We hope you’ll get to know us so that we can all work together in service to God’s people and our hurting world. To reach any of the staff members listed below, please call (616) 319-2006 for further assistance.
The Rev. Canon Anne Hallmark | Canon Missioner for the Northern Region
Anne is a seasoned parish priest and interim pastor, having served over thirty years in dioceses throughout the Southeast including Virginia and Chicago. She is a proven leader and teacher in areas of organizational change, prayer practice, capital campaigns, and more. She earned her Masters of Divinity from Seabury Western Theological Seminary in 1987. Anne and her husband, Steve, live in Traverse City.
Northern congregations should contact Anne for assistance with congregational development, transitions, and conflict resolution.
The Rev. Canon Valerie Ambrose | Canon Missioner for the Central Region
Over the last twenty years of her priesthood, Val has served thirteen of our congregations in short and long-term appointments as interim rector, priest-in-charge, or associate priest. She has a passion for supporting and equipping innovative and collaborative ministries and helping congregations become the church we need to be today. She holds a Masters of Religious Education from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI. Val and her wife, Cathy, live in Grand Rapids.
Central region congregations should contact Val for assistance with congregational development, transitions, and conflict resolution.
The Rev. Canon William Spaid | Canon Missioner for the Southern Region
Bill served the Diocese of Western Michigan as our Canon to the Ordinary for over fifteen years before shifting into the role of Canon Missioner. He holds experience in clergy transitions, congregational development, and much more. Bill earned his Masters of Divinity from Nashotah House in 1986 and served as rector of St. Martin’s in Kalamazoo prior to joining the Bishop’s staff. Bill and his partner, Greg, live in Kalamazoo.
Southern congregations should contact Bill for assistance with congregational development, transitions, mutual ministry reviews, strategic planning, and conflict resolution.
Canon Spaid will retire January 1, 2021.
The Rev. Canon Alan James | Interim Canon Missioner for the Southern Region
Alan brings 24 years of experience in ordained ministry to our diocese, having served the Church in a wide variety of roles, including as a community organizer, congregational priest, interim minister, President of Province V, and as a member of the diocesan staff in the Diocese of Ohio. He is a graduate of Georgetown University and Virginia Theological Seminary, and served in the US Navy prior to his ordination. Currently, Alan serves as Interim Rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids, a position that is expected to conclude in June. Alan currently splits his time between Grand Rapids and Chicago, where he lives with his wife, the Rev. Canon Lisa Hackney-James.
Congregations may contact Alan to assist in the development of vital, mission-oriented, and collaborative communities of faith. Among other areas of ministry, Alan specializes in the area of stewardship and serves as the diocesan Intake Officer for Title IV matters.
Alan begins his half-time ministry with the diocese on January 1, 2021 working both remotely and from the Southern Region office at St. Barnabas, Portage.
Katie Forsyth | Canon for Evangelism & Networking
Katie served four years as Director of Communications and Public Engagement for the Diocese of Eastern Michigan before her appointment as Canon for Evangelism and Networking for both the Dioceses of Western and Eastern Michigan in 2018. She works in collaboration with the congregations of the dioceses to build up the voice and identity of the Episcopal Church, with a special focus on equipping leaders for their call to be evangelists of the Gospel and leaders in justice and reconciliation. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Public and Nonprofit Administration and Political Science from Grand Valley State University. Katie lives in Grand Rapids.
Congregations should contact Katie to discuss evangelism efforts, internal and external communications, asset mapping, public relations, and responding to issues of justice.
Tammy Mazure | Chief Financial Officer and Benefits Administrator
Tammy joined the diocesan staff in 2005. She is responsible for the financial activities in the diocesan office, including the accounting and reporting for diocesan funds. With the Finance Committee, she develops and facilitates the budgeting process for the diocesan budget. She also works with congregations to provide information and support for clergy and parish staff and coordinates the health, life, property, and casualty insurance for congregations as well as support for clergy and lay pension plans. Tammy holds a BBA from Western Michigan University, is a CPA, and holds the CGMA designation. She and her husband, Dan, live in Kalamazoo and have two adult children.
Congregations should contact Tammy for support in congregational finances, insurance, and employee health and pension plans.
McKenzie Knill l | Director for Children, Youth, and Young Adult Formation
McKenzie has served as Facilitator of Youth and Young Adult Networks in the Diocese of Eastern Michigan since 2015. During that time, she has developed a robust program for youth and young adults that has included opportunities for youth across the state, access to peer relationships beyond the congregation and beyond the diocese, and, with the Canon for Evangelism, has developed a group of “young adults” (college-Gen X) that gather for Compline and Dinner once a month in locations in both dioceses (when circumstances allow for in-person gatherings).
In her role, McKenzie directs, oversees, and convenes children, youth, and young adult formation programs and networks in the dioceses. Working with diocesan leadership, she develops and plans programming and opportunities for leadership for all ages and identifies and share resources with the growing network of parish youth ministers (staff and volunteer).
Congregations should contact McKenzie to discuss youth and young adult networks and formation programs.
Catherine Cameron-Heldt | Diocesan Office Administrator
Catherine has vast experience serving organizations as an employee or board member in nonprofit, university, and corporate settings. She holds degrees from Central Michigan University and Grand Valley State University.
In her role, Catherine assists in the Office of the Bishop when the Bishop is in place, schedules appointments, deals with correspondence around visitations, and much more. Additionally, she oversees the daily operations of the Diocesan House in Wyoming, is essential in supporting other staff members in their work, and is the first person to greet members of the diocese by phone or at the door.
Congregations should contact Catherine for visitation correspondence, appointment scheduling, and general inquires.
Hunter Kurzawa | Communications Assistant
Hunter is a junior at Grand Valley State University, studying Communications and double minoring in Digital Studies and Writing. When not in class, she spends time coordinating events and volunteering with her sorority, where she also holds a position on the PR committee. Hunter anticipates relocating to San Diego after graduation to start a career in the Communications field.
In her role, Hunter assists the Canon with all functions of communications, including newsletters, websites, social media, and our print magazine, The Feast. She also helps to resource congregations, clergy, and lay leaders of the dioceses for improvement and integration of local communications efforts.
The Rev. Beth Drew | Deacon for Domestic and International Mission
The Rev. Beth Drew
Archdeacon and Deacon for International Mission
Phone Number: 616-244-9908
Beth was ordained in 2008. She serves as the Bishop’s representative to the Board of the Dominican Development Group. She also coordinates Western Michigan’s efforts for the DREAM Mission Project in the Dominican Republic. She travels the diocese to call forth, empower, and inspire the baptized to look for their own role in fulfilling their own call to servant ministry.
Congregations should contact Beth to speak at your Sunday services, vestry, or group meetings.
