To the Delegates, Clergy, and People of
The Episcopal Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan as we become the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes:
Following the decisions of the Episcopal Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan at the Joint Special Convention on Juncture on March 16, 2024, the Standing Committees’ vote in support of juncture in their role as Ecclesiastical Authority in each diocese, and the ratification by the General Convention of the Episcopal Church on June 28, 2024 of the decision to juncture, the Joint Standing Committee hereby calls for the Primary (“First”) Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes, to take place October 18-19, 2024 in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.
Through the work of this Primary Convention, we will become a new diocese. With God’s help and through acts of worship, sharing meals, the adoption of diocesan constitution and canons, elections to leadership bodies, approval of the 2025 Budget, through our deliberations and celebrations, we will become one! At our Primary Convention, we will officially organize, becoming the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes.
The canons of the current dioceses will be used to determine representation at this Primary Convention. For most congregations this will mean that those who were elected and served at the Special Convention in March will be those who serve at this Primary Convention. The Rules of Order for this Primary Convention are being developed and will be made available at pre-convention meetings.
This notice has been sent to all clergy, senior wardens, and general subscribers as well as to identified delegates and alternates for whom we had email addresses. Please communicate with your delegation to ensure that all people received this notice.
Peace,
Angela Krueger
Secretary of Convention
Assistant to the Bishop
The Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan
The Rev. Joel Turmo
Secretary of Convention
Rector, St. Timothy’s, Richland
The Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan
CONVENTION THEME
In the service of Holy Baptism, we thank God for the gift of water. We celebrate that in the waters of baptism, we are buried with Christ in his death, share in his resurrection, and are reborn by the Holy Spirit (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 306).
Baptism is an outward and visible sign of the grace of Christ; it binds us in oneness with Christ and community with all his disciples across time and space. As we come together as the new Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes, we are grateful for the grace God provides us in baptism. We honor the waters that surround us, the waters for which we are named.
Communities of faith are invited to bring local freshwater to our Primary Convention. More information is below in “Worship & Eucharist.”
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Julia Ayala Harris
President of the House of Deputies
Julia Ayala Harris was initially elected President of the House of Deputies, the presiding officer who works alongside the Presiding Bishop, at the 80th General Convention in 2022. She was recently re-elected to a second term at the 81st General Convention in 2024.
President Ayala Harris is the first Latina and woman of color to hold the position. She is passionate about a multitude of issues, such as immigration, race and ethnicity, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and truth-telling, as well as justice initiatives.
As a lay leader, President Ayala Harris served the church in multiple roles, including leadership roles on the Executive Council; the Presiding Officers’ Working Group on Truth-Telling, Reckoning, and Healing; the Task Force for Reimagining the Episcopal Church (TREC); and the Task Force for Women, Truth, and Reconciliation, among various other legislative committees and interim bodies.
In The Episcopal Church, President Ayala Harris has continually found healing, blessing, and wholeness in God’s unconditional love. Throughout her lay ministry, she has worked to bring about a church that can share that blessing with all of God’s people.
BUSINESS
The diocesan convention is the legislative body that governs the work of the diocese.
In this, our Primary Convention as the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes, we will adopt the initial Constitution and Canons of our new diocese. To provide an opportunity for everyone to participate in this process, a workshop on parliamentary procedure and Diocesan Convention process will be part of our time together.
Our Primary Convention will include several business sessions to adopt our budget, elect our officers, and create our new diocese together.
As we create a new diocese, we expect to elect:
For the above elections, nominations may be made using the form linked below. Nominations for these roles are due September 1st.
>> Click here to submit a nomination for election.
As this is a new diocese combining two legacy dioceses, we expect to also elect by acclamation:
These members will be nominated by the current Diocesan Councils and Standing Committees.
All nominees are required to complete Safe Church and Dismantling Racism training, or have a plan to complete this training, prior to beginning their term of service.
Safe Church, Safe Communities:
Dismantling Racism: A six-week Zoom Dismantling Racism training is available this fall.
Resolutions may be proposed by four clergy and four laypeople using the form linked below. All resolutions will be reviewed by the Resolutions Review Committee.
The deadline for proposing resolutions is August 18.
CONVENTION BOOKLET & MATERIALS
As in previous years, all materials for the meeting and resources for worship will be included in our forthcoming digital convention booket, which will be first available with the Second Call to Convention in September. Attendees are asked to ensure they will have access to these materials during the course of our meeting, either through the use of a digital device (most up-to-date) or by printing ahead of time. Thank you for helping conserve resources, both financially and in the care of creation.
EXHIBITS & TABLES
Our exhibition hall is a great place to learn more about the ministries and programs taking place within and beyond the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes.
There is no cost to host an exhibit table. We ask that you make your table visually appealing and to have at least one person staffing it at all appropriate times.
If you would like space to feature your ministry, please register your booth no later than September 30. Space is limited and may run out before the deadline.
WORSHIP & EUCHARIST
At this Convention we will be coming together for the first time as the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes. This coming together is best done in the context of prayer, Word, and Sacrament. Thus worship will be built into our time together.
We are asking each ministry (parishes, service communities, etc.) to bring about ¼ cup (2 ozs) of water from a local fresh water-source (a lake, stream, or creek). Decide who in your ministry will join in the opening procession of the Eucharist to pour your water into a communal bowl. We will renew our Baptismal Vows, pray for and bless our gathered waters, and asperge everyone.
Youth-led Worship – Friday Evening
Children and youth of the dioceses will lead a prayer service on Friday evening at a time yet to be finalized.
Holy Eucharist – Saturday Morning
A celebration Eucharist will be held at Soaring Eagle on Saturday morning. Our celebration this year will include the ingathering of waters and a celebration of new ministry for our newest diocesan staff canon. Our Assisting Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Skip Adams, will preach and preside.
We will be ingathering waters in lieu of the banner procession at the Primary Convention, so you do not need to bring your church banner this year.
Clergy are invited to vest and process. Alb or cassock and surplice, with red stoles.
YOUTH DELEGATES
High school-aged young people are invited to participate at the diocesan convention by applying to become a Youth Delegate. Youth Delegates are leaders in their congregation and in the diocese and have voice and vote at convention.
Anyone is welcome to nominate a youth, and youth are welcome to apply. Jeff Brown will contact youth in the beginning of October about the status of their application.
There is no out-of-pocket cost for the youth delegates to participate. Lodging, food, and registration fees are included.
The deadline for applications/nominations for youth delegates is September 7th. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Jeff Brown or the Rev. Radha Kaminski with any questions, jbrown@edwm.org and rkaminski@eastmich.org.
PRE-CONVENTION MEETINGS
Voting delegates, clergy, and everyone in the soon-to-be Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes are invited to join via Zoom for a pre-convention meeting to prepare for the business sessions of our convention. Attendees will have the opportunity to preview and discuss the new Constitution and Canons, the proposed 2025 Diocesan Budget, and learn more about the process of officially becoming the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes.
Pre-convention meetings will be recorded for later viewing for those unable to join in-person. You must RSVP separately from your convention registration to participate in a pre-convention meeting.
There will be no business conducted during Pre-Convention meetings so you are welcome to join the meeting that best suits your schedule.
Zoom links for pre-convention meetings:
PROPOSED CONSTITUTION & CANONS
One of the main pieces of business which we will undertake at this Primary Convention is the adoption of the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes.
Initial recommendations for the content and design of these materials were presented for feedback to leadership bodies of our legacy dioceses in November 2023. Each subsequent draft and revision was accompanied by presentations, open feedback sessions, and the consideration of every piece of input received. The Transition Working Group is extremely grateful for the thoughtful participation and engagement shown across both legacy dioceses throughout this entire process.
>> The Proposed Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes.
>> The Convention Resolution accompanying the Constitution and Canons.
Should there be a desire to propose an amendment to the proposed Constitution and Canons, pre-filing is encouraged. Pre-filed amendments will help facilitate an orderly process during the business of Convention and will be considered before amendments from the floor are allowed.
>> Please pre-file amendments using this form. Deadline for submission is Oct. 8.
FRIDAY
| 9am | Check-in Opens |
| 10am | Workshops |
| Noon | Lunch on your own |
| 1pm | Opening Worship |
| Workshops | |
| 5pm | Dinner with Keynote |
| 6:15pm | Dessert & Learn |
| 7:30pm | Compline |
| 8:15pm | Fellowship . |
SATURDAY
Breakfast on your own.
| 8am | Registration table opens for late arrivals |
| 9am | Holy Eucharist |
| 11am | Business Session |
| 12:30pm | Noonday Prayer & Lunch |
| 1:30pm | Business Session |
| 5pm | Closing Prayers & Sending Forth |
*This basic schedule is a draft and is subject to change. Breaks will be built into the day. A more detailed draft schedule will be first available with the Second Call to Convention and will be finalized by October 10th.
CONVENTION CENTER
Soaring Eagle Resort, Mount Pleasant
The Primary Convention, including worship and all business meetings, will be held at Soaring Eagle Resort, located at 6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd, Mt Pleasant, MI 48858.
Soaring Eagle Resort is a full-service facility located on tribal land in the geographic center of our new diocese, a beautiful place to begin again as one.
Participants will have the opportunity to visit the Ziibiwing Center for Anishinabe Culture & Lifeways and/or to participate in Gamblers Anonymous at St. John’s Episcopal Church.
TOUR THE ZIIBIWING CENTER
Limited spaces are available to tour the Ziibiwing Center for Anishinabe Culture and Lifeways during Friday workshop time. Advance registration is required. Learn more about the Ziibiwing Center here.
>>Register to Tour the Ziibiwing Center
HOTEL OPTIONS
Soaring Eagle Resort has an on-site hotel which can accommodate those requiring overnight stays, available Thursday and Friday nights. Additionally, there are rooms available at a discounted rate at two nearby hotels. Please read below for information including rates, deadlines, and booking instructions. Should one room block fill, the convention pages of the diocesan websites will have up-to-date information about remaining availability. All three options are in a similar general area and the two off-site hotel options are no more than five miles from Soaring Eagle Resort.
—
Soaring Eagle ResortBooking Deadline: September 26
Rate: Thursday night: $139; Friday night: $199
Features: Pool, Free valet parking, Variety of dining options
Address: 6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd, Mt Pleasant
Phone: 877-232-4532
Book Soaring Eagle Resort Online
—
Comfort Inn & SuitesBooking Deadline: Deadline to reserve discounted rooms was September 18th; remaining rooms may be reserved based on availability.
Rate: Market rate, based on availability
Features: Free breakfast, Pool
Address: 2424 South Mission Street, Mt. Pleasant
Phone: 989-772-4000
Book Comfort Inn & Suites Online
—
Holiday Inn & SuitesBooking Deadline: October 1 (limited number of discounted rooms available; book soon)
Rate: $129/night (discounted rate applies Friday night only)
Features: Free breakfast, Pool
Address: 5278 E. Pickard St, Mt. Pleasant
Phone: 989-317-8686
Book Holiday Inn & Suites Online
FOR DELEGATIONS – As noted above, delegates will be those previously elected to serve for this year, likely those who participated in March’s Special Convention, unless you have held a new election of delegates or made a new appointment due to resignation. One person from the congregation (usually a parish secretary, senior warden, or clergy person) must complete the registration form for their group, including all lay delegates and clergy. Additional visitors and attending children may be added to the group order form if desired. Please be prepared to provide accurate email addresses and dietary restrictions for each person. ($100/person.)
UNASSIGNED CLERGY ($100/person) and VISITORS ($75-100/person) may register individually, regardless of congregational affiliation.
CHILDREN UNDER 12 ($15/person) may be registered individually or with a delegation to have meals provided and to request high chairs and/or booster seats (limited). A soft space with quiet toys for the youngest attendees will be set up in the main meeting space during our business meetings. Please note that there is no childcare or programming for children provided; kids must be supervised by their responsible adults at all times.
CHILDREN UNDER 5 (FREE) may be registered individually or with a delegation to request high chairs and/or booster seats (limited). Meals will not be provided. A soft space with quiet toys for the youngest attendees will be set up in the main meeting space during our business meetings. Please note that there is no childcare or programming for children provided; kids must be supervised by their responsible adults at all times.
The deadline to register and submit all payments is September 26th.
Minutes from the 149th Diocesan Convention, October 2023
Minutes from the 148th Diocesan Convention, October 2022
Minutes from the 147th Diocesan Convention, October 2021
Journal from the 146th Diocesan Convention, October 2020
Journal from the 145th Diocesan Convention, November 2019
Journal from the 144th Diocesan Convention, November 2018
Journal from the 143rd Diocesan Convention, October 2017
Journal from the 142nd Diocesan Convention, November 2016
Journal from the 141st Diocesan Convention, November 2015
