“The word nimble is not often used to describe the governance of The Episcopal Church. Perhaps that is as it should be. This year, though, in our ecumenical / interreligious work, there was a sense of urgency and excitement, a readiness to move with some ‘dispatch,’ adopting resolutions calling for unity and bridge-building: Diaconate exchangeability with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria, moving toward full communion with the United Methodists, local ecumenical partnerships with the Presbyterians, resolutions on antisemitism and—written during General Convention itself—on anti-Muslim bias. These are just a few examples of the commitment to listening and learning, to celebrating and working together across our different faith communities. The 81st General Convention offered a ‘word,’ declaring that ecumenical and interreligious work with others are small steps toward healing and unity in our own divided time.” – the Rev. Margaret Rose, presiding bishop’s deputy for Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations
On the interreligious front, General Convention passed revised guidelines for interreligious relations and Episcopal-Jewish relations and our first guidelines for Episcopal-Muslim relations. On the ecumenical front, we entered into full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria, added the exchangeability of the diaconate to our agreement with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and commended our current dialogues and ecumenical organizational memberships.
At the United Methodist Church’s General Conference this spring, the denomination approved a resolution calling for full communion with The Episcopal Church. The 81st General Convention of The Episcopal Church adopted Resolution A049, as amended, which affirmed the continued dialogue and “joyfully anticipate[s] advancing towards full communion with the United Methodist Church.”
The Presbyterian Church USA has a unicameral governing body, the General Assembly; and while there are many similarities to The Episcopal Church’s General Convention, the PCUSA commissioners (who are ordained and lay members of presbyteries) receive advisory input (in the form of an advisory vote) on every vote they take from the advisory delegates, of which there are four types: young adult, theological student, mission, and ecumenical. There were many, many matters that were passed, but of particular interest to The Episcopal Church was the passing (via consent agenda) of receiving the final report of this round of bilateral dialogues between the PCUSA and The Episcopal Church, and calling for a new round of dialogues.
The National Council of Churches (NCC) hosted its biannual Buddhist-Christian Dialogue in May at the University of the West in Los Angeles. The Buddhist-Christian dialogue is one of five national dialogues hosted by the NCC. Other dialogues include the National Hindu-Christian Dialogue, the National Jewish-Christian Dialogue, the
National Muslim-Christian Dialogue, and the National Sikh-Christian Dialogue. The dialogue includes presentations, discussions, and sessions with elders, youth, and other faith leaders.
About which Christian denomination to follow, (or even what religion of which to be a part), it was once said that it doesn’t matter what kind of car your drive, as long as it safely gets you where you need to be. Why then, do many Christians spend so much time and energy trying to convince others that theirs is the only right make and model; and that if you drive any other, you’ll end up in the eternal junk yard?
Compiled by:
the Rev. Mike Wernick
Ecumenical and Interreligious Officer
the Episcopal Dioceses of Western and Eastern Michigan
Dear People of the Future Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes,
On March 16th, gathered in a special convention of the Episcopal Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan, our lay and clergy delegates voted to affirm the creation of one, new diocese: the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes. Our diocesan leaders have been hard at work over the last couple of months, preparing a process and structure for how our dioceses will engage this transition.
This memo outlines several important areas of our impending work:
A “Transition Leadership Team” has been brought together to facilitate communication between the working groups and reporting structures, and to ensure appropriate timelines are met. That team is composed of the Presidents and Vice-Presidents of the Standing Committees, the Chairs of the Diocesan Councils, the former chairs of the Building Bridges Steering Committee (BBSC), and support from diocesan communications, the chancellor, and consultant Katie Ong, who supported the BBSC.
This plan was approved by the Joint Standing Committees and presented to a combined meeting of our elected Standing Committees and Diocesan Councils before it was finalized. The list of working groups was shared by the Standing Committee Presidents on zoom calls with clergy and with senior wardens.
Please read below for the details of our Transition Plan, especially our invitation to submit a form expressing interest in joining our working groups and adding your voice and expertise to our process.
Yours in Christ,
The Transition Leadership Team
The Rev. Jennifer Adams
Former Co-Chair, Building Bridges
Grace, Holland
The Rev. Molly Bosscher
VP, WM Standing Committee
St. Andrew’s, Grand Rapids
Janet Huff-Worvie
Former Co-Chair, Building Bridges
St. John’s-by-the-Lake, Otter Lake
Barbara Ilkka
President, EM Standing Committee
St. John’s, Saginaw
The Rev. Jerry Lasley
Chair, EM Diocesan Council
VP, EM Standing Committee
St. Christopher’s, Grand Blanc
The Rev. Anne Schnaare
President, WM Standing Committee
Grace, Grand Rapids
The Rev. Derek Quinn
Chair, WM Diocesan Council
St. Paul’s, Elk Rapids & Grace, Traverse City
We are approaching this time of transition as having three overlapping phases.
Phase I – Includes work that needs to be completed before this October’s Primary Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes. These working groups will focus on projects like planning for the convention, further preparing the draft constitution and canons for presentation to convention, and design of the mission regions for the new diocese.
Phase II – Includes work that will begin soon, but will not be completed until after October’s Primary Convention. These working groups will focus on projects such as finalizing the 2025 diocesan budget for presentation to convention while also further aligning and integrating our financial structures as we officially become the new diocese. Phase II also includes the area of staffing, including adapting structures and policies. This work has begun but will continue to evolve.
Phase III – Includes work that will begin after this October’s Primary Convention. Work taking place in Phase III is dependent on work that will precede it. More specific timeframes for Phase III working groups will be determined by our leadership bodies as the process of transition continues. For example, while Phase II will include laying groundwork for the calling of a bishop diocesan, such as conversations and learning opportunities around the the ministry of bishops, exploring our histories and hopes around it, the actual search and election process will take place in Phase III, sometime after this October’s Primary Convention and to be determined by the Standing Committee.
The following “working groups” will be constituted (or are already underway) as we prepare for and begin to live into the new diocese. Other groups may be added as necessary. Unless otherwise stated, each group will be led by co-chairs, one from each of the legacy dioceses. All groups will have lay and clergy membership.
All in the dioceses are asked to prayerfully consider expressing interest in joining any of the working groups. The co-chairs of the groups will be given the list of interested folks and may also do additional recruitment to gather the expertise, skills, experience, and perspectives needed to complete their charges. A response form is included below this list for individuals to communicate their interest in serving as well as a brief description of the gifts they bring to the work. Please discern your own interest and please share this invitation with others in your local faith community.
Groups are listed roughly in order of timeline and urgency.
Timeline: Phase I
Accountable Body: Joint Standing Committee, Diocesan Councils
Time Commitment: Heavy, meeting schedule varies and increases closer to convention
Co-Chairs: Canon Katie Forsyth (Diocesan Staff) and Jelecia Geraghty (SC, St. Paul’s, Flint)
Current Membership: DC Rep(s) to-be-confirmed, the Rev. Pamela Lenartowicz (St. Mark’s, Atlanta and St. Andrew’s, Gaylord; Liturgy Team), the Rev. Sr. Diane Stier (St. John’s, Mount Pleasant; local host), the Rev. Randall Warren, D. Min. (St. Luke’s, Kalamazoo; Liturgy Team) – Staff support/members: the Rev. Nurya Love Parish, Angela Krueger, Sara Philo
Charge: To plan for and coordinate the Primary Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes, including theme, speakers, business, workshops, worship, agendas, and more. This group will communicate with the various committees that support our convention, including Nominations, Liturgy, Resolutions, etc.
*This group has already begun its work and is not actively seeking additional members at this time. Interest may still be expressed in case of vacancy or increased need.
Timeline: Phase I
Time Commitment: Meeting schedule determined by group
Accountable Body: Diocesan Communications Office
Chair: Canon Katie Forsyth (Diocesan Staff)
Current Membership: Erynn Ford (St. Paul’s, Flint), The Rev. Joe Kennedy (St. David’s, Lansing), Heather Rauwenhurst (Emmanuel, Petoskey), Michelle Ruiz (Diocesan Staff), Amy Simons (St. John’s, Saginaw), Consultant – Graphic Designer, Consultant – Episcopal Heraldry
Charge: Working with a professional designer and Episcopal heraldry consultant, to research, gather input, and develop a new brand identity for the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes, including new diocesan seal, organizational logo, and visual identity.
*This group has already begun its work and is not actively seeking additional members at this time. Interest may still be expressed in case of vacancy or increased need.
Timeline: Phase I
Accountable Body: Diocesan Convention
Time Commitment: Moderate, meeting schedule to be determined by group
Co-Chairs: The Rev. Jen Adams (Grace, Holland) and the Rev. Don Davidson (CR, Eastern MI)
Charge: To create further opportunities for feedback on the draft constitution and canons drafted by the Building Bridges Steering Committee. The group will consider this input and other input already collected in BBSC feedback sessions to finalize the draft Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes to be presented for adoption at the Primary Convention. This group will also recommend the process by which the draft canons will be considered for adoption on the floor of convention.
Timeline: Phase I
Accountable Body: Joint Standing Committee
Time Commitment: Moderate, meeting schedule to be determined by group
Co-Chairs: To be confirmed
Charge: To propose a mapping of the Mission Regions for the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes. The draft canons call for “at least four” regions to provide a vehicle for faith communities in proximity to one another to offer mutual support, share best practices, and collaborate on programs, projects, and activities as part of the mission and vision of the diocese. This group will build upon research and work done by the BBSC, further exploring, seeking input, and making a final recommendation to the Joint Standing Committee.
Timeline: Phase I, II, III
Accountable Body: Diocesan Councils
Time Commitment: Typically monthly meetings or fewer, more frequency likely to be required in the initial phases
Co-Chairs: Diocesan Treasurers – The Rev. Brian Chace (Retired, Frederic) and the Rev. Jared Cramer (St. John’s, Grand Haven)
Charge: To assist with the financial dimensions of becoming the new dioceses, including but not limited to: further develop the 2025 Diocesan Budget for submission to the Primary Convention, recommend members and processes for the proposed Endowment Board, develop an annual financial review/audit policy in accordance with churchwide and diocesan best practices.
Timeline: Phase I, II
Accountable Body: Joint Standing Committee, Diocesan Councils
Time Commitment: Meeting schedule determined by group
Co-Chairs: Ellen Schrader (Grace, Traverse City) and the Rev. Tom Manney (St. Paul’s, Flint)
Current Membership: The Rev. Valerie Ambrose (Ret., Grand Rapids), Jay Gantz (St. Andrew’s, Flint), David Hawley-Lowry (Grace, Holland), Janet Huff-Worvie (St. John’s, Otter Lake), Elizabeth Jordan (St. Paul’s, Flint), Ellen McVey (St. John’s, Midland), and Martha Porter (Grace, Grand Rapids). Staff support/member: Sara Philo
Charge: To design a staffing structure in support of the mission and vision of the new diocese, including evaluating existing job descriptions and staffing structures. This group will also be charged with aligning and developing a new Policy and Procedure Manual for the new diocese.
*This group has already begun its work and is not actively seeking additional members at this time. Interest may still be expressed in case of vacancy or increased need.
Timeline: Phase I, II
Accountable Body: Diocesan Councils
Time Commitment: Meeting schedule determined by group
Chair: Chancellor Bill Fleener, Jr. (St. David’s, Lansing)
Current membership: Steve Waterbury (Plainsong Farm)
Charge: To ensure a thorough and timely legal transition into the newly created Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes by January 1, 2025, including but not limited to Church Insurance issues, retitling endowments, follow up with affiliated foundations and trusts, establishing a process to review and update church property deeds/titles, and more.
*This group has already begun its work and is not actively seeking additional members at this time. Interest may still be expressed in case of vacancy or increased need.
Timeline: Phase II
Accountable Body: Joint Standing Committee
Time Commitment: Heavy, meeting schedule determined by group
Co-Chairs: To-be-confirmed
Charge: This group will create and facilitate public conversations for learning, conversation, healing, and shared hopes around the ministry of bishops. This group will also be charged with finalizing the draft Mission and Vision statement for the new diocese. These two areas of conversation will help inform the to-be-appointed Bishop Search Committee, as they draft a diocesan profile and begin the search for our first bishop diocesan.
Timeline: Phase II
Accountable Body: Diocesan Councils
Time Commitment: Meeting schedule determined by group
Co-Chairs: To-be-confirmed
Charge: As the Canons Working Group finalizes the canons defining the different forms of faith communities (traditional congregation, emergent community, companion ministry, programmatic organization, seasonal chapel) and potential covenant relationships between existing communities of faith (clusters and cooperatives), the Discerning Faith Communities Working Group will develop the processes by which a new community of faith would engage discernment and enter into agreement with the diocese. They will also develop processes by which one or more communities of faith would enter into covenant with one another. This group will consider questions of discernment, funding determinations, alignment with diocesan mission, staff/governance accountability, etc.
Timeline: Phase II, III
Accountable Body: Joint Standing Committee
Time Commitment: Moderate to heavy, meeting schedule determined by group
Co-Chairs: To-be-confirmed
Charge: To follow the charge from the Standing Committee and canonical process for episcopal searches: creating and publishing a diocesan profile and engaging in the search and election process for the first bishop diocesan of the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes.
Timeline: Phase III
Accountable Body: Diocesan Councils
Time Commitment: Meeting schedule determined by group
Co-Chairs: To-be-confirmed
Charge: To build on a consultant-led discernment process that took place in the last two years, considering the models of summer camp currently engaged by the dioceses and to develop a common vision and resourcing structure for camp ministries in the new dioceses.
Accountable Body: Joint Standing Committee (Ecclesiastical Authority)
Co-Chairs: Ellen McVey (St. John’s, Midland), The Rev. Lily Marx (St. Gregory’s, Muskegon), and the Rev. Jim Perra (Grace, Traverse City)
Charge: Beyond their regular responsibilities, the COM will gather in joint meetings facilitated by a non-member of the COM in order to develop a transition plan that unifies our two bodies into one and includes a more detailed structure and teams to do the breadth of work that falls under the COM. They will be encouraged to consult with other Episcopal dioceses for models of ordination processes which include a range of formation paths and learnings regarding best practices.
*This group is listed for the sake of awareness. This is not considered a “working group” of the transition process but rather a regularly appointed commission that holds significant responsibility and tasks related to the transition.
To express your willingness to serve on any of these bodies, please click the button below to complete our interest form. You will be asked to provide information about the skills, expertise, experience, perspective, and/or specific trainings/certifications you feel equip you for this work.
The survey will be open indefinitely in recognition that some groups may be constituted now, some groups won’t be appointed until after the Primary Convention, and some may not begin their work for a while.
If invited to serve on a working group, the co-chair of that group will contact you with more details about the charge and expected workload and to offer you the opportunity to further discern whether you can confirm your participation. If you are unable to commit to this level of engagement, please know that you will still be invited to participate as almost all of the working groups will have some element of collecting input and feedback from the wider diocese.
Adults of all genders are invited to join us for several days spent in community, building a closer relationship with God and creation and journeying deeper into our spiritual practices.
God invites us to relationship each and every day. Retreats are a great opportunity to take time apart and disconnect from our everyday lives, connecting with this call to relationship through exploration of spirituality, prayer life, and community. Our retreat is organized by the Rev. Beckett Leclaire, deacon and ministry developer of the AuSable Inclusion Center.
The schedule for our retreat is flexible with time spent both alone and in group. This retreat’s pricing is a tiered pricing structure beginning at $300. Lodging for this retreat will be in a communal setting assigned by Camp Chickagami staff. If you have requests for cabin-mates please let us know during the registration process.
Questions about this event? Please contact the Rev. Beckett Leclaire at bleclaire@eastmich.org for questions about the program, or contact Camp Chickagami’s acting co-directors, Sierra Kacher and Kay Leclaire at directors@campchickagami.org with questions about registration.
Check-in: Friday, 3-6pm
Check-out: Sunday, Noon
Participants are welcome to linger for the remainder of the day after check-out/departing their cabin.
Camp Chickagami
6952 Kauffman Road
Presque Isle, MI 49777
campchickagami.org/retreats
Registration is offered as tiered pricing and begins at $200 for commuters and $300 for those staying on-site. Participants also have the option to add on an extra night’s stay (without meals).
Click here for a list of retreat FAQs, including recommendations for packing.
The deadline to register is August 10th.
Before Pledge Campaigns begin, let’s take a moment to sharpen our Stewardship toolkit and prepare for a successful year of faith-based, mission-focused fundraising.
Join TENS (The Episcopal Network for Stewardship) in collaboration with the Episcopal Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan. We’ll review some best practices for campaigns, have an overview of the TENS materials, and look at challenges specific to the 2024-2025 pledge campaign cycle.
This webinar will take place on Zoom.
2024 TENS Password: Ephesians5:2
With our diocesan membership to TENS, all faith communities have free access to their materials and resources around stewardship. To utilize this resource, visit tens.org.
Questions about this event? Please contact the Rev. Canon Tracie Little at tlittle@eastmich.org or tlittle@edwm.org.
There is no cost to register for this webinar. Please click the button below to access the registration form.
Young adults, college through millennials, are invited to come spend their Labor Day Weekend at Camp Chickagami for our annual retreat, focusing on our connection between food and community.
Our flexible schedule includes worship and fellowship, unstructured time and time with the whole group. Participants will have the opportunity to join with others in the preparation of food for the whole community over the course of the retreat, integrating our spiritual reflection with the communal table.
Retreat participants are welcome to bring their children, 12 and under. Please note that there is no special programming planned for kids and all minors must be supervised by their responsible adults at all times.
Questions about this event? Please contact the Rev. Radha Kaminski at rkaminski@eastmich.org or rkaminski@edwm.org.
Check-in: Saturday, 4pm
Check-out: Monday, Noon
Participants are welcome to linger for the remainder of the day after check-out/departing their cabin.
Camp Chickagami
6952 Kauffman Road
Presque Isle, MI 49777
campchickagami.org/retreats
The cost to attend this retreat is pay-what-you-can, subsidized by the formation budget of the Episcopal Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan. Participants able to pay are suggested at $75.
Participants have the option of adding on an additional day on either side of the retreat for an additional cost.
The deadline to register is August 24th.
Fiber artists, crafters, and makers of all kinds and skill levels are invited to join us at Camp Chickagami to retreat and create in the Fall of Northern Michigan!
God invites us to relationship each and every day. Retreats are a great opportunity to take time apart and disconnect from our everyday lives, connecting with this call to relationship through exploration of spirituality, prayer life, and community. Our retreat is facilitated by the Rev. Radha Kaminski, priest in Cadillac and Big Rapids, and bi-diocesan youth missioner for the Northern Collaborative.
The schedule for our retreat is flexible – with time spent both alone and in group, in crafting and in reflection on our retreat theme: “Making Rest.”
Included in the schedule for Saturday will be an optional off-site excursion to the Northern Michigan Fiber Festival in Alpena. More information about the festival can be found at fiberfestival.net.
Partners/families are also welcome to register to attend, whether or not they are also fiber artists or crafters. Children are welcome; please note that there will be no childcare or children’s programming provided during the retreat. If children will need to attend with you, please contact Radha Kaminski for arrangements for the reflective gatherings of the retreat.
What are fiber arts?
Fiber art — practices and creations as old as humanity — is art that employs the use of fiber materials, such as yarn, wool, or fabric. Creations of fiber arts can serve functional roles while also being sources of storytelling, of spirituality, and of deep complexity. Examples include knitting, crochet, weaving, quilting, needlework, spinning, braiding, lacing, and much more.
Photo: Some of last year’s retreatants, enjoying fellowship while working on individual fiber art projects in Camp Chick’s Fletcher Hall.
Questions about this event? Please contact the Rev. Radha Kaminski at 352-727-8927 or rkaminski@eastmich.org or rkaminski@edwm.org.
Check-in: Friday, 3-6pm
Check-out: Sunday, Noon
Participants are welcome to linger for the remainder of the day after check-out/departing their cabin.
Camp Chickagami
6952 Kauffman Road
Presque Isle, MI 49777
campchickagami.org/retreats
Registration is offered as tiered pricing and begins at $200 for commuters and $300 for those staying on-site. Participants also have the option to add on an extra night’s stay (without meals).
Packing List (in addition to the items in the standard packing list)
Click here for a list of retreat FAQs (scroll down the page a bit), including recommendations for packing.
The deadline to register is September 13th.
Friends in Christ,
We write to announce a transition on our staff team. Katie Forsyth, our bi-diocesan Canon for Evangelism and Networking, has accepted a call to join the staff of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio as Canon for Communications. She will conclude her ministry with our dioceses at the end of June, transitioning to her new role on August 1st.
Canon Forsyth is currently our longest serving staff member of both dioceses, having joined the staff of Eastern Michigan in 2013 as Director of Communications and Public Engagement. In early 2018, she joined the staff of Western Michigan in an expanded role as Canon for Evangelism and Networking, going beyond the execution of communications to include capacity building for our communities’ approach toward invitation and welcome and to support the development of our New Episcopal Communities, namely the AuSable Inclusion Center, Plainsong Farm, Order of Naucratius, and Holy Hikes Great Lakes. She was our first staff member to bridge both dioceses.
Katie has been an integral part of our diocesan life and it is difficult to imagine our dioceses without her. She has been a huge support to the Joint Standing Committee during not only this time of transition but in the many transitions prior; to say we will miss her is an understatement. She has shown us through her ministry that the ministry of communications goes well beyond applying technical skill. We are grateful for the many years she has spent digging down through the “how to” of digital communications into the deeper “why” of evangelism.
In her resignation letter to the Standing Committees, Katie writes, “I am so grateful for how these dioceses have called, supported, invested, and encouraged me in ministry. Thank you for the way in which you call all people to the table, understand church work as a team-based sport, and the ways you are calling the wider church forward into the future. I am proud to have been raised and formed in the future Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes.”
The Standing Committees and Joint Personnel Committee will be in conversation around how our dioceses will move forward with this position on our diocesan staff and will share more when details are available.
All in the dioceses are invited to a going away open house on Monday, June 17th from 5-7pm at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Lansing to celebrate Katie’s ministry and wish her well on her way. Please RSVP so we can plan for food.
Please join us in offering our gratitude for Katie’s service amongst us. If you’d like to send her a personal note, her email addresses are kforsyth@eastmich.org and kforsyth@edwm.org, and mail may be addressed to her at the Western Michigan office at 1815 Hall St SE, Suite 200, Grand Rapids, MI 48506.
Yours in Christ,
The Standing Committee of Western Michigan:
The Rev. Valerie Ambrose St. Mark’s, Grand Rapids The Rev. Molly Bosscher St. Andrew’s, Grand Rapids Freya Gilbert St. Paul’s, St. Joseph Carole Redwine St. Philip’s, Grand Rapids The Rev Anne Schnaare, President Grace, Grand Rapids Ellen Schrader Grace, Traverse City Fred Skidmore St. Andrew’s, Grand Rapids The Rev. Eileen Stoffan St. Paul’s, Muskegon
Dear People of the future Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes,
As shared in the Joint Standing Committee’s May 20th letter to the dioceses, a “Branding” working group is one of several working groups charged with completing tasks related to the creation of our new diocese. This group is charged to develop a new visual identity for the new body, including new logo and branding and a new diocesan seal.
The Branding Working Group has already been hard at work toward this project, using the information gathered from listening and feedback sessions over the last several years as well as input and feedback from this small task force and the wider diocese. A professional graphic designer and an expert in Episcopal heraldry are working alongside us to develop a modern and functional visual identity that looks and feels aligned to who we are and our emerging mission and vision.
To that end, the working group invites all people of the new diocese to participate in a survey. Your responses will directly influence our work as it continues toward a new visual identity for the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes!
Please complete the survey by June 16th.
Yours in Christ,
The Branding for the New Diocese Working Group
Heather Rauwenhurst
Emmanuel, Petoskey
Michelle Ruiz
Bi-Diocesan Staff
Amy Simons
St. John’s, Saginaw
