Diocesan House & Mailing Address
Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan
5347 Clyde Park Avenue SW
Wyoming, MI 49509
Contact Us
Email a Staff Member
Meet the Staff
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.
Diocesan Staff
The Rt. Rev. Whayne M. Hougland, Jr. | Bishop Diocesan
The Rt. Rev. Whayne M. Hougland, Jr.,
Bishop Diocesan | Central Office
The Rt. Rev. Whayne M. Hougland, Jr. is the ninth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan. He was consecrated by the Most. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori on September 28, 2013.
Bishop Hougland, who grew up Roman Catholic, was called to holy orders after a brief career in the corporate world. He attended Sewanee School of Theology and was ordained a priest in 1998. He served congregations from 1998 to 2013 before his election as bishop. He and his wife, Dana, have two daughters, two sons-in-law, and three grandchildren.
The Rev. Canon Anne Hallmark | Canon Missioner for the Northern Region
The Rev. Canon Anne Hallmark
Canon Missioner for the Northern Region | Northern Presence
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. Ann 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
The Rev. Canon Valerie Ambrose
Canon Missioner for the Central Region | Central Office
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
The Rev. Canon William Spaid
Canon Missioner for the Southern Region | Southern Office
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 Katie Forsyth | Canon for Evangelism & Networking
Canon Katie Forsyth
Canon for Evangelism & Networking | Central Office
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 | Diocesan Administrator
Tammy Mazure
Diocesan Administrator | Central Office
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.
Gennie Callard | Assistant to the Bishop for Children’s, Youth, and Young Adult Ministries
Gennie Callard
Assistant to the Bishop for Children’s, Youth, and Young Adult Ministries | Southern Office
Gennie has been serving on Diocesan Staff since 2003, assisting parishes with children and youth ministry programs and serving as the director of the diocesan Episcopal Youth Camp. She served previously in the Dioceses of Newark, Illinois, and Massachusetts. Gennie also serves as the President of Province V of the Episcopal Church. She enjoys working with young people and helping adults find their gifts and skills to minister to them. Gennie lives in Kalamazoo.
Congregations should contact Gennie for assistance with local children and youth ministry programs or to discuss the Episcopal Youth Camp.
Tricia Leistra | Office Administrator
Tricia Leistra
Diocesan Office Administrator
Tricia joined the diocesan staff in 2019. As the Office Administrator, she supports the Bishop in his ministry including scheduling and correspondence as well as special projects and keeping the Diocesan House running smoothly.
Congregations should contact Tricia with general questions or to make an appointment with Bishop Hougland.
DEACONS FOR DIOCESAN MINISTRIES
The Ven. Marilou Schlotterbeck | Archdeacon, Deacon for Liturgy
The Ven. Marilou Schlotterbeck
Archdeacon, Deacon for Liturgy
Marilou was ordained in 1994 at St. Philip’s, Beulah, where she served until 2018. In addition to her previous work on the Commission on Ministry, Diocesan Council, Council of Deacons, and with mission projects, Marilou works frequently with the Women’s Resource Center, helping women escaping abuse, and as a doula. She and her husband Kurt live in Beulah.
The Rev. Beth Drew | Deacon for Domestic and International Mission
The Rev. Beth Drew
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.
