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Feast Days with Bishop Skip – The Annunciation

March 25, 2021/in Blog, News/by Katie Forsyth

Announcements come in many forms. I recall with some measure of fondness the morning announcements over the intercom in the public schools I attended. There are announcements we receive by mail, email or social media proclaiming significant moments in life such as a birth, a wedding or a graduation. Today’s celebration marks the greeting of the angel Gabriel to Mary announcing a birth that is yet to come. If you do the math you realize that Christmas is nine months from now.

We have here the beginning of a succession of characters in Luke’s gallery of people with little or no status in the culture, such as women, and in this case most likely a young teenager, being called upon to do great things with God. Even Nazareth was a tiny out-of-the- way town of no more than one hundred fifty people. So I wonder. To how many young women did Gabriel go before a yes came back in reply? Could we have had the Blessed Virgin Rachel, or Zipporah, or Hannah?

One might argue that the biblical text in Luke does not indicate Mary had a whole lot of choice in the matter: “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son.” Yet we also learn that she was “troubled” by such a greeting, indicating some sort of internal wrestling. Well, yes! I find this to be one of the great understatements in all of scripture. Of course she was troubled, even disturbed and overwhelmed I would think. This is no ordinary day in one’s life. Then being told not to be afraid, which means of course there was indeed something of which to be afraid, she does give her assent: “Let it be to me according to your word.”

It is that assent of Mary which has prompted many to say that she is the model believer as she accepted her vocation as the God-bearer, “theotokos” in Eastern Orthodoxy, with perfect conformity of will. I do not want to overly romanticize Mary’s “yes,” however. In dialogue with the Annunciation event, I want to push back a bit and ask if we have here a conflated chronology. I guess it is my own humanity which wants to believe that Mary’s troubled pondering lasted more than the seconds it takes to read of it. Discernment of God’s call on one’s life, especially when it is transformative and involves a complete redirection, takes time in prayer that comes out of a deep grounding and preparation. It reminds me of other’s acts of obedience in the biblical witness such as of Abraham and Sarah. In modern times we might think of Martin Luther King, Jr., Harriet Tubman, or Archbishop Oscar Romero.

Whatever the process of discernment that occurred, the theological point is made. Through the angel Gabriel, God announced a call to faithfulness and Mary said yes. Her wonderfully grace-filled response to God is beautiful and the Church has admired her for it throughout the centuries since: “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” Know too that you are full of grace and out of that deep embrace of God may you find the will to say yes to the angel as close to you as your own breath.

Los anuncios vienen de muchas formas. Recuerdo con cierto cariño los anuncios matutinos sobre el intercomunicador en las escuelas públicas a las que asistí. Hay anuncios que recibimos por correo, correo electrónico o redes sociales proclamando momentos significativos en la vida como un nacimiento, una boda o una graduación. La celebración de hoy marca el saludo del ángel Gabriel a María anunciando un nacimiento que aún está por venir. Si haces las cuentas te das cuenta que la Navidad es de nueve meses a partir de ahora.

Aquí tenemos el comienzo de una sucesión de personajes en la galería de Lucas de personas con poco o ningún estatus en la cultura, como las mujeres, y en este caso muy probablemente una joven adolescente, siendo llamada a hacer grandes cosas con Dios. Incluso Nazaret era una pequeña ciudad fuera del camino de no más de ciento cincuenta personas. Así que me pregunto. ¿A cuántas jóvenes acudió Gabriel antes de recibir un sí como respuesta? ¿Podríamos haber tenido a la Santísima Virgen Raquel, o a Séfora, o a Ana?

Uno podría argumentar que el texto bíblico en Lucas no indica que María tuviera mucha decisión en el asunto: «He aquí, concebirás en tu vientre y darás a luz un Hijo.» Sin embargo, también aprendemos que estaba «preocupada» por tal saludo, lo que indica algún tipo de lucha libre interna. ¡Así es! Me parece que ésta es una de las grandes subestimaciones de toda la Escritura. Por supuesto que estaba preocupada, incluso perturbada y abrumada, creo. Este no es un día ordinario en la vida de uno. Entonces, cuando se le dice que no tenga miedo, lo que significa que sí había algo que temer, da su consentimiento: “Que sea para mí según tu palabra”.

Es ese asentimiento de María el que ha llevado a muchos a decir que es el modelo de creyente, ya que aceptó su vocación de portadora de Dios, “theotokos” en la ortodoxia oriental, con perfecta conformidad de voluntad. Sin embargo, no quiero romantizar demasiado el «sí» de María. En el diálogo con el acontecimiento de la Anunciación, quiero retroceder un poco y preguntar si tenemos aquí una cronología confusa. Supongo que es mi propia humanidad la que quiere creer que las cavilaciones de María duraron más que los segundos que se tarda en leerlas. El discernimiento de la llamada de Dios a la propia vida, especialmente cuando es transformadora e implica una reorientación completa, requiere tiempo de oración que surge de una profunda fundamentación y preparación. Me recuerda los actos de obediencia de otros en el testimonio bíblico, como el de Abraham y Sara. En los tiempos modernos podríamos pensar en Martin Luther King, Jr, Harriet Tubman, o el arzobispo Oscar Romero.

Cualquiera que sea el proceso de discernimiento que ocurrió, se hace el punto teológico. Por medio del ángel Gabriel, Dios anunció un llamado a la fidelidad y María dijo que sí. Su maravillosa respuesta a Dios llena de gracia es hermosa y la Iglesia la ha admirado por ella a lo largo de los siglos desde entonces: “Ave María, llena de gracia, el Señor está contigo”. Sepan también que están llenos de gracia y de ese profundo abrazo de Dios que encuentren la voluntad de decir sí al ángel tan cerca de usted como su propio aliento.

Feast Days with Bishop Skip – St. Joseph

March 18, 2021/in Blog, News/by Katie Forsyth

During his time with the Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan, Bishop Skip will offer some brief teaching on each of the major feast days. Today’s post recognizes the Feast Day of St. Joseph, March 19th, 2021.

Some years ago a dear friend gave me an icon of St. Joseph and the Christ Child. We were at the time young fathers. I remember that when I first looked at it I stopped breathing for a second. I had many times seen icons of the Blessed Mother and the Infant Jesus. This was different. To see the Child Jesus with his cheek pressed close to that of his earthly father’s spoke of an intimacy of father and child that reached into my soul. I could not take my eyes off of that gossamer border demarcating two faces touching, portraying the love of a son leaning into the warmth of his father. I wondered what the icon writer was praying when crafting such a window to gaze upon God.

Praying through that icon from time to time has been very rich. Sometimes I am Joseph, the father. I cannot help but ponder the responsibility he obediently embraced to be a model of faithfulness to the boy Jesus. The story of the twelve-year-old Jesus in the temple begins with the words, “Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover.” Every year. This, then, was the twelfth time since Jesus was born and in that regularity we discover a faithful Jewish family that must have formed Jesus’ heart and soul. One wonders when he entered Jerusalem for the last time on this earth if Jesus recalled those times as a boy. I think of my own sons, one born on this very day of the year, and yes my daughter too, and regularly pray that they may know the gift of God’s embrace deep within. I treasure every moment of past and present when my cheek touched theirs and does again even through the electrons of a text message.

Sometimes I am the child in the icon. I give thanks for my formation in Christian faith by my own father and these days find that I, when praying for the repose of the soul of both of my parents, give thanks for all with which they gifted me. I will never forget a moment as a boy, and I do believe I was twelve years old, when I was watching a television program concerning nuclear annihilation. As I remember it the statement was made in the show that all that might survive would be colonies of ants with their complex social structures, or perhaps just cockroaches which were especially impervious to radiation. I went outside to find my father planting a tree and told him of my fear and concern. He looked at me a moment and said, “I understand why that would bother you, but what I want you to remember is that God came to us as a human being, not an insect.” I found strength there. I walked away comforted and I know now my cheek and his were pressed close.

The punch line of the account in Luke of the boy Jesus in the temple and his parent’s frantic searching for him is when he says his first recorded words, “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Jesus’ growing maturity is shown here as he claims his own identity. He even recognizes that his relationship with God supersedes all relationships, including that of family. This is a hard teaching. I dare to pray, “God, may my children, the ones for whom I would search to the end of the earth, love you more than they love me.” Yet I also pray, “God, may they in my love, find your love.”

Hace algunos años un querido amigo me dio una imagen de San José y del Niño Cristo. En ese momento éramos padres jóvenes. Recuerdo que cuando lo miré por primera vez dejé de respirar por un segundo. Había visto muchas veces imágenes de la Santísima Madre y del Niño Jesús. Esto era diferente. Ver al Niño Jesús con la mejilla pegada a la de su padre terrenal me hablaba de una intimidad de padre e hijo que me llegaba al alma. No podía apartar los ojos de esa frontera de gasa que delimitaba dos rostros que se tocaban, retratando el amor de un hijo que se apoya en el calor de su padre. Me he preguntado qué rezaba el autor de la imagen al confeccionar semejante ventana para contemplar a Dios.

Rezar a través de ese icono de vez en cuando ha sido muy enriquecedor. A veces soy José, el padre. No puedo dejar de reflexionar sobre la responsabilidad que él aceptó obedientemente de ser un modelo de fidelidad al niño Jesús. La historia de Jesús de doce años en el templo comienza con las palabras: “Todos los años sus padres iban a Jerusalén para la fiesta de la Pascua”. Cada año. Esta, pues, era la duodécima vez que nacía Jesús y en esa regularidad descubrimos una familia judía fiel que debió formar el corazón y el alma de Jesús. Uno se pregunta, cuando entró en Jerusalén por última vez en esta tierra, si Jesús recordó aquellos tiempos de niño. Pienso en mis propios hijos, uno de ellos nacido en este mismo día del año, y sí, también en mi hija, y rezo regularmente para que conozcan el don del abrazo de Dios en lo más profundo. Atesoro cada momento del pasado y del presente en que mi mejilla tocó la suya y lo hace de nuevo incluso a través de los electrones de un mensaje de texto.

A veces soy el niño en la imagen. Doy gracias por mi formación en la fe cristiana por parte de mi propio padre y estos días encuentro que, al rezar por el descanso del alma de mis dos padres, doy gracias por todo lo que me regalaron. Nunca olvidaré un momento en el que de niño, y creo que tenía doce años, estaba viendo un programa de televisión sobre la aniquilación nuclear. Según recuerdo, en el programa se afirmaba que lo único que podría sobrevivir serían las colonias de hormigas con sus complejas estructuras sociales, o quizá sólo las cucarachas, que eran especialmente impermeables a la radiación. Salí para encontrar a mi padre plantando un árbol y le conté mi miedo y mi preocupación. Me miró un momento y dijo: “Entiendo que eso te moleste, pero lo que quiero que recuerdes es que Dios vino a nosotros como un ser humano, no como un insecto”. Encontré fuerza allí. Me alejé consolado y ahora sé que mi mejilla y la suya estaban juntos.

El relato de Lucas sobre el niño Jesús en el templo y la frenética búsqueda de sus padres es cuando dice sus primeras palabras grabadas: “¿No sabíais que debía estar en la casa de mi Padre?”. La creciente madurez de Jesús se muestra aquí al reclamar su propia identidad. Incluso reconoce que su relación con Dios supera todas las relaciones, incluida la de la familia. Esta es una enseñanza difícil. Me atrevo a rezar: “Dios, que mis hijos, a los que buscaría hasta el fin del mundo, te amen más que a mí”. Pero también oro: «Dios, que ellos en mi amor encuentren tu amor».

Digital Ministry Grants 2021

February 23, 2021/in Blog, News/by Katie Forsyth

OVERVIEW

The ongoing pandemic has required congregations to adapt, take risks, and learn more and more about online community building.

As we continue on through this long-term season apart, and look ahead to the new modes of ministry (both online and hybrid), all congregations in Eastern and Western Michigan are invited to apply in our second round of Digital Ministry grant funding.

Digital Ministry Grants will fund investments into software, hardware, training, and more to help make online and hybrid offerings more engaging, more accessible, easier to manage, and better connected to on-site, long-term ministry.

There is a total of $20,000 available — $10,000 per diocese — thanks to generous gifts and designations from Eastern Michigan’s Congregational Development and Redevelopment Fund and Western Michigan’s Bishop Whittemore Foundation.

GUIDELINES

The maximum grant award is $700 per congregation or cooperating ministry.

Digital Ministry Grants are a one-time disbursement.

Grants may fund the following areas:

Hardware purchases (cameras, computers, etc.)
Software purchases (programs, applications, etc.)
Internet and Wifi installation and upgrades, prioritizing one-time expenses
Solutions to bridge the access gap between internet-users and non-internet users
Training for digital ministry from outside of existing diocesan resources

Prioritization will be given to applications with a long-term objective, investing in online and digital ministry even when in-person gatherings are possible.

Grants may not fund gifts to individuals or families.

Applications should demonstrate appropriate financial or other investment from the congregation.

What if my congregation received funding in the previous round of funding?
While prioritization will be given to congregations that have not received a Digital Ministry Grant, applications are welcome from those that may have received partial or full funding in the previous round with some explanation of how that investment was utilized.

APPLY NOW

Applications will be considered by a committee including members of the diocesan staffs and the bi-diocesan Evangelism Taskforce.

Applications are due April 1.

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Contact Katie Forsyth, our Canon for Evangelism and Networking for both dioceses, with any questions about the granting process or for ongoing support for digital ministry, communications, and evangelism. She can be reached atkforsyth@eastmich.org and kforsyth@edwm.org.

Additionally, all communicators (clergy and lay, paid and volunteer) are invited to connect with others throughout our two dioceses in our resource group – the Episcopal Communicators Network of Eastern & Western Michigan.

Apply Now

A Christmas Message from the Standing Committees

December 17, 2020/in Blog, News/by Katie Forsyth

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!

LUKE 2:14

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We bring Christmas greetings to you, the people of the Episcopal Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan on behalf of your Standing Committees.

We know, both as the Presidents of your Standing Committees and as people in the world, this has been a hard and unusual year. Yet, in this Holiday season, we want to pause and remind all of us that, despite the challenges, the Gospel is being proclaimed, people are caring for one another and those in need, and there are amazing things happening in this corner of God’s Kingdom. There is so much that is positive, powerful, and holy in our common life together.

In this holiday season, a holiday season unlike any other we’ve experienced, it’s important not to lose sight of that.

In this season of hope, we find hope in the ways that both of our dioceses have and continue to live the Gospel in the world…

In this season of hope, we find hope in the ways that both of our dioceses have and continue to live the Gospel in the world…

This year, when the world shut down and we were unable to offer in-person worship for the first time, our lay and clergy leaders adapted quickly, with grace and great humility, to worship in an online context. Thank you.

When many went hungry, due to the economic burden of the pandemic or otherwise, our parishes responded and continue to respond by addressing food inaccessibility. Through feeding programs like Food for Life in Bay City to the Community Kitchen in Three Rivers, from meal distribution in Alpena, to the Breakfast Cafe in Grand Rapids, we fed people. Through the seventeen Episcopal congregations that joined the first Good News Gardens cohort with Plainsong Farm, we grew food to feed people. Thank you.

When asked how congregations would respond to a world in need, our communities did so quickly and with great compassion. When the vestry of Holy Trinity, Manistee made the decision to start a baby pantry in their rectory building one Sunday, supplies started moving in on Monday. When, mid-pandemic, two dams failed and the communities of Sanford and Midland were underwater, the congregations of Holy Family and St. John’s, Midland came together to provide long-term relief to families with the help of donations from across our two dioceses and beyond. To all those congregations doing amazing and responsive ministry – Thank you.

When our dioceses experienced the challenge of our bishop’s suspension, our work and ministry together as exploring dioceses did not shut down. Our Standing Committees committed to taking on this work as a joint body, in all of the challenges and opportunities that entails. Our newly bi-diocesan Evangelism taskforce came together to offer grants to parishes improving their digital proclamation of the Gospel. Our antiracism work expanded and reached across our geographic borders. Our youth have been gathering for Zoom youth group at least once a week since the pandemic began. For these and all others we haven’t mentioned – thank you.

And thank you to the faces we don’t always see. The people restocking shelves and filling to-go orders. The people treating our loved ones when they’re sick. Those dropping groceries on friend’s porches, or bundling up to check in with a friend on their front lawn. The people of our dioceses – running the tech, shopping for equipment, joining in online worship from their homes. Thank you.

While we’re not physically together, we are all the more aware of the ways in which our common life depends on one another – for all that we’ve been through together and all that we will continue to do together, thank you.

While we’re not physically together, we are all the more aware of the ways in which our common life depends on one another – for all that we’ve been through together and all that we will continue to do together, thank you.

On behalf of the Standing Committees and staffs of the Episcopal Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan, we wish you a very Merry Christmas. May you and your loved ones celebrate the season with care for one another, in health, in hopefulness, and in sight of the one who was born and died for us all.

Merry Christmas.

Les traemos saludos navideños a ustedes, la familia de las Diócesis Episcopales del Este y Oeste de Michigan en nombre de sus Comités Permanentes.

Sabemos, como presidentes de sus comités permanentes y como personas viviendo en el mundo, que este ha sido un año difícil e inusual. Sin embargo, en este tiempo de Navidad, queremos hacer una pausa y recordarnos a todos que, a pesar de los desafíos, se está proclamando el Evangelio, las personas se están cuidando unos a otros y a los necesitados, y que están sucediendo cosas asombrosas en este rincón del Reino de Dios. Reino. ¡Hay tanto de positivo, poderoso y santo en nuestra vida común juntos!

En este tiempo de Navidad, un fin de año diferente a cualquier otro que hayamos experimentado, es importante no perder estas realidades de vista.

En este tiempo de esperanza, encontramos esperanza en la forma en que nuestras dos diócesis han vivido y continúan viviendo el Evangelio en el mundo …

En este tiempo de esperanza, encontramos esperanza en la forma en que nuestras dos diócesis han vivido y continúan viviendo el Evangelio en el mundo …

Este año, cuando el mundo cerró sus puertas y no pudimos adorar en persona por primera vez, nuestros líderes laicos y clérigos se adaptaron rápidamente, con gracia y gran humildad, a la adoración en un contexto en línea. Muchas gracias.

Cuando muchos pasaron hambre, debido a la carga económica de la pandemia o a causa de otras razones, nuestras parroquias respondieron y continúan respondiendo, enfrentándose a la inaccesibilidad de los alimentos. A través de programas de alimentación como Food for Life en Bay City hasta la cocina comunitaria en Three Rivers, desde la distribución de comidas en Alpena hasta el Breakfast Cafe en Grand Rapids, alimentamos a la gente. A través de las diecisiete congregaciones episcopales que se unieron al primer grupo de Good News Gardens con Plainsong Farm, cultivamos alimentos para alimentar a las personas. Muchas gracias.

Cuando nuestras congregaciones tuvieron que responder a un mundo necesitado, nuestras comunidades lo hicieron rápidamente y con gran compasión. Cuando la junta de Holy Trinity, Manistee tomó la decisión un domingo de abrir un depósito de productos para bebés en el edificio de su rectoría, los suministros comenzaron a llegar el lunes. Cuando, en medio de la pandemia, dos represas fallaron y las comunidades de Sanford y Midland estaban bajo el agua, las congregaciones de Holy Family y St. John’s, Midland se unieron para brindar alivio a largo plazo a las familias con la ayuda de donaciones de nuestras dos diócesis y de más allá. A todas aquellas congregaciones que están haciendo un ministerio asombroso y comprometido con las necesidades actuales – Muchas gracias.

Cuando nuestras diócesis experimentaron el desafío de la suspensión de nuestro obispo, nuestro trabajo y ministerio juntos como diócesis en exploración no terminó. Nuestras Comisiones Permanentes se comprometieron a asumir este trabajo como un órgano conjunto, con todos los retos y oportunidades que conlleva. Nuestro nuevo grupo de trabajo de evangelización bi-diocesano se unió para ofrecer subvenciones a las parroquias para mejorar su proclamación digital del Evangelio. Nuestros esfuerzos en contra del racismo continuaron expandiéndose y llegaron incluso más allá de nuestras fronteras geográficas. Nuestros jóvenes han continuado reuniéndose vía Zoom al menos una vez a la semana desde que comenzó la pandemia. A todos estos y todos los demás que no hemos mencionado, muchas gracias.

Muchas gracias también a las caras que no siempre vemos. La gente que trabaja reabasteciendo los estantes en nuestras tiendas y realizando pedidos para llevar. Las personas que cuidan a nuestros seres queridos cuando están enfermos. Aquellos que dejan las compras en los portales de sus amigos o que se abrigan para encontrarse con amigos en un jardín al aire libre. A toda la gente de nuestras diócesis – manejando la tecnología, comprando equipos, participando en la adoración en línea desde sus hogares. Muchas gracias.

Si bien no estamos físicamente juntos, somos más conscientes de las formas en que nuestra vida en común depende los unos de los otros, por todo lo que hemos pasado juntos y todo lo que seguiremos haciendo juntos, muchas gracias.

Si bien no estamos físicamente juntos, somos más conscientes de las formas en que nuestra vida en común depende los unos de los otros, por todo lo que hemos pasado juntos y todo lo que seguiremos haciendo juntos, muchas gracias.

En nombre de los Comités Permanentes y los equipos de trabajo de las Diócesis Episcopales de Michigan Oriental y Occidental, les deseamos una muy Feliz Navidad. Que tú y tus seres queridos celebren la temporada con cariño mutuo, con salud, con ilusión y con la vista del que nació y murió por todos nosotros.

Feliz Navidad.

NOTICE: Digital Ministry Grants

August 17, 2020/in Blog, News/by Katie Forsyth

Overview

The coronavirus pandemic has required parishes to lean into their adaptability and quickly implement online community building.

Incorporating online experiences into the way we gather often requires some kind of investment, whether for software, hardware, or training. In an effort to provide an opportunity for some financial assistance to our congregations, all parishes are invited to apply for a digital ministry grant for immediate and long-term investment in online ministry.

Digital Ministry grants are intended to help congregations make online offerings more engaging, more accessible, easier to manage, and better connected to onsite ministry.

GUIDELINES

The maximum grant award is $700 per congregation or cooperating ministry.

Digital Ministry Grants are a one-time disbursement.

Grants may fund the following areas:

Hardware purchases (cameras, computers, etc.)
Software purchases (programs, applications, etc.)
Upgrades to existing technology
Internet and Wifi access and upgrades
Solutions to bridge the access gap between internet-users and non-internet users
Training for digital ministry from outside of existing diocesan resources

Grants may not fund gifts to individuals or families.

Applications should demonstrate appropriate financial or other investment from the congregation.

APPLY NOW

Applications will be considered by a committee including members of the diocesan staffs and the bi-diocesan Evangelism Taskforce.

Recommendations from the committee will be brought to each respective diocesan council for final approval.

Applications were due September 20th. Contact Katie Forsyth with any questions.

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Notice: Bishop has been Placed on Suspension

June 15, 2020/in Blog, News/by Katie Forsyth

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Today, we were notified of an accord reached between the Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Michael Curry, and our bishop, the Rt. Rev. Whayne M. Hougland, Jr., as part of a Title IV disciplinary action.

Bishop Hougland, in a meeting with the Bishop for Pastoral Development, the Rt. Rev. Todd Ousley, disclosed that he had made “serious mistakes” and admitted his participation in an extramarital affair. The other person involved is not Episcopalian and is not a member of the staff of either diocese. No state or federal laws have been broken.

Under the Canons of the Episcopal Church, an accord is a written resolution to the disciplinary process, which is negotiated by and agreed to by both parties.

The accord places Bishop Hougland on suspension for a minimum of one year. During that time, he will be required to undertake personal steps to be accountable to the Church and emotionally healthy for himself, his family, and his dioceses, in accordance with the Canons, which state:

The Church and each diocese shall support their members in their life in Christ and seek to resolve conflicts by promoting healing, repentance, forgiveness, restitution, justice, amendment of life and reconciliation among all involved or affected. – Canon IV.1

It is the hope of the Presiding Bishop’s office, our Standing Committees, and Bishop Hougland, that this time is one of healing and reconciliation. At the conclusion of the suspension, the Standing Committees and Bishop Hougland will decide whether to continue the relationship with Whayne as our bishop.

The Standing Committees have met and are in the process of working out the details of the one-year leave, including a plan for maintaining the daily operations of the dioceses. Specifics will be available next week. At this time, we expect to hold the ecclesiastical authority of our respective dioceses and will work with our neighboring bishops to conduct the duties that only a bishop can conduct, including ordinations and confirmations. We also are committed to affirming the vote taken last Fall to explore mutual relationship between our dioceses for 3-5 years, by making decisions together as much as is possible and appropriate, maintaining our now-regular joint meetings of Standing Committees and staffs, as well as continuing all other ongoing and potential ministry collaborations.

We ask that you not be in contact Bishop Hougland directly. Any notes may be forwarded to him through Canon Bill Spaid, wspaid@edwm.org, or may be mailed to the Western Michigan diocesan office.

Know that we are praying for you, the people of Eastern and Western Michigan, and we ask your prayers for your elected leadership, as well as for your diocesan staffs, Bishop Whayne and Dana, and for each other.

Yours in Christ,

The Standing Committees of the Episcopal Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan

Janet Huff-Worvie, President
St. John’s, Otter Lake

The Rev. Brian Chace
Trinity, West Branch

Gary Grinn
St. Paul’s, Gladwin

The Rev. Dan Scheid
St. Paul’s, Flint

The Rev. Lydia Speller
Grace, Port Huron

Bill Thewalt
St. Christopher’s, Grand Blanc
Dave Croal, President
St. Mark’s, Coldwater

The Rev. Jodi Baron
St. Philip’s, Beulah & Holy Trinity, Manistee

Martha Bartlett
St. James, Pentwater

Anne Davidson
St. Mark’s, Coldwater

The Rev. BJ Heyboer
St. Mark’s, Newaygo

The Rev. Diane M. Pike
Southwest Michigan Episcopal Covenant

Carole Redwine
St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids

The Rev. Dr. Randall Warren
St. Luke’s, Kalamazoo

To the Clergy and People of the Episcopal Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan,

I will not have the ability to personally speak to you individually or as a group, but I appreciate the opportunity for you all to hear from me. I have not honored my ordination vows or my wedding vows, nor have I honored the faith and trust you set in me. I have much personal work to do to be healthier and rebuild my relationships.

I apologize to the people of these dioceses for betraying my sacred oath to be a wholesome example for the entire flock of the Church.

I apologize to the staff of the dioceses for abandoning you to pick up the pieces of my error.

I apologize to the clergy for my gross lapse of moral judgement, thereby damaging our sacred relationship under orders and weakening our moral authority.

I apologize to the Presiding Bishop and the members of the House of Bishops for not living up to the standards of behavior and conduct expected for Bishops and for damaging our credibility and respectability as moral leaders in society at large.

I apologize to the other party and her family for disrespecting their relationship.

And most of all, I apologize to Dana, our daughters, and our extended families for my betrayal of their gracious abiding love.

I do not yet fully understand why I behaved in this manner, but I alone am responsible for my actions and the discipline that the Presiding Bishop and I have agreed to. Over the next year, I will carefully and fully examine what I need to do to be the person you and I expect me to be. During this time, I will be repentant, take the steps I need to amend my life, and request forgiveness from those I have wronged. I am thankful for the grace of the Holy Spirit and the promise of forgiveness for those who are truly repentant. I will do the work.

Thank you, Presiding Bishop for your pastoral care and for your hard discipline, I need them both.

Thank you, Standing Committees for your leadership in this difficult time and for your graciousness to me in this difficult moment.

Thank you for your continued prayers and ongoing support and concern for Dana and our family.

Humbly,

Whayne M. Hougland, Jr.

Eastern and Western Michigan Clergy Statement on Antiracism

June 7, 2020/in Blog, News/by Katie Forsyth

As clergy of the Episcopal Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan, we grieve the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and all other victims of racialized violence. We stand with those who are pleading for justice, those demanding an end to police brutality, and those who are crying out for a new day. We also recognize that racism manifests in brutal ways every day, ways that those of us who are white don’t see.

The stories of the past few months, which echo and amplify those of over four hundred years in our nation, are opening the hearts, minds, and lives of us all. We have all witnessed people of color being murdered for no other reason than race. We have seen how the bodies of our siblings of color are perceived as inherently violent by some and expendable by others. We know that communities of color have suffered far higher percentages of deaths from COVID-19 due to inequalities in healthcare, working conditions, and other realities related to systemic racism. We have seen white supremacist groups growing in visibility and voice. We have witnessed inexcusable force—including the use of chemical irritants, rubber bullets, and batons—being used against people of all colors simply because they are in our streets peacefully protesting for change of racist structures and ways.

The Rev. Anne Schnaare walks for justice in Marshall with her family, Matthew and Phoebe Schnaare.

As Episcopal clergy, we decry any persons or groups who have subverted these otherwise peaceful protests by bringing violence to our streets and communities. And in those circumstances where the rage of those who are suffering oppression has boiled over into riots, we heed the advice of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “to commit to listen to the anger behind the riots.” Our nation has neither acknowledged fully nor responded comprehensively to the ongoing violence against people of color. Our baptismal vows call us to respond now and always with courage and compassion, “to persevere in resisting evil, to strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.”

We believe that this moment, like others in our shared history, is inviting us to radical transformation. We also believe that faith demands our participation in helping such transformation take hold. We acknowledge that racism is woven into the systems, institutions, history, and psyche of our nation, including our communities of faith. We confess our complicity even as we seek to break the cycles that sinfully perpetuate racialized violence, inequality, and injustice. We commit anew to the work of reconciliation.

As people of faith, we believe that God is present in struggles for justice, calling us to repentance and inviting us to more fully embody Christ’s mandate to “love one another.” Our Presiding Bishop, the Most Reverend Michael Curry, says that God’s dreams are so much greater, more merciful, more loving, and more just than the nightmare being lived by too many in our world. The nightmare of racism is real. God’s dreams are longing to break through. Now.

We commit our prayers and our presence to the hard work ahead, to the faithful work of reconciliation as we stand with those whose tears, hopes, and cries for justice can transform and liberate us all.

Signed,

The Clergy of the Episcopal Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan

The following people have signed their name to this letter –

The Rt. Rev. Whayne M. Hougland, Jr., Provisional Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan, IX Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan

The Rt. Rev. Edward L. Lee, Jr., Retired, VII Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan

The Rt. Rev. Edwin Leidel, Retired, I Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan

The Rt. Rev. S. Todd Ousley, II Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan

The Rev. Jennifer Adams, Grace Episcopal Church in Holland

The Rev. Deacon Brad Allard, Retired, Wyoming

The Rev. Canon Valerie Ambrose, The Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan

The Rev. Deacon Linda Ash, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Corunna

The Rev. John Autio, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Greenville

The Rev. Jodi Baron, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Beulah, Church of the Holy Trinity in Manistee

The Rev. Christian Baron, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Beulah, Church of the Holy Trinity in Manistee

The Rev. Heather Barta, Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Clarkston

The Rev. Stephen Bartlett, Retired, Shelby

The Very Rev. Judith D. Boli, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Saginaw

The Rev. Molly Bosscher, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids

The Rev. Paul Brisbane, Retired, Coldwater

The Rev. Christian Brocato, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids

The Rev. Deacon Katherine Brower, Retired, Grand Rapids

The Rev. Wendy Brown, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Charlotte

The Rev. Paul Brunell, Christ Episcopal Church in Owosso

The Rev. Celine Burke, Retired, Manistee

The Rev. Brian Chace, Trinity Episcopal Church in West Branch

The Rev. Elizabeth Chace, Retired, Frederick

The Rev. Zachariah Char, Sudanese Grace Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids

The Rev. Schuyler L. Clapp, Retired, Traverse City

The Rev. Sue Colavincenzo, St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in Davison

The Rev. Brian Coleman, St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Battle Creek

The Rev. Dr. Jared Cramer, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Grand Haven

The Ven. Linda Crane, Grace Episcopal Church in Port Huron

The Rev. Rebecca Crise, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Paw Paw

The Rev. Lewis D. Crusoe, St. James Episcopal Church in Cheboygan

The Rev. Dr. Kathleen Dancer, Retired, Muskegon

The Rev. John David, Retired, Muskegon

The Rev. Dr. Mary Delaney, Retired, Alma

The Rev. Hugh Dickinson, Retired, Grand Rapids

The Rev. Elizabeth Morris Downie, Retired, Grand Blanc

The Rev. Tom Downs, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Gladwin

The Rev. Marilyn Dressel, Retired, Traverse City

The Ven. Beth Drews, Trinity Episcopal Church in Three Rivers

The Rev. Paula E. Durren, Retired, New Buffalo

The Rev. Patricia Eichenlaub, Retired, St. Joseph

The Rev. D. Edward Emenheiser, Retired, Traverse City

The Rev. Dr. Mark Engle, Retired, Battle Creek

The Rev. Dr. Valerie Fargo, The Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan

The Rev. Michael C. Fedewa, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Muskegon

The Rev. Allan Feltner, St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Mio

The Rev. Deacon Robert P. Finn, Retired, West Branch

The Rev. William Fleener, Retired, Muskegon

The Rev. Mary Frens, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Fremont

The Very Rev. Dr. Jay Gantz, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Flint

The Rev. Deacon Jan Gockerman, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids

The Rev. Ann Grady, St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Grand Blanc

The Rev. Dr. Thomas Guback, Retired, Northport

The Rev. Canon Anne Hallmark, The Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan

The Rev. Jim Harrison, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Midland

The Rev. BJ Heyboer, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Newaygo

The Rev. John B. Hills, Retired, Grand Haven

The Rev. Ken Hitch, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Midland

The Rev. Charles Homeyer, Retired, Grand Rapids

The Rev. Peter Homeyer, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Wyoming

The Rev. Deacon Kimberly Hoop, Holy Cross Episcopal and Ascension Lutheran Church in Kentwood

The Rev. Kay M. Houck, Trinity Episcopal Church in Lexington

The Rev. Michael Houle, Retired, Birch Run

The Rev. Mary Jo Hudson, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Saginaw

The Rev. Henry Idema, III, Retired, Grand Haven

The Rev. Alan James, Grace Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids

The Rev. Mark Jenkins, Retired, Battle Creek

The Rev. Dr. Jay Emerson Johnson, All Saints Episcopal Church in Saugatuck

The Rev. Karen Joy Kelly, Retired, Three Oaks

The Rev. Edward King, Retired, Lexington

The Rev. Ted Koehl, St. Francis Episcopal Church in Orangeville

The Rev. Deacon Anna Leigh Kubbe, Retired Archdeacon, Eastern Michigan

The Rev. Darlene M. S. Kuhn, Episcopal Church of the Mediator, Harbert

The Rev. Rebecca Baird Lepley, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Harsens Island

The Rev. Tracie Little, St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Fenton

The Rev. James Lively, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Sturgis

The Rev. Pamela Lynch, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Gaylord

The Rev. Thomas Manney, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Bad Axe

The Rev. Deacon Judy Marinco, St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Fenton

The Rev. Mike Marinco, St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Fenton

The Rev. Lily Marx, St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in Muskegon

The Rev. Deacon Dr. Daniel L. Maxwell, Trinity Episcopal Church in Alpena

The Rev. Deacon John R. Meengs, Retired, Saugatuck

The Rev. David Meyers, St. Peter’s-by-the-Lake Episcopal Church in Montague

The Very Rev. Bill McClure, Trinity Episcopal Church in Alpena

The Rev. Richard McKenzie, ELCA clergy serving Trinity Episcopal Church in Grand Ledge

The Rev. Deacon Thomas McPherson, Trinity Episcopal Church in Marshall

The Rev. Kenneth Michnay, ELCA clergy serving St. John’s Episcopal Church in Grand Haven

The Rev. Deacon Cynthia Nawrocki, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids

The Rev. Curt Norman, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Saginaw

The Rev. Ann Norton, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Otter Lake

The Rev. Nurya Love Parish, Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in Belmont

The Rev. Deacon Larry Parks, Grace Episcopal Church in Lapeer

The Rev. Sara Parks, Grace Episcopal Church in Lapeer

The Rev. James Perra, Grace Episcopal Church in Traverse City

The Rev. Mary Perrin, St. Martin of Tours Episcopal Church in Kalamazoo

The Rev. David R. Pike, St. David’s Episcopal Church in Lansing

The Rev. Diane Pike, Southwest Michigan Episcopal Covenant

The Rev. Elsa Pressentin, Retired, Muskegon

The Rev. Thomas O’Dell, Christ Episcopal Church in Charlevoix

The Rev. Gerald Rehagen, Retired,

The Rev. Pamela Renna, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Saginaw

The Rev. Susan C. Rich, Trinity Episcopal Church in Bay City

The Rev. Rick Schark, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Coldwater

The Rev. Daniel S.J. Scheid, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Flint

The Rev. Canon Robert Alan Schiesler, Retired, Grand Rapids

The Rev. Anne Schnaare, Trinity Episcopal Church in Marshall

The Rev. Harold Schneider, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Otter Lake

The Rev. Philip A. Seitz, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta, Christ Episcopal Church in East Tawas

The Rev. Deb Semon-Scott, Retired, Jonesville

The Rev. Dr. Gail A. Shafer, Trinity Episcopal Church in Grand Ledge

The Rev. Mary J. Shortt, St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church in Higgins Lake

The Rev. Dr. Daniel L. Snyder, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Grand Haven

The Rev. Deacon Bonnie Smith, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Elk Rapids

The Rev. James E. Smith, ELCA clergy serving Trinity Episcopal Church in Three Rivers

The Rev. Deacon Thomas Smith, St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in Davison

The Rev. Jim Sorenson, Retired, Saginaw

The Rev. Canon William J. Spaid, The Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan

The Rev. Dr. Lydia Agnew Speller, Grace Episcopal Church in Port Huron

The Rev. Deacon Jane Spencer, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Sand Point

The Rev. Canon Michael P. Spencer, The Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan, St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Grand Blanc

The Rev. Nancy Steele, Retired, Chesaning

The Rev. Jim Steen, Retired, Saugatuck

The Rev. Pamela V. Sten, Retired, Buchanan

The Rev. Diane Stier, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Mount Pleasant

The Rev. Linnea Ruth Peterson Stiffler, Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Hastings

The Rev. Deacon Joanne St. Pierre, St. John the Baptist, Otter Lake

The Rev. Rick Stravers, Retired, Kalamazoo

The Rev. Charles M. Stuart, Retired, Saginaw

The Rev. Deacon Christine W. Tillman, Retired, Wyoming

The Rev. Dr. Chysanne Timm, St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Northport

The Rev. Joel Turmo, St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Richland

The Rev. David Vickers, Holy Family Episcopal Church in St. Clair

The Rev. Deacon Patricia Vinge, St. Martin of Tours Episcopal Church in Kalamazoo

The Rev. Sharon Voelker, Retired, Bay City

The Rev. Robert Walton, St. James Episcopal Church in Albion

The Rev. Dr. Randall R. Warren, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Kalamazoo

The Rev. Michael Wernick, Holy Cross Episcopal and Ascension Lutheran Church in Kentwood

The Rev. William Whiting, Retired, Elk Rapids

The Rev. Michael Wood, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Portage

The Rev. Susan York, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids

—

Una declaración del clero del Este y Oeste de Michigan

Como clero de las diócesis episcopales del Este y Oeste de Michigan, lamentamos la muerte de George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor y todas las demás víctimas de la violencia racial. Acompañamos a los que piden justicia, los que exigen el fin de la brutalidad policial y los que claman por un nuevo día. También reconocemos que el racismo se manifiesta de manera brutal todos los días, en formas que aquellos de nosotros que somos blancos no vemos con facilidad.

Las historias de los últimos meses, que hacen eco y amplifican las de más de cuatrocientos años en nuestra nación, están abriendo los corazones, las mentes y las vidas de todos nosotros. Hemos sido testigos del asesinato de personas de color sólo por el color de su piel. Hemos visto cómo los cuerpos de nuestros hermanos de color son percibidos como inherentemente violentos por algunos y prescindibles por otros. Sabemos que las comunidades de color han sufrido porcentajes mucho más altos de muertes por COVID-19 debido a las desigualdades en la atención médica, las condiciones de trabajo y otras realidades relacionadas con el racismo sistémico en nuestra sociedad. Hemos visto grupos de supremacía blanca creciendo en visibilidad y con voces más altas. Hemos sido testigos de la fuerza inexcusable —incluido el uso de irritantes químicos, balas de goma y bastones— contra personas de todos los colores simplemente porque están en nuestras calles protestando pacíficamente para cambiar estructuras basadas en el racismo.

Como clero episcopal, denunciamos a cualquier persona o grupo que haya subvertido estas protestas pacíficas llevando violencia a nuestras calles y comunidades. Asimismo, en aquellas circunstancias donde la ira de quienes sufren la opresión se ha convertido en disturbios, prestamos atención al consejo del reverendo Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. y, “nos comprometemos a escuchar la ira detrás de los disturbios”. Nuestra nación no ha reconocido plenamente ni ha respondido de manera integral a la violencia constante contra las personas de color. Nuestras promesas bautismales nos llaman a responder ahora y siempre con valor y compasión, “perseverando en resistencia al mal, luchando por la justicia y la paz entre todas las personas y respetando la dignidad de todo ser humano”.

Creemos que este momento, como otros en nuestra historia compartida, nos está invitando a una transformación radical. También creemos que la fe exige nuestra participación para ayudar a que esa transformación ocurra. Reconocemos que el racismo está entretejido en los sistemas, instituciones, historia y psique de nuestra nación, incluidas nuestras comunidades de fe. Confesamos nuestra complicidad incluso cuando buscamos romper los ciclos que pecaminosamente perpetúan la violencia racial, la desigualdad y la injusticia. Nos comprometemos nuevamente con el trabajo de reconciliación.

Como personas de fe, creemos que Dios está presente en las luchas por la justicia, llamándonos al arrepentimiento e invitándonos a encarnar más plenamente el mandato de Cristo de “amarnos unos a otros”. Nuestro Obispo Presidente, el Reverendísimo Michael Curry, dice que los sueños de Dios son mucho más grandes, más misericordiosos, más amorosos y más justos que la pesadilla que viven muchos en nuestro mundo. La pesadilla del racismo es real. Los sueños de Dios anhelan hacerse realidad. Ahora.

Nos comprometemos con nuestras oraciones y nuestra presencia a la ardua tarea por delante, al fiel trabajo de reconciliación mientras seguimos acompañando a aquellos cuyas lágrimas, esperanzas y gritos de justicia pueden transformarnos y liberarnos a todos.

Firmado,

El clero de las diócesis episcopales del Este y Oeste de Michigan

Las siguientes personas han consignado esta carta:

El Muy Rev. Whayne M. Hougland, Jr., obispo provisional de la Diócesis Episcopal del Este de Michigan, IX Obispo de la Diócesis Episcopal del Oeste de Michigan

El Muy Rev. Edward L. Lee, Jr., Retirado, VII Obispo de la Diócesis Episcopal del Oeste de Michigan

El Muy. Reverendo Edwin Leidel, Retirado, I Obispo de la Diócesis Episcopal del Este de Michigan

El Muy Rev. S. Todd Ousley, II Obispo de la Diócesis Episcopal del Este de Michigan

La Rev. Jennifer Adams, Grace Episcopal Church en Holland

El Rev. Diácono Brad Allard, Retired, Wyoming

La Rev. Canóniga Valerie Ambrose, la Diócesis Episcopal del Oeste de Michigan

La Rev. Diácona Linda Ash, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church en Corunna

El Rev. John Autio, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church en Greenville

La Rev. Jodi Baron, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church en Beulah, Church of the Holy Trinity en Manistee

El Rev. Christian Baron, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church en Beulah, Church of the Holy Trinity en Manistee

La Rev. Heather Barta, Episcopal Church of the Resurrection en Clarkston

El Rev. Stephen Bartlett, Retirado, Shelby

La Muy Rev. Judith D. Boli, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church en Saginaw

La Rev. Molly Bosscher, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church en Grand Rapids

El Rev. Paul Brisbane, Retirado, Coldwater

El Rev. Christian Brocato, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church en Grand Rapids

La Rev. Diácono Katherine Brower, Retired, Grand Rapids

La Rev. Wendy Brown, St. John’s Episcopal Church en Charlotte

El Rev. Paul Brunell, Christ Episcopal Church en Owosso

La Rev. Celine Burke, Retirada, Manistee

El Rev. Brian Chace, Trinity Episcopal Church en West Branch

La Rev. Elizabeth Chace, Retirada, Frederick

El Rev. Zachariah Char, Sudanese Grace Episcopal Church en Grand Rapids

La Rev. Schuyler L. Clapp, Retired, Traverse City

La Rev. Sue Colavincenzo, St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church en Davison

El Rev. Brian Coleman, St. Thomas Episcopal Church en Battle Creek

El Rev. Dr. Jared Cramer, St. John’s Episcopal Church en Grand Haven

La Ven. Linda Crane, Grace Episcopal Church en Port Huron

La Rev. Rebecca Crise, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church en Paw Paw

El Rev. Lewis D. Crusoe, St. James Episcopal Church en Cheboygan

La Rev. Dr. Kathleen Dancer, Retired, Muskegon

El Rev. John David, Retirado, Muskegon

La Rev. Dr. Mary Delaney, Retirada, Alma

El Rev. Hugh Dickinson, Retirado, Grand Rapids

La Rev. Elizabeth Morris Downie, Retired, Grand Blanc

El Rev. Tom Downs, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church en Gladwin

La Rev. Marilyn Dressel, Retired, Traverse City

La Ven. Beth Drews, Trinity Episcopal Church en Three Rivers

La Rev. Paula E. Durren, Retired, New Buffalo

La Rev. Patricia Eichenlaub, Retired, St. Joseph

El Rev. D. Edward Emenheiser, Retired, Traverse City

El Rev. Dr. Mark Engle, Retired, Battle Creek

El Rev. Dr. Valerie Fargo, The Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan

El Rev. Michael C. Fedewa, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church en Muskegon

El Rev. Allan Feltner, St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church en Mio

El Rev. Diácono Robert P. Finn, Retired, West Branch

El Rev. William Fleener, Retired, Muskegon

El Rev. Mary Frens, St. John’s Episcopal Church en Fremont

El Muy Rev. Dr. Jay Gantz, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church en Flint

The Rev. Ann Grady, St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church en Grand Blanc

El Rev. Dr. Thomas Guback, Retired, Northport

La Rev. Canóniga Anne Hallmark, Diócesis Episcopal del Oeste de Michigan

El Rev. Jim Harrison, St. John’s Episcopal Church en Midland

La Rev. BJ Heyboer, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church en Newaygo

El Rev. John B. Hills, Retirado, Grand Haven

El Rev. Ken Hitch, St. John’s Episcopal Church en Midland

El Rev. Charles Homeyer, Retired, Grand Rapids

El Rev. Peter Homeyer, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church en Wyoming

La Rev. Diácona Kimberly Hoop, Holy Cross Episcopal and Ascension Lutheran Church en Kentwood

La Rev. Kay M. Houck, Trinity Episcopal Church en Lexington

El Rev. Michael Houle, Retirado, Birch Run

La Rev. Mary Jo Hudson, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church en Saginaw

El Rev. Henry Idema, III, Retired, Grand Haven

El Rev. Alan James, Grace Episcopal Church en Grand Rapids

El Rev. Mark Jenkins, Retirado, Battle Creek

El Rev. Dr. Jay Emerson Johnson, All Saints Episcopal Church en Saugatuck

La Rev. Karen Joy Kelly, Retirada, Three Oaks

El Rev. Edward King, Retired, Lexington

El Rev. Ted Koehl, St. Francis Episcopal Church en Orangeville

The Rev. Deacon Anna Leigh Kubbe, Retired Archdeacon, Eastern Michigan

La Rev. Darlene M. S. Kuhn, Episcopal Church of the Mediator, Harbert

La Rev. Rebecca Baird Lepley, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Harsens Island

La Rev. Tracie Little, St. Jude’s Episcopal Church en Fenton

El Rev. James Lively, St. John’s Episcopal Church en Sturgis

La Rev. Pamela Lynch, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church en Gaylord

El Rev. Thomas Manney, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church en Bad Axe

La Rev. Díacona Judy Marinco, St. Jude’s Episcopal Church en Fenton

El Rev. Mike Marinco, St. Jude’s Episcopal Church en Fenton

La Rev. Lily Marx, St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church en Muskegon

El Rev. Diácono Dr. Daniel L. Maxwell, Trinity Episcopal Church en Alpena

El Rev. Diácono John R. Meengs, Retired, Saugatuck

El Rev. David Meyers, St. Peter’s-by-the-Lake Episcopal Church en Montague

El Muy Rev. Bill McClure, Trinity Episcopal Church en Alpena

El Rev. Richard McKenzie, ELCA clergy serving Trinity Episcopal Church en Grand Ledge

El Rev. DiáconoThomas McPherson, Trinity Episcopal Church en Marshall

El Rev. Kenneth Michnay, ELCA clergy serving St. John’s Episcopal Church en Grand Haven

La Rev. Diácona Cynthia Nawrocki, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church en Grand Rapids

El Rev. Curt Norman, St. John’s Episcopal Church en Saginaw

La Rev. Ann Norton, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church en Otter Lake

El Rev. Thomas O’Dell, Christ Episcopal Church en Charlevoix

La Rev. Rebecca Owsley, Retired, East Tawas

La Rev. Nurya Love Parish, Holy Spirit Episcopal Church en Belmont

El Rev. Diácono Larry Parks, Grace Episcopal Church en Lapeer

La Rev. Sara Parks, Grace Episcopal Church en Lapeer

El Rev. James Perra, Grace Episcopal Church en Traverse City

La Rev. Mary Perrin, St. Martin of Tours Episcopal Church en Kalamazoo

El Rev. David R. Pike, St. David’s Episcopal Church en Lansing

La Rev. Diane Pike, Southwest Michigan Episcopal Covenant

La Rev. Elsa Pressentin, Retired, Muskegon

El Rev. Gerald Rehagen, Retired,

La Rev. Pamela Renna, St. John’s Episcopal Church en Saginaw

La Rev. Susan C. Rich, Trinity Episcopal Church en Bay City

El Rev. Rick Schark, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church en Coldwater

El Rev. Daniel S.J. Scheid, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church en Flint

El Rev. Canónigo Robert Alan Schiesler, Retirado, Grand Rapids

La Rev. Anne Schnaare, Trinity Episcopal Church en Marshall

El Rev. Harold Schneider, St. John’s Episcopal Church en Otter Lake

El Rev. Philip A. Seitz, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church en Atlanta, Christ Episcopal Church en East Tawas

La Rev. Deb Semon-Scott, Retired, Jonesville

La Rev. Dr. Gail A. Shafer, Trinity Episcopal Church en Grand Ledge

La Rev. Mary J. Shortt, St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church en Higgins Lake

El Rev. Dr. Daniel L. Snyder, St. John’s Episcopal Church en Grand Haven

La Rev. Diácona Bonnie Smith, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church en Elk Rapids

El Rev. James E. Smith, ELCA clergy serving Trinity Episcopal Church en Three Rivers

El Rev. Diácono Thomas Smith, St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church en Davison

El Rev. Jim Sorenson, Retirado, Saginaw

El Rev. Canónigo William J. Spaid, Diócesis Episcopal del Oeste de Michigan

La Rev. Dra. Lydia Agnew Speller, Grace Episcopal Church en Port Huron

La Rev. Diácona Jane Spencer, St. John’s Episcopal Church en Sand Point

El Rev. Canónigo Michael P. Spencer, Diócesis Episcopal del Este de Michigan, St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church en Grand Blanc

La Rev. Nancy Steele, Retired, Chesaning

El Rev. Jim Steen, Retirado, Saugatuck

La Rev. Pamela V. Sten, Retirada, Buchanan

La Rev. Diane Stier, St. John’s Episcopal Church en Mount Pleasant

La Rev. Linnea Ruth Peterson Stiffler, Emmanuel Episcopal Church en Hastings

El Rev. Rick Stravers, Retirado, Kalamazoo

El Rev. Charles M. Stuart, Retirado, Saginaw

La Rev. Diácono Christine W. Tillman, Retired, Wyoming

El Rev. Dr. Chysanne Timm, St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church en Northport

El Rev. Joel Turmo, St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church en Richland

El Rev. David Vickers, Holy Family Episcopal Church en St. Clair

La Rev. Diácona Patricia Vinge, St. Martin of Tours Episcopal Church en Kalamazoo

La Rev. Sharon Voelker, Retired, Bay City

El Rev. Robert Walton, St. James Episcopal Church en Albion

El Rev. Dr. Randall R. Warren, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church en Kalamazoo

El Rev. Michael Wernick, Holy Cross Episcopal and Ascension Lutheran Church en Kentwood

El Rev. William Whiting, Retirado, Elk Rapids

El Rev. Michael Wood, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church en Portage

La Rev. Susan York, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church en Grand Rapids

Bishop Hougland’s Message to the Diocese Post-Sabbatical

August 22, 2019/in Blog, News/by Katie Forsyth

Watch on Facebook // Watch on YouTube

The following is a transcript of this video message:

Hi, Western Michigan. Whayne Hougland here. I’m back!

I wanted to take a few moments to say thank you. Thank you for the great generosity and the great gift that you gave Dana and I to have this time away – to take a step back to reconnect with each other and to rest and to explore some of the world. And we just can’t thank you enough for the great gift. It is a rare opportunity to do this, and I don’t take it lightly. And I just want you to know how much I really do appreciate it.

So, what did we do? We flew out of here on the first of May. We flew to Italy, and spent time in the great cities of Italy: Venice and Florence, Siena, Assisi, Rome, and also some time down in the southern coast of Amalfi and got to see Positano and Mount Vesuvius. Saw the Vatican and went to the Uffizi museum in Florence and countless churches in the countryside of Tuscany. It really is beautiful. That was a great gift.

And then from there we went on to Spain and met my parents and spent some time in and around Madrid.

And then we flew up north to the Basque country which is where my grandparents are from. We spent one of the best days in the little village of Natxitua where my grandfather was born. It’s on the very northern coast of Spain. Can’t be more than a couple dozen buildings in this little community. We went to lunch that day at the only restaurant in town and we got to talking with the owner of the restaurant. My mother said, “I’m an Astoreca from here,” and so the owner got on the phone and started calling people. And some folks came to have lunch with us, and it was really wonderfully touching and moving. It was really just a great experience.

And then from there we travelled a little bit on the Camino de Santiago. We drove – I didn’t walk this time. I got to show Dana some of the sights that I had toured nine years ago when I made my pilgrimage to Santiago. We spent some time in Portugal and then back in Spain, southern Spain through Seville and Granada. And then we left out of Barcelona.

I’ve never eaten so much pasta and drank so much red wine. It was really great. And I didn’t gain too much weight either. We had a really wonderful time.

Along the way, we sold our house in North Carolina – yay! – after almost six years now. So that was a great burden that’s been lifted.

And when we came in July, we had to move from our house that we’ve been renting here in Grand Rapids. We moved from our five-bedroom home to a one-bedroom apartment. And we did that intentionally because we decided that we needed to let go of some stuff that we’ve been holding on to for too long. We spent almost three weeks, probably more than three weeks, trying to sort through 35 years of marriage and raising two children and figuring out what is essential and what is not.

You may know Marie Kondo. She’s a Japanese organizational consultant. She has this way of looking at your stuff and determining whether you should keep it or not by saying, “Does this bring you joy or not?”

So, we spent a lot of time trying to determine what brings us joy. And we ended up giving away a lot of stuff. Most of our furniture, most of our clothes, just about all of our children’s art projects… I mean, you know how it is. So, we had to sort through all that stuff, and it was really hard. It was super emotional, and it was also kind of freeing.

And I think if there’s been a theme that’s been emerging for me as I’ve been reflecting on what this sabbatical has been, it’s that taking the time to assess where you find joy in life and what are the things that bring you joy. It’s a great way to sift through all the stuff and get to what is essential. And letting go of those things that are not essential, what I’ve found is you really do find space for what’s new. I think what God was doing with meanyway in this sabbatical was trying to clear out space so that I might be ready and open for what is new.

And so, we’re back now. This is my first week back in the office. Got a lot of stuff coming up on the agenda moving forward. And it’s a lot of hopeful and exciting, for some, maybe anxious kind of things. But I think that in the spirit of trying to find our joy and trying to determine what is essential and seeking to be open to what God is giving us, there’s a lot of hope for the future.

You’ve probably seen that two of our staff members have resigned. First of all, Gennie Callard, who has done a really wonderful job for many, many years has decided to resign and move back closer to family in Massachusetts. And I really respect her and honor her for her work here and the way she is moving forward to care for her family. Thank you, Gennie, for all the good work that you’ve done. You’ve been a real blessing, and you’ll be missed.

And Tricia, who’s only been here for a short time as my assistant, just got an offer she couldn’t refuse from her home denomination to serve on the leadership team of the primary authority for that denomination. It’s like working for Michael Curry, our Presiding Bishop. And so she said she just couldn’t pass it up. We thank her also for the good work that she’s done here in helping us transition to new offices. And we wish her well, wish them both well and God bless.

We will miss them. But I think it’s also an opportunity for us to reassess and to reconsider how we’ve done things and how we might do things fresh and that’s quite hopeful.

Coming up almost immediately – this weekend as a matter of fact – we’ll begin our pre-convention meetings to discuss budget and plans for our convention in November. We’re going to start dancing intentionally real close now with the Diocese of Eastern Michigan as we move forward with that relationship and see what exciting things are in store there.

And so I’m really looking forward to being here. And I’m really glad to be back. I found that not being so busy wasn’t so good. I prefer being busy, and so I’m glad to be back with you.

I hope you’re well. Hope you’ve had a good summer. I’m looking forward to the fall and an exciting new year coming up as we approach convention. And I look forward to seeing you out there.

God bless and thanks.

Departures from Diocesan Staff

August 21, 2019/in Blog, News/by Katie Forsyth

Dear Friends,

Two of our diocesan staff members have announced their plans to move on to their next phase of ministry.

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After sixteen years on our diocesan staff, Gennie Callard has submitted her resignation as the Bishop’s Assistant for Children, Youth and Young Adult Ministries. She will be moving back to Massachusetts to be closer to her family.

Over the course of her ministry among us, Gennie has developed top-tier programs for the formation in our community and has helped curate a culture in our diocese in which the youngest among us are honored and heard at all levels of leadership. In addition to our camping programs, Gennie has helped to create opportunities for our youngest Episcopalians and those who support them across our diocese, state, and wider church through convention, youth programming, the Episcopal Youth Event, trainings, retreats, and more.

In addition to her work in children’s and youth ministry, Gennie has worked closely with Sudanese Grace, caring and supporting them in their development as a congregation. Most recently, through her work as President of Province V of the Episcopal Church, Gennie was instrumental in the creation and organization of the wonderfully successful Big Provincial Gathering, held last month in Kalamazoo.

Gennie has been a champion of young people in our church, increasing the impact of their witness and ministry amongst us. We are grateful for her commitment to young people, passion for ministry, and her many years of leadership in our diocese. She departs from us with our thanks and blessings for all of life’s adventures before her. Gennie’s ministry with us will conclude August 31st. A celebration of Gennie and her ministry is being planned for sometime later this fall. Details to come.

– – –

Tricia Leistra has also resigned in order to accept an unexpected offer to serve on the national staff of the Reformed Church of America, her home denomination.

Tricia came on board earlier this Spring as the Diocesan Office Administrator, supporting the bishop’s day-to-day activities and the organization of the diocesan office. In these few short months, Tricia has helped us to live into our transition of our diocesan office from Kalamazoo to Wyoming and helped to improve efficiency and transparency in our diocesan operations.

Her outside perspective has been an asset to our community as we move forward to becoming more responsive, flexible, and in-tuned with the diocese and the wider church. Tricia’s ministry with us will conclude August 28th.

– – –

I am grateful for the leadership of these two incredible staff members and send them off with our sincere gratitude for their time with us and prayers as they move ahead.

Almighty and everlasting God, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift: Send down upon our friends, the healthful Spirit of thy grace: and, that they may truly please thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honor of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Peace,

The Rt. Rev. Whayne M. Hougland, Jr.
Bishop Diocesan,
The Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan

A Milestone Year for Women in the Church

July 18, 2019/in Blog, News/by Katie Forsyth

by the Rev. Canon Valerie Ambrose

In my visits with parishes and vestries around our diocese I often hear the question, “Why does the church move so slowly?” That certainly was a question posed by supporters of women’s ordination to the priesthood for 87 years after the first women were approved to be ordained deaconesses and for more than four decades after the first woman was ordained a priest in the Anglican Communion.

Why does the church move so slowly?

This year marks the 75^thanniversary of the ordination of Florence Tim-Oi in Hong Kong by The Rt. Rev. R. O. Hall. However, she delayed serving as a priest in order to protect her bishop from censure while waiting for the Anglican Communion to acknowledge her ordination. Considered a counter-revolutionary by the Communist government of the People’s Republic of China, Tim-Oi was forced to undergo political re-education and to work on a farm and later in a factory until 1974. She eventually was allowed to exercise her priestly ministry in the nationalized Chinese church. After visiting family in Canada in 1981 she moved there and was licensed in the dioceses of Montreal and Toronto, where she served until her death in 1992.

Two other women, Jane Hwang and Joyce Bennett, were ordained to the priesthood in Hong Kong in 1971 by Bishop Gilbert Baker. Those ordinations fueled the debate in our country over whether women could be ordained as priests here as well. In the preceding year our General Convention had eliminated the deaconess canon and voted to ordain women as deacons equally as men. At that same convention, where women could serve as deputies for the first time, lay deputies voted to approve the ordination of women to the priesthood, but the clerical order defeated that resolution. Again at the 1973 General Convention the vote to approve the ordination of women to the priesthood failed to pass.

Following that convention 11 women deacons were “irregularly” ordained to the priesthood in Philadelphia in 1974. Another 4 women were ordained priests in 1975 in Washington, D.C. At the 1976 General Convention growing support for women’s ordination led to both the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies finally approving women to be ordained to the priesthood and episcopate. A short 13 years later in 1989, The Rev. Barbara C. Harris was consecrated the first female bishop of our Church, and in 2006 The Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori was the first woman to be elected Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, thereby making her the first female Primate of the Anglican Communion.

To some the Church moves far too slowly. To some the Church moves far too quickly.

To some the Church moves far too slowly. To some the Church moves far too quickly. But most would agree that the structure and polity of our Church allows for ample study, debate and prayerful discernment as we strive to heed the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Since the first ordination of a woman to the priesthood 75 years ago, tremendous equality for women in the Church has been achieved and appreciated in many corners of the worldwide Anglican Communion. May the gifts of all God’s sons and daughters continue to be affirmed and celebrated. And may everyone’s talents and faith also be understood to be imbued by God for the carrying out the mission of the Church–to restore all people to unity with one another and God.