. EDWM: Chair of the Task Force on Restructuring, Convention Resolutions Chair, two-term Member of Commission on Ministry, consultant to parishes in transition, two-term member of Standing Committee, Chair of COM, member of the Commission on Christian Formation.
Anti-racism training or engagement: Lenten Study/Parish/Diocesan Program on Dismantling Racism, 2017; Participant in the Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity’s Summit on Racism, 2019, 2015, 2013, 2011; Crossroads Anti-Racism Training; ACEH Training, Holland
Current service in the community: Founding member of Faith Leaders for Justice in Holland, an ecumenical group of clergy and lay leaders collaborating to address issues of affordable housing, racism, immigration, and LGBTQ inclusion. Founder of Holland is Ready and Out On The Lakeshore, groups working for LGBTQ rights and inclusion including the opening of the OOTL Community Center in Holland. Grant writer for OOTL. Regular guest speaker at Hope College.
CONVENTION BUSINESS
ELECTIONS FOR GENERAL CONVENTION DEPUTY
Clergy Nominee The Rev. Dr. Jared Cramer St. John’s, Grand Haven
Brief Biography: In my mid-thirties, after a decade of priestly ministry, I am deeply committed to the present and future of the Episcopal Church (TEC). Born in Eastern Michigan and raised in Grand Haven, for the past nine years I have served as the rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Grand Haven, where I also lead our El Corazón Latino Ministry Initiative. I hold the degrees of Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies, Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Theology, and Doctor of Ministry. In 2020 I will begin the Executive Master of Nonprofit Administration at Mendoza College in the University of Notre Dame. As a two-time previous Alternate to General Convention, I wrote commentary on the Taskforce for Reimagining the Episcopal Church which was published by the House of Deputies News in 2015 and then blogged through much of the “Blue Book” in 2018. My ministry has been focused on a passion for the marginalized, a commitment to good governance, and the richness of our Anglican traditions.
Most recent parish level ministries and offices: Rector, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Grand Haven Current Mission Developer, El Corazón Latino Ministry, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Grand Haven
Most recent diocesan or church-wide ministries and offices: 2015 - 2019: Member of the Genesis Gatherings for Church Planters & Mission Developers (through the TEC grant which funded our Latino Ministry Initiative) 2015 & 2018: Alternate Deputy to General Convention 2010 - 2017: Dean of the Lakeshore Deanery, Convener of the Deans 2012 - 2015: Commission on Ministry, Chair from 2013–2015
Anti-racism training or engagement: In the current program year, 2019–2020, I am facilitating the “Sacred Ground” gatherings project for St. John’s and the surrounding community, a film- and readings-based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. “Sacred Ground” is part of “Becoming Beloved Community,” our church’s long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in our personal lives, our ministries, and our society.
Current service in the community: 2013–Current: Leadership Team, Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Initiative North – Formerly the Diversity Initiative of Northwest Ottawa County, LEDA North promotes racial equity and the active inclusion of people from all racial and ethnic backgrounds who work, live and play in Northwest Ottawa County
ELECTIONS FOR GENERAL CONVENTION DEPUTY
Clergy Nominee The Rev. Brian Coleman Church of St. Thomas, Battle Creek
Brief Biography: Fr. Brian celebrated his 20th ordination anniversary this year. He has been the Rector of St. Thomas, Battle Creek since 2008. He is married to Dr. John Moore. His family live in Texas, Georgia, Ireland, England and Wales. He was born in Ft. Worth, Texas; grew up in Alabama, Illinois and California. Went to college at the University of the South, and California State University, Fullerton (B.A. in Philosophy); and trained for ordination at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary (M.Div.) in Evanston, Illinois. He has served in parish ministry in Los Angeles, Sheffield (England), and Battle Creek. He recently finished his first half marathon this summer, and ran a 20K trail race in September.
Most recent parish level ministries and offices: Fr. Brian’s ministry at St. Thomas includes, among other things: pastoral care, which he understands as being alongside people in their daily hopes and fears, sorrows and joys; preaching as effective Christian communication, both in word and deed by helping others understand how the Bible relates to their lives; daily prayer, through the public worship services provided in the Book of Common Prayer, and through personal prayer and spiritual disciplines, including iconography; and community action and outreach, through service, support and collaboration with local community leaders and organizations.
Most recent diocesan or church-wide ministries and offices: In addition to his parish responsibilities Fr. Brian serves as Chairman of the Board for Plainsong Farm and Ministry in Rockford, Michigan, and has recently been appointed to the Diocesan Taskforce on Liturgy. He has served as a deputy to General Convention in 2015 and 2018.
Anti-racism training or engagement: E/RACE Training Diocesan Racial Healing Workshops (2010, 2015, 2018) Elimination of Racism Training Program through the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Current service in the community: Fr. Brian serves as a Trustee for the Battle Creek Community Foundation, on the City of Battle Creek’s Human Relations Board, and is teaching Introduction to Religion classes at Olivet College this semester. He is also active in local LGBTQI advocacy and support.
CONVENTION BUSINESS
Clergy Nominee The Rev. Nurya Love Parish Holy Spirit, Belmont
Brief Biography: The Rev. Nurya Love Parish has been in ministry since 1993, was previously ordained in another tradition, became an Episcopalian in 2007 and was ordained in the Episcopal Church in 2011. She attended Harvard Divinity School (M.Div. 1996) and Seabury- Western Theological Seminary (Anglican Studies, 2011). She served as the part-time associate priest at St. Andrew’s, Grand Rapids as her first call in the Episcopal Church, then became part-time priest- in-charge at Holy Spirit, Belmont when the congregation was still a mission. She co-founded Plainsong Farm, a new ministry of the diocese, in 2015. Her book Resurrection Matters: Church Renewal for Creation’s Sake was published by Church Publishing Inc. in 2018. She speaks nationally on the intersection of food, agriculture, climate and faith. She has been an alternate, a deputy, and a member of the church’s Advisory Council for Creation Care (2015-2018). She lives in Ada, Michigan with her firefighter husband and their two teenage children.
Most recent parish level ministries and offices: Rector, Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, 2019-present Priest-in-Charge, Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, 2017-2018 Associate Priest, St. Andrew’s Grand Rapids, 2011-2016 Christian Education Director, St. Andrew’s Grand Rapids, 2009-2011
Most recent diocesan or church-wide ministries and offices: Executive Director, Plainsong Farm & Ministry - charitable food, environmental education, young adult discipleship, national partnerships helping church-owned land to be used for creation care - a new Episcopal ministry Evangelism Commission, Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan, 2019-present Advisory Council for the Stewardship of Creation, 2015-2018 (churchwide) General Convention Deputy, 2018 General Convention Legislative Committee on Care of Creation, 2018 General Convention Alternate, 2015
Anti-racism training or engagement: Participated in diocesan Healing Racism Training, October 27, 2018.
Current service in the community: Executive Committee & Board Member, North Kent Connect (pastoral representative on poverty relief/development agency, representing Holy Spirit) Sustainability Committee, Lower Grand Organization of Watersheds
Clergy Nominee The Rev. Anne Schnaare Trinity, Marshall
Brief Biography: The Rev. Anne Schnaare grew up as an Episcopalian at St. Matthias, in Waukesha, Wisconsin. She attended the University of Wisconsin- Parkside, where she majored in Theatre and Music, and met her husband, Matthew. They were married in 2001 and soon after went on a short-term mission trip to Brazil. After Anne discerned a call to the priesthood, she and her husband relocated to Sewanee, Tennessee, where she earned a Master of Divinity and their daughter, Phoebe, was born. Mother Anne spent the first two years of ordained ministry as a curate at Calvary Episcopal Church in Americus, GA. Although she enjoyed her time Down South, she was glad to return to the Midwest when she was called to serve Trinity, Marshall in 2011. They have just celebrated their eighth anniversary of ministry together. During the summer of 2019, Mother Anne went on sabbatical during which she reconnected with friends in Germany, visited Chartres and Taizé in France, and walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain.
Most recent parish level ministries and offices: Rector of Trinity Church, Board of Missions, Pastoral Care Committee, Finance Committee, Vestry,
Most recent diocesan or church-wide ministries and offices: Commission on Ministry, Standing Committee, General Convention 2018, Diocesan Taskforce on Liturgy.
Anti-racism training or engagement: Trinity Institute: Values in Action Training (2018) Dubose Lectures at Sewanee: University of the South, Dr. Emilie Townes presenting “Premeditated Indifference: Facing (In)Justice With the Power of Hope” (2019)
Current service in the community: Speaker for World Religion Day at Marshall Middle School, Oaklawn Hospital Disaster Drill volunteer, speaker for Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, United Way Celebration Breakfast, Marshall Area Community Services (M.A.C.S.)
CONVENTION BUSINESS
Clergy Nominee The Rev. Canon Bill Spaid Diocesan Staff
Brief Biography: I have been a priest in the diocese for over thirty years. I was rector at St. Martin’s in Kalamazoo for 16 years and since have served the Bishop as Canon to the Ordinary and Canon Missioner. Prior to ordination I was an elementary school teacher. I love working with vestries and transition search committees, and I still love to teach. I find it a joy to support the ministry of the Bishop as well as our clergy and parish wardens. Outside of my professional life, I enjoy cooking, painting with watercolours, and music. Part of my Rule of Life includes some time daily at the piano. I also enjoy journeys to Lyric Opera. I exercise regularly. My biggest delight is time spent with my four grandchildren.
Most recent parish level ministries and offices: I am not a member or regular participant in any one parish, but try to be supportive of and available to parishes in the southern region for special events and programs.
Most recent diocesan or church-wide ministries and offices: In the past I served on the Commission on Ministry and the Standing Committee of the diocese. For fifteen years I was a chaplain at our youth camp, and participated in a number of Cursillo weekends. I’ve also been Convention Secretary, member of the Canon’s Committee, and the director of the Diocesan Church Development Institute (DCDI). I have worked with our joint disciplinary board and I have been a deputy to the three recent General Conventions and was appointed to the GC Legislative Committee on Constitution and Canons.
Anti-racism training or engagement: I have participated in a number of eliminating/dismantling racism trainings or workshops over the years, most recently a presentation by Dr. Catherine Meeks of the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing at the 2018 General Convention, and the Becoming Beloved Community workshop last fall at St. Mark’s in Grand Rapids.
Current service in the community: I’ve served on Open Doors Ministry board and CARES board (an AIDs ministry) in Kalamazoo. Currently I am the chaplain to the Southwest Michigan Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
ELECTIONS TO THE STANDING COMMITTEE
Clergy Nominee The Rev. Diane M. Pike The Southwest Michigan Episcopal Covenant
Brief Biography: Prior to accepting God’s call to ordained ministry, my career was in non-profit management, primarily in institutional advancement (fundraising) and organizational development. I worked with teams as large as 10 persons and budgets as large as $3+M. This career has served me well in ordained ministry and parish ministry as we strive to be better stewards of God’s resources. I am a Michigan native having served congregations in Rhode Island, Western New York, and Nebraska. Currently serving as rector of the Southwest Michigan Covenant since December 2018, each day blooms with new opportunities to serve God’s people and build Christ’s kingdom.
Most recent parish level ministries and offices: Rector, Southwest Michigan Episcopal Covenant Associate Rector, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Omaha, NE
Most recent diocesan or church-wide ministries and offices: Diocesan Finance Committee Certified trainer - SafeChurch, Anti-racism
Anti-racism training or engagement: Anti-racism trainer for the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York. Certification on file in diocesan office.
Current service in the community: Interfaith Action Group of Southwestern Michigan - focus on anti-gun violence initiatives.
CONVENTION BUSINESS
Lay Nominee None
CONVENTION BUSINESS
PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS
Resolution 1 - To amend the Canons of the Diocese to allow for recognizing “Cooperating Ministries” Submitted by: The Taskforce for Evangelism
Rationale: The Taskforce for Evangelism of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan proposes a change to our diocesan canons to allow for non-congregational entities to be formally recognized as participating members of our community. We believe that by making ourselves hospitable and expecting of new and innovative forms of community and discipleship, we might allow for new ministries to flourish within our diocese.
Resolution: Resolved, that the 144th Convention of the Diocese of Western Michigan amend the following portions of Canon 1.1, Canon 1.8, Canon 1.28 to read:
CANON 1 DEFINITIONS Terms used in these Canons are defined, for purposes of this document, as follows: a. “Bishop” refers to a Bishop Diocesan elected to that position as provided by the Constitution and
Canons of this diocese. b. “Calendar Year” refers to a year beginning at the first moment of the day on January 1 and ending at
the last moment of the day on the following December 31. c. “Church” refers to The Episcopal Church as a constituent member of the Anglican Communion. d. A “Communicant in Good Standing” shall include all persons who have received the Sacrament of
Holy Baptism with water in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, whether in this Church or in another Christian Church, and whose Baptisms have been duly recorded in this Church. An “Adult Communicant in Good Standing” in a Congregation is a communicant in good standing who is sixteen (16) years of age or older in that Congregation; and who, for the previous year, have been faithful in corporate worship, unless for good cause prevented, and have been faithful in working, praying, and giving for the spread of the Kingdom of God. [As amended, April 21, 2012.]
e. A “Cooperating Ministry” is an organization, located within the diocese, whose mission, purposes, and activities have been determined by the Bishop and Diocesan Council, and ratified by the Diocesan Convention, to merit an established and recognized status as an ongoing partner in ministry with the diocese.
(Further Text of Canon 1, unchanged, will be saved for re-lettering to reflect the amendment per Canon 71.02).
CANON 8.02 MISSION REGIONS
CONVENTION BUSINESS
Section 8.02 The Mission Region provides a vehicle for parishes, new congregations, and cooperating ministries in proximity to each other to undertake projects and activities in furtherance of their respective missions and the mission and vision of the diocese, which would be too difficult for one parish or new congregation to undertake alone, or which would so drain the resources of one parish or new congregation as to make the effort impracticable. The Mission Region shall be responsible for carrying out the following duties: (a) Promoting and aiding in the implementation of cooperation collaboration among the congregations and cooperating ministries in the Region;...
CANON 28 AUDITS and INSURANCE
Section 28.01.AUDITS As soon as may be after the close of each fiscal year, the accounts of all officers handling funds, whether of the Diocese or its auxiliaries, or of congregations and their auxiliaries, or of all cooperating ministries shall be audited in accordance with the Episcopal Church Manual of Business Methods in Church Affairs and The Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan Policy “Annual Audit of Congregations”. Copies of audit reports shall be submitted to the Diocesan Treasurer for review by September 1 following the close of the fiscal year.
And be it further resolved that the 144th Convention of the Diocese of Western Michigan add Canon 15 to read
CANON 15 COOPERATING MINISTRIES Section 15.01 APPLICATION FOR COOPERATING MINISTRY STATUS (a) If a chaplaincy or organization, formed or to be formed for religious, educational or charitable purposes within this diocese desires to enter into an agreement with the diocese as a Cooperating Ministry, such organization shall file an application with the diocese on forms approved by the Bishop.
The application form must include the following: • Financial records; • Summary of demographic research and/or asset mapping; • Summary of conversations between the applying ministry and any other cooperating ministries and
parishes within ten miles.
CONVENTION BUSINESS
If the Bishop determines that the purposes and activities of the chaplaincy or organization are sufficiently related to those of the diocese and that the organization should be considered for designation as a Cooperating Ministry, an Agreement for Designation as a Cooperating Ministry shall be executed by the organization and the diocese, which, among other items, shall contain the following provisions: a. The Agreement shall not be effective until it is approved by the action of the Diocesan Council. Upon such
approval, the agreement shall be deemed provisionally approved, and in temporary effect until such time as it is ratified by the Diocesan Convention at its next regular meeting. The initial term of the agreement shall commence on the effective date and expire on March 31st of the second calendar year following the effective date.
b. The terms upon which the cooperating ministry shall be governed under relevant state and federal statutes, including a complete copy of its proposed by-laws.
c. The organization shall be required to deliver to the diocesan council within sixty (60) days after the end of its fiscal year an annual report describing its activities and present a financial statement for such fiscal year, including an operating statement in reasonable detail and a balance sheet.
d. The organization may use the title A Cooperating Ministry only so long as the agreement shall remain in force and effect.
Section 15.03 RENEWAL OF COOPERATING MINISTRIES The agreement may be renewed for annual periods ending March 31, upon agreement by the organization and approval by the Diocesan Council acting upon the recommendation of the Bishop, but only if the organization shall have been in compliance with the agreement and if the Bishop determines that the activities of the organization and the continued use of the title Cooperating Ministry by the organization is consistent with the mission and purpose of the diocese.
CONVENTION BUSINESS
MINISTRY REPORTS
The Bishop Whittemore Foundation is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation. It is in its 67th year of service to the Diocese of West Michigan. During calendar year 2019 to date, the Foundation trustees met quarterly to review loan and grant proposals in support of Diocesan and parish objectives. Many of our meetings were attended by third-party grant applicants or representatives of parishes.
The following grants were approved:
January 2019 Meeting:
• Diocese of West Michigan for Canon Missionary - $30,900 (organization and administration)
• St. Paul’s, Muskegon - $10,000 grant and $16,000 promissory note over 3 years (roof repair)
• St. Gregory’s, Muskegon - $3,000 grant (hearing loop)
April 2019 Meeting:
• St. John’s, Charlotte - $9,700 note and mortgage to be considered for periodic partial forgiveness over 3 years (air conditioning)
• Diocesan Youth Camp - $10,000 grant
July 2019 Meeting:
• Holy Spirit, Belmont - $3,000 grant and $2,000 “dollar for dollar” match incentive (reading program for kids)
• Emanuel, Hastings $6,000 grant (solar panels)
• St. John’s, Grand Haven $9,286 grant (building security and access)
The total amount available for grants in 2019 is $103,000.
Total grants in any calendar year are limited to 4% of the Foundation’s assets, computed annually on a rolling average of the ten previous quarters. Individual grants are generally limited by Foundation policy to 10% of annual available grant funds. Loans to any one parish are limited to $100,000 and typically have a maturity not longer than 5 years with a 20 year amortization, bearing a competitive interest rate.
The trustees of the Bishop Whittemore Foundation remain committed to the growth of the endowment fund balance, the prudent investment of the Foundation assets, careful and balanced consideration of every grant application to ensure the best use of available funds.
In 2018-2019, the trustees of the Foundation continued its analysis of how the Foundation may grow its endowment funds and better achieve the stated objectives of the Foundation. Individual contributions throughout 2018-2019 to date and particularly following the annual Bishop Whittemore Foundation Sunday exceeded amounts contributed in recent memory.
Anyone making a contribution to the Bishop Whittemore Foundation can be assured that the contribution will be vigilantly guarded, carefully invested and wisely dispensed to fund worthy projects.
Annually in May, the diocese has an official Bishop Whittemore Foundation Sunday, when all parishes are requested to remind parishioners of the good works of the Foundation and encourage gifts to the Foundation.
The Foundation trustees deserve recognition and thanks for their long-time devoted service and use of their expertise for the important work of the Diocese of Western Michigan. +
BISHOP WHITTEMORE FOUNDATION submitted by Robert D. Brower, President
CONVENTION BUSINESS
MINISTRY REPORTS
The Church Pension Fund of the Episcopal Church has called upon the Bishops of all its dioceses to appoint Chaplains to the Retired Clergy as an extension of their pastoral ministry, to be a catalyst, maintaining an ongoing relationship and pastoral connection with retired clergy, spouses and partners and widows and widowers, with sustained contact when needed, a convener for social occasions, and being the eyes and ears of the Bishop, who is alerted when there is a crisis or special need.
In this past year Ann and I have attended the National Convention of all the Chaplains in Denver, Colorado. It was an extremely informative time learning how to be more supportive of our retired clergy, and to learn precisely the benefits available to our retired clergy.
We welcomed two members of the Pension Fund Pastoral Staff, who held sessions of the Enriching Your Retirement program in two areas of our diocese – Traverse City and Grand Rapids. We believe the participants found the time spent together very informative of how our national
church assists and supports our retired clergy through The Pension Group.
In order to convey how much we value our retired clergy, spouses, widows and widowers, we sent cards on each person’s birthday, anniversary of ordination, and at Christmas. We have also made phone calls and sent get well or sympathy cards, and when possible made personal visits, or attended funerals. We hope in the future to have additional chaplains in each region of the diocese, so that we can be more present to our retired clergy. At the Amen Conference at the Grand Hotel in October we hosted a dinner, together with Bishop Hougland and Dana, for over 50 retired persons from the Western and Eastern Diocese. Hopefully we will have a gathering of retired clergy at Convention.
We ask all of you in your congregations to offer in the Prayers of the People, prayers for our retired clergy, spouses and partners, widows and widowers, who have given so much to the life of this diocese, and in many cases, continue to do so.
We thank you for your support of this ministry. +
CHAPLAINS TO THE RETIRED CLERGY submitted by the Revs. Ed and Ann Emenheiser
CONVENTION BUSINESS
MINISTRY REPORTS
In the Diocese of Western Michigan, the Commission on Ministry (COM) oversees the discernment of people to Holy Orders and establishes guidelines and programs for formation for every order of the church. It also guides people through the ordination process.
The COM is established the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church, requiring every diocese to have a group consisting of priests, deacons, and lay persons whose function is to assist the Bishop in three distinct areas:
1. In the implementation of Title III canons related to ministry.
2. In the determination of present and future opportunities and needs for the ministry of all baptized persons.
3. In the design and oversight of the ongoing process for recruitment, discernment, formation for ministry, and assessment for readiness thereof.
Western Michigan currently has 22 individuals in the ordination process. 14 are discerning or preparing for ordination to the priesthood, 6 are discerning or preparing for ordination to the diaconate. This is an extraordinary volume of people in the process for any single diocese and it is an indicator of the health and vibrancy of the Episcopal Church in Western Michigan.
In 2019, we entered into our 2nd year of using the interview day model for discerning with people who are seeking postulancy to Holy Orders. In addition, we join with the Standing Committee this Fall to host a Candidacy Interview Day at which we interviewed 6 postulants for candidacy (3 diaconal and 3 priestly). During the past 24 months, the President of the Standing Committee, Mr. Dave Croal, the Standing Committee’s Liaison to the Commission on Ministry, the Rev. Dr. Randall Warren, and the Commission members worked diligently to strengthen our collaborative efforts, while maintain our distinct roles in the ordination
process. This fall’s joint candidacy interviews resulted in a process that by all accounts proved mutually enriching and effective for ascertaining the progress of each applicant’s formation for ordination.
One other notable contribution the Commission made of the ministry of the Diocese was the development of a policy and process for receiving clergy ordained by bishops in churches that stand in Historical Succession but which are not in Communion with the Episcopal Church (e.g. The Roman Catholic Church). Like so much of ministry it seems we are called to build the air plane as we fly it. The reception of the Holy Orders for the Rev. Daniel Snyder was very much the work of establishing a process by the trial and error while meeting the task’s canonical requirements. Fr. Snyder contributed greatly to the establishment of this process as he was led through. The Commission was particularly grateful for the Rev. Michael Fedewa’s part in serving as a mentor and guide for Daniel during this process.
Lastly, I wish to acknowledge the contributions of two outstanding members of the Commission, Ms. Dare Cox and Ms. Mary Simpson who have served two terms and will be rotating off of the Commission. Mary and Dare have taught me much of what it means to be a faithful and discerning Christian in these unsettled times. +
Members of the COM:
• Virginia LeDare Cox (St. John’s, Mount Pleasant) • The Rev. Michael Fedewa (St. Andrew’s, GR) • The Rev. Sr. Diane Stier (St. John’s, Mount
Pleasant) • The Rev. Darlene Kuhn (St. James, Albion) • Joanne Lemieux (St. John’s, Grand Haven) • The Rev. Michael Ryan (Epiphany, South Haven • The Rev. Janet Gockerman (St. Mark’s, GR) • The Rev. Rick Schark (St. Mark’s, Coldwater • Mary Simpson (St. Andrew’s, Grand Rapids) • Karen Varanauskas (St. John’s, Mount Pleasant)
COMMISSION ON MINISTRY submitted by the Rev. Michael Ryan, Chair
CONVENTION BUSINESS
MINISTRY REPORTS
Diocesan Assemblies
March 23, 2019 – A Quiet Day was held at Holy Trinity, Wyoming, MI with the theme “Be still and know…”
October 12, 2019 – Our Fall Assembly will be held at Trinity, Three Rivers. We will do a “Talk and Tour” of St. Gregory’s Abbey.
Diocesan Meetings
November 2018 – Set up chapel and a DOK information table at the Diocesan Convention
March 16, 2019 – ECW board meeting in Sturgis
April 27, 2019 – ECW Annual meeting in Sturgis
May 6, 2019 – Visited Julian of Norwich Chapter in Mt. Pleasant
June 15, 2019 –Diocesan executive board meeting to rewrite bylaws to conform with Province V and National
November 1 & 2, 2019 – Diocesan convention in Grand Rapids, MI. Set up DOK table and the chapel.
Province V Meetings
May 17-19, 2019 – Province V retreat, Adrian, MI
June 5, 2019 – Worked with Celeste Hillyard to rewrite Province V bylaws so they conform with new National bylaws
July 12 & 13 – Big Provincial Gathering (BPG) in Kalamazoo, MI. Set up information table and prayer area.
Installation of new Chapters and Daughters
September 22, 2019 -Installed one new Daughter in Keepers of the Kaleidoscope Chapter, Dowagiac, MI.
October 5, 2019 – Keepers of the Kaleidoscope Chapter instituted in Dowagiac, MI with five new Daughters installed.
November 10, 2019 – Trinity Chapter instituted in Marshall, MI with five new Daughters installed.
General Comments
As of September 2019, we currently have 12 Chapters on the books in the Diocese of Western Michigan, with one Chapter in danger of being disbanded for falling below the required membership of at least three members. Two new chapters are being instituted in Dowagiac and Marshall this fall, adding 11 new members.
There are 91 members in Chapters and 8 Daughters at Large for a total of 99 members in the Order in our Diocese. There is one additional parish in discernment about starting a senior chapter, and one in discernment about starting a Junior Chapter. +
DAUGHTERS OF THE KING submitted by Lois Weed, Assembly President
CONVENTION BUSINESS
MINISTRY REPORTS
The Progressive Mission Trip is an event in which high school aged leaders travel throughout the state, forming relationships and joining in short-term mission projects with local churches and organizations.
Each day we travel to a new location seeing how that community is living into their baptismal covenant. This was the fourth time this trip has been held in the last five years. It is not held in years the triennial Episcopal Youth Event (EYE) is held, therefore the next trip will be held in 2021, in conjunction with the Diocese of Eastern Michigan.
This year we had 13 youths from the diocese representing Emmanuel-Hastings, Holy Spirit Belmont, St. Andrew’s-Grand Rapids, St. Mark’s-Grand Rapids, St. Paul’s-Greenville, and Trinity-Marshall. This was the largest group yet and also included myself, Nioclle Brown from St. Andrew’s-Grand Rapids, and Bea Rocco from St. Mark’s-Grand Rapids, as leaders.
Our theme this year was The Way of Love. Youth learned about the seven practices of The Way Love: Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, Rest. Youth were called to notice where these practices were being lived out in each community and had many opportunities to help put them into action.
The stops on our trip this year included St. Paul’s-Muskegon, Plainsong Farm-Rockford, , Church of the Epiphany-South Haven, and St. Paul’s-Flint, ending with a fun day at Michigan’s Adventure in Muskegon. +
DOMESTIC MISSION - PROGRESSIVE MISSION TRIP submitted by Jeff Brown, Mission Trip Coordinator
The participants of the 2019 Progressive Mission Trip.
Praying at St. Andrew’s, Flint before serving food.
CONVENTION BUSINESS
MINISTRY REPORTS
On June 15, 2019, our small group gathered at Detroit Metro Airport.
Our roster consisted of two missioners from Eastern Michigan, Rose Duncan and Nancy Mayhew from St. Alban’s, Bay City. The Western Michigan group consisted of Richard Southby, Christ Church Charlevoix, Deborah and Alexandra Egnatuck, Trinity Marshall, and Beth Drew, Diocesan Deacon for International Mission.
Our group was small but we accomplished much through the course of the week. Sunday was a day
of worship with Iglesia Episcopal Santa Maria Virgen and rest for the coming week.
We were able to connect the main viaduct in Puerta Plata with PVC pipelines to Mosovi.
This was not an easy task as multiple leaks were discovered once the water was able to flow down the mountain. We even had to dig around an electric utility pole which had been placed directly above the pipeline. That gave us a few nervous moments when the pole wavered a bit. We painted both the inside and outside of Divina Gracia and also installed a chain link security fence. This involved cutting and bending the rebar, building the footers and supports, and mixing the cement on the nearby road.
We had a wonderful week filled with laughter, conversation, and insights gained during our time with our Dominican brothers and sisters. We left the island with grateful hearts and looking forward to returning to complete the Mosovi project next year. Thanks to Christ Church Charlevoix and the Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan for supporting this vital mission. +
DOMINICAN MISSION PROJECT submitted by Beth Drew, Deacon for International Mission
DR Missioners in Mosovi.At work on the mission project in the DR.
CONVENTION BUSINESS
MINISTRY REPORTS
In referring to my 2011 call to serve both an Episcopal congregation and a Lutheran Congregation, (which for five years now have worshipped not only in the same building but in the same worship service), my former bishop in the Diocese of Southern Ohio said: “You were born for this.” I think he was referring to highlights of the journey that God and I have been on, zigzagging across various boundaries (like Samaria and Galilee) and up and down mountains (like Sinai and Gerizim).
From Reform Jew to Episcopal Christian. From high school graduate to graduate school graduate. From being married to a woman to being married to a man. From father to father-in-law. From lay person to deacon to priest. From introverted to just barely extroverted. From Spiritual Directee to Spiritual Director. And woven into this journey are the lessons I’ve learned about religious diversity and acceptance, as expressed through local Kaufman Interfaith Institute events, and the differences in practice and polity between the Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
The Rev. Bill Fleener once named this richness when he said: “Look around at creation, and if you’re able, show me evidence that God favors uniformity.” God does not, and diversity was never meant to be divisive. Minister Michael Kinnamon recognized this aspect of parochialism when he said: “Denominations are wonderful adjectives, but idolatrous nouns.” We must overcome this tribal mindset. And former PB Katharine Jefferts-
Schori named this diversity when she said: “For us Christians, Jesus is our doorway to God; but for us to think that God couldn’t possibly act in some other way, is for us humans to put God in a very small box.” We acknowledge this, by affirming other paths.
Earlier this year, I attended the National Workshop on Christian Unity. And in conversations with clergy and laity from other denominations, I discerned an emerging awareness that religion ought to be more about transformation in the here and now, and less about salvation in the hereafter. And in the face of the global challenges we face as the human family, the voices which insist “we’re right and you’re wrong” are losing steam and traction. The 2019 LARC Conference was held just last week, and we continued the conversations about how to respect our differences without raising one theology over and above the others.
As the Episcopal–United Methodist Dialogue Committee continues its conversations, both denominations continue their plans to bring the full communion proposal (A Gift to the World: Co-Laborers for the Healing of Brokenness) to the 2020 United Methodist General Conference and the 2021 General Convention. After all, our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry says: “If it’s not about love, it’s not about God.” Because in our baptismal vows, we promise to strive for justice and peace among all people, and to respect the dignity of every human being; and we do that out of love. +
ECUMENICAL & INTERFAITH MINISTRY submitted by the Rev. Mike Wernick, Ecumenical and Interfaith Officer
CONVENTION BUSINESS
MINISTRY REPORTS
This 2018 year was very challenging for the Board from recruiting new Board members to finding meeting dates and places.
Thanks be to God for his grace. He puts us in places where we should be.
Our Annual Meeting was held at St. John’s Sturgis, April 27, 2019. Fr. David Evans and the parish welcomed us. The Board had never been to St. John’s Sturgis. The theme for this year was Amazing Grace.
The Board purchased 10 Duka Prayer books for the Sudanese congregation. We attempted to visit some of the other church missions in order to help out.
It did not work for 2018 because schedules did not work.
The Board was blessed with a new member at our Annual Meeting. Courtney LeRoy of St. David’s Lansing.
Members of the Board are Pam Chapman, President; Marilee Roth, Vice President; Gail Donovan, UTO Coordinator; Ruth Smith Mission and Outreach; Kay Hanson, Secretary; new member Courtney LeRoy and Tammy Mazure, Treasurer.
Thanks be to God as we start a new year with mercy, grace and opportunity. +
EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN submitted by Pam Chapman, President
CONVENTION BUSINESS
MINISTRY REPORTS
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. Luke 4:18-19
Jubilee Ministry was established through the actions of the 67th General Convention held in 1982 – and has continued ever since!
Currently there are seven active Jubilee Ministry Centers in our diocese:
• St. Luke’s Thrift Shop and Partners in Housing Transition each at St. Luke’s, Kalamazoo
• Life Guides at Goodwill, Kalamazoo
• The Baby Pantry at St. Philip’s, Beulah
• Vera’s House at St. Mark’s, Newaygo
• The Wellness Ministry at St. Andrew’s, Grand Rapids
• Jubilee House at Grace Church, Traverse City
Each of the ministries lives out the focus of Jubilee: “joint discipleship in Christ with poor and oppressed people, whenever they are found, to meet basic humans needs and to build a just society as an incarnational expression of the core mission of the church.”
This quote is from Resolution B029, “Reaffirmation of Jubilee Ministries,” adopted at the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church held in July 2018. Further, this resolution directs that training be offered to connect the Jubilee Movement with
the Jesus Movement work of racial reconciliation and economic and environmental justice work.
The Episcopal Church, nationally, has adopted the use of Asset Mapping to make known and enhance each and all of our parish ministries. Canon Katie Forsyth has this Asset Mapping/Information Sharing on our diocesan website - edwm.org. The inclusion of every parish’s information strengthens the ability to learn from each other. So, it is worth asking: “Is your parish’s entry up to date?”
General Convention’s Resolution B029 recognizes the effectiveness of Jubilee Centers as our “outreach arms” and the Episcopal Church, nationally, will continue to designate Jubilee Centers. What ministry is
your parish known for? Where is your ministry most effective and Spirit filled? Is your parish a Jubilee Ministry Center waiting to be recognized? If so, or, if you have questions, please contact me at [email protected]. +
JUBILEE MINISTRIES submitted by Martha Bartlett, Jubilee Officer
Jubilee Center - Partners in Housing Transigion (St. Luke’s, Kalamazoo)
CONVENTION BUSINESS
MINISTRY REPORTS
The Order of Naucratius - West Michigan is a network of hunters, anglers, and feeding programs working together to help reduce food insecurity in our communities. In 2019, The ONWM saw strengthened and new relationships. The amount of protein distributed was impressive and also created good problems for us to navigate.
New & Old Partnerships: Our first partners in this ministry have continued to be champions for the people on whose behalf they work, fish, hunt, and cook. This year we added several new partnerships from across EDWM. Our partners now include:
• Beaver Island Food Pantry, Beaver Island • Benzie Area Christian Neighbors, Benzonia • Benzie County Sheriff’s Office, Beulah • Empire Food Pantry, Glen Arbor • Community Action House, Holland • Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, Kalamazoo • Ministry with Community, Kalamazoo • Dreamweaver Charity Tournament, Muskegon • Fishers of Men Ministries, Zeeland
The Numbers: Together, Naucratites processed 2 deer and 4,200 lbs of fresh/frozen fish from 80+ humans, and with the help of one airplane trip to deliver a cooler of fish to Beaver Island Food Pantry.
The official Naucratius Tournament in Holland gathered 10 teams, collecting 25 fish, 230+ lbs total, all generously donated by anglers. Community Action House turned those contributions into tasty meals for hundreds of hungry Hollanders.
Other Tournaments: The Big Red Classic Pro/Am (Holland) asked ONWM to collect fish. We easily collected over 10,000 pounds of big lake fish which translated into enough portions to fill the freezers of Community Action House, Benzie Area Christian Neighbors, Ministry with Community and Kalamazoo Gospel Mission in Kalamazoo, the Empire Food Bank, and the Beaver Island Food Pantry.
The Tournament Trail organizers, along with the Chamber of Commerce in Frankfort, once again
invited anglers to donate the fish they themselves couldn’t consume at the annual Benzie Fishing Frenzy. This year’s fish went to Benzie Area Christian Neighbors and to the Empire Food Pantry.
Advocacy Work: The Order met with several local and state officials to discuss the interpretation of Michigan Food Laws (Wild Game Act 92) - specifically how they pertain to local food pantries and food distribution programs. State Senator Curt Vanderwall (35th District) met with us to hear our concerns about the ambiguities in the current laws. As we have expanded our partnerships, it has become clear that a more consistent, state-wide, interpretation of our food law is needed. Currently, the law is interpreted by county Health Inspectors. This has made it very challenging to advise various partners as to the safest way to distribute donated fish.
With Grateful Hearts: Thanks to every human who helped clean and package fish, promote events, recruit teams, offer funds or raffle prizes, say prayers, or fished. Thank you to the EDWM Cursillo for the donation of the trailer and funds and to the Rev. Canon Anne Hallmark for facilitating the safe delivery of fish caught at The Big Red Classic to Beaver Island. A special thanks to the generous grant awarded by The Father Lovett Foundation, enabling us to purchase necessary food storage supplies to help make sure that the food was safe and processed properly. We couldn’t have been nearly as successful this year without your help.
Future Formation: We are in conversation about holding a Naucratius summer camp in 2020. This would involve great fishing, great food, and optional prayer and worship. The hope is that this camp would offer time and space for connections around fishing and friendships. Stay tuned for more information.
Get in touch: visit us at www.onwm.org, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/onwm.edwm or email us at [email protected]. +
THE ORDER OF NAUCRATIUS submitted by the Revs. Christian and Jodi Baron, Co-Founders
CONVENTION BUSINESS
MINISTRY REPORTS
The Pastoral Care and Counseling Program has been an outreach ministy of the diocese for more than 46 years. Laucnhed in the 70s by Bishop Bennison, the program’s mission is to foster healing, growth, and wholeness. More specifically:
• Strenghten and preserve family life • Support clergy, congregations, and ministries of
the diocese
Counseling occurs in a Christian setting where individuals are encouragd to develop to the fullest of their God-given potential.
Located at St. Luke’s in Kalamazoo, a wide range of counseling is available including: individual, group, marital, family, and premarital. During the twelve months between OCtober 1, 2018 and September
30, 2019, one-to-one counseling (139 hours) was the primary format, followed by group, and family.
Self-stustaining, the program recieves no funds from the diocesan budget. The fee for services, simliar to that of other agencies in the community, is based on the individual’s ability to pay.
A unique askepct of the program is its commitment to the health and well-being of clergy and their families. Phone consultation is availble and we are begnning to use Skype as a way of reaching out to clergy beyond the Kalamazoo area.
Additional information is available by at edwm.org/ resources/care-counseling or emailing ekreid@ chartermi.net. +
PASTORAL CARE & COUNSELING submitted by Kenneth E. Reid, LMSW, Ph.D.
CONVENTION BUSINESS
MINISTRY REPORTS
2019 was a fast-paced, transformational year for Plainsong Farm, the center for farm-based discipleship in the Diocese of Western Michigan. As our fifth year progressed, we saw ourselves living into our mission to restore connections between people, places and God. Despite our small budget – and even smaller staff -- we saw many of our prayers realized and dreams come to life.
In early June, we greeted our very first cohort of Plainsong Fellows, young adults who are being equipped for leadership roles in the growing food- and-faith movement. Our summer staff person moving from North Carolina and Fellows joining us from California, Massachusetts, and Ohio provided evidence that there is a hunger for this type of ministry being felt around the country.
Over the summer, we hosted Kendall Vanderslice, author of We Will Feast, for Breadbaking and Dinner Church workshops that drew participants from across the state of Michigan. And we were honored to welcome the Bishop of Indianapolis, the Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, and a delegation from her diocese.
We also continued our environmental education programming for local public students and welcomed a number of youths from churches like Sudanese Grace for farm tours and immersive education. Our Heirloom Wheat program, which hand-sows and harvests nutritious, flavorful wheat for local churches to use for baking communion bread, grew again; of our 13 member churches, nine are Episcopal.
Our Sabbath at the Farm seasonal Sunday gatherings reached 50 multigenerational participants for simple, farm-based worship and a shared meal. This weekly event attracted a significant number of young adults and families; in fact, we redesigned our liturgy in the early summer to incorporate the growing number of children. And finally, our busy CSA farm delivered hundreds of pounds of tasty, nutrient-dense vegetables to our shareholders and charitable food partner, North Kent Connect.
In addition, our national programs, under the leadership of The Rev. Nurya Love Parish, continue to educate and advocate for renewed connections between faith practice and land stewardship. We are particularly excited about our new Churchlands pilot program, created in partnership with The Rev. Darriel Harris of Johns Hopkins University, Newborn Community of Faith Church, and the Black Church Food Security Network. This groundbreaking initiative will provide Scripture study, practical theology and land-use education for those who care for church-owned land.
Although we are formally a ministry of the Diocese of Western Michigan, Plainsong Farm receives no financial support from the diocesan budget. Our work is funded through grants, program fees, facility rentals and individual donations. We invite you to visit our website at www.plainsongfarm.com to become a donor or just learn more about the Farm. Our Board Chair, The Rev. Brian Coleman, and our Executive Director, The Rev. Nurya Love Parish, are always available to answer questions about our local and national work. Finally, we always invite your prayers for our mission, Board of Directors and staff members. +
PLAINSONG FARM submitted by Polly Hewitt, Interim Communications Director
The summer staff of Plainsong Farm, including co- founders, young adult fellows, program staff.
CONVENTION BUSINESS
MINISTRY REPORTS
Before he left on Sabbatical this past May, Bishop Hougland appointed me to serve as coordinator and the following folks to serve as the first members of the Care of Creation Commission:
• The Rev. Canon Anne Hallmark, Coordinator • The Rev. Christian Baron - St. Philip’s, Beulah • Tobi Hanna-Davies - St. Luke’s, Kalamazoo • Polly Hewitt - Plainsong Farm • Laura Rauwerda - St. John’s, Grand Haven • Gary Street - Emmanuel, Petoskey
My first step was to meet one-on-one with each of the Commission members. I was able to do that by the end of this summer. I was touched, moved and humbled by the work and witness that Christian, Tobi, Polly, Laura, and Gary have already made in their respective caring for creation ministries.
Given our geographic distribution from Petoskey in the north all the way to Kalamazoo in the south, and points in between, we set our first Commission meeting using Zoom technology for Tuesday afternoon, October 15. We also plan to gather during the 145th Convention at lunch time on Saturday, the 2nd of November so we can continue our collaboration in person.
Our initial conversations will concern themselves with spelling out our proposed scope of work, the goals we set for ourselves, and the challenges and opportunities we see in furthering the identified priorities of the Jesus Movement in Western Michigan. We will also be seeking a couple of young people to serve with us on the Commission.
This seems a daunting time to be active in the care of creation given the speed and severity of harmful changes taking place around the planet. However, I am inspired and encouraged by the prophetic courage and work — see Jeremiah 27:2 and following — being done by Greta Thunberg and countless
other young people. If they can offer the world such a powerful witness, who am I, and who are you, to hang back from standing with and working with them?
May the same God who gave us this good earth of which to be stewards give us the vision, the energy, and the courage to repent of the things we have done and the things we have left undone and to become active in cleaning up the disastrous consequences of our lack of caring stewardship to date. +
TASKFORCE FOR THE CARE OF CREATION submitted by the Rev. Canon Anne Hallmark, Canon Missioner for the Northern Region
Greta Thunberg, teenage environmental activist.
CONVENTION BUSINESS
MINISTRY REPORTS
This has been a year of organizing for our group.
We realized that our work needed many more people involved with us. Canon Forsyth sent out application requests and we had overwhelming response.
We have established four sub-committees to lead the following activities:
• Training/ Facilitation
• Parish Strategy/Mentoring
• Marketing/Public Relations
We have met with the co-chairs of each of these groups and expect to be able to begin offering new initiatives in the near future.
We are recommending a two and a half day training program through a group called CORR, Congregations Organizing for Racial Reconciliation. It is really comprehensive and can be transformative. Since we realize that not everyone can take this much time, they have designed a one-
day program which was presented at St. Philip’s, Beulah. It was very well-received and we hope to offer it again in other areas.
We are also collaborating with the Diocese of Eastern Michigan.
We are recommending a book for parish book studies and have them available for purchase at this convention. The title is “A City Within A City” and it chronicles the racial history of Grand Rapids. It is especially eye-opening for any parish because of the information it relays about how systemic racism began and is allowed to continue.
We continue to search for ways to further the work of dismantling racism in our diocese and our society. +
Dismantling Racism Task Force
• The Rev. Canon Valerie Ambrose, Convener • The Rev. Sue York, Chair • Joyce Henry, Vice-Chair • Carole Redwine • The Rev. Cindy Nawrocki
TASKFORCE FOR DISMANTLING RACISM submitted by the Rev. Deacon Cynthia Nawrocki, Committee Member
CONVENTION BUSINESS
MINISTRY REPORTS
The Taskforce for Evangelism was one of four task forces created by resolution last year at the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan’s 144th Convention.
Earlier this Spring, Bishop Hougland appointed the following people to serve on the task force:
• Canon Katie Forsyth, Coordinator • The Rev. Deacon Beth Drew - Trinity, Three
Rivers • The Rev. Nurya Love Parish - Holy Spirit,
Belmont • Matthew Roney - Grace, Traverse City • The Rev. Mike Wernick - Two Churches,
Kentwood
We met for the first time in August at the Diocesan House in Wyoming and again in October, by Zoom. Over the course of these two meetings and by email correspondence, we identified areas of focus for our work, identified some assets and challenges before us, and took the first few steps along the way.
We have identified two areas of focus: Resourcing and Structure.
Through resourcing, we want to empower people of all orders to do the work of evangelism. This may include trainings, online resources, and storytelling opportunities. We look forward to inviting the people of Eastern and Western Michigan into our first initiative at our diocesan conventions.
Through examining our structures, we want to create an environment in our diocese that nurtures new ministries to develop. We believe the Diocese of Western Michigan can be a place where innovative, creative, and forward thinking New Episcopal Communities can thrive, supported by their diocesan network. As the wider church is moving to steward new ministries with more intentionality, our diocese can also take steps in this direction.
To begin this work, our taskforce put forth a resolution to create a new category within our
Canons, the “Cooperating Ministry”. This progress would enable the recognition of existing new, non- congregational communities already within our midst and would pave the way for future ministries to be developed in the future.
One major challenge before us is a lack of funding. The task forces were created by resolution that did not attach funding recommendations. As we continue to imagine what resources it will require to equip our leaders and address our structures, it is clear that we would like to be able to host gatherings, pay for facilitator mileage, and perhaps bring in outside speakers. Without funding, these things may be difficult to accomplish. We anticipate submitting a budget request in the next funding cycle.
We look forward to the potential of bringing more people into this conversation. We have one remaining seat on our task force for a participant from Western Michigan and are excited at the possibility of making our task force truly bi- diocesan, adding folks from Eastern Michigan into our work.
Through this work of the Taskforce for Evangelism, we’re hoping to equip all of our folks to be able to speak of Christ and his Church in their own words, articulating for themselves - This is who we are. This is why we’re here. This is what we do. We invite you to join us. +
TASKFORCE FOR EVANGELISM submitted by Katie Forsyth, Canon for Evangelism and Networking
The taskforce met over Zoom in early October.
CONVENTION BUSINESS
MINISTRY REPORTS
It has been an exciting first year serving on the United Thank Offering National Board. I’m grateful for this opportunity to represent Province V and our diocese in this ministry. And I’m thankful for each of you who have recognized the many ways you have been blessed, made a thank offering, and shared your blessings and gratitude with others.
Our diocese contributed $13,023.12 to the UTO in 2018! That’s more than the combined total for 2016 &17 and the largest total since 2010!!! There were no church or group grant applications from our diocese submitted in 2018; however, we had at least five regular grants and a young adult grant filled in that 8-year timeframe. The 2020 grant criteria, applications, and deadlines are detailed on our website: unitedthankoffering.com. I am also available to assist you with questions – email: gadonov@ aol.com. Don’t wait until the last minute to apply. We can only submit one grant application in each category.
This year was the first time I’ve been involved in scoring the grant requests for funding. Its vary time consuming but interesting to read all the great ideas for new ministries. There is never enough money to fund all the applicants, but one that was my favorite and did get funded was for the Diocese of Michigan. The money you put in your Blue Box last year, maybe in thanksgiving for rain after a long dry spell, helped fund the Corner Shower & Laundry at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. It received $70,000 for a basement renovation so that the homeless guests at Manna Community Meal Soup Kitchen can shower and do laundry to have clean clothes after eating. The homeless will also have supportive employment by providing laundry service to the local Corktown restaurants.
As I write this, some members of the UTO Board, accompanied by a group from the Diocese of Northern Indiana are walking the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. The Camino is one of oldest routes of pilgrimage in Christianity and
Santiago de Compostela was the third holiest site in Christianity in the Middle Ages (after Jerusalem and Rome). Their pilgrimage combines walking portions of the Camino with visits to UTO grant sites in Madrid and Northwest Spain. Over 250,000 people walk part of the Camino every year – more and more of them are Protestants; in fact, Protestants walking the Camino now outnumber Roman Catholics. Roman Catholics can end their pilgrimage by celebrating the Eucharist together in the cathedral; however, Protestants are not welcome to receive communion there, so there is no place to end their journey together. Since 2015, plans to build an Anglican Centre in Santiago have been developing and UTO is joining in that work. The Board has issued a UTO Camino Challenge Grant that will match donations of up to $60,000 to support the building and development of the Anglican Pilgrim Centre in Santiago.
You can donate to the Challenge grant, obtain grant application information, subscribe to our e-Newsletter, read a short description of all the grants funded from UTO’s inception, join the UTO-Reads book club, order supplies, and more all by visiting the UTO website. And, yes, we are on Facebook with lots of pics from the Camino walkers! +

Documents

The 145th Diocesan Convention - Home | Episcopal Diocese ......Jack Henry Demmink Joseph A. Parini John Steven Pratt Mary Louise Davies TRINITY, GRAND LEDGE Sharon Gilmore Linda Raymond