The Standing Committee is one of the elected bodies responsible for the governance of a diocese. It is described as the council of advice to the bishop and assumes the ecclesastical authority of a diocese when there is a bishop vacancy. Standing Committees play an integral role in property matters, the ordination process, and our relationship with the wider Episcopal Church. Each Standing Committee elects officers from amongst their members, including a President, Vice President, and Secretary.
The Standing Committee of Eastern Michigan is composed of three clergy members and three lay members, who also serve on the Diocesan Council. Those members are Janet Huff-Worvie (President; St. John’s, Otter Lake), the Rev. Brian Chace (Vice-President; Retired), the Rev. Dan Scheid (St. Paul’s, Flint), Gary Grinn (Secretary; St. Paul’s, Gladwin), Barb Ilkka (St. John’s, Saginaw), and the Rev. Lydia Speller (Grace, Port Huron).
The Standing Committee of Western Michigan is composed of four clergy members and four lay members. Those members are Dave Croal (St. Mark’s, Coldwater), Anne Davidson (St. Mark’s, Coldwater), Carole Redwine (St. Philip’s, Grand Rapids), the Rev. BJ Heyboer (Vice-President; St. Mark’s, Newaygo), the Rev. Jodi Baron (St. Philip’s, Beulah; Holy Trinity, Manistee), the Rev. Diane Pike (Southwest Michigan Episcopal Covenant – Dowagiac, Niles, St. Joseph); Martha Bartlett (Secretary; St. James, Pentwater); and the Rev. Dr. Randall Warren (President; St. Luke’s, Kalamazoo).