The Constitution and Canons Reports to the 188th Annual Convention

The Constitution and Canons

Reports to the 188th Annual Convention

October 21 22, 2022 Detroit, Michigan

Journal of the 187th Annual Convention

October 22-23, 2021 Virtual

All reports are available in large print. Please contact Canon Jo Ann Hardy for more information. 313 833 4422 jhardy@edomi.org

Section I

The Constitution and Canons of The Protestant Episcopal Church for the Diocese of Michigan

Including all amendments made at the 2021 Annual Convention Published by order of the Convention of the Diocese Virtual Format October 2020

Reports

Capital Deanery

All Saints, East Lansing

· Canterbury MSU, East Lansing

· Christ Untied, DeWitt

· St. Augustine’s, Mason

· St. Katherine’s, Williamston

· St. Michael’s, Lansing

· St. Paul’s, Lansing

This has been a year of significant transition across the Capital Deanery. The challenges of Covid 19, including 2 years of putting everything on hold, has led to a flurry of new engagement, new challenges, and new people!

All Saints, East Lansing welcomed a new curate, The Rev. Krista Heuett, her husband, The Rev. Bradley Heuett, and their two children. Rev. Krista was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Perry on October 13th at All Saints. Canterbury MSU moved into a new home in downtown East Lansing. Their storefront location marks the first time in many decades that they have had a dedicated meeting place of their own. Christ United in Dewitt welcome the Rev. Alex Aivars as Pastor of their ecumenical community. ELCA Bishop Satterlee and Bishop Perry led the celebration of this new ministry on September 14th. The Rev. Melissa Congleton was called as St. Katherine’s priest in charge beginning June 1. The Rev. Tim Flynn was installed as Rector of St. Michael’s on October 5th, led by Bishop Perry. And St. Paul’s, Lansing welcomed The Rev. Linda Farmer Lewis, a recently retired United Methodist Pastor, as their Associate.

In the midst of the celebrations of new colleagues and new ministries, we marked a significant ending. Led by Bishop Perry, we gave thanks for the 60+ year ministry of St. Augustine’s to the Mason community at their closing service on September 25th. It was a joy to hear the stories of their life together even as we grieve their closing. We pray God’s blessing upon all who have been a part of the St. Augustine’s. With both deep joy and sorrow we also bid farewell to Claudia Hamlin, the beloved wife of the Rev. Dick Hamlin. Claudia was a force in the deanery, across the diocese, and everywhere she served. Even as she struggled with persistent debilitating health, she spread happiness wherever she went, especially in the choirs she was a part of until nearly her final days.

In this season of transition, we remember God’s promise, “See, I am making all things new.”

The Very Rev. Donna McNiel Missioner, Canterbury MSU

Detroit Deanery

The last few years in the Detroit Deanery has been a challenge to say the least, but good things are happening. The Rev. Anthony Estes is now presiding at All Saints Detroit and St. Matthews & St. Joseph’s. Terri Montgomery and Donna Lockhart are now both ordained Priests after both being Seminarians at Messiah. Terri Montgomery was ordained at the Cathedral of St. Paul and Donna Lockhart was ordained at St. Michael’s in the woods. Both of these Services were amazing!

Celebrating its 75th year, St. Michael’s church looks absolutely incredible and is looking forward to continuing to serve the people of its surrounding community.

The Cathedral is also incredible in spite of flood damage suffered during the heavy rains of 2021. St. Paul’s continues to do incredible ministry despite the challenges to the building structure.

Church of the Messiah also had heavy flood damage to its lower level. It took nearly a year to repair the damage. Currently things are returning to normal and the lower level is better than ever. Grace church is working with members of Messiah to do some community outreach. Hattie Grace Kitchen is a new initiative being launched out of the kitchen space and the parish hall in the lower level of Grace Episcopal Church. Hattie Grace kitchen focuses on food and fellowship.

Grace Episcopal church is 105 years old this year!

Christ Church Grosse Pointe welcomed in Mother Maureen Martin to its leadership! Known for its incredible music and choir, Christ Church Grosse Pointe choir traveled to England and Germany. The Church at Crossroads is again open for in person service. This summer, 8 congregations helped to provide free lunch to neighborhood kids. Vacation bible school was also a big success with The people in the neighborhood. The Church at Crossroads is also looking forward to doing after school programs this fall.

Christ Church Detroit held a Diocesan wide Absalom Jones service earlyIn the year. We were blessed to have Bishop Deon Johnson (Bishop of The Diocese of Missouri) give the sermon. It was a very moving and memorable event! Also noteworthy to mention is that congregations of the Detroit Deanery joined others in the Diocese for the 50 days of Ukraine!

Congregations also participated in the Ice Cream Socials as well as the Bishop’s Bash! So despite many obstacles in the past year many of our Congregations continue to do amazing work while spreading the good news of the gospel.

The Very Rev. Barry Randolph Dean of the Detroit Churches

The Downriver Deanery

Annual Report, 2022

Our Deanery includes Saint Luke’s, Allen Park; Trinity, Belleville; Resurrection, Ecorse; Saint James, Grosse Ile; Saint Michael and All Angels, Lincoln Park; Trinity, Monroe; Grace, Southgate; Christ the King, Taylor (closed); Saint Thomas, Trenton; and Saint Stephen’s, Wyandotte. We meet three times a year for fellowship, support, and education. Attendance averages between 20 35 people. This has held true throughout the pandemic, as we’ve met on Zoom and occasionally in person. We include a time for a speaker (or Convention prep) and time for check in from each congregation. During the remaining time, we hear the Dean’s Report, the Diocesan Council Representative’s Report and our Treasurer’s Report.

Our Clericus is active, meeting monthly except in July and August. We meet in person last year, welcoming the Rev. Jim Bischoff to Trinity Monroe and the Rev. MaryJane Peck to St. Thomas Trenton, both as interims at the time. We prayed and supported retired clergy member, the Rev. Diane Morgan, as she grieved and dealt with serious health challenges.

The Rev. Lynda Carter has continued to lead Prayer in the Park on the river in Wyandotte, assisted by the Rev. Paula Miller and the Rev. Tom Ferguson. This year weather was more of a factor than in previous years, with several thunderstorms causing cancellation. Still, a faithful crowd gathered to praise God in the lovely location on the Detroit River.

Below is a short update on each congregation, in alphabetical order by city:

St. Luke’s in Allen Park has been slowly recuperating from the pandemic. While some of those that once came in person have left, some new parishioners have joined. There were also some from Christ the King that chose to come to St. Luke’s when they closed in May. The vestry has called the Rev. Mitch Yudasz as Rector, and will have a celebration of new ministry in the near future. Ideas for not only bringing in new members, but also for bringing in some revenue have been discussed and are being looked into.

At Trinity Belleville, lots of events took place: Bible study during Lent, a potluck after Easter service, and Worship Under the Big Top (July 4 August 30) a teaching series using the Old Testament texts. Folders with maps and charts were passed out for people to review and study. The last two Sundays we played Pin the Tail on the Tribes, using post it notes. We had a cookout/potluck after the first and last service of the series. Trinity participated in this year’s 2st Annual Lake Fest in downtown Belleville by selling their famous Strawberry Pies. Small groups met regularly: a walking group, Tuesday Lunch Bunch, TED talk theology via Zoom, and a Beginners Spanish group. On September 11 we said goodbye to Martha Hanoian, our Director of Christian Formation and Outreach, who took a full time position as the Director for the Belleville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Resurrection Ecorse continues to meet faithfully, typically only with a few people offering and participating in Morning Prayer worship on Sundays. Volunteers have joined with two other churches (including Runners for Christ, which rents their building) to offer a meal, plus food and toiletries to take home, once a month to the community.

Saint James Grosse Ile has held in person services for the past nineteen months since Palm Sunday 2021. We post our 8am services on YouTube

and livestream our 10am services on Facebook. Our ASA is approximately 85% of pre COVID numbers. We are grateful for our parishioners’ generosity, which keeps our books balanced. Beginning in 2022 we resumed major parish ministries, like our blockbuster Rummage Sales, Greens Market, Sunday School, VBS, Bible Studies, Book Groups, etc. We are also proud to sponsor Erica Benson as a Postulant for Holy Orders at Virginia Seminary.

The people of St. Michael’s very committed to one another and to the community of Lincoln Park. A major outreach has been the Blessing Box which was dedicated last year. Since then, its use has been constant and our response to keep it filled has been a daily task. Through chats with those taking advantage of the food and supplies we discovered that they had other needs. That invigorated our planning group who crochet mats for them which are distributed to those homeless by our police department contact. Additionally, we provide food and other products for the nearby women’s shelter. Through Wayne State’s School of Social Work, we partnered with a student intern to compile an up to date list of the agencies in our town that can provide services to those in need. This intern plus the work of a summer seminarian have surveyed of the city residents to get their feedback of their needs. We held two significant services this past year. A special memorial liturgy and dinner recognized eight members and friends who died during the pandemic who we as a congregation were not able to fully honor. Also, we installed Paula Miller as our third Rector. In keeping with pandemic caution, we hosted a drive by pet blessing and provided Ashes to Go. Our weekly mass is available on livestream and we find we are reaching people beyond our own congregation. These are exciting times as we mark our 95th year of serving the community inside and outside the walls of our church.

In November 2021 Trinity Monroe was excited to welcome the Rev. James M. Bischoff as our Interim Priest after he supplied all of summer. In the final phase, of a multi year project, of making our facilities barrier free and accessible for all we removed a pew, first of two to be removed, from the middle of the worship space and replaced it with a shorter pew giving space for a person who might be in a wheel chair or in need of more leg space to be surrounded by the congregation rather than being stuck in either the back or the very front. We have continued improving our online presence with our updated website and moving to Facebook Live. We have spent this year renewing and refreshing the rectory, offices, and kitchen appliances for an old building this is an ongoing project. We continue to welcome new people coming to worship with us and become involved in the life and ministry of Trinity. In June 2022 the Vestry voted to call the Rev. Bischoff to become our Rector/Pastor and he accepted. His Installation will be held on November 3.

At Grace Southgate, as family situations have changed due to personal health during the “age of COVID”, Zoom Conferencing remains a vital component of our ability to engage with congregants for Sunday services, Vestry meetings, and weekly Bible Study sessions. Many folks who had not returned to in person services are beginning to re engage and all are being invited to a welcome back celebration with games for children and pizza for all following the service on Sunday, September 18th. Our recent average Sunday attendance is between 30 38 persons, which is very good and in line with past Parochial Reports! In the past few months, we have welcomed three new congregants: one from Christ the King, Taylor and two persons who sought us via our website, after experiencing a disheartening experience with the Roman church. We recently baptized one of these persons! We look forward to blessing a Civil Marriage and blessing a 50th Anniversary in the near future. Grace continues to lead Prayer in the Park as it concludes its 8th year, and are grateful for the assistance of St. Michael & All Angels, Lincoln Park and St. Stephen’s, Wyandotte. Open to all persons and frequently observed from cars, Grace was recently asked to celebrate the life of an observer after interacting with the family and decedent following a service. Outreach events are vital to Grace Southgate, as demonstrated by its outpouring of

support to Ukraine; as it prepares for its 2nd Rummage Sale of the year; and in its support of the Wyandotte Food Kitchen having served several hot meals with bag lunches “to go”, frequently serving 60 persons on six Saturday’s throughout the year. Since the passing of The Rev. Deacon Ken Rasnick, contributions have allowed us to invest in engraved Holy Eucharist Vessels, which will be dedicated to his memory by placing them in service on Sunday, September 25th. His wife, Joan, and persons knowledgeable of Ken’s service with the Veteran’s Court have been invited to attend. Grace Southgate, a former mission church of St. Stephen’s Wyandotte is looking forward to celebrating its 70th anniversary in December, 2022!

Christ the King Taylor closed this year, after years of faithful service to Christ. We are grateful for their witness. Many members have found church homes with other downriver Episcopal churches.

St. Thomas Trenton continues to be a vibrant and active church, serving our members and community despite the closing of our Thrift Shop. In October 2021, we sponsored a free concert by the Silver Strings Dulcimer Society. In December 2021, we collected underwear and socks for St. Peter's Corner Shower and Laundry Project in Detroit. In January and February 2022, we collected monetary donations for THAW (The Heat and Warmth fund). In March and April 2022, money was collected for ERD. In June, a pancake Brunch and Raffle was held, the proceeds were sent to ERD as part of the Bishop Perry's 50 days for Ukraine fund raiser. Locally, we have worked at and collected canned goods, pastas, paper goods and cereals for the Trenton Food Pantry. In 2022 our Outreach Ministry Team has sponsored outings for our church members and their friends and neighbors, including picnics at a local train park, attending a play at the Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea, MI, cheering at a Mud Hens baseball game in Toledo, OH, and a Ladies' Day Out visit to the Solanus Casey Center. We have also offered Tai Chi classes and on going martial arts classes at the church. Future activities in the works include a Salad Luncheon, Bunco Night at the church, and an Advent Tea. We are a small, but busy, group of church members who love St. Thomas and believe in its future. Meetings are always open and new members are welcome.

St. Stephen’s Wyandotte has been working on transitioning to more in person activities during the past year. We continued to broadcast on Facebook Live (which has consistently had higher attendance than our in person worship!), but offered in person worship and Sunday School every week. We had book and video studies and a full suite of Holy Week experiences. In the fall, the Very Rev. Andrea Morrow was installed as Rector, and in June, she took a mini sabbatical. Also in June, our seminarian turned deacon, Tom Ferguson, was ordained a priest. Pastor Tom will be staying with us for the next year as our Curate for Social Justice Advocacy and Environmental Engagement. He coordinated the Wyandotte Ministerial Association’s annual summer program to provide kids with food on the weekends, ensuring the delivery of over 1,400 brown bags of groceries to the schools and public library. We’ve also fed people through our Blessings Box, which was built for us last year as an Eagle Scout project. The Blessings Box is emptied almost every day and local people have started making deliveries of food, in addition to our contributions. We continue to sponsor FedUp Ministries, which operates a food truck to bring food to underserved neighborhoods and provide education about and advocacy to end food insecurity. We raised almost $3,000 for the diocesan collection for Ukraine relief. We continue to offer Compline on Facebook every night. We’ve continued many of our traditions, while adding new ones, such as a Trunk or Treat for the community at Halloween that attracted hundreds of kids, and a Candy Hop in the spring that was even more successful. We’ve transformed some traditions, making the Spaghetti Dinner into a Chili Cook Off and the Harvest Dinner into Friendsgiving. We welcomed about a dozen people from Christ the King, which closed, and a few new folks who were attracted to our Facebook presence. Like most other churches, we

continue to work hard to be the Body of Christ in our community in these changing times.

Finally, as Dean, I’m grateful for my clergy colleagues and all the amazing lay people that make up our Deanery. We are mainly small churches having a big impact. We are blessed to have a sense of community and fellowship in Christ in our Deanery, as well as a clear sense of being the church, even as we find our way forward to what one person aptly called “the new not normal.”

Respectfully submitted,

The Very Rev. Andrea Morrow, Dean

Ann Arbor, St. Aidan Ann Arbor, St. Andrew Ann Arbor, St. Clare of Assisi Ann Arbor, Canterbury at UofM Brighton, St. Paul Chelsea, St. Barnabas Dexter, St. James Hamburg, St. Stephen Howell, St. John Ann Arbor, Incarnation Saline, Holy Faith Ypsilanti, St. Luke

This year has been a time of transitions for the Huron Valley Deanery. We have had two clericus meetings in 2022, one in person, since before the COVID 19 shutdown. We plan to meet quarterly or bi monthly as a clericus. The Deanery has not met as a Deanery since before the COVID shutdown. We are planning our pre Convention Caucus for October 5th.

The Rev. Joann Kennedy Slater (St. Luke’s, Ypsilanti) and The Rev. Alan Gibson (St. Andrew’s, Ann Arbor) both retired this year.

The Rev. Anne Clark has become the rector of St. Clare’s, Ann Arbor, and The Rev. Jeanne Hansknecht has become the rector of St. Paul’s, Brighton.

The Rev. Beth Scriven has become the Interim Rector of St. Lukes, Ypsilanti) and The Rev. Wayne Rollins is serving as Interim at St. Andrew’s, Ann Arbor.

The Rev. Eric Braun was ordained priest at St. Luke’s, and currently serves as a Chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital. The Rev. Katherine Beck Ei, currently serves as Priest Associate at St. Stephen’s, Hamburg, but will be moving to a new placement soon. The Rev. Dean Aponte Safe has recently been called as an Associate Rector at Church of the Incarnation, Ann Arbor.

Hopefully, next year’s report will include much more information about congregational life in 2022 2023.

Faithfully in Christ,

The Very Rev. Carol A. Mader, Dean

Congregations: Birmingham, St. James Bloomfield Hills, Christ Church Cranbrook Bloomfield Twp., Nativity Clarkston, Resurrection Lake Orion, St. Mary Madison Heights, St. Patrick Mt. Clemens, Grace West Bloomfield, Spirit of Grace Pontiac, All Saints’ Rochester, St. Philip Romeo, St. Paul’s Royal Oak, St. John Southfield, St. David’s Troy, St. Stephen Shelby Twp, St. Luke Waterford, St. Andrew

2022 began to see the deadly COVID 19 virus recede and hence the joyous return to some semblance of ‘normal’ worship at our congregations. Our faith families reported variety in their responses to the pandemic, from live streaming, to zoom, to YouTube recordings as a way to unite our parishioners while keeping safe.

Fr. Josh Hoover (St. James, Birmingham) and the Rev. Beth Taylor (St. John’s, Royal Oak) both enjoyed well deserved sabbaticals. St. Stephen’s, Troy welcomed the Rev. Brian Alberti as their new Priest in Charge just before the new year. Work continued on a multi million dollar construction project at Christ Church, Cranbrook. The Rev. Donna Lockhart served as seminarian at St. David’s, Southfield before being ordained deacon then priest in 2022; she served over the summer at St. Patrick’s, Madison Heights.

While the pandemic has mounted enormous and unprecedented challenges to the world in general and our congregations in particular, God has been faithful in leading, guiding, and being present with us. We rejoice in hope and faith that, "neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38 39)

The Very Rev. Chris Yaw, Dean

Christ Church, Dearborn Trinity in the Woods, Farmington Hills St. Clement’s, Inkster St. Andrew’s, Livonia St. George’s, Milford Holy Cross, Novi St. John’s, Plymouth Church of the Redeemer, Southfield St. John’s, Westland Emmaus Fellowship

Highlights from Some of the Deanery Congregations

Christ Episcopal Church in Dearborn has had a very busy year. In our ongoing effort to adapt to post COVID malaise we have nonetheless been blessed by our evolving mission work with Mother of the Savior and our Partnership in Faith. Through this partnership and the proceeds from selling a portion of the land on which the church buildings reside, we are developing an intercultural community center in Dearborn (ICCD). In the summer of 2021, the Vestry of Christ Church authorized the formation of a task force to explore developing the ICCD. That task force has grown in size from a few representatives of people who use the church building to include a number of people who lead small organizations in Dearborn and surrounding communities. This grassroots community organizing effort has already produced a number of events including pollution and environmental education sessions regarding PFAS contamination (by product of non stick chemicals that enter the water system and cause health issues), an organic garden seed exchange, and co sponsoring Dearborn's Juneteenth event with initiatives looking at policing practices and policies in Dearborn, a prayer breakfast, and parade. In addition the task force was invited to submit a grant to Trinity Wall Street for significant funding to further develop the infrastructure of the ICCD including a bi lingual website and staff to manage the organization as it transitions into its own 501(c)3. Trinity Wall Street awarded Christ Church with a three year, $260,000.00 grant to develop the ICCD, including a digital library of resources to assist others in developing intercultural partnerships in their own context. Now the real work begins! (Submitted by the Rev. Terri Pilarski)

St. Andrew’s Livonia had been shut down completely during the pandemic, and then COVID took the life of our priest in charge. Since Palm Sunday 2021, we have resumed public worship, reconstituted a Vestry, called an interim priest, begun a Wednesday evening evensong and bible study program, restarted our handbell choir, and made various building improvements. (Submitted by the Rev. Daniel Lawson)

Trinity in the Woods, Farmington Hills is doing well, though the long pandemic is challenging. We are working hard on some capital improvements, thanks to a successful capital campaign. We continue to offer a Zoom component to our worship and love that parishioners who are not able to be physically present can still come to church and participate. We are working on more ways of reaching out to the neighborhood. We love our spot in the woods. Come visit and walk our beautiful meditation path through the trees. It is a very peaceful space. (Submitted by the Very Reverend Julia Huttar Bailey)

St. George’s, Milford spent 2022 in transition, after the Rev. Paul Castelli was called and moved to a church in North Carolina in early 2021. Small but mighty, St. George's congregation is faithfully proclaiming God's love with strong lay leadership and their interim rector, the Rev. Susan Anslow Williams. The congregation has gradually resumed activities like choir and fellowship, carefully, since Lent. Summer saw us worshiping outdoors under a blue and white striped tent! (Submitted by the Reverend Susan Anslow Williams)

Holy Cross, Novi continues to persevere as the pandemic ebbs, flows, and transitions towards endemic. The ’21 ’22 program year featured a Tuesday evening Bible study that read through major passages of the Bible from start to finish. In person volunteering is down from pre pandemic levels as many still need to be careful, so we have stayed active by organizing small outreach projects (e.g. providing weekend food to students in need at a local school), holding a couple of “public worship” events (Litany for Black Lives on our front lawn), and continuing to give funds generously towards various needs locally and worldwide. Our Social Justice committee continues to organize issues based letter writing campaigns, household item collections for refugees, and other efforts. We have a vibrant in person 8 am service and are running hybrid worship at 10 am, emphasizing community connection with a large screen TV in “gallery view” so online and in person worshippers can interact. We are now working to bring the music back into the sanctuary as well. (Currently it is being pre recorded by musician and choir using an online, multi track recording platform.) By God’s grace our numbers are holding steady and we continue to welcome a few new members each year. Holy Cross continues to enjoy a sense of open but connected community that cares for its own and welcomes new folks. We are blessed! (Submitted by the Rev. Ian Reed Twiss)

St. John’s, Plymouth has had a year of ‘re building’ after the long months of quarantine and isolation. Like many congregations and other organizations, we find ourselves wandering in the wilderness even yet as people decide how and when to re engage. But on the bright side, we have committed to turning our old rectory/youth center into a refugee resettlement location. We continue to seek grant money to help us do the necessary repairs and updates to the house. We are rebuilding our music and many of our lay guilds that take part in the liturgy. We have begun raising money needed to update the lighting in our worship space. And we have committed to updating restrooms and meeting spaces so that the building will be more attractive for use by outside groups. We have also updated our landscaping and hope to begin working toward new outdoor lighting and a new, more modern sign on Sheldon Road. Our theme for the upcoming pledge drive is St. John’s Re imagining the future with renewed commitment and renewed engagement. We hope to prove this statement true. (Submitted by the Rev. John Connors)

A Celebration of the Ministry and Closing Service for St. Elizabeth’s, Redford was held on Sunday, June 12, 2022.

The Very Rev. Julia Huttar Bailey, Dean

All Saints’, Brooklyn Christ Church, Adrian Christ Church, Pleasant Lake St. Aidan’s, Michigan Center St. John’s, Clinton St. Michael and All Angels, Cambridge Junction St. Peter’s, Hillsdale St. Paul’s, Jackson

Eight congregations make up the William N. Lyster Deanery located in the southwest corner of the Diocese. The Deanery is named after the Rev. William Lyster who financed the beginning of many of these congregations that run from Detroit through the picturesque Irish Hills and all the way to Marshall, Michigan. Born in Ireland, Rev. Lyster saw similarities in the topography of this region with that of his beloved homeland, hence the name, the Irish Hills. We are pleased to carry on Rev. Lyster’s dedication to sharing the love of God with all those in our communities today.

As we all are well aware, Covid has changed a lot for all of us. Our former Dean, the Rev. Sarah Hurlbert, kept us connected through frequent zoom calls and a zoom study of the most appropriate book We Shall All Be Changed: Questions for the Post Pandemic Church edited by D.W Mark Edington. We are grateful for her guidance and commitment to our community.

All Saints’, Brooklyn is experiencing some of the same problems and difficulties as many other parishes in our deanery and diocese. The Covid epidemic has caused irregular attendance and income. Some have not returned to worship because of fear of infection, susceptibility because of age or physical conditions or other reasons associated with Covid. Loss of leadership in some areas is troubling. One of our late former members was always amazed at the resiliency of our members to fill in and keep everything going when faced with difficulties. Some of our previous areas of ministry have been suspended or most likely ended because of Covid and dwindling attendance. Our very popular monthly community dinner has been suspended. In the past we participated in the Village of Brooklyn October Pumpkin Quest with a booth downtown. We continue to provide space for two AA groups, an Alanon group and a Yoga class. Our services are supported by recorded music as we have no organist. We have two worship leaders, three Eucharistic ministers, two who are also Eucharistic visitors, and five lectors. We have always adapted to any given challenge so we have concluded that we will continue to provide an Episcopal presence in the community as long as we can with the resources we have with the Lord’s help. Our definition of “an Episcopal presence” is non judgmental, inclusive, non political, forgiving, and welcoming place of safety for all who seek the Lord’s presence. We have three supply clergy who celebrate the Eucharist at least three Sundays a month. We are deeply indebted to their ministries. We experience walk in visitors who occasionally attended services and sometimes return. We therefore challenge ourselves to continue providing an open church with regular services no matter what. We have discussed how we have provided funeral services for past members who still live in the community but have not attended services for some time. In the past we have provided funeral services either at a funeral home or in the church. Requests for graveside burials have also been provided. Oversight by Bishop Bonnie has been received. Maintaining a 162 year old church building and two other buildings, a side yard and hedge to trim is always a challenge for our building and grounds endeavors. We have a faithful member who has mowed the lawn

on a weekly basis, others clean the buildings and join in trimming the hedges. With God’s help we will persist!

Christ Church, Adrian has been without a priest (again) since January. We’ve been celebrating Eucharist only once a month when supply is available; Todd Johnson and Joyce Holden are licensed Lay Worship Leaders, and lead Morning Prayer all other Sundays. The only COVID restrictions we are still observing are not getting up to greet one another during the passing of the peace, as well as leaving an offertory plate in the center aisle for people to drop their donations in at any point during the service or afterwards. We continue to host a local woodworking group that meets once a month in the Parish Hall, as well as providing space for Pathways Preschool upstairs. We have a Food Pantry out by the driveway that we keep stocked for those in need. Joyce Holden is in her third year as a member of the Standing Committee and has served as its President since November of last year. Our Senior Warden, Todd Johnson, and one of our Vestry members, Sam Abraham, are constantly working to maintain lighting and plumbing repairs in the building. We now are looking into options to replace a huge section of our roof.

Although our numbers are dwindling, we are doing the best we can to stay focused on why we are there: community worship.

Christ Church, Pleasant Lake, has continued our two main Outreach ministries this past year. We operate a Food Bank serving the communities of Pleasant Lake and Munith with a monthly food distribution on the third Saturday of each month. We also have a Grief Support group that meets twice a month on the first and third Mondays from 6 7pm. One of the Catholic Churches in Jackson put a notice in their bulletin about our Grief Support Group as ours is apparently the only Church in the County doing this ministry. This summer we began broadcasting our Sunday Service on Zoom, so those who can’t attend in person can participate along with those in Church.

St. Aidan’s, Michigan Center, has been in person since May of 2021. Our sanctuary size allows us to safely spread out. We have been doing a monthly fresh food distribution, working with Compassionate Ministries in Jackson. Our Spring and Fall rummage sales have returned also.

St. John’s, Clinton, is seeking to call a new Priest In Charge. Pastor Susie Shaefer left our church in January of 2022 to fill a position at the Diocese. We currently host a hybrid worship schedule; we worship in person and on Zoom each week. We have been blessed with some rotation of supply clergy to ensure we were able to celebrate Holy Eucharist at least once each month during our transition. St. John’s has begun to participate in the Village of Clinton’s Christmas parade and expect to continue that participation this year. Each year we provide backpacks and school supplies to the Clinton Community School District; and at Christmas we “adopt” a family to provide gifts and goodwill. We host a Bible study class each week, in person and on Zoom. We have members that reach out and travel on mission trips within the US and in other parts of the world on a semi routine basis.

St. Michael and All Angels, Cambridge Junction, resumed in person services at a joyful service on Easter Sunday 2022. St. Michael’s provides food to families in need during Easter/Spring school breaks. Their weekly Morning Prayer and Bible study at the Onsted American Legion and their ministry providing water and snacks to the Michigan State Police officers who work the events at Michigan International were suspended during the pandemic and have not yet resumed. The congregation is mourning the loss of their long time organist, Michael Steveson, who died in September after a lengthy illness. Musician Roscoe DeLine has accepted an invitation to provide both keyboard and guitar music for St. Michaels and the congregation is looking forward to expanding their musical horizons.

St. Paul’s Church in Jackson has had an eventful and productive year. Starting in the early winter Pastor Sarah posited the idea that we provide a warming shelter for the Jackson homeless, in our church. This was necessary as many of the resources that traditionally were in place for that type of thing were shut down over covid and hadn’t geared back up. In partnership with

the Interfaith Shelter in Jackson, we jumped in with both feet and provided shelter for the homeless overflow throughout the winter months. We look at this as a great success. Homeless men, women and children were served with a cot, clean blankets, toilet facilities and a hot cup of coffee on the way out in the morning. This was made possible with volunteers from other churches and our own congregation to man the door and provide a safe warm environment. We also started returning to the church in person. This was a slow process for people to get back in the habit of getting dressed and going out on Sunday morning instead of their new habit of watching it on Facebook in their bathrobes. They are slowly returning, and new people are arriving also. As summer came on and things were getting back to full swing, we were hit with the news that Pastor Sarah had accepted a call to a Cathedral in another state. We have gone through the grieving/leaving part and are now in search of an interim minister to guide us through the process of calling another Priest. Our goal at this time is to keep the momentum and continue to make a difference in Jackson, MI.

The year 2022 began with St. Peter’s, Hillsdale, open for inside worship, socially distanced and wearing masks. We held a Lenten program offering the Stations of the Cross every Wednesday at which we began collecting offerings for Ukraine. Through the course of the Diocesan 50 Days of Easter, we were able to send the Diocese nearly $600. In the spring, a local landscaping company removed all of the weeds and vegetation on the side of the church and laid down a weed barrier and attractive stones. Large flowerpots were purchased and filled with a variety of summer blooming plants. We have received many compliments from passersby. With a donation from the Diocese, we held an Ice Cream Sundae Sunday and were able to enjoy ice cream 3 Sundays in a row. We had no complaints from parishioners! We enjoyed our annual summer picnic with Trinity Lutheran Church at a local park, where we shared in the best burnt weenies and wonderful fellowship. St. Peter’s Free Clinic for the uninsured and underinsured residents of the county continues to meet in our parish hall every Tuesday evening. The Clinic joyfully celebrate their 20th Anniversary in September. St Peter’s parishioners continue to supply monthly meals for the dedicated clinic volunteers. Rozanne Pauze and her dedicated crew did another wonderful booth for this year’s Hillsdale County annual fair. Last year we took home our first ever first place ribbon! St. Peter’s continues to be a partner church with Hillsdale Love INC. St. Peter’s is a small but vibrant part of the worshipping community of Hillsdale.

Respectfully submitted, The Very Rev. Judith Schellhammer, Dean

Commission on Ministry

2022 Annual Report to the Diocesan Convention

Members of the Commission on Ministry (Terms end October 31 of the year indicated)

COM Membership (* indicates someone filling out a vacant term)

Class of 2022: L: Dianne Salisbury, Lauran Bryan* C: Andy Guffey*, Tim Spannaus

Class of 2023: L: Matt Evett, David Volker C: Josh Hoover, Chris Johnson

Class of 2024: L: Elaine Belz, Joseph Thompson C: Andrea Morrow, Jeanne Hansknecht*

Class of 2025: L: Jo Hartwell, Meida Ollivierra C: Bill Danaher, Clare Hickman (chair)

Class of 2026: L: Anthony Cartagena, Gwyn Dugliss C: Paul LeClair, Beth Taylor

The principal role of the Commission on Ministry (COM) is to act as an advisory committee to the Bishop and assist in the discernment and raising up of leaders for ministry. When the Bishop welcomes individuals into the formal COM discernment process, the COM assigns an advisor to each individual. This advisor meets with the advisee to assist, observe, offer suggestions, review the formation plan and give support to the advisee until ordination. Advisors report back to the commission on the progress of their advisee. Additionally, in 2021, we created the role of Chaplain to the Ordination Process and are grateful to the Revs. Ron Spann and Sister Veronica Dunbar for serving as our current chaplains. The COM also works with the Total Ministry program, to support the mission to affirm and develop of the ministry of all baptized persons.

Since the last convention, we have commissioned five Community Discernment Committees (CDCs); as well as working with the Standing Committee to assist the bishop in granting postulancy to Felicity Thompson, Erica Benson, and Daniel Martin; granting candidacy to Gerardo Aponte Safe, Mike Stutso and Zach Baker; ordaining Gerardo Aponte Safe to the (transitional) diaconate; and ordaining Amy Maffeo, Chip Dischinger, Terri Montgomery, Donna Lockhart, Eric Braun, Katherine Beck Ei, and Tom Ferguson to the priesthood.

During 2022, the COM also continued to develop our revised process to ordination. New this year were a detailed expansion of the formation process; clarified expectations and contracts for field education; a plan for licensed lay ministry; and a re vamped understanding of McElroy funds, to deepen their potential for teaching and forming congregations, interns, and curates.

If you wish to learn more about the core values and vision for the heart of ordained ministry, we invite you to visit the diocesan website at www.edomi.org/com and suggest you begin with the Competencies for the Ordination Process.

Many thanks to all who open their hearts to God’s call to ministry for them. Thank you to each member of the COM for offering their time, effort, and prayers for the work of building up God’s Church. We also gratefully acknowledge the support and guidance of Crystal Ramirez and Susan Mason; and (the Revs.) Ellen Ekevag and Susie Shaefer; and we give thanks for the leadership of Bishop Perry.

Respectfully submitted,

The Rev. Clare L. Hickman, Chair

Office of Diocesan Communications

Adrienne Trupiano, Associate for Communications & Events

As the Associate for Communications and Events, in the Office of Diocesan Communications, I work to promote and support the diocese, the work of our Bishop, and congregations. I manage the diocesan social media sites, website, newsletter, and all other forms of electronic communications. I also create graphics and video for the diocesan office.

On the diocesan level, I provide communications support for our Bishop and the diocesan office, through social media platforms, email communications, and other electronic or printed means. Since January, the diocesan office has had the pleasure of partnering with the Jim Vella Group and Todd Nissen for press and media releases, and management of press and media requests regarding our Bishop and/or diocese. This partnership has helped the diocese to remain an important fixture in our region.

As the Associate for Communications, I lend promotional and planning support for diocesan programming initiatives and ministries, both in person and online. These include, Clergy Day, Vestry Day, Lenten and Advent bible studies, Spirituality and Race workshops, Bishop’s Bash and Fall Gathering, and various other workshops, teach ins, and events. This year I assisted, and will continue to lend support to, End Gun Violence Michigan by way of event planning, media releases, and social media management. In May I offered an online website workshop to anyone in the diocese as well as follow up consulting. Another website workshop is planned for November, and a marketing workshop will be offered in the Spring of 2023.

I work closely with Bishop Perry to record and edit all video content, statements, and sermons. All videos can be viewed on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and on our website at www.edomi.org.

The Weekly Connection email is important to the growth and vitality of our diocese and congregations. I distribute this email newsletter every Tuesday to over 4000 people. The Weekly Connection maintains a high readership and rate of interaction. This focused newsletter is keeping our congregations and their people involved and aware of all diocesan news, events, as well as congregational news and events. Congregations are encouraged to submit any news or events they feel might be of interest to the wider diocese.

The digital public engagement within our diocese has grown in 2022 through our social media platforms; Facebook, Instagram & Twitter. The diocesan website continues to grow and remains an important hub of essential information as it is regularly added to and updated.

As we begin to develop and plan for 2023, I look forward to remaining a source of promotion and support to the diocese, our Bishop, and congregations.

Congregational Life and Transitions

Transitions

Transition ministry is not only about changes in congregational clergy it is also about the spiritual and psychological process of working through and accepting change, as described by William Bridges. Transition ministry is about working with change.

A major part of the change in the church is simple: We are currently in a clergy shortage. There are more churches than clergy and many churches are moving from full time to part time priests. This is going to require more outside the box thinking.

One way we are addressing this is our newly created program “Walking through Transition.” This curriculum and process helps churches without a traditional interim do the interim tasks so that they can become more healthy, faithful, and effective congregations and have good transition experiences. I am so thrilled to have the Rev. Susie Shaefer as associate for transitions. With her help we have created more opportunities for churches to hire curates and associates.

New Calls

The Rev. Krista Heuett, ordained priest on October 13 Curate at All Saints, East Lansing

The Rev. Deacon Gerardo Aponte Safe, ordained a transitional deacon on September 10th Curate St. John’s, Royal Oak

The Rev. Eric Braun, ordained priest on July 1, serving in hospital chaplaincy

The Rev. Katherine Beck Ei, ordained priest on June 29 Priest in Charge at St. John’s, Clinton

The Rev. Tom Ferguson, ordained priest on June 18, serving as Vicar of St. Aidan’s, Ann Arbor

The Rev. Amy Maffeo, ordained priest December 16 2021, serving in hospital chaplaincy

The Rev. Linda Farmer Lewis, Methodist associate clergy at St. Paul’s, Lansing

The Rev. Wayne Rollins, Interim Rector, St. Andrew’s, Ann Arbor

The Rev. Beth Scriven, Interim Rector, St. Luke’s, Ypsilanti

The Rev. Bradly Heuett, non parochial clergy

The Rev. James Bischoff, ELCA Pastor at Trinity, Monroe

The Rev. Alex Aivars, ELCA Pastor at Christ United, DeWitt

The Rev. Dr. Sue Carter priest associate, St. Katherine’s, Williamston

The Rev. Dean Aponte Safe ELCA, associate at Incarnation, Ann Arbor

The Rev. Brian Alberti, Priest in Charge at St Stephen’s, Troy

The Rev. Anne Clarke, Rector at St. Clare’s, Ann Arbor

The Rev. Maureen Martin, Associate at Christ Church, Grosse Pointe

The Rev. Melissa Congleton, Priest in Charge, St. Katherine’s Williamston

The Rev. Susan Anslow Williams, Interim at St. George’s, Milford

The Rev. Ronda Johnson, called as Rector at St. Paul’s, Romeo

The Rev. Maryjane Peck, Interim Rector at St. Thomas, Trenton

The Rev. Jeanne Hansknecht, called as Rector, St. Paul’s, Brighton

The Rev. Anthony Estes, Priest for the Detroit Partnership congregations

The Ven. Tim Spannaus, Deacon at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul

The Rev. Susie Shaefer, Bishop’s Staff

Clergy Elected as Rector/Vicar

The Rev. Paula Miller, elected Rector at St. Michael’s and All Angels, Lincoln Park

The Rev. Tim Flynn, elected Rector at St. Michael’s, Lansing

The Rev. Andy Guffey, elected Rector at St. Mary’s in the Hills, Lake Orion

The Rev. Andrea Martin, elected Rector at Holy Faith, Saline

Clergy Retirements

The Rev. Alan Gibson

The Rev. Jo Ann Kennedy Slater

The Rev. Henrietta Grossehoeme

Congregational Development

We launched the College of Congregational Development June 5th 11th 2022. We had 30 participants, 4 trainers, and a director. It was a week of new learnings, challenges, and hopefully fun! The material we teach in the College of Congregational Development will help your church become more faithful, healthy and effective. This program is for clergy and lay leaders, and we encourage congregational teams of 2 people or more.

Our next College for Congregational Development is June 4th June 10th, 2023. The Rt. Rev. Melissa Skelton will be joining us as the director. Registration will be posted February of 2023. If you have any questions about the program, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

Congregational Assessment and Mutual Ministry Reviews

If your church is looking for help with finding your mission, doing mutual ministry reviews, growth, or developing ministries we have resources that may help. Both Susie and I are trained interpreters for the Congregational Assessment Tool, a survey that helps you find out how to raise both satisfaction and energy in your church along with other helpful information. I look forward to continuing walking alongside you in ministry.

Faithfully Submitted,

The Rev. Canon Ellen Ekevag

The Diocesan Council

Episcopal Diocese of Michigan, Inc.

Summary of Actions from the Meetings of Diocesan Council

June 2021 May 2022

Council Members 2021 2022

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Bonnie A. Perry. President Bishop's Staff:

Canon Jo Ann Hardy, Canon to the Ordinary and Chief Operating Officer

Canon Mark Miliotto, Canon for Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Deanery Representatives:

Capitol: The Rev. Karen Lewis & Toni Dennis, Detroit: The Rev. Emily Williams Guffey & Lynn Wiggins, Downriver: The Rev. Alice Sawyer & Martha Hanoian, Huron Valley: The Rev. William Stech, Lyster: The Rev. Judith Schellhammer & Katie Walworth, McGehee: The Rev. Steve Steinberger Domienik & Shirley Lappi, Trinity: The Rev. RaeLee Baxter & Bruce Hinkle,

Bishop’s Appointments: The Rev. Dan Buchin, The Rev. Dcn. Cleda Smartt, The Rev. Halim Shukair, Luke Thompson, Roger Weekes

June 16, 2021

Loans and Grants

A motion was made and properly seconded that the Executive Committee of Diocesan Council approve the 2021 Social Services Ministries grants (applications due July 31, 2021), given that the full body of Council does not meet again until September 18, 2021. Motion passed.

September 18, 2021

2022 Draft Budget

Canon Miliotto presented the 2022 Draft Budget for approval on behalf of the Mission Budget Committee. Motion passed.

Property/Administrative Issues

(1) A motion was made and properly seconded to give an additional loan of $100,000 to St. John’s, Royal Oak, for building renovation. Motion passed.

(2) A motion was made and properly seconded to approve The Church at Crossroads’ fundraising appeal letter. Motion passed.

Ratification of Executive Committee Action

A motion was made and properly seconded to approve the Executive Committee’s action to approve the Social Services grants as put forth by the Loans and Grants Committee. Motion passed.

November 13, 2021

Ratification of Executive Committee Action

A motion was made and properly seconded to approve the Executive Committee’s emergency $10,000 grant and $22,000 loan to St. John’s, Westland, for emergency roof repair. Motion passed.

Property/Administrative Issues

(1) A motion was made and properly seconded at the request of the buyer of the property of St. Matthew’s, Flat Rock, to move 5 months of payments to the end of the land contract period. Motion passed.

(2) A motion was made and properly seconded to have the property of St. Cyprian’s, Detroit, evaluated, prepared, and marketed for sale. Motion passed.

(3) A motion was made and properly seconded to approve the request of St. Elizabeth’s, Redford, to dissolve the church. Motion passed.

Loans and Grants

(1) A motion was made and properly seconded to award a grant in the amount of $10,000 to the Cathedral Chapter/Cathedral Church of St. Paul for restoration and repairs from summer floods. Motion passed.

(2) A motion was made and properly seconded to award a grant in the amount of $5,000 to Incarnation, Ann Arbor, for the installation of a heat pump system. Motion passed.

(3) A motion was made and properly seconded to award a grant in the amount of $10,000 to St. Paul’s, Jackson, for boiler replacement. Motion passed. Clergy Housing Resolutions (Dunbar, Ekevag, Perry, Shukair, Wakeen)

Motions were made and properly seconded to accept the resolutions as presented. Motions passed.

January 29, 2022

Property/Administrative Issues

(1) A motion was made and properly seconded to approve the 2022 Clergy Compensation Guidelines. Motion passed.

(2) A motion was made and properly seconded at the request of the buyer of the former property of Emmanuel Head Start, to renegotiate their land contract and move a delinquent payment of $5600 to the end of the land contract period. Motion passed.

(3) A motion was made and properly seconded at the request of the buyer of the former property of Trinity, Detroit, to extend their land contract by one year. Motion passed.

(4) A motion was made and properly seconded at the request of the buyer of the former property of St. Timothy’s, Detroit, to extend their land contract by three years Motion passed.

Loans and Grants

A motion was made and properly seconded to award a grant in the amount of $10,000 to Trinity, Belleville, towards a $57,000 roof replacement project, with funds being withheld until an audit is completed. Motion passed.

Appointees

A motion was made and properly seconded to accept the Bishop’s Diocesan Council membership appointee. Motion passed.

The following appointees were put forth; each was properly seconded and approved.

Registrar: Canon Jo Ann Hardy, Canon to the Ordinary Dean: The Rev. Alice Sawyer Warden: Lynn Wiggins Secretary: Dr. Edie Wakevainen

Assistant Secretary: The Rev. Judith Schellhammer Treasurer: Canon Mark Miliotto

Diocesan Chancellor: Mr. Steven Ott, Esq. Vice Chancellor: Ms. Megan Norris, Esq.

Diocesan Signatories: The following were put forth as 2022 signatories and approved: The Rt. Rev. Bonnie Perry (declined signing checks), Canon Mark Miliotto, Canon Jo Ann Hardy, The Rev. Alice Sawyer, Lynn Wiggins

Executive Committee 2020 2021

President/Chair: The Rt. Rev. Bonnie Perry Canon to the Ordinary/Diocesan Administrator: Canon Jo Ann Hardy Secretary (non voting): Dr. Edie Wakevainen

Assisting Secretary (non voting): The Rev. Judith Schellhammer Treasurer (non voting): Canon Mark Miliotto

Dean: The Rev. Alice Sawyer

Warden: Lynn Wiggins Class of 2022: The Rev. Steve Steinberger Domienik Class of 2023: Shirley Lappi Class of 2024: Katie Walworth

Financial Action Items

(1) Regarding the 2021 Budget Surplus: A motion was made and properly seconded that, from the $288,000 surplus, each congregation will receive a refund of 1/12 of their 2021 apportionment payment (for a total of $133,000), $50,000 will be designated for the College for Congregational Development program, and $50,000 will be designated as seed money for the diocese’s “50 Days for Ukraine” initiative. Motion passed.

(2) 2022 Budget Revision: After a review of changes in expenses and income since the first of the year, a motion was made and properly seconded that $12,500 be added to both Income and Expenses in the 2022 Budget. Motion passed.

Property/Administrative Issue

Via an email vote, the request of Christ the King, Taylor, to close the church, was approved.

NOTE: Diocesan Council met June 15, 2022, and October 1, 2022 in both regular and budget specific sessions. At the time of submission of this report the minutes had not yet been approved. Summary will be included in the next journal

Respectfully submitted on behalf of Diocesan Council, E�ie W�k�v�in�n

Edie Wakevainen, PhD, Secretary

Emrich Retreat Center

Coming out of the pandemic, Emrich was re opened to the public in July 2021. Our caretakers, Shari and Lance Spencer worked very hard to prepare the facility for groups to return. There were several events that took place in the fall, but then some severe weather and a burst water pipe put several of our buildings out of commission for the majority of 2022. This limited the number of people that could comfortably use the facility and as a result two of our larger groups that book every year had to find other facilities. We have had smaller groups continue to use the property with the limited number of open buildings. The rehabilitation work continues, and we currently have one of the buildings re opened but a few are still out of commission.

Given this reality, Emrich has not been fully utilized and with the ongoing Covid concern, as well as the current state of the buildings, the change in youth camping activities and the types of groups that rent our space, we believe that Emrich has come to a crossroads. The original ministry and mission of Emrich has changed and it is now time for us as a diocesan community to re imagine and re purpose our beautiful facility!

Our bishop agrees with the Emrich Advisory Board’s conclusion, and she is now ready to invite our diocesan household into prayerful discernment regarding the next steps for Emrich. You will see at diocesan convention a video introducing this new venture and we are inviting anyone who is interested to join us at Emrich for an overnight with our bishop on Friday, November 4th, 2022. We will have dinner, a hike and bonfire and then on Saturday after breakfast there will be a brainstorming session with everyone present about how we might envision new ministry or ministries in that space. We will conclude at by early afternoon, and you are welcome to spend the remainder of the day on the grounds.

We have added a few new faces to our Advisory Board, and we would welcome you to join us! Please pray for this new visioning process for Emrich! Thanks to the following people for their commitment and sharing their time and talent with us!

Emrich Staff: Shari and Lance Spencer

Emrich Advisory Board: The Rev. Steve Steinberger Domienik, Chair, Cedric Flounory, Jerry L. Hardy, Bruce Hinkle (Diocesan Council Representative), The Rev. Jeanne Hanskneckt, The Rev. Chris Yaw, The Rev. Kit Carlson

EDOMI Support: Canon Jo Ann Hardy and Kara Chapman

Report of the

As we struggle to recover from Covid 19, deacons in the Diocese of Michigan have continued “to make Christ and his redemptive love known, by [their] word and example, to those among whom [they] live, and work, and worship” (BCP, p. 543). They have met the challenges of virtual worship, pastoral care, and many other ministries, as they are called to serve the church.

I attended the Archdeacons’ virtual conference in the Spring of the year.

Deacons of the diocese met on Zoom about every other month for prayer, discussion, and mutual support.

With Bishop Bonnie I met with individual deacons, as needed, for discernment and support in their vocations.

Other activities this year included the following:

• Commission on Ministry: Revision of the process to ordination; development of formation plans for priest and deacon postulants

• Accompanying the Bishop on selected visitations, confirmations and ordinations:

Visitations: 6

Ordinations: 7

Confirmations (other than visitations): 2

Celebrations of New Ministry: 2

• Completing the work of the General Convention Task Force to Develop Model Sexual Harassment Policies & Safe Church Training: Safe Church, Safe Communities Training Development. I now serve on the Council of Advice for Safe Church, Safe Communities, as the program grows in the church. I also serve as a consultant to the Office of Faith Formation for training in Safe Church, Safe Communities.

Remember: There are deacons in every congregation; they just don’t know it yet.

Respectfully submitted,

Archdeacon

The Ven. Timothy Spannaus, PhD

OFFICIAL ACTS OF THE BISHOP

October 1, 2021 September 30, 2022

ORDAINED TO THE PRIESTHOOD

Amy Eld Maffeo 12 16 2022

Terri Montgomery 01 22 2022 George L. Dischinger, III 01 25 2022

Thomas Ferguson 06 18 2022

Katherine Beck Ei 06 29 2022

Donna Lockhart 06 30 2022 Eric Braun 07 01 2022

ORDAINED TO THE DIACONATE

None

ORDAINED TO THE TRANSITIONAL DIOCAONATE

Thomas Ferguson 12 18 2021

Katherine Beck Ei 12 18 2021

Donna Lockhart 12 18 2021 Eric Braun 12 18 2021

Gerardo Aponte-Safe 09-10-2022

CANDIDATES FOR HOLY ORDERS

Zachary Baker 5 22 2022

Michael Stutso 5 22 2022

Gerardo Aponte Safe 5 22 2022

POSTULANTS FOR HOLY ORDERS

Felicity Thompson 5 23 2022 Erica Benson 5 23 2022 Daniel Martin 5 23 2022

CLERGY RECEIVED (by transfer)

Marianna Gronek Arizona 10 15 2021

Jeanne Hansknecht Central NY 10 15 2021

Anne Clarke Northern CA 12 01 2021

Andrea Martin Washington 01 01 2022

Susan Carter Europe 05 11 2022

Christopher Harris San Diego 06 28 2022

Bradley HeuettWestern Missouri 06 29 2022

Krista Heuett Western Missouri 06 29 2022

Maureen Martin Milwaukee 09 23 2022

CLERGY TRANSFERRED Reid Hamilton Atlanta 09 01 2021

Keith Mackenzie Arizona 10 29 2021 Nikki Seger SW Florida 12 01 2021

Ellis Clifton Virgin Islands 08 15 2022

Jennifer Walters N. Hampshire 09 30 2022

CLERGY DECEASED

Marlene Clark Ian Brown Peter John Klein

Clergy Licensed to Function Carol A. Spangenberg Daniel H. Grossoehme Kenneth Near Mark Jenkins Sally Boelter Sharon Voelker Walter LaBatt Wayne Knotts John Connors

ELCA Pastors

Benjamin Adams Alex Aivars

Dean Aponte Safe James Bischoff

Manisha Dostert Peggy Rose

Sunday, January 23, 2022 Canterbury UofM Thursday, January 27, 2022 Canterbury MSU Sunday, February 6, 2022 St. John's, Royal Oak Sunday, February 13, 2022 St. John's, Plymouth Sunday, February 20, 2022 St. Luke's, Allen Park Sunday, February 27, 2022 Trinity, Farmington Hills Sunday, March 6, 2022 St. Phillip's, Rochester Sunday, March 27, 2022 Spirit of Grace, West Bloomfield Sunday, April 10, 2022 Canterbury on the Lake Sunday, May 1, 2022 St. John's, Howell Sunday, May 1, 2022 Canterbury on the Lake-2pm Sunday, May 1, 2022 Christ the King, Taylor 5pm Sunday, May 8, 2022 St. Paul's, Jackson Sunday, May 15, 2022 St. John's, Clinton Sunday, May 22, 2022 St. James, Grosse Ile Sunday, June 5, 2022 Christ Church, Grosse Pointe Sunday, June 12, 2022 St. Luke's, Shelby Twp Sunday, June 12, 2022 St. Elizabeth, Redford Closing Service 3pm Sunday, June 19, 2022 Christ Church Detroit Sunday, June 26, 2022 Resurrection Church Clarkston Sunday, September 11, 2022 Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Detroit Sunday, September 25, 2022 St. Michael's, Lansing Sunday, October 2, 2022 St. Peter’s, Hillsdale Sunday, October 9, 2022 St. Stephen's, Hamburg Sunday, October 30, 2022 St. Andrew's, Livonia Sunday, October 30, 2022 Canterbury on the Lake (2:00p.m.) Sunday, November 6, 2022 All Saints, E. Lansing Sunday, November 13, 2022 Trinity, Monroe Sunday, November 20, 2022 Church of the Messiah, Detroit Sunday, December 4, 2022 St. John's, Westland Sunday, December 11, 2022 St. David's, Southfield Sunday, December 11, 2022 Canterbury on the Lake (2:00p.m.)

THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF MICHIGAN.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

OF FINANCIAL POSITION

OF ACTIVITIES

OF FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES

OF CASH FLOWS

TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Ministry with Young People

I began as Missioner for Ministry with Young People on July 5, 2022. I am grateful for the opportunities to meet and partner with churches in the diocese and look forward to growing these partnerships. As you plan throughout the year, please send any events and or annual programming calendars to Carmen Piggins at cpiggins@edomi.org.

Looking forward, I am excited to provide those working with our young people with collaboration opportunities, curriculum training, and support with programming. After two years of uncertainty, we have the opportunity to rethink the way we minister to our young people. I look forward to continuing these conversations with our young people, parents, leaders, and volunteers. Please see the tentative list of diocesan wide offerings already scheduled. Additional offerings will be communicated throughout the year.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities:

Date(s) Day(s) Time Event

10/26/22 Wednesday 7 PM Ministry with Young People Resource Share (Advent/Christmas)

11/4/22 11/5/22 Friday, Saturday Friday at 5 Saturday afternoon

Bishop’s Fall Gathering at Emrich Retreat Center (activities for all ages)

1/25/23 Wednesday 12 PM Ministry with Young People Resource Share (Lent/Easter)

Location

Zoom

Emrich

St. John’ s Episcopal Church, Plymouth

2/3/23

2/5/23 Friday Sunday Friday at 5:30 Sunday afternoon

Diocesan wide Godly Play training TBD

2/9/23 Thursday 7 PM Marketing Your Church and Ministry Workshop Zoom

3/18/23 3/19/23 Saturday Sunday Saturday at 4 PM Sunday (1 PM)

Night Watch (Lock in)

The Cathedral Church of St. Paul

3/22/23 Wednesday 7 PM Ministry with Young People Resource Share (VBS) Zoom

4/22/23 4/23/23 Saturday Sunday Saturday Sunday Sarah Griffith Lund Retreat: Author, Pastor & Advocate, the Rev. Sarah Griffith Lund is our guest speaker for a retreat focusing on Mental health issues for youth and teens.

May (TBD)

St. James Episcopal Church, Birmingham

TBD TBD Lansing Lugnuts Family Night Lansing Lugnuts Stadium

6/25/23 Sunday 2 4 PM Bishop’s Bash: Games, Food and Fun for families with Bishop Perry

7/4/23

7/8/23

The Cathedral Church of St. Paul

Tuesday Saturday All day Episcopal Youth Event (high school) University of Maryland

7/21/23 Sunday Saturday All day Camp Chickagami (rising 4th rising 7th grade) Camp Chickagami

7/16/23

7/30/23 8/3/23 Sunday Thursday TBD Mission Possible (Opportunity for middle and high school students)

TBD

TBD October TBD National Acolyte Festival

Respectfully submitted by: Carmen Piggins

Missioner for Ministry with Young People

CLERGY OF THE D IOCESE OF MICHIGAN In Order of Canonical Residence as of September 30, 2022

Rt. Rev. Dr. Bonnie A. Perry

Bishop Diocesan Feb. 8,2020

Rt. Rev. Wendell N. Gibbs, Jr. Retired Bishop Feb. 5,2000 Rt. Rev. R. Stewart Wood, Jr. Retired Bishop Oct. 15,1998

*William I. Johnson

*John K. Hooper

Ord EDOMI May 26, 1956

Ord EDOMI June 25, 1958

*John R. Smucker III N. Dakota May 26, 1960

Michael L. Gowing Ord EDOMI June 29, 1963

Robert F. Wollard Ord EDOMI June 29, 1963

Gene E. Curry NW Texas June 25, 1964

*David H. Evans Ord EDOMI June 29, 1964

Peter K. Groschner Ord EDOMI June 29, 1964

*A. Paul Nancarrow N. Mich. August 1, 1964

*Ralph G. McGimpsey Ohio July 13, 1965

*Robert M. Wills Ord EDOMI June 29, 1966

*William N. Rexford Ord EDOMI June 28, 1969

P. Ronald Spann Ord EDOMI June 29, 1970

Bruce A. Campbell Ord EDOMI June 29, 1971

*David M. Lillvis Ord EDOMI June 30, 1973

Bryant Dennison Ohio December 18, 1973

*William P. Erwin W. Mich. September 1, 1975

*Walter Y. MacDonald N. Hamp. January 29, 1976

*Robert C. Weikart Ord EDOMI May 11, 1976 Michael J. Bedford Ord EDOMI June 26, 1976

*Roger L. Tiffany Ohio January 12, 1977

*John P. Meyer Ohio March 28, 1978

*Edward N. Taylor Iowa September 1, 1979

*David J. Horning Ord EDOMI October 18, 1979 Patricia Eichenlaub Ed.D. S.W. VA November 5, 1979

James Maxwell Bethlehem December 1, 1979

*Robert E. Neily Los Angeles April 8, 1980

Sandra S. Benes Ord EDOMI July 2, 1980 J. ChristopherBerg N. Mich. October 21, 1980

*Dorothy S. Calmes Ord EDOMI November 29, 1980

Richard Kim Hawaii October 20, 1981 Charles H. Swinehart N. Mich. February 24, 1982 Jeffernell Howcott Ord EDOMI June 20, 1982

*Edward A. Cobden Jr. Conn. August 6, 1982

*Carlos J. Caguiat New York March 4, 1983

Richard E. Iwick Indianapo May 31, 1983

Robert C. Brook HOB June 16, 1983

Jasper G. Pennington Maine July 1, 1983

*William D. Ericson Ohio August 1, 1983

John E. Laycock

Ord EDOMI June 30, 1984

Svea Gray Ord EDOMI June 13, 1985

*G. Keith Boyles

Ord EDOMI June 29, 1985 Gabriel Weinreich Ord EDOMI June 29, 1985

*Samuel T. Knight Barbados November 6, 1985 Margaret A. Haas

Ord EDOMI June 28, 1986

Zalmon O. Sherwood Ohio July 22, 1986

Joseph H. Summers

Robert Bird

Ord EDOMI June 27, 1987

Ord EDOMI September 10, 1987

Thalia Johnson Ord EDOMI September 10, 1987

*Ruth L. Clausen

Ord EDOMI June 25, 1988

*Sally Fox Ord EDOMI June 25, 1988

Jannel T. Glennie Ord EDOMI June 25, 1988 E. Charles Witke Ord EDOMI June 25, 1988

*R. Stewart Wood, Jr. Consecrated October 15, 1988

*William Hale Ord EDOMI June 24, 1989 Christine Humphrey Ord EDOMI December 2, 1989

Julia A. Dempz

*Bercry E. Leas

Ord EDOMI June 23, 1990

Ord EDOMI June 23, 1990

Diane E. Morgan Ord EDOMI June 23, 1990

David J. Carlson Ord EDOMI February 2, 1991

Donald M. Lutas

South VA March 5, 1991

*Robert Gallagher Maine March 19, 1991

Jonathan C. Sams N.Indiana October 3, 1991

*Anne E. Cox

Newark October 29, 1991

William F. Renfrew Ord EDOMI June 13, 1992

*Edna S. Shelton

JoAnn Kennedy Slater

Ord EDOMI June 12, 1993

Ord EDOMI June 19, 1993

D. Carl Buxo W. Indies September 7, 1993

Linda MacDonald Ord EDOMI June 11, 1994

*Margaret Izutsu

Michael L. Carr

Ord EDOMI June 18, 1994

Ord EDOMI October 9, 1994

*Donald Duford Ord EDOMI June 8, 1995

Stephen Bancroft Texas June 30, 1995

*Edward L. Mullins San Diego March 18, 1996

*H. Wayne Knotts

FondduLac June 19, 1996

*Geoffrey T. Boyer West VA August 20, 1996

Robert E. Smith

Ord EDOMI September 28, 1996

*Walter W. Dawson Minnesota October 6, 1997

Donald Dersnah Ord EDOMI October 11, 1997

Linda Northcraft Maryland November 26, 1997

*Arthur R. Mack W.NewYork February 9, 1998

Clare L. Hickman Ord EDOMI June 27, 1998

*Richard O. Singleton Rhode Isl July 13, 1998

Peter D. Mackey Ohio September 15, 1998

*John R. Melcher W.New Yrk September 25, 1998

*Nancy L. Baum Ord EDOMI January 6, 1999

*William McDonald W. Mich. January 7, 1999

*Gordon Weller Ord EDOMI October 20, 1999

*Wendell N. Gibbs, Jr. Consecrated February 5, 2000

*Leslie Muray E. Mich. March 2, 2000

Aaron Zull Cen. Penn August 03, 2000

Lew Towler Rhode Is. September 11, 2000

S. Scott Hunter W. Virg. November 04, 2000

*Lawrence Walters West MO February 2, 2001

Steven J. Kelly Pittsburgh February 26, 2001

*Susan Bock Miss. May 15, 2001

Elizabeth Seelye Forest Ord EDOMI June 16, 2001

*Joyce Treppa Ord EDOMI June 16, 2001

Sharon Watton Ord EDOMI June 16, 2001

*Daniel Erdman West. MO September 5, 2001

Deborah Semon Scott West MI September 23, 2001

*Fred Elwood Olympia October 23, 2001

Carol Mader Indianapolis October 31, 2001

Barry Trent Randolph Ord EDOMI December 16, 2001

*Francoise Gelineau Kansas December 12, 2001

Philip Dinwiddie Ord EDOMI December 22, 2001

Marlyn Stroud

Betty Brogan

Stacy Salles

David Dieter

Helen Brewster

Ord EDOMI June 15, 2002

Ord EDOMI June 15, 2002

Ord EDOMI December 19, 2002

Ord EDOMI December 19, 2002

Ord EDOMI June 28, 2003

Alice Morse Milwaukee July 22, 2003

George Davinich

Ann Webber

Ord EDOMI December 20, 2003

Ord EDOMI December 20, 2003

*Anne Bump Ohio March 02, 2004

Richard Hamlin Central NY October 29, 2004

Robert Kerr

Susan Shaefer

Joyce Matthews

Judith Harmon

Ord EDOMI November 11, 2004

Ord EDOMI December 18, 2004

Ord EDOMI December 18, 2004

Ord EDOMI July 02, 2005

*Dorian McGlannan Olympia September 29, 2005

Tim Spannaus Rcv’d ELCA D April 28, 2006

*Cynthia Garman Bethlehem May 12, 2006

Ronald C. Byrd

Ian S. Reed Twiss

Ord EDOMI TD December 16, 2006

Ord EDOMI TD December 16, 2006

Katherine A. Carlson Washington February 01, 2007

Shirley McWhorter Southern OH August 02, 2007

*Sarah Hurlbert New York October 01, 2007

Christopher Yaw Western MI October 16, 2007

Alan Gibson

Vermont February 12, 2008

*Frederick Engdahl, Jr. New York October 08, 2008

Richard Boulter

William Stech

Ord EDOMI D June 13, 2009

Ord EDOMI TD January 30, 2010

Linda Ferguson Ord EDOMI TD February 13, 2010 Paul LeClair Ord EDOMI TD February 13, 2010

Mark Hastings Ord EDOMI TD October 27, 2010

Diana Walworth Ord EDOMI TD October 27, 2010

RaeLee Baxter

William Roberts

Ord EDOMI TD November 03, 2010

Ord EDOMI TD November 03, 2010

Janis Stevenson Ord EDOMI TD November 03, 2010 Ross Vandercook Ord EDOMI TD November 11, 2010

Susan Vandercook Ord EDOMI TD November 11, 2010

Michael Fitzpatrick Ord EDOMI TD December 16, 2010

Julia Huttar Bailey Ord EDOMI TD December 11, 2010 Terri Pilarski

Winnie Cook

Arizona May 10, 2011

Ord EDOMI D May 24, 2011

Cynthia Corner Ord EDOMI D May 24, 2011

Robert Alltop Ord EDOMI TD June 09, 2012

Kenneth Erickson Chicago June 12, 2012

Susan Anslow Williams New York October 03, 2012

Jeanne Stout Eau Claire December 01, 2012

Karen Lewis Rochester April 30, 2013 Andrew Van Culin Colorado April 30, 2013

Thomas Krell

Rc’d. RC May 22, 2013

Cathleen Behnke Ord EDOMI D June 22, 2013

Marcia Ledford Ord EDOMI TD June 22, 2013

Paula Miller

Maryjane Peck

Jenny Ritter

Ord EDOMI TD June 22, 2013

Ord EDOMI TD June 22, 2013

Ord EDOMI D June 22, 2013

Eric M. Williams Western NY January 09, 2014

Marjorie Beth Taylor Colorado April 8, 2014 Glen Morrison Ord EDOMI D June 14, 2014

Linda Shafer Ord EDOMI D June 14, 2014

William Danaher Alabama September 10, 2014 Brian Shaffer S. Ohio December 1, 2014

Lynda Carter Ord EDOMI TD December 13, 2014

Andrea Morrow Ord EDOMI TD June 13, 2015

*Daniel Buchin Idaho June 16, 2015

Judith Schellhammer Ord EDOMI TD December 06, 2015

Daniel Lawson Ord EDOMI TD December 12, 2015 James Pashturro Ord EDOMI TD December 12, 2015

*Scott Steiner Ord EDOMI TD December 12, 2015

Joshua Hoover Eastern MI January 06, 2016 Steve Steinberger Domienik Connecticut October 18, 2016

*Virginia Hesse Arizona November 15, 2016

Carolynn Johnson Ord EDOMI D December 21, 2016

Teresa Wakeen Ord EDOMI TD December 21, 2016 Elizabeth Bingham

Ord EDOMI TD June 10, 2017 Veronica Dunbar Ord EDOMI TD June 10, 2017 Gail Shafer Ord EDOMI TD June 10, 2017

*Christopher Cunningham SW Virginia September 11, 2017 Christopher Johnson Colorado September 28, 2017 Kristin Bowen Ord EDOMI TD December 09, 2017 Matthew Lukens Hawaii September 12, 2018

Halim Shukair Jerusalem October 11, 2018 Emily Williams Guffey Virginia October 11, 2018 Anthony Estes Ord EDOMI TD December 08, 2018 Mitchell Yudasz Ord EDOMI TD December 08, 2018

Donna McNeil San Joaquin February 07, 2019 Andrew Guffey Virginia August 27, 2019 Marion VanLoo Ord EDOMI TD October 20, 2019

John Meulendyk ELCA November 21, 2019

Annette Mileski Ord EDOMI D December 14, 2019

William Dischinger Ord EDOMI TD December 14, 2019 Christine Gannon Ord EDOMI TD December 14, 2019

Henrietta Grossoehme Indianapolis February 18, 2020 Marcia Tyriver N. Calif. February 18, 2020 Alice Sherman Sawyer C. Gulf Cst April 01, 2020 Ellen Poole Ekevag Chicago September 09, 2020 Michael Bradley N. Hampshire October 07, 2020 Melissa Congleton Ord EDOMI TD December 12, 2020 Ronda Johnson ORD EDOMI TD December 12, 2020 Timothy Flynn

ORD EDOMI TD December 12, 2020

Frederick Nestrock Chicago December 16, 2020 Cleda Smartt ORD EDOMI D December 19, 2020 Patricia Fraley ORD EDOMI D December 19, 2020

Amy Maffeo

Terri Montgomery

Marianna Gronek

Jeanne Hansknecht

Anne Clarke

Katherine Beck Ei

Eric Braun

Thomas Ferguson

Donna Lockhart

Andrea Martin

ORD EDOMI TD June 12, 2021

ORD EDOMI TD June 12, 2021

Arizona October 15, 2021

Central NY October 15, 2021

Northern CA December 01, 2021

ORD EDOMI TD December 18, 2021

ORD EDOMI TD December 18, 2021

ORD EDOMI TD December 18, 2021

ORD EDOMI TD December 18, 2021

Washington January 01, 2022

Linda Susan Carter Con. Europe May 11, 2022

Christopher Harris

Bradley Heuett

San Diego June 28, 2022

Western MO June 29, 2022

Krista Heuett Western MO June 29, 2022

Gerardo Aponte Safe

ORD EDOMI TD September 12, 2022

Maureen Martin Milwaukee September 23, 2022

*Living outside of the Diocese of Michigan.

Clergy Licensed to Function in the Diocese of Michigan

Sally Boelter

John Conners

Daniel H. Grossoehme

Mark Jenkins

Wayne Knotts

Walter LaBatt

Kenneth Near Carol A. Spangenberg

Sharon Voelker

ELCA Pastors

Benjamin Adams

Alex Aivars

Dean Aponte Safe

James Bischoff

Manisha Dostert

Peggy Rose

Clergy

by Canon Jo Ann Hardy

PARISHES IN UNION WITH CONVENTION OF THE DIOCESE OF MICHIGAN

as of September 30, 2022

PLACE COUNTY NAME Organized Admitted

Adrian Lenawee Christ Church 1838 unknown

Allen Park Wayne St. Luke's Church 1948 1958

Ann Arbor Washtenaw Church of the Incarnation 1984 2021

Ann Arbor Washtenaw St. Andrew's Church 1827 ????

Ann Arbor Washtenaw St. Clare of Assisi Church 1953 1966

Belleville Wayne Trinity Church 1943 1960

Birmingham Oakland St. James' Church 1896 1911

Bloomfield Hills Oakland Christ Church Cranbrook 1926 1928

Brighton Livingston St. Paul's Church 1904 1964

Clarkston Oakland Church of the Resurrection 1960 1976

Dearborn Wayne Christ Church 1866 1867

Detroit Wayne All Saints' Church 1927 1938

Detroit Wayne Cathedral Church of St. Paul 1824 unknown

Detroit Wayne Christ Church 1845 1846

Detroit Wayne Grace Church 1917 1918

Detroit Wayne Church of the Messiah 1874 1885

Detroit Wayne St. John's Church 1859 1859

Detroit Wayne St. Matthew's & St. Joseph's 1846 1907

Detroit Wayne St. Peter's Church 1858 1945

East Lansing Ingham All Saints' Church 1952 1954

Farm. Hills Oakland Trinity Church 1952 1960

Ferndale Oakland St. Luke's Church 1921 1949

Grosse Ile Wayne St. James' Church 1866 1888

Grosse Pointe Wayne Christ Church 1927 1947

Grosse Pte Wds Wayne St. Michael's Church 1947 1952

Hamburg Livingston St. Stephen's Church 1844 unknown

Hillsdale Hillsdale St. Peter's Church 1844 unknown

Howell Livingston St. John's Church 1878 1960

Inkster Wayne St. Clement's Church 1940 1967

Jackson Jackson St. Paul's Church 1839 1839

Lake Orion Oakland St. Mary's in the Hills 1954 1956

Lansing Ingham St. Michael's Church 1958 1974

Lansing Ingham St. Paul's Church 1856 1856

Lincoln Park Wayne St. Michael's Church 1927 1957

Livonia Wayne St. Andrew's Church 1952 1956

Madison Hgts Oakland St. Patrick's Church 1956 1972

Michigan Center Jackson St. Aidan's Church 1958 1964

Milford Oakland St. George's Church 1953 1963

Monroe Monroe Trinity Church 1831 unknown Mount Clemens Macomb Grace Church 1849 1850

Novi Oakland Church of the Holy Cross 1964 2008

Onsted Lenawee St. Michael's & All Angels 1843 1843 Pleasant Lake Jackson Christ Church 1879 1888

Plymouth Wayne St. John's Church 1912 1944

Pontiac Oakland All Saints' Church 1837 1837

Rochester Oakland St. Philip's Church 1929 1955

Romeo Macomb St. Paul's Church 1912 1988

Royal Oak Oakland St. John's Church 1917 1920

Saline Washtenaw Holy Faith 1966 2014

Shelby Twp. Macomb St. Luke the Physician 1952 1990

St. Clair Shores Macomb Trinity Church 1917 1946

Southfield Oakland Church of the Redeemer 1955 1957

Southfield Oakland St. David's Church 1952 1960

Southgate Wayne Grace Church 1957 1988

Troy Oakland St. Stephen's Church 1957 1963

Waterford Oakland St. Andrew's Church 1951 1960

West Bloomfield Oakland Spirit of Grace 1956 1961

Westland Wayne St. John's Church 1901 1944

Williamston Ingham St. Katherine's Church 1926 1962

Wyandotte Wayne St. Stephen's Church 1863 1863 Ypsilanti Washtenaw St. Luke's Church 1830 1838

MISSIONS OF THE DIOCESE OF MICHIGAN PLACE COUNTY NAME

Organized

Ann Arbor Washtenaw St. Aidan's Church 1967

Bloomfield Township Oakland Church of the Nativity 1956

Brooklyn Jackson All Saints' Church 1858 Chelsea Washtenaw St. Barnabas' 1954 Clinton Lenawee St. John's 1836 DeWitt Clinton Christ United 1958 Dexter Washtenaw St. James' Church 1837 Ecorse Wayne Church of the Resurrection 1958 Trenton Wayne St. Thomas 1843

CHAPLAINCIES OF THE DIOCESE

Canterbury Michigan State University Canterbury University of Michigan All Together Campus Ministry (WayneStateUniversity,HenryFordCollege,UniversityofMichigan, Dearborn)

CHAPELS

PLACE COUNTY NAME Organized Emrich Retreat Center Livingston Holy Spirit 1952 St. Anne's Mead Oakland St. Anne's 1965 Canterbury On the Lake Oakland St. Luke’s 1887

WORSHIPPING COMMUNITIES OF THE DIOCESE

The Church at Crossroads, Detroit Mother of the Savior, Dearborn (Arab Christian Ministry)

CHURCH CLOSURES

Christ the King, Taylor May 1, 2022

St. Elizabeth’s, Redford June 12, 2022

St. Augustine of Canterbury, Mason September 25, 2022

Respectfully submitted, Canon Jo Ann Hardy

Registrar of the Diocese

Mission for Spirituality and Race

On January 12, 2022, we officially launched the Mission for Spirituality and Race in the Diocese of Michigan. This mission builds on work that we have done as a people in this Diocese for a number of years. As we continue this work, our Diocese will approach anti racism as spiritual formation, not social justice. This Mission is an answer to our call to live into our Baptismal Covenant and become a beloved community through the dismantling of systems and behaviors that have raised artificial barriers between us as brothers, sisters, and siblings.

The mission continues to engage in formation through:

· Advent and Lenten Book studies

o Upcoming studies will cover the books Begin Again by Eddie S. Glaude, Jr., and Unsettling Truths by Mark Charles

Participation in the Anglicanism and Social Justice program through Episcopal Divinity School at Union Theological Seminary

o This two-year pilot course began in 2021 and theologically explores issues of Racism, Intersectionality, LGBTQ inclusion, Poverty and Environmental Stewardship

Diocesan wide Sacred Ground Dialogue Circles

o Sacred Ground curriculum was recently updated to include a new module on Next Steps to guide people toward positive action within their contexts

· Diocesan wide retreats

The Mission also works with individual congregations in their efforts to build beloved community in their contexts. Please contact Sr. Vee at sistervee@edomi.org if your congregation or parish group would like to hold tailored programs specific to you.

Going Forward:

Clergy, those in discernment for ordination, and lay persons who hold or are seeking elected office are canonically required to take anti-racism training. The new Anti Racism curriculum for our Diocese uses a multi media resources paired with facilitated conversation over a span of three short sessions. For more information and to register, visit the Spirituality and Race web page at www.edomi.org.

Becoming beloved community means understanding the whole of our story as a Diocese. In the 2022 2023 program year, we will begin to explore the history of the indigenous peoples whose land makes up our Diocese, and begin to study how theology has been used to harm our Native brothers, sisters, and siblings.

The Diocesan Task Force for Racial Repair reported its findings to Diocesan Convention in 2021; this work will continue with the theological work of racial

repair, listening to our church communities, and relating an honest history of who we are and how we came to be where we are.

Plans for pilgrimage have been on hold because of Covid and Covid variants; as vaccinations continue to mitigate the impacts of the virus, we will move forward with plans for prayerful pilgrimage to local sites as well as sites such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace and Justice.

Respectfully submitted by the Rev. Sr. Veronica Dunbar, Missioner for Spirituality and Race

The Standing Committee

Membership Term Expires

Ms. Joyce Holden, President 2022

The Rev. Carol Mader 2022

The Rev. Anthony Estes 2023 Ms. Helen Santiz 2023

The Rev. Robert Alltop 2024

Dr. George Swann, III 2024

Ms. Josephine Powell 2025

The Rev. Ron Byrd 2025

This report covers the period from August 2021 through September 2022. The Standing Committee met monthly during that time. Additional meetings were held as needed to deal with issues related to work of the Standing Committee.

The Standing Committee’s principal charge is to serve as a Council of Advice to the Bishop. This is a role specified in the canons of The Episcopal Church and includes issues of concern to the Bishop, the Diocese of Michigan, its congregations and people, and other matters.

Ordination Process

The Standing Committee participated in the recent revision of the ordination process in the diocese. Members of the Standing Committee served on an ad hoc committee that created a process for conducting candidacy interviews in conjunction with members of the Commission on Ministry. By canon, the Standing Committee must give consent for candidacy and ordination to be approved.

The Standing Committee took the following actions regarding candidacy and ordination after prayerful discussion and consideration.

The Standing Committee approved the following individuals for Candidacy:

Zachary Baker, Candidate for the Sacred Order of Priests Eric Braun, Candidate for the Sacred Order of Priests Tom Ferguson, Candidate for the Sacred Order of Priests

The Standing Committee approved the following individuals for Ordination: Gerardo Aponte Safe, the Sacred Order of Priests

Katherine Beck Ei, the Sacred Order of Priests George Chip Dischinger, the Sacred Order of Priests Donna Lockhart, the Sacred Order of Priests Amy Maffeo, the Sacred Order of Priests Terri Montgomery, the Sacred Order of Priests Michael Stutso, the Sacred Order of Deacons

Consents to Bishops Elect

The Standing Committee is also charged with consenting to the election and consecration of those individuals elected bishop by any of the dioceses of The Episcopal Church. After prayerful consideration, the Standing Committee consented to the following:

Elizabeth Bonforte Gardner, Bishop Diocesan, Diocese of Nevada

Brian K. Burgess, Bishop Diocesan, Diocese of Springfield Matthew D. Cowden, Bishop Coadjutor Diocesan, Diocese of West Virginia Shawn Duckworth, Bishop Diocesan of Florida Fraser Lawton, Assistant Bishop Diocesan, Diocese of Dallas Jeffery Mello, Bishop Diocesan, Diocese of Connecticut Juan Carlos Quiñonez as Bishop of Ecuador Central Daniel P. Richards, Bishop Diocesan, Diocese of Upper South Carolina Phyllis Speigel, Bishop Diocesan, Diocese of Utah Jos Tharakan, Bishop Diocesan, Diocese of Idaho

Property Related Issues

The Standing Committee has the responsibility of reviewing and approving any sale or encumbrance (mortgages, long term leases, etc.) of congregation property. Permission was granted, after appropriate legal review and advice, to proceed with the actions proposed regarding the following properties:

Canterbury House U of M: Landscaping project Christ Church, Cranbrook: sale of Wolgast House Christ Church, Dearborn: lease space to Dearborn Congregational Church Holy Cross Novi: easement St James’, Dexter: Mission House rental St John’s, Plymouth: preparation of property for transitional housing use for Afghanistan resettlement St John’s, Westland: rental agreement St. Paul, Romeo: sale of land adjacent St Stephen’s, Wyandotte : sale of property Trinity, Monroe: AirBnB proposal

Dissolution of a Parish

The Standing Committee approved the dissolution of Christ the King, Taylor, with gratitude for their ministry and prayers for their remaining members.

The Standing Committee approved the dissolution of St. Cyprian’s, Detroit, with gratitude for their ministry and prayers for their remaining members.

The Standing Committee approved the dissolution of St. Elizabeth’s, Redford, with gratitude for their ministry and prayers for their remaining members.

The Standing Committee approved the dissolution of St. Augustine’s, Mason, with gratitude for their ministry and prayers for their remaining members.

Other Matters

At the request of Bishop Perry, the Standing Committee conducted the second annual mutual ministry review of the Bishop which was facilitated by the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, Bishop of Western New York and Northwest Pennsylvania. He conducted a survey, the results of which were discussed by the Bishop and Standing Committee. The results of the survey will be shared with the diocese.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Standing Committee

Joyce Holden, President

Trustees of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan

During 2021 the Trustees met four times. As of December 31, 2021, the Trustees were organized as follows:

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Bonnie A. Perry

President

The Very Rev. S. Scott Hunter Vice President

The Rev. William Roberts Secretary

Canon Mark Miliotto Treasurer

Jim Treece Asst. Secretary

Kay Bell Asst. Treasurer

Terms Expiring in 2023

Terms Expiring in 2022

Louis Clark Ralph A. Castelli, Jr. Thomas Forbes

The Very Rev. S. Scott Hunter

The Very Rev. Andrea Morrow Dale Scrace

Stephanie Rose

Terms Expiring in 2025

Virgie Ammerman

Jim Treece

Terms Expiring in 2024

Kay Bell

The Rev. Phil Dinwiddie Marc Robinson Kathleen Groschner

The Rev. William Roberts

Michael Stewart

Investment Committee

Jeffrey Irwin

The Investment Committee met quarterly with the investment advisor to review the prior quarter’s performance, portfolio changes and economic outlook.

The annual dividend schedule was reviewed at each meeting. The dividend rate during 2021 was set at $0.2972 per share per quarter. The share value as of December 31, 2021 was $39.49, compared with $35.86 as of December 31, 2020. The net assets of the account as of December 31, 2021 were $52,372,777.

McElroy Fund

Comerica manages the McElroy Trust with income directed to assist persons in preparation for ordained ministry. Income from the Trust is transferred to the Bishop’s Fund and the Bishop disburses and reports according to the trust instrument. The McElroy Trustees continue to utilize the total rate of return concept with regard to distributions to the Diocese. This Fund assists candidates for the ordained ministry to meet their obligations. In 2021, a total of $278,733 was disbursed to the Trustees by Comerica and subsequently $ 209,050 was transferred to the Bishop’s Fund for disbursement to qualified individuals and $69,683 was disbursed to the Diocese of Eastern Michigan.

Retired Clergy Assistance Fund

The Retired Clergy Assistance Fund provides quarterly assistance to three retired clergy widows, plus a Christmas gift to a larger group of widows. A total of $20,500 was paid out during 2021. A few years ago, the Trustees adopted a policy that due to the excess amount of undistributed income in the Fund, retired clergy having a special need may apply to the Bishop for assistance.

Tretheway Downs General Fund

The Tretheway Downs General Fund Committee is responsible for receiving applications and making recommendations for capital grants. During 2021 the following grants were approved: St. Clare of Assisi, Ann Arbor, $10,000 to assist with a HVAC system; Trinity, Belleville, $10,000 to assist with their roof replacement; Christ Church, Detroit, $10,000 to assist with their bell tower restoration; St. Peter’s, Detroit, $10,000 to assist

with window restoration project; Christ United, Dewitt, $10,000 for major parking lot repairs; St. James, Dexter, $7,500 to assist with a collapsed sewer line and furnace replacement; St. Paul’s, Jackson, $10,000 to assist with their HVAC replacement project; for total grants of $67,500.

Children’s Ministries Fund

Funds from these sources are designated for assistance to summer youth programs. In 2021, due to the pandemic, the number of applications was down considerably, but the Committee awarded $4,225 in grants to the few applicants. Hopefully, summer programs will be able to resume in 2022.

Social Responsibility in Investments

The Social Responsibility in Investments (SRI) Committee reviews investments of the Trustees utilizing negative screens in conformity with such screens of The Episcopal Church. Since the change of investment managers, the SRI Committee has been working in tandem with the Investment Committee and a savings has been realized in the selection of SRI investments.

Audit and Compliance Committee

The Audit and Compliance Committee meets with the Trustees’ auditors, reviews the audit report and the management letter, and makes recommendations to the Trustees. For 2020, the Trustees received a “clean” audit opinion from the auditors. The Committee recommended and the Trustees approved the continuation of Boisvenu & Co. as auditors for the Trustees. The audit was conducted later than usual due to the pandemic.

Senior Housing Committee

In 2015 a Task Force was created to work with the Board of St. Anne’s Mead (SAM) to assist in addressing their infrastructure needs and in 2016 the Senior Housing Committee was organized. Its principle function is to continue the relations with St. Anne’s Mead and make recommendations regarding the Sylvia Thomas Trust which is reserved for senior housing. In 2018, the Trustees authorized the disbursement of $68,342 from the Thomas Trust to match funds raised for infrastructure improvements and the development of a Memory Care Home at SAM for a total disbursement of $150,000 during the construction phase. The Memory Care Home held its opening in mid June of 2018. Also, in 2018, the Trustees authorized a disbursement from the Thomas Trust of $10,000 for Canterbury on the Lake to assist with their dementia program.

During 2021, there was a $50,000 disbursement from the Sylvia Thomas Trust for St. Anne’s Mead to assist with their roof project.

Planned Giving Committee

This Committee concentrated on education on the subject of planned giving. Bishop Perry has urged the Committee to join with others in assisting and informing individuals to remember the Church in their wills.

Education and Communication Committee

This Committee, previously known as Publicity and Promotion, continued to promote investment with the Growth and Income Fund by Congregations in the Diocese, especially those who do not presently have investments with the Trustees. The Grace and Gratitude Fund is available for those persons wishing to make a designated bequest to the Diocese. A presentation was made to the 185th Diocesan Convention (2018) and during 2019 and later articles continued to appear in the Record to better inform individuals regarding the work of the Trustees.

Other Business

In 2021, the Trustees Executive Committee authorized an emergency grant of $10,000 to the Cathedral Chapter to assist with the construction costs related to the flooding of the lower level of the Diocesan Cathedral building.

Also, the Bricks and Mortar Task Force presented a Building Wellness Program for Congregations. The primary objective of the Wellness program is to offer “first aid” to building problems before they become catastrophic. The program components are technical assistance, mini grants, and a pilot program. This program is being developed between the Trustees and the Diocesan Council.

The Rev. William Roberts, Secretary of Trustees

TRUSTEES

OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH FOR THE DIOCESE OF MICHIGAN

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORT

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES

150

152

153

STATEMENT OF FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES 154 STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 155 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 156

THE

AND INCOME FUND OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE DIOCESE OF MICHIGAN

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORT

OF LIABILITIES AND ASSETS

OF OPERATIONS

OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Whitaker Institute

The Whitaker Institute equips and forms lay and ordained leaders in ministry. Whitaker programming offers Lifelong learning opportunities that deepen the understanding of discipleship, nurture spirituality, build community, and give public witness to God’s transformational power in our lives. The Whitaker Institute has served as the educational arm of the Diocese of Michigan for nearly 70 years. Adapting and responding to the changing needs of the church and the world has been at the core of Whitaker’s long term ministry.

In 2022, we’ve offered and launched the following programs:

Anglican Social Justice with EDS at Union Seminary: The second year of this pilot program began in August, with 25 clergy and lay people participating in the online program. Year two focuses on poverty and environmental justice.

CALL Online Formation with CDSP Seminary: Our new partnership offers online courses at a discounted rate for members of the Diocese of Michigan. These seven week courses are for life long learning as well as those preparing for ordination, covering topics such as scripture, theology, and worship.

Lay Licensing Courses and Resources: In Spring of 2022, we returned to an in person training for Worship Leaders with 12 participants, led by the Rev. Dr. W. Richard Hamlin. In the coming months, we will have courses for Eucharistic Visitors and Lay Preachers. Our website has been revamped to include training materials for Eucharistic Ministers and Eucharistic Visitors within a congregation or deanery as well.

Education For Ministry: This multi year program offers a mentored small group experience for lay people to engage in deep study of scripture and the Episcopal tradition. We are grateful for the work of Unah Ngare Matu, who ended her time as our diocesan coordinator this year, and for The Ven. Tim Spannaus, for agreeing to serve as our new EFM coordinator, and mentor for the EFM cohort hosted by the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Detroit.

Safe Church, Safe Communities: Our denomination has completely revised and revamped the curriculum for Safe Church training. All training is now online and free of cost. We are grateful for the work of the church wide task force, and for your patience as that program continues to be developed. Learn more on our website at www.edomi.org/safe church

Local Formation Cohort and Field Education: In partnership with the Commission on Ministry, the Whitaker Institute will create a local cohort of people in formation for ordination, as well as coordinate those doing seminary field education within the diocese.

Exploring Your Spiritual Journey is currently being revised and redeveloped under the leadership of The Rev. Sister Veronica Dunbar, and will return in 2023.

Each of these programs and adaptations is made possible by all those who have served the mission of the Whitaker Institute during these years of pandemic and transition. Many thanks to those who teach, and those who learn, and specifically to all those who gave their time and wisdom to the advisory and re imagining committees to advance the mission of the Whitaker Institute to equip the saints for ministry.

Gratefully submitted by

The Rev. Susie Shaefer, Associate for Transitions and Local Formation

Canterbury MSU

Episcopal Mission to Michigan State University

2022 has been a big year for Canterbury MSU! Last fall was filled with energy and excitement as students returned to campus for the first time in nearly two years. That enthusiasm turned to disappointment as the Omicron variant sent us back to our computers and students to their residence halls. We continued to meet on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm and built a strong core of students. We offered Glitter Ashes To Go on campus on Ash Wednesday and participated in Holy Week at All Saints, East Lansing. A ski day and an Easter party kept things fun. And as we have for the past several years, we continued to ask how the Holy Spirit was leading us to engage the MSU community and how we might grow and change.

In the spring, an answer began to form. Canterbury MSU has not had a space of its own for more than 5 years. We’ve met in the back of coffee shops and most recently in a shake shop near campus, with the support of St. Paul’s, Lansing. These worked well but limited our gatherings to a few hours a week. Due to Covid, many commercial spaces were vacant in downtown East Lansing, and rents were down from pre Covid days. We began to wonder if this was the time that we could find a place of our own. After an intensive search and great deal of back and forth, we landed on a storefront property half a block north of campus on M.A.C., a main thoroughfare. The board of directors eagerly decided that this is where the Holy Spirit is calling us. In a matter of weeks, we raised more than three years’ rent with generous pledges from the board and All Saint’s, East Lansing, and St. Paul’s, Lansing. St Paul’s is the mother church of this side of the diocese and, as they did in 1880s, is ensuring that the Episcopal Church has a presence at MSU.

After a summer spent remodeling, thanks to MANY volunteer hours, we are a visible presence 24/7 proclaiming God’s love to MSU and East Lansing. We are welcoming students to Wednesday night gatherings, for coffee and cinnamon rolls on Thursday mornings, and to Sunday evening worship with All Saints. We view the 2022 2023 academic year and this new space as a laboratory for ministry. We will try out new programs and offerings, collect data, revise, change, and try again. We have a three year lease and are committed, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to giving all we can to build a 21st century Episcopal student community at 225 M.A.C. Please stop by and visit when you’re in the area!

The Rev. Donna McNeil

Canterbury University of Michigan

My basic philosophy as a chaplain and as a minister is that I would like to be a resource for others’ ministries. The fun part is this mostly involves saying “Yes and how can I help” to a lot of people’s ideas. Community partnerships that come from this remain the strongest key to some of the best work happening around Canterbury House.

The pandemic definitely had an effect on our oldest ongoing community relationship: the concert series. I had grown concerned that with so many of the rhythms of the year disrupted for so long we would have trouble returning with two undergraduate classes coming through not having been introduced to the music side of Canterbury House. I am happy to report not only have concerts revived with strength this fall but also students who participate still feel a strong tie to this place and the sort of music we make possible here, despite much of our music having been disrupted for a lot of their time at Umich.

Another fruitful partnership has been with the Ross Business School’s Multidisciplinary Action Project (MAP) program. In the Winter semester of 2022 a team of students did a feasibility study on whether Canterbury House could open a coffee shop. The report was very optimistic and left a good guide for fleshing this possibility out going forward. The students enjoyed their experience enough that we have been asked whether we would be another site for the coming year. We are looking into having this second team look at communications and advertising.

The Michigan Trans Assistance Project has faced some hurdles on the administrative front but has still managed to connect trans people in need in Washtenaw County with direct cash aid over the last two years the project has been active. They are currently in a state of assessing how they can effectively scale as the project grows and what MTAP’s future may be.

On the faith community side of things, this semester we’re offering Evening Prayer on Wednesdays along with our community supper and a Bible study on Revelation on Sundays. Attendance is steady, tilted a bit more towards graduate students and young adults this year than undergraduates. We remain a place people know they are going to find welcome for their doubts and their grappling with faith.

Through additional fundraising and careful stewardship over the last five years, we have saved enough money for a landscaping project to build a courtyard at our front door. This will create not only a more useable outdoor gathering space but also open up opportunities to engage pedestrian traffic along one of the busier roads in Ann Arbor.

Last year I partnered with Dr. Stephen Rush of the music school (also of Jazz Mass fame) to start Sound & Silence, a regular event featuring shared silent practice for people of any faith or no faith and experimenting with contemplative music. This year we have expanded the program and now have a recent alum acting as coordinator, weekly meetings for shared silence, and funds to continue featuring a monthly guest artist playing with the themes of contemplative music and contemplative silence. I was recently awarded an Episcopal Church Foundation Fellowship for this project, which will help us update our equipment, expand our

capacity to pay artists, and give me a chance to visit other communities playing with similar themes. This is quickly becoming my favorite project I’ve engaged since getting ordained. Depending on how things develop this year I am hoping to find additional grant support and community partnership to keep this idea growing.

Moving forward I am hoping to set a strategy with the board to better expand our capacity for ministry, starting with some administrative wrinkles that need ironing out (especially when it comes to easily accessing online fundraising tools) and then proceeding to expand our fundraising endeavors, including creating an alumni database and figuring out a development strategy that keeps alumni and fans of Canterbury House connected to the ministry itself and not just the chaplain.

The. Rev. Matthew Lukens

The Chapter of The Cathedral Church of St. Paul

2022

The Cathedral Chapter, the oversight body for the Diocesan Cathedral Center, was created in 1957 by Diocesan Convention. Chapter’s charge is “to enhance the mission and ministry of the Cathedral as the main church of the Diocese” especially in its role as “the center of diocesan unity and administration” and as “the center of diocesan mission and ministry.”

Often referred to simply as, The Chapter, it consists of eighteen people representing the Bishop, the Diocesan Convention, and the Cathedral Vestry. They have the responsibility to oversee those activities at the Diocesan Cathedral Center which are not those of a parish church. This includes property matters, tenant relationships, activities not intended for parochial purposes, and supporting the activities of the Diocese. It is the agency which operates the common space of the Diocesan-Cathedral Center. The Cathedral Chapter employs a staff to support these functions, and creates a budget to pay for them.

Mission: The facilities and staff of the Cathedral Chapter exist to support the mission and ministry of the Bishop, the Cathedral, and all the people of the Diocese.

In concert with Bishop Perry and her staff, as well as the Cathedral congregation and our ministry partners (The Waller Health Center on Cathedral Green, Karmanos Cancer Center, Spanish for Toddlers Montessori, the Wayne State Medical School CHIPS program, and other organizations, we continue to support and create opportunities to share God’s grace and love in as many ways as possible in this continuing time of pandemic. We are supporting the Cathedral’s Hot Meals for Hungry People effort, a Saturday take away lunch serving 150 meals each Saturday. We continue to support Diocesan and Cathedral virtual offerings, and some in person events are returning as well. We are working on ways, when and how appropriate, to fully restore programs and events such as Dlectricity (bi annual), the Detroit area observance of National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, a New Year’s Day Feast (open to all comers), an annual Veteran’s Day Service, , and a myriad of other dinners, conferences and other gatherings including the Diocesan Ministry Fair, UBE meetings and events, ordinations, and a host of Diocesan liturgies, and community concert events.

Operations: The Diocesan Cathedral Center, built between 1959 and 1961, is of an age to require updating. The past year has seen facility challenges a plenty. There are areas where the Michigan freeze thaw cycle has taken its toll. We are being continually challenged by infrastructure needs, most particularly environmental control (HVAC) issues. We are also 1.5 years out trying to identify a contractor willing to replace very large storm water drainage pumps.

Work to maintain the facilities in an appropriate, up to date condition always challenges the available resources.

Efforts to update systems and appearance are ongoing. Chapter staff and the Cathedral Chapter are very focused on continuing to manage expenses, and we are striving to exercise and implement good financial and operational stewardship in these unique times. We are especially grateful to the Diocese and the Cathedral parish for their steady and continued financial support during this time.

We are also pleased during this time of hybrid operations to have hosted outdoor opportunities like the Saturday meal, the CHIPs clinic, and the Bishop’s Summer Bash. Big thanks go out to not only to our mission partners for their cooperation, but to Bishop Perry, the Bishop’s staff, and the Cathedral and Chapter staffs for their creativity, patience, understanding, support, and cooperation.

If you have questions or perhaps an interest in serving on the Cathedral Chapter, please be in touch with Zack Cummins, our Facility Manager, or me.

Grace and peace,

The Very Reverend S. Scott Hunter

Dean & Provost

The Cathedral Foundation & Community Services, Inc.

4800 Woodward Avenue Detroit, Michigan 48201

Report to the Annual Convention of the Diocese of Michigan October 2022

Perhaps “third time is a charm” applies. 2020 and 2021 start out by saying that those years were “a time like no other.” Please add 2022! The Cathedral Foundation & Community Services has continued to work to support various Cathedral and community efforts in 2022. Our continuing efforts to work through IRS regulations to establish this organization as a “Supporting Organization” per their criteria (even though the Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization move forward as well.

In the past year The Foundation has helped significantly with funds to address physical facility issues at the Diocesan Cathedral Center. It has also established continuing grants for capital projects and major maintenance, outreach, and cathedral music. Additionally, it has committed funds to medical debt relief.

A newly established subsidiary of the Cathedral Foundation is now the primary stakeholder in the LLC that owns Williams Pavilion. There is continued commitment and support, financially and programmatically, to the enhancement of the community life of the Williams Pavilion. The Williams Pavilion, named after former Michigan Governor, G. Mennen “Soapy” Williams and Nancy Williams, both long time active members of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, is a fourteen story, 150 unit, low income senior housing complex. Since HUD regulations do not allow for expenditures for social and community functions, CF&CS is committed to seeing that several opportunities are available throughout the year. This year’s summer picnic returned as an outside event after two years of COVID interference. We are hopeful the Christmas event will return as well.

Board member development continues as we work to bring in new individuals to the board with a passion for community, diverse skills, and gifts and talents in non profit enterprises.

We invite you to stay tuned for news and other information about the ministry being enhanced and empowered by the new Cathedral Foundation and Community Services.

Respectfully submitted, The Very Rev’d S. Scott Hunter, President & Chair

Mr. Glenn Miller, Vice President

September 14, 2022

Beloved Saints,

When I first followed a call in 2016 to begin a New Episcopal Community, The Church at Crossroads, to make our home inside a social service agency and minister among the people who live around 2424 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, I had just enough trust in a guiding principle of the Mission of God. That is, God’s Mission of Love is already active and working in people’s lives; the Church is simply to join in where doors and hearts are open.

Today, because of the hundreds of people of faith, love and goodwill we have met and ministered with and among since 2016, I trust that mission principle even more. Indeed, The Church at Crossroads is continuing to grow in mission and vision.

• Mission: Sharing faith and growing leaders among people who often experience racial and socioeconomic marginalization within the context of the broader society.

• Vision: Building Beloved Community by coming together to share God’s love with children, their families and our neighbors.

You are invited to join in! There are numerous ways to take part. Here are some ways:

You may be an individual who would like to receive training and be on site as a Spiritual Partner who is a loving and pastoral presence with neighbors.

You may be (or may already be) a congregation who seeks to be a Beloved Community Partner with us, actively sharing in the transformational ministry of God’s loving kindness and dignity for all people.

You may help minister with The Good News Crew, our church school where we are engaging more than thirty students and their families this fall.

Please contact me if you’d like to know more I’d be delighted to have a conversation with you!

There’s so much to share and discover in following the Mission of God into our communities and neighborhoods. Thank you for any way you have shared in our ministry and please consider your prayerful and financial support of all that we are called to discover in the way of God’s love.

God’s peace,

The Rev. Teresa Wakeen, Priest Missioner teresamwakeen@gmail.com (248) 800 6480

Send a message to see our 2021 2022 Impact Report or here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WwLJdba1s29yS_qn9DWxFAEaTSs12Wew?usp=sharin g

Thank you to Congregations who are helping us plant and build Beloved Community. You are a great gift!

Cathedral Church of St. Paul St. Michael’s Grosse Pointe Woods St. Michael’s Grosse Pointe Woods Episcopal Church Women Grace, Detroit St. Andrew’s, Waterford St. Barnabas, Chelsea St. Michael & All Angels, Cambridge Junction Trinity in the Woods, Farmington Hills Nativity, Bloomfield Township St. John’s, Plymouth St. George’s, Milford St. Andrew’s, Livonia St. James, Birmingham Grace, Mt. Clemens St. Clare’s, Ann Arbor St. Thomas, Trenton

Please pray and consider your financial gift which will help us to carry out

• Vacation Bible School reaching 30 students

• Good News Crew Church School 20 sessions

• Spiritual Partners at Crossroads' Soup Kitchen for 300 + people

By Check Payable to: Episcopal Diocese of MI. Memo: The Church at Crossroads

Woodward Ave. Detroit, MI 48201

By Donor Advised Fund: Protestant Episcopal Diocese of MI. Please include “For The Church at Crossroads” in your instruction letter.

By Card or PayPal for one time or monthly donation.

consider adding approx.3.5% to cover transaction fees.

“O God the Creator and ruler of all things, your reign grows like a mustard seed into abundant life: Bless those who plant and tend the new life of your Church, that it may become a place of welcome, a refuge of healing, a school for souls, and a life giving spring; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ, our strength and our salvation. Amen.”

(The Book of Occasional Services, 2018, p. 242.)

The Church at Crossroads Episcopal A Jubilee Ministry* of the Episcopal Church

*A Ministry of joint discipleship in Christ with poor and oppressed people, wherever they are found, to meet basic human needs and to build a just society.

(General Convention Resolution J982 A080)

We are graciously housed in the chapel of Crossroads of Michigan at 2424 W. Grand Blvd. Detroit, MI 48208

Disaster Preparedness and Response Report

Emergency Preparedness Planning!

Asset Mapping/Safety in our places of Worship

In the past year many things have changed but yet remained the same. We have developed new ways to worship with virtual changing our lives. I am sure we have all embraced that, but being prepared is still of utmost importance! So I submit this report as our diocese is taking a new stance on this topic with a new Emergency Planning and response procedure which was presented to the clergy at a Zoom conference the first of the month of October!

Do we still need to do a Disaster Plan? YES!!

As I type this convention report, it is September 29th, 2022. This morning we all watch as the better part of the state of Florida is waking up in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Now yes we here in the southeast part of the mitten state do not have to worry about a storm like that, thanks be to God, but we also have to develop our own contingency plans in the event of other acts of God and of humans!

There are many new and exciting changes in the works that will be rolled out soon, that can help all of us look at our communities of worship, and the communities in which we worship, and help us to identify areas that we need to address to keep all our people safe. I would like each of you to look at these new procedures and policies that we have designed to help you. “Emergency Planning” should be presented to the clergy in the weeks prior to convention!

The Goal: To try to encourage every parish and the diocesan offices to develop a disaster plan, and/or an “Emergency Planning Procedure” as well as complete the asset mapping survey, and look over any safety issues your parishes may have!

Plans filed to date: In the past year we did not receive any new disaster plans, but with the new approach to Emergency planning, I am hopeful that many of our congregations will begin this new year with plans.

A Disaster Plan: What is a Disaster Plan? More to the point is what is a disaster? Well my dear friends what we are going through currently should be obvious. But how can having a disaster plan help us during this time of COVID 19? Simple, having a plan in place prior to, and as it is now, during an event such as we are in now, could lay out the groundwork to how to respond to the needs of our congregations, and more importantly our communities that are affected by this type of event. Each congregation will be different as the needs can vary by the size and demographic of each. And each community varies likewise.

How do we get started? First by determining that you want, or more importantly NEED a disaster plan. This can be as simple as a phone call or email to me. I can then provide whomever from your congregation that will be working on the plan with the necessary information to get started!

Determine in your parish who you think would be great at this and give them my phone number 248 892 2735, or email whmcgrumpy@comcast.net!

Asset Mapping: Every parish must go to www.episcopalassetmap.org, find the icon that represents their parish and click on it today and take the survey. If a parish has already done this they should go to it again, today, and update it. The more you put on this, the more photos, and videos you upload the better it will be for everyone! In addition to this the Presiding Bishop has encouraged all of the congregations to update their asset maps with how we have been providing church during this pandemic. We all need to go on our maps and update this information!

Safety Planning: A new Emergency planning directive/policy/procedure was rolled out to the clergy prior to this convention.

We all need to constantly be looking at our parish homes and see if we are keeping them safe. Are we securing our buildings and are our practices taking safety first? Now is a great time to have someone checking the outsides of the buildings and making sure nature has not overgrown and allowed for hiding places for people with bad intentions. That way when the time comes, and yes my friends that time will come when we can return, we will know if our buildings are safe. More importantly are we preparing all our people so that they can be as safe as possible not only in church but also in their daily lives! This is also a good time to put into place policies that can insure a safe worship space for everyone; that way we can all adjust at the same time!

With all the above stated, I am overly excited that more congregations will now be moved to put together their Disaster Preparedness Plans, and or Emergency Planning plans, and I would really like to see more updates on the Asset Map. Besides the link above, the Asset Map can also be accessed through the Diocesan website www.edomi.org. Doing a disaster plan and the asset map and an Emergency Planning plan are vital ways of ensuring that we are better prepared! Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

As we all watch and see how Hurricane Ian affect our friends in Florida let us keep them in our prayers, but also remember that disasters can and will occur here and being prepared and having plans and procedures in place is the best way to address these when they happen.!

Respectfully Submitted, Rev. Deacon Glenn D. Morrison

EPISCOPAL CAMPUS MINISTRY

AT EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

September 2003 marked the official registration date of the Episcopal Campus Ministry at Eastern Michigan University. As a registered student organization along with advertising in local campus publications, sponsorship of on campus events and intentional outreach to the students, faculty and staff of EMU, the focus of the first phase of development was to get to know the campus community. As a commuter campus EMU is unique mission territory to get young people back to church, back to their home parish.

As a parish based campus ministry housed and funded by St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Ypsilanti we try to maintain an on campus presence that will spiritually engage the commuter student during the week so that they will actively maintain or renew their membership with their home Episcopal parish. This is done in part by attending campus student/faculty events and serving on university boards and panels. We donate regularly to the student food pantry, and for a third year successfully assisted the pantry in seeking funding from the Diocesan Ministry’s Grant. We continue to offer meeting space for various student groups who want to meet off campus.

Our 2022 23 goals are to continue our food pantry participation and our Sunday worship outreach for the students along with specific liturgical and educational programming for this diverse commuter community; and to make our building more available as a resource for off campus meetings.

Information regarding the EMU Campus Ministry program can be received by contacting: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Ypsilanti, MI 48197 (734)483 4253; or e mail/web www.stlukesypsi.org

2022 Report to Episcopal Diocese of Michigan Convention

Episcopal Relief & Development

US 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization

Episcopal Relief and Development has been around for over 75 years and today they reach three million people annually.

This report shares with you some of Episcopal Relied & Development ministry program work during the past year:

• It is excited to share that Episcopal Relief & Development One Thousand Days of Love Campaign met its goal of raising $3 million to support children worldwide. Thanks to individuals, congregations and dioceses across The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. However, you can still support One Thousand Days of Love Campaign with your contribution throughout the remainder of 2022.

“We know that when we support children, we are also helping their families and communities to thrive.” Young children need: Nutritious food; clean water; a healthy and safe environment in which to grow; and access to health care.

• Respond to Civil Unrest and the Covid 19 Pandemic in South Sudan.

• Supporting Partners after flooding in the South: Diocese of Lexington and Southwestern Virginia.

• Responding to New Mexico Wildfires.

• Support the humanitarian response to the Crisis in Ukraine.

Under the compassionate leadership of our bishop, Bishop Perry our contribution to support Ukrainian Refugees was: $161,343.84 from the diocese, individuals, congregations and friends. Thank you Diocese of Michigan you set the bar high in helping to support the needs of refugees suffering in Ukraine.

Your ongoing support for the work of Episcopal Relief & Development can take several different other forms:

• (www.episcopalrelief.org) provides detail information about their programs, church educational resources, and ways to help.

• Pray for staff, program partners and participants around the world.

Report of the Historiographer/Archivist to the 2022 Diocesan Convention

The work of the Historiographer/Archivist of the Diocese of Michigan is shared by The Rev. James C. Berg and The Rev. William T. Roberts. This is the eighth year we have served in this capacity. We are greatly assisted by Olga Virakhovskaya, Lead Archivist, who succeeded the long time Diocesan Historiographer and Archivist, Mr. Leonard A. Coombs, who was a curator at the Bentley Historical Library at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. The Bentley Historical Library is the custodian of the archives of the Diocese of Michigan, and their staff have the responsibility of the archives management and preservation.

While the Diocese of Michigan retains ownership of the archives and does have some management responsibilities, the on going work is the responsibility of the staff of the Bentley Library. Therefore, the task of the current historiographers/archivists is somewhat reduced and consequently more manageable. Since work in the archives requires a trip to Ann Arbor, requests requiring research in the archives take a bit longer than they did formerly when the archivist was on site at the Bentley. It is possible to determine which congregations have records at the Bentley by going to their website: www.bentley.umich.edu and searching through the Mirlyn finding aid and keying in the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan.

The Archives of the Diocese of Michigan consist of the records of Diocesan agencies and institutions including those of closed parishes, as well as papers of some of our former Bishops and related documents recording the common life of our community. There is a significant photographic record of the work of the Diocese.

The work of the Diocesan Archivists now consists of three tasks:

1) When a parish or diocesan institution closes, we sift through and gather records germane to its history and work. These are then transferred to the Bentley Library where they are made available to researchers and other interested individuals.

2) From time to time we are asked to search the Diocesan Archives to produce baptismal, confirmation and marriage records, and we usually check on several requests when we go to the Bentley. Requests for these records come from the Bishop’s office and it is to the Bishop’s office that these requests should be directed. Since the pandemic their have been few requests.

3) We are asked to assist the Bishop and her staff in various research projects and to make presentations to Diocesan groups (congregations) about the Archives.

To promote archival education, the National Episcopal Historians and Archivists (NEHA) has recently published a most helpful guide: Archives for Congregations:

A Practical Guide to Developing a Church Archives [2nd edition, ISBN: 9781329111134). It may be ordered from the NEHA website for $6.00. The NEHA website address is episcopalhistorians.org.

Please be aware that the Diocese of Michigan does not, for the most part, maintain the records of active parishes. The maintenance of these records is the responsibility of the parish leadership. However, we are most willing to help with this responsibility, and welcome contact through the Bishop’s Office. When a time capsule was opened it was water logged. It is recommended that time capsules be placed in water tight vaults or be in a secure above ground location. With the closure of Christ the King, Taylor; St. Elizabeth's, Redford; and St. Augustine of Canterbury, Mason, those records will be curated and placed in the Bentley. We would like to gather information on how the clergy and congregations of the Diocese responded to the COVID 19 pandemic. Province V has an archivist network with Newland Smith of Chicago as the coordinator. He can be reached at farnssn@gmail.com.

The Rev. James C. Berg

The Rev. William T. Roberts

Province V Executive Board Report to the Diocese of Michigan

Province V is a network of 14 dioceses of the Episcopal Church. We are one of those 14 dioceses. Each diocese gives an apportionment to the Province to support ministries and networking opportunities. I am the diocesan representative to the Province V Executive Board. The purpose of the Province is to “Connect, network, and support.” Please read on to learn about all of the many ways you can get involved!

Big Provincial Gathering April 2022

As many of you experienced, we had a great gathering in South Bend in April!

Almost 200 people were able to experience the vibrancy of our Province at the Big Provincial Gathering and Synod. While our keynote speaker, the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, was unable to attend in person, she sent along her speech and Canon Jane Cisluycis presented it to the gathering. The main business sessions and worship were live streamed and recorded. The Synod included the business of passing several resolutions and the provincial budget, and “commercials” from each of the various networks and affiliated organizations. There were several pre event trainings that were offered. A variety of workshops were offered by the networks. Sponsors ensured that we were able to offer the program at a discounted price for everyone.

Upcoming Events

2023 there will be a variety of online webinars and events offered. Some networks are exploring the idea of gathering for special trainings or events. Watch the newsletter and website for information.

2024 Big Provincial Gathering and Synod

Leadership https://www.provincev.org/exboard.html

The Province V Executive Board meets monthly via Zoom to share resources from our dioceses and hear about and help develop provincial events and programming.

Networks https://www.provincev.org/networks.html

The networks continue to expand to serve leaders across the province. Networks are open to any person who would like to be connected to others working on similar ministries. If there is a network that you might find helpful, contact the Province Coordinator, Heather Barta (provincevcoordinator@gmail.com).

Leadership Coaching Project

https://www.provincev.org/lcp.html

Coaches are available to work with you on your goals and challenges. All coaches are available to any person interested in working on ministerial or personal goals. All coaches will give a complimentary “introductory” meeting so that you can get to know each other and ask questions about coaching with them. Rural Area Ministry Specialists are available at a reduced rate to leaders in rural areas.

Provincial Newsletter

Sign up for the monthly newsletter at the bottom of the website: https://www.provincev.org

Respectfully submitted, Edie Wakevainen, PhD

Representative from the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan

Province V Executive Board

Section III

Annual Convention October 22/23, 2021 Virtual Format

Proceedings of the 187th Annual Convention Convention Address by The Rt. Rev. Bonnie A. Perry, Eleventh Bishop Convention Sermon by The Rt. Rev. Bonnie A. Perry, Eleventh Bishop

Record of Lay Delegate and Lay Alternate Registration

Record of Clergy Registration

Journal of the Proceedings of the

One Hundred Eighty-Seventh Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021

6:00 P.M.

FIRST BUSINESS SESSION

This being the day and designated virtual space for the meeting of the One Hundred Eighty Seventh Annual Convention of The Episcopal Diocese of Michigan, the President of the Convention, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Bonnie A. Perry, Eleventh Bishop of the Diocese, called the Convention to order at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, October 22, 2021. Given the constraints and mandates resulting from the COVID 19 pandemic, the meeting was held in a virtual format, via video conference platform, with the bishop and the officers of convention being present in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Detroit.

After opening prayers and opening remarks, the President called upon the Secretary for announcements. Following the announcements and upon visual observation, the President determined that a virtual quorum was present, and the Convention was prepared to proceed.

ROLL CALL OF DEANERIES

The President called the Roll of Congregations by Deanery. Given the virtual format of this convention, clergy and lay delegates were asked to greet convention with a wave and by announcing their congregation at the appropriate time.

DECLARATION OF A QUOROM

By visual inspection of the video conference screens and lists of registered clergy and lay members of convention, the chair determined that a virtual quorum was present and that the Convention was prepared to proceed to organization.

SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS The College for Congregational Development

The Bishop introduced the most Rev. Melissa Skelton, retired Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of British Columbia and Yukon. Bishop Melissa also served as bishop of the Diocese of New Westminster and is currently the assisting bishop of the Diocese of Olympia.

THE NECROLOGY

The Bishop offered prayers for members of convention who have died since October 2020. Those included on the list were:

Helen Baker Sister Susan Brooks Margaret Eidson Jeanette Fleming Dorothy Garrett

Joe McGarry

The Rev. Virginia Peacock Jeanette Piper George Port William Pratt

The Rev. C. Corydon Randall Betty Rood Bert Slocombe

The Rev. Iris Slocombe Marlene Stirnweis Karen White

The Rev. Dr. Charles Wood Mike Lashbrook Cindy Grimwade Chris Sayers Carole Maxwell

SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS

The Bishop addressed the members of the convention. Following the address, the bishop introduced a video presentation of photographs of people and ministries across the diocese.

TO ORGANIZATION.

UNANIMOUS CONSENT FOR CONVENTION BUSINESS

The President explained that, given the virtual format of the convention, the process of unanimous consent would be used to expedite certain matters of convention. When a motion is offered by the chair, members of convention may unmute their microphone and state “I object.” .

ELECTION OF SECRETARY AND ASSISTANT SECRETARIES

The President nominated the Rev. Dr. W. Richard Hamlin (retired) as Secretary of Convention and the Rev. Joyce Matthews (retired) as Assistant Secretary of Convention. The nominations were seconded and upon vote, the candidates were declared elected.

PRESENTATION OF LIST OF CLERGY ELIGIBLE TO VOTE

Pursuant to Canon 1.1.1.1 of the Canons of the Diocese of Michigan, the President presented to the Secretary and laid before the Convention the list of clergy eligible to vote in this Convention. Included on this list are members of the clergy of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America holding positions in this Church. The President laid before Convention to give seat and voice to the following clergy:

The Rev. John Connors St. John’s, Plymouth

The Rev. Andrea Martin Holy Faith, Saline

The Rev. Chris Harris Christ Church Cranbrook, Bloomfield Hills

The Rev. Denise Griebler St. Peter’s, Detroit

The motion to grant seat and voice was approved.

REPORT OF EXCUSED CLERGY

The President reminded convention that clergy eligible to vote are required to write to the bishop to request permission to be absent. The President expressed her hope to see clergy at the next convention.

SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS

The President announced that, in accordance with our diocesan canons, that Mother of the Savior, Dearborn has successfully petitioned the bishop and Standing Committee to be recognized as a Worshipping Community of the Diocese of Michigan. Mother of the Savior is the first Arabic speaking congregation in the Episcopal Church. Mother of the Savior is the only Episcopal Church in the United States that uses an Arabic translation of the Book of Common Prayer. The president and members of convention welcomed the Rev. Halim Shukair, Priest Missioner for Mother of the Savior and lay delegates Widad Saba, Saad Abboodi and Suhad Shatara as voting members of convention. A video presentation containing highlights of the ministry and people of Mother of the Savior was shared.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON DISPATCH OF BUSINESS

The Secretary presented the report of the Committee on Dispatch of Business. The report was circulated to all members of convention 30 days prior to this convention, as required by the Canons. Special Rules of Order were developed to account for the virtual nature of convention.

The Secretary moved that the report of the Committee on Dispatch of Business, including the Agenda and General Rules of Order be adopted. The motion was seconded and the President called for debate. There being no debate, the President called for the vote. The motion was adopted.

EXPLANATION OF USE OF VIDEO CONFERENCE PLATFORM

The President called upon the Very Rev. Andrea Morrow (Wyandotte), Chair of the Virtual Convention Planning Committee, to explain the functionality of the Zoom video conference platform for conducting the business of convention and the process for casing votes for the election of officers using the software platform Vpoll.

RECOGNITION OF THE PLATFORM

The President recognized Stephen Ott, Esquire , Chancellor the Diocese and Crystal Ramirez, Legislative Assistant for the 187th Convention of the Diocese.

APPOINTMENT OF PARLIAMENTARIAN

The President appointed Maurice Henderson as Parliamentarian of the Convention and requested a motion to confirm. It was moved to confirm the appointment of Maurice Henderson as Parliamentarian of Convention. The motion was seconded and the President called for debate. There being no debate, the President called for the vote. The motion was adopted.

INTRODUCTION OF TREASURER OF THE DIOCESE

The President introduced Canon Mark Miliotto, Canon for Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the Diocese. Canon Miliotto has been elected by Diocesan Council as Treasurer of the Diocese of Michigan and of our Annual Convention. The President thanked Canon Miliotto on behalf of the diocese and our diocesan convention.

DECLARATION OF ORGANIZATION

The President declared that the One Hundred Eighty Seventh Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan was organized with the Rt. Rev. Dr. Bonnie A. Perry in the Chair and was prepared to proceed to business.

LATE FILED RESOLUTIONS

The President called for the presentation of any resolutions not timely filed with the Secretary. There were no late filed resolutions presented for consideration.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS OF THE DIOCESE

The President asked for a motion that the reports of all commissions, committees, and other agencies directed to report to Convention that have not been received yet during this Convention be received by title and printed in the Convention Journal. The motion was made and seconded. There being no debate, the President called for the vote. The motion was adopted.

INTRODUCTION OF CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE

The President called upon Bruce Cann (Detroit St. Matthew & St. Joseph), chair of the Election Commission for the introduction of candidates for office. The candidates were introduced via a video presentation as follows:

Commission on Ministry Clergy

The Rev. Daniel Lawson

The Rev. Paul LeClair

The Rev. Dcn. Glenn Morrison

The Rev. Beth Taylor

Disciplinary Board Lay Sandra Zull

Disciplinary Board Clergy

The Rev. Alan Gibson

The Rev. JoAnn Kennedy Slater

Standing Committee - Lay Carol Latimer

Josephine Powell

Standing Committee Clergy

The Rev. Canon Ronald Byrd

Trustee of the Diocese Lay Virgie Ammerman

Trustee of the Diocese Clergy

The Rev. Bill Roberts

SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS

The President expressed her deepest gratitude to the members of the Reparations and Reconciliation Research Team. This team, appointed in the Spring of 2021, researched various Episcopal entities that have done significant racial reconciliation work. The report of the Reparations and Reconciliation Research Team will provide a foundation for the diocese as we move forward in learning more about this essential work. The members of the task force were introduced via video presentation:

The Rev. Bob Alltop Church of the Nativity, Bloomfield Township Elizabeth Briody Christ Church Cranbrook, Bloomfield Hills Gwyneth Dugliss St. James’, Grosse Ile

Sister Veronica Dunbar Bishop’s staff

Canon Jo Ann Hardy Bishop’s staff

Wilma McKinney The Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Detroit Marc Robinson Christ Church Cranbrook, Bloomfield Hills Felicity Thompson St. Andrew’s, Ann Arbor

THE PRESENTATION OF THE 2022 DIOCESAN BUDGET

The President recognized Canon Mark Miliotto (Canon for Finance and Treasurer of the Diocese) to present the proposed 2022 Operating Budget of the Diocese of Michigan and the proposed 2023 Apportionment Formula.

Canon Miliotto’s presentation began with an overview of Operating Revenues:

Apportionment Contributions down $13,000 or .8%

Dividends & Interest up $26,000 or 4.8%

All other line items flat

An overview of changes to Operating Expenses included:

Denominational Support down $3,000 or 0.9% but still paying the full asking

Grants and Other Outreach down just $150, reflecting the formula based budget for SDGs

Cost of Living Adjustments for staff 2%

Healthcare Premiums increase of 4.5%

All other line items flat

Canon Miliotto then shared a graph describing how the budget is divided up over the various program areas of the diocese. Episcopate accounts for 35% of the budget, Congregational Vitality accounts for 24% of the budget, Public Witness accounts for 10% of the budget, and Finance/Admin accounts for 31% of the budget.

On behalf of Diocesan Council, Canon Miliotto proposed the following resolutions, which were properly moved and seconded:

RESOLVED, that the 2022 Operating Expense Budget of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan be in the amount of $2,349,344 and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Diocesan Council shall have the authority to adjust the adopted budget in keeping with income assured from expected operating income, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the formula for calculating the apportionment for congregational support of the 2023 diocesan operating budget will be based on 10% of the three year average of each congregation’s normal operating income as reported in the Parochial Report in the years 2019, 2020, and 2021.

The President called for debate. There being no debate, the President called for a unanimous consent vote. There being no dissent, the resolutions passed unanimously.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTION AND CANONS

The President recognized the Rev. Bob Alltop (Bloomfield Township) for the Report of the Committee on Constitution and Canons. Mr. Alltop thanked the members of the committee and explained that there were no items to be considered this year.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The President called upon the Secretary of Convention for announcements. The Secretary introduced the Rev. Daniel Lawson as a clergy candidate for the Commission on Ministry.

DECLARATION OF RECESS

Following Evening Prayer, the President called the convention in recess until 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 23, 2021.

SATURDAY,

10:00 A.M.

SECOND BUSINESS SESSION

The President called the Convention to order and recognized members of the Order of St. Luke’s to lead Morning Prayer. Participants in the service were: The Rev. RaeLee Baxter, The Rev. Linda Ferguson, Avery LeClair, Oliver LeClair, The Rev. Paul LeClair, Barb Marshall, Beth Marshall. Pat Tilley, Margaret Wallbridge and Mike Wallbridge.

EXPLANATION OF USE OF VIDEO CONFERENCE PLATFORM

The President called upon the Very Rev. Andrea Morrow (Wyandotte), Chair of the Virtual Convention Planning Committee, to explain the functionality of the Zoom video conference platform for conducting the business of convention and the process for casing votes for the election of officers using the Election Runner software.

The President then called on the Secretary for additional announcements.

SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS

The President introduced the video “ A Planned Giving Story” from the congregation of St. Stephen’s, Wyandotte. Following the video presentation, the president thanked the Planned Giving Task force members:

The Very Rev. Andrea Morrow

Kay Bell

Stephanie Rose

The Rev. Ronda Johnson

Cedric Flounory

Jim Treece

Tom Forbes

Jim Edwards

The Very Rev. Scott Hunter

The Rev. Alice Sawyer

Canon Mark Miliotto

WELCOME OF INCARNATION, ANN ARBOR AS A PARISH

The president joyfully announced that the Standing Committee and Diocesan Council have considered an accepted the petition of Church of the Incarnation, Ann Arbor to move from the status of a mission congregation to that of a parish of the diocese. The members of convention welcomed the Rev. Joe Summers, Rector, and the lay delegates of the Church of the Incarnation, Dawn Weirauch, Jerry Walden and Vonnie McLoyd.

INTRODUCTIONS

The President made the introduction of clergy new to the diocese, clergy with new cures, newly ordained clergy. Those introduced were:

The Rev. Marion VanLoo

The Rev. Chris Fentress Gannon

The Rev. Melissa Congleton

The Rev. Timothy Flynn

The Rev. Ronda Johnson

The Rev. Dcn. Amy Maffeo

The Rev. Dcn. Terri Lynn Montgomery

The Rev. Dcn. Cleda Smart

The Rev. Dcn. Patricia Fraley

The Rev. Ben Adams

The Rev. Kathryn Twining

The Rev. Maryjane Peck

The Rev. Susan Anslow Williams

The Rev. Stacy Salles

The Rev. Christine Humphrey

The Rev. Canon Ronald C. Byrd

The Rev. Sis. Vernonica Dunbar

The Rev. Canon Ellen Ekevag

The Very Rev. Andrea Morrow

The Rev. Michael Bradley

The Rev. Lynda Carter

The Rev. Ian Reed Twiss

Also introduced were the co chairs of the Liturgy Planning team for the upcoming year: the Rev. Susan Anslow Williams and the Rev. Michael Bradley. The Rev. Sister Veronica Dunbar will assist the planning team as a member of the bishop’s staff.

The Bishop then thank and recognized members of the diocesan staff:

Kara Chapman Accountant

The Rev. Canon Ellen Ekevag Canon for Congregational Development & Transitions

The Rev. Sis. Veronica Dunbar Interim Director Whitaker Institute & Missioner for Online Worship

Jennifer Elliott Staff Secretary

Canon Jo Ann Hardy Canon to the Ordinary & Chief Operating Officer

Canon Mark Miliotto Canon for Finance & Chief Financial Officer

Ann Olugbile Executive Assistant for Congregational Development & Transitions

Crystal Ramirez Executive Assistant to Bishop Perry

Tali Perry Canine to the Ordinary

SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS

The bishop thanked the members of the congregation of St. Cyprian’s, Detroit, having ended their ministry as of congregation of our dioceses after 175 years of dedicated service. A video tribute, produced by members of Church of the Messiah, was shown, followed by hearfelt applause by the members of convention.

COMMISSION & BLESSINGS OF DEANS AND THE ARCHDEACON

The President called upon the Assistant Secretary of Convention, the Rev. Joyce Matthews (retired), for assistance in the commissioning of the Diocesan Deans: Those commissioned as Dean were:

The Very Rev. Sarah Hurlbert William Lyster Deanery

The Very Rev. Andrea Morrow Downriver Deanery

The Very Rev. Barry Randolph Detroit Deanery

The Very Rev. Carol Mader Huron Valley Deanery

The Very Rev. Chris Yaw McGehee Deanery

The Very Rev. Julia Huttar Bailey Trinity Deanery

The Very Rev. Nikki Seger Capital Deanery

SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS

The President recognized the Rev. Nikki Seger (Lansing St. Michael’s) and Ann Putallaz (Ann Arbor St. Clare of Assisi) for a presentation highlighting congregations that are Becoming the Beloved Community through the Sacred Ground initiative of The Episcopal Church.

The President recognized the campus ministers for a presentation: The Rev. Donna McNiel (Canterbury Michigan State University), the Rev. Ben Adams (Wayne State University, Henry Ford College and University of Michigan, Dearborn) and the Rev. Matthew Lukens (Canterbury House University of Michigan).

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON REFERENCE

The President recognized the Rev. Judith Schellhammer (Cambridge Junction) for the Report of the Committee on Reference. Ms. Schellhammer reported that there were no resolutions to consider at this convention.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSING OF THE POLLS

The Rev. Dr. W. Richard Hamlin, Secretary of Convention, announced that the polls would close at 11:00 a.m., and that assistance with online voting system would be available from the Convention Help Desk or the “Chat” feature of Zoom.

REPORT BY THE SECRETARY ON THE RESULTS OF THE FIRST BALLOT

The President recognized the Secretary to report the first ballot.

Commission on Ministry: Clergy Order

No election Second Ballot Needed

Disciplinary Board: Lay Order

Sandra Zull elected

Disciplinary Board; Clergy Order

The Rev. JoAnn Kennedy Slater - elected

Standing Committee: Lay Order Josephine Powell elected

Standing Committee: Clergy Order

The Rev. Canon Ronald Byrd elected Trustee of the Diocese: Lay Order Virgie Ammerman elected

Trustee of the Diocese: Clergy Order

The Rev. William Roberts elected

The President recognized the Secretary of Convention for the purpose of instruction on the Second Ballot. Fifteen minutes were allowed for voting.

SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS

The President explained the process and purpose for the creation of the Technology Task Force and identification of Diocesan Technology experts to consult with congregations in production of online worship during this time of the COVID 19 pandemic. The president introduced the Rev. Manisha Dostert to share information on the diocesan Technology Grants, the Task Force and the Technology Experts.

The President extended abundant thanks to:

The Technology Task Force

Joan Carson & Doug Carson St. Clare of Assisi, Ann Arbor

The Rev. Manisha Dostert (chair) Christ Church Cranbrook, Bloomfield Hills

Mary Beth Weigel St. John’s Royal Oak

Nicholas Bell - Christ Church, Dearborn

Tim Bailey Holy Cross, Novi

The Technology Experts

Alan Cooper Cathedral Church of St. Paul Alvin Rockhey - First Presbyterian of Ann Arbor Brianne Turczynski St. Philip’s, Rochester Eric Travis Trinity in the Woods, Farmington Hills John Alexander Nativity, Bloomfield Township Kevin McLogan St. John’s, Royal Oak Michele Moore St. Luke’s, Allen Park

The Rev. Mitch Yudasz St. Luke’s, Allen Park/Christ the King, Taylor Rob Squier St. John’s, Clinton The Ven. Tim Spannaus St. John’s, Royal Oak

The President also acknowledged Christ Church Cranbrook, Bloomfield Hills for providing a generous donation to seed the technology grant fund. Congregations receiving Technology Grants were:

St. Mary’s in the Hills, Lake Orion St. David’s, Southfield St. James’, Dexter Trinity, Belleville Spirit of Grace, West Bloomfield Resurrection, Clarkston All Saints’, East Lansing Church of the Incarnation, Ann Arbor The Church at Crossroads, Detroit St. Luke’s, Ferndale St. Peter’s, Detroit St. Patrick’s, Madison Heights St. Paul’s, Brighton Trinity, Monroe St. John’s, Plymouth St. Michael’s & All Angels, Lincoln Park

RESOLUTIONS OF COURTESY

The President recognized the Rev. Judith Schellhammer (Cambridge Junction) for the purpose of presenting Resolutions of Courtesy. The Rev. Schellhammer moved the following resolutions, all of which were adopted by acclamation:

RESOLVED that the 187th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan extends its greetings, love, and support to the Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church for his inspired leadership of the Episcopal Branch of the Jesus Movement and its ministry in this time, and be it further

RESOLVED that the 187th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan extends its greetings, love, and support to the lay people, bishops, priests, and deacons of our sister dioceses in Michigan, to the north, east and west; to our Moravian sisters and brothers; to the bishops and people of the South East Michigan Synod and the North/West Lower Michigan Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; and to the lay people, bishops, priests, and deacons of the Diocese of the Dominican Republic, our partners in ministry, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the 187th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan express its appreciation and gratitude to the Virtual Convention Planning Committee, and all committees of Convention, our Diocesan staff, worship leaders and planners, volunteers, our parliamentarian, and all others who offered and used their many gifts to plan and complete the arrangements of this Annual Convention, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the 187th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan extend its most sincere thanks to the Dean of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, the Very Reverend Scott Hunter, the Cathedral Chapter, the vestry, the staff, and the people of the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul for hosting this virtual convention, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the 187th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan express its appreciation and gratitude to Mercury Sound & Lighting for their expert help with our audio visual installation and rental and to VPOLL Mobile Voting who have enabled us to bring this convention to you during these special circumstances, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the 187th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan express its appreciation and gratitude to all the various individuals in each congregation who have worked so diligently during these challenging times to make all of the various virtual gatherings through which we have been greatly blessed possible, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the 187th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan extends profound thanks to our Diocesan Staff; Canon Jo Ann Hardy, the Rev. Canon Ellen Ekevag, Canon Mark Miliotto, Jennifer Elliott, Kara Chapman, Crystal Ramirez, the Rev. Sister Veronica Dunbar, Ann Olugbile for their unwavering support, knowledge, insight, and resilience in service to our diocese, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the 187th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan send its love, prayers, and appreciation to Mrs. Shirley Gordon, and Mrs. June McGehee, widows of former bishops of this diocese, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the 187th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan send its love, prayers, and appreciation to the Rt. Rev. R. Stewart Wood, Jr., and his wife, Kristin, in this 33rd year of his consecration as a bishop of the Church, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the 187th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan send its love, prayers, and appreciation to the Rt. Rev. Wendell N. Gibbs, Jr. and his wife Karlah, in this 22nd year of his consecration as bishop of the Church, and be it further

RESOLVED, that this 187th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan express our love, support, and heartfelt prayers to our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Bonnie A. Perry, and her spouse, the Rev. Dr. Susan Harlow. We give thanks for your personal and corporate witness, pastoral ministry and spiritual guidance, especially during these challenging times of global pandemic. We thank you for keeping us mindful of the blessings of diversity and responsive to the dignity of every human being. We offer our collective prayers for your protection and Spirit filled insight as we face the joys and challenges of serving God’s mission in the days and months ahead.

RESULTS OF THE SECOND BALLOT

The Chair recognized the Secretary for the purpose of reporting on the results of the second ballot as follows:

Commission on Ministry: Clergy Order

The Rev. Paul LeClair elected

SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS

The Secretary invited members of convention to remain online for the closing worship service and the adjournment of convention.

CALL TO THE 188th CONVENTION

Following the closing worship service, the President recognized the Secretary for the purpose of the Call of the 188th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Michigan. The Secretary moved the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that the 188th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Michigan be held on October 21/22, 2022 in Novi, Michigan at the Suburban Collection Showplace.

The resolution was seconded and the President called for debate. There being no debate, the President called for the vote. The resolution was adopted.

ADJOURNMENT

The Bishop extended deepest gratitude to all who contributed to the success of this virtual convention in this extraordinary time of a pandemic. She expressed gratitude for volunteers, staff, committee members, liturgists and worship participants, and all who practice, learned and persevered on the video conferencing platform, Zoom; and for those who joined via live stream for this second virtual convention.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Convention, the Presidentat3:58 p.m. on Saturday, October 23, in the Year of our Lord Two Thousand and Twenty One, declared the One Hundred Eighty Seventh Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan adjourned, sine die

The Rev. Dr. W. Richard Hamlin Secretary of Convention

Attest:

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Bonnie A. Perry Eleventh Bishop of Michigan President of Convention

Minutes transcribed by Canon J. Hardy, Diocesan Administrator

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Bonnie A. Perry

I propose to show that we are here and nowhere else and God (the maker of heaven and earth) has called us to this place, this eternal now, to listen, to hear, to learn and then in the midst of our own wounds to offer healing and hope, from this time forth and forever more.

Come Holy One. Come Holy One. Come Holy One. May we listen, may we hear.

Here we all are. Together again, sort of, but not really, but doing the best we can in the times that we have. Here we all are again still. I am sure that at some point in my tenure in the Diocese of Michigan, we will have a convention where I will see your legs. I will see all of you and you will see all of me, and we will behold each other, friends and not strangers. Yet even so, now, we behold each other as much as we can.

Friends our program year has begun, we are trying and we are doing. Some of us are beyond excited that we can now have coffee hour and Sunday morning breakfasts. We are back at it with face masks and choirs, slowly creeping back to our pews. Yet this is not really what we want. It’s not been what we wanted for more than 19 months.

735,000 people in our country have died with 45 million cases of COVID 19 in the United States. 23,000 people have died from COVID 19 here in Michigan. More than a million of us in this state have reported contracting this disease. We have all been affected, our children, our parents, grandparents, beloved friends from church, neighbors down the hall, gone lost, ones who we see no more. Loved ones who died suddenly in their sleep or after long protracted declines. Some of us have recovered from this fearsome virus, some without lasting effect, others lacking taste or smell, continually short of breath, some of us have recovered but in the process now find ourselves blind because of secondary complications. We are marked. We are scarred. We are not the same. When I speak with our clergy I hear of the people who have died from COVID and now as we begin to open up a bit, clergy report an uptick in parishioners and friends who are dying from other diseases, letting go now, as if they have held on long enough. Our mourning is stilted, muted and masked as we quietly design funeral services that we hope will not become super spreader events. We are Episcopalians so neither irony nor science are lost on us.

We are making our way, our 70 + communities of faith. A number of congregations are engaged in or finishing very successful capital campaigns. We are seeing record number of people at Bible Studies, now that we can quote scripture from the arm chairs in in our living rooms. People from around the country are routinely attending our on line worship services. We have lay readers in England and Snowbirds in Florida who are regularly

present on the screen. Our Sacred Ground groups are legion, we’re working together to relieve medical debt in Washtenaw County, holding vaccine clinics in Detroit, Cranbrook, Lincoln Park and Pontiac. Some of our food pantries have more need than we have ever had before and they are rising to the challenge every single week. We have displays on our lawns that bear witness to this country’s history of racial violence, we have labyrinths that offer spiritual solace to anyone who ventures down their paths. We have offered showers, water and created jobs. We created groups looking into proposed election laws of our state. We’ve baptized people, married couples, received and confirmed more than a hundred people this summer. We’ve eaten ice cream, ridden our bikes, thrown water balloons, eaten ice cream, crashed down slides in a bouncy house, and did I mention, we’ve eaten ice cream…We’ve reworked the ordination process, the search process and we have more people praying the daily office than a cloistered monastery. We can worship via livestream, hybrid, Facebook Live, You Tube and Zoom. If two and a half years ago someone had said that 90% of our congregations would have virtual interfaces, we would have quietly and politely invited them to return to the planet earth.

We are amazing. You all are amazing. I am so thankful for the lay and clergy leadership of our diocese. We are amazing. You are, we are doing it and it is so hard. Everything we pull off is like slogging five more feet uphill in a river of molasses. We are doing it, but seriously how much longer can we?

I don’t know about all of you, but I want it all to end. I’m over the new, I want to go back to the old or move forward to the next, but being mired in the muck and glue of this time is sapping the life blood out of me.

I suspect I am not alone.

I want this done.

The continuous anxiety, the bitter fear and dread around the edges of everyone and everything: should I hug, should I not, did they get too close, did I pick something up, are they vaccinated? They look vaccinated…Am I passing something on? Is my throat sore?

Mask on mask off? Should I get a third shot? What about everyone in the world who doesn’t have the luxury to decline a vaccine?

It is all draining my spirits and threatening to suck me down.

I want to move forward or backward. I want to move on.

This then is where the Rule of St. Benedict a monastic code from the 6th century authored by Benedict of Nursia comes into play. Particularly a Benedictine Model presented in the College of Congregational Development. The College for Congregational Development the program my colleague Melissa Skelton talked about just a few minutes ago.

The College uses an adaptation of the Rule of Benedict as a means of reflecting on where we as individuals and communities of faith find ourselves in our world. While the actual Rule of St. Benedict goes on for forty some odd pages, The College for Congregational Development uses Anglican Theologian Esther de Waal’s distillation of the rule into three essential parts.

De Waal, focuses upon about Benedict’s emphasis on Stability, Obedience and Conversion of Life.

Stability has to do with being able to find God in the place, in this time, with these people. Our focus on stability, calls us not to wish ourselves to another time or place, or to a better set of circumstances. Stability from Benedict’s perspective is to say God is here in this place now. And here, right here I will seek God.

Obedience is as de Waal says, “The lifelong process of learning…listening to the word of God, to the [people of our community] the brethren…The Latin root for obedience is obedire which literally means “listen to or pay attention to”. So a key part of obedience is to immerse ourselves in listening to God’s word in scripture, in prayer, and in silence. To listen deeply to our families, community members, friends, and the world. In our personal prayer where is the silence so that we may hear? In our corporate prayer profound points of silence, where are they? so that we may listen deeply and hear what the spirit is saying and how is the spirit being revealed in what we have just heard how might it be revealed in what we are about to say or sing?

The last stage is what de Waal refers to as, Conversion of Life. How having stayed rooted in where we are, in the context we find ourselves, in not wishing it away, how have we heard God and and how now is God inviting us to an inner transformation with Christ? What new invitation is on the horizon to turn toward Christ? What is being offered? In our stability, and acceptance of who and how we are now, in our profound attempts at listening to God and to our community, what are we being called to be as individuals and as communities of faith.?

Friends, I believe that we are at the point in this Benedictine cycle where we are being called to do nothing other than accept the mire, muck and glue of the Fall of 2021. We are here, not in the Fall of 2019, nor are we in the Fall of 2023 or 2024. We are here and we know that God is not anywhere else but here. With us. Let us own our tiredness, our sadness, grief, pain and our anger at what has befallen us. Let us fully immerse ourselves in this time with our God.

Then, let us be the people, the individuals and the communities, the congregations who listen listen deeply. Let us pay attention, let us ask how people are and listen and hear them (as Feminist Theologian, Nelle Morton says,) let us hear them into speech. Let us hear them into hope.

Stop worrying about what you will do, and whether or not everyone will come back or if new people will ever join us. Instead for this time ,in this moment, let us open the doors of

people’s hearts and bind up their wounds, our own wounds, by being rooted and listening with every pore in our bodies. Let us listen. Let us Hear. Stop and listen.

Then, we will know. Then and only then will we know what invitation on the horizon, is being offered to us, through the one, who says, “Be Still and Know that I am God.”

My friends it is my breath taking joy to be your bishop.

In Christ,

October 23, 2021

We are Headed to Someplace New

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Bonnie A. Perry

Acts 15:12 22a

James of Jerusalem

God is alive and active and working in our world and our call as people of faith is to find that faith, name those occasions of God and join with the people who are experiencing it and be changed and renewed, be transformed just as the early Jewish apostles were changed and transformed by the faith and actions of the gentiles. We keep our eternal truths but we let our temporal sensibilities slide away.

Come Holy Spirit and enkindle within us the fire of your burning love.

In your blessed name we pray. Amen.

Friends we are headed to someplace new, a different place and a different way. I don’t know specifically what it looks like and I am uncertain of exactly where it is, but I do have an idea of how we might get there. This is not the first time a community of faithful followers of Jesus found themselves discerning a new way of being. I believe the archetype for this journey was mapped out long ago with those first believers who preached the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Like those first believers our journey will only be successful if we embark on it with people we know and then learn from and join with so many more who we have not yet met.

Let’s go back a couple of thousand years ago. Peter, Paul and Barnabas leaders in the early post resurrection church are traveling not quite to the ends of the earth, but pretty darn far, to tell the story of Jesus of Nazareth. Sometimes together and other times apart, they tell of Jesus’ preaching and teaching throughout the countryside, they tell of his “no holds barred all are welcome:” the poor, the rich, tax collectors and sinners, Roman soldiers, Jewish Pharisees, men, women, respectable folks and those who are not. Jesus greets warmly all who come without guile. He eats with them, drinks with them, he hears them, heals them and loves them. All. All of them.

It is his love, that threatens the powers and the principalities, the government officials Hebrew and Roman alike. The people love Jesus and are hearing Jesus, a movement is forming and those in power live in fear of losing control. So they engineer lies and pay spies and they arrest him, convict him, and crucify him. He dies.

He dies on a cross. A place that had only been a way of deep shame. He dies. Dead. And then he who was dead, he who’d been laid in a tomb, lifeless and rigid as its stone cold slabs, he rose. He rose from the dead, up from the grave alive. This is the story that Paul and Barnabas and Peter and others begin to tell. They tell of the women who saw him alive. They tell of his appearance to others. More importantly they tell what he said, “That death no longer has dominion, and go and love one another as I have loved you. Go now and care for the poor, the sick the weak, be together as one, and know that God’s ways are not the world’s ways. Be as one and may God’s kingdom come.”

As they tell this story here’s the thing people believe the bridge is crossed and gentiles, pagans and people other than faithful Jews begin to believe. The first time the word Christian is used is in Antioch to refer to the faithful Greeks. The gentiles believe. The pagans accept.

Now the people who began this movement, faithful Jewish leaders are posing the question, the consummate question: These newcomers, these new ones who now believe, don’t they, shouldn’t they become like us? We have offered such good news, shouldn’t they change and adopt and be like us? Specifically shouldn’t they too be circumcised like all faithful male Jews?

This is the question posed to the the Apostles and leaders in Jerusalem. Shouldn’t these newcomers be like us? So, a meeting is called and the meeting like many church meetings goes on for quite some time, (some things have not changed dear friends and I’m sure they all talked about it afterwards in the parking lot…)The meeting goes on for quite some time, back and forth with many views being heard, and alternate opinions expressed. But periodically silences happen. People sit still. They reflect on what they have listened to they pay attention to what they have learned.

And out of a silence..

the apostle James stands and quoting and weaving from scripture he declares that long ago this is what God intended, that many many more may believe. And though they are not believers in the way of the faithful Jews, nevertheless the Spirit is active and they will not unnecessarily burden the non Jewish believers with Jewish traditions. The basics only will be required and a new way of being is begun.

A way of being, a way of hearing and learning and re creating is begun. A way, here in this corner of Michigan from which we can learn.

As theologian Willie James Jennings says, we can weave together “Our crucial beginnings with our present endeavors,”(Acts: Belief, A Theological Commentary on the Bible, 2017, p 141.)

It’s time friends, for us to do now as our ancestors our early church planters did then. This time, this COVID 19 time is the perfect time for us to rethink how we see ourselves, and see our communities of faith in our world. In these last 19 months we have shown more elasticity, more flexibility than we have in the last 500 years. As wretched as this virus is, our response to it, has permanently altered our chromosomal make up. We know what it means and we know how it feels to completely re form our congregations. We know now how to gather in completely new ways. We know what it takes to be transformed.

So I wonder, what if we continued to build on this? What if instead of longing to go back to Egypt where we had leeks and cucumbers, what if we actively moved forward? What if we did as those early leaders did, and began to recognize how alive the Spirit is working well beyond our walls?

God is alive and active and working in our world and our call as people of faith is to find that faith, name those occasions of God and join with the people who are experiencing it and be changed and renewed, be transformed just as the early Jewish apostles were changed and transformed by the faith and actions of the gentiles. We keep our eternal truths but we let our temporal sensibilities slide away.

People ask all the time how do we get them to come join us? If they walked through our doors they would know how wonderful we are. And its true we are and they would know that. But the gentiles didn't’ go to the early believers. The early believers went to the gentiles and then they offered their story and then more importantly they listened and learned from the gentiles. They acknowledged that the Spirit was working in their lives and they honored that work and even more so the early believes changed their ways and together they forged something completely new.

That then is what I believe we are being called to do. To stop waiting for people to walk through our doors some will and we will welcome them, but mostly friends I wonder what would happen if we went beyond our doors, past our zones of comfort, I wonder if we were to be in our communities, in our neighborhoods listening and learning. And then naming the holiness we see in those places. And rather than saying they must come to us, might we change and go to them and then might all of us like the apostles of old did oh so long ago, might we all create something new. Might we listen and learn, offer our stories and then might we all together create something infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.

I wonder. Amen.

THE 187TH CONVENTION OF THE DIOCESE OF MICHIGAN OCTOBER 22/23, 2021

REGISTRATION OF LAY DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES (VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE) SUBURBAN SHOWCASE, NOVI, MICHIGAN

Adrian, Christ Church Holden, Joyce Abraham, Sam Buchin, Janice

Allen Park, St. Luke’s

Ann Arbor, Canterbury House, University of Michigan Chaplaincy Rich, Tom

Ann Arbor, Church of the Incarnation McLoyd, Vonnie Walden, Jerry Weirauch, Dawn

Ann Arbor, St. Aidan’s Earle, Michael Smereck, Susan

Ann Arbor, St. Andrew’s Baron, Pelham Sten, Nathan

Ann Arbor, St. Clare of Assisi Sampselle, Carolyn Vandengergen, Grace Klimach, Linda

Belleville, Trinity Church Khajeh Noori, Kathy Anderson, David

Birmingham, St. James Tousignant, Samantha Gable, Mark Linstedt, Elaine

Bloomfield Hills, Christ Church Cranbrook Carrigan, Robert Rose, Stephanie Robinson, Marc

Bloomfield Township, Nativity Hiatt, Russell Bryan, Beverly

Brighton, St. Paul’s Church Zorn, David Senecal, Beth Connolly, Cassidy

Brooklyn, All Saint’s Seeler, Cole Messimer, John W.

Cambridge Junction, St. Michael’s & All Angels Chelsea, St. Barnabas’ Varady, Jan Van Loo, David

Clarkston, Church of the Resurrection Roeser, Judy Connon, Diane

Clinton, St. John’s Leuchtmann, Beth A. Sosko, Terry

Dearborn, Christ Church Bell, Nicholas Taylor, Dale

Dearborn, Mother of the Savior Saba , Widad Saad Abboodi Shatara, Suhad

Detroit, All Saint’s Church Woods, Juanita Weekes, Roger

Detroit, Cathedral Church of St. Paul Wiggins, Donald Manko Cliff, Diane H. Dumas, Emery

Detroit, Christ Church Mitchell, Anthony Treece, Jim

Detroit, Church of the Messiah Gilbert, Wallace Olive, Robert

Detroit, Grace Church Gross, Airlene E.

Detroit, St. John’s Grim, Peter Gillespie, Rod

Detroit, St. Matthew’s / St. Joseph’s Brown, Marsha Charles, Ronald A.

Detroit, St. Peter’s Ray, Janet

DeWitt, Christ United

Dexter, St. James Wilson, Deborah Arnston, Len Oberg, John Alternate: Arnston, Wendy

East Lansing, All Saints Holmes, Tyler Pauly, Matt Dennis, Toni

East Lansing, Canterbury MSU Nicolaysen, Emma Nicolaysen, Maren Hartwell, Josephine

Ecorse, Church of the Resurrection

Farmington Hills, Trinity Church Ilmer, Steven Bass, Sherry Cuper, Diane

Ferndale, St. Luke’s Barringer, Heather

Grosse Ile, St. James Holbuka, James M. Dugliss, Gwyn Lough, Colleen

Grosse Pointe, Christ Church Fitzgerald, Colleen Chaklos, Susan Champion, Deb

Grosse Pointe Woods, St. Michael’s Miller, Martha

Hamburg, St. Stephen’s Hohman, Robert Dewolf, Nancy Dewolf, David

Hillsdale, St. Peter’s Wilson, Gene Pauze, Rozanne Wilson, Sabrina

Howell, St. John’s

Inkster, St. Clement’s Chisholm, Steven Cross, Linda

Jackson, St. Paul’s Burkey, Dana Osborn, Jan Marsh, Dennis R.

Lake Orion, St. Mary’s In The Hills Toll, Viki

Lansing, St. Michael’s Maricle, Becky

Lansing, St. Paul’s Clark, Larry Thomas, Carol Wortley, Greg

Lincoln Park, St. Michael’s & All Angels Bennett, Scott Kittle, Richard

Livonia, St. Andrew’s Reyes, Joan

Madison Heights, St. Patrick’s Carbon, Debbie Bell, Patricia Krato, Inge

Mason, St. Augustine of Canterbury

Michigan Center, St. Aidan’s Bliss, Cathy

Milford, St. George’s Johnstone, Mary Lou Sawyer, Deborah Graham, Rev Monroe, Trinity

Mt. Clemens, Grace Germain, Patricia Lappi, Shirley E. Sherry, Pamela Novi, Church of the Holy Cross Hinkle, Bruce Siirila, Beverly Paradowski, Gwen

Onstead, St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church Brooks, Betsy Blum, Pete Tuxbury, Bill

Pleasant Lake, Christ Episcopal Church Roberts, Donald Roberts, Lynette

Plymouth, St. John’s Sanders, Kenneth

Pontiac, All Saints’ Enright, Andrea Rooks, Sydney Anderson, Bonnie

Redford, St. Elizabeth’s

Rochester, St. Phillip’s Hatchett, Jen Turczynski, Brianne Youngman, Alan M.

Romeo, St. Paul’s Hutchinson, Richard Refior, Larry Refior, Debra

Royal Oak, St. John’s Luggar, Barbara Asante, Askari Robson, Bruce

Saline, Holy Faith Kollath, Teresa (Teri)

Shelby Township, St. Luke’s Hart, Jeff

Southfield, Church of the Redeemer

Southfield, St. David’s Butler, Darryl Boyes, Ellen Humphrey, Audrey

Southgate, Grace Church Bradford, Pamela Richert, Cortney Brewer, Luanne

St. Claire Shores, Trinity Runde, Vince

Taylor, Christ the King Carson, Jacqueline L. Carson, Frank

Trenton, St. Thomas Pounds, Janet Krupa, Laura Sutherland, Nancy

Troy, St. Stephen’s Moss, Alice Stein, David Ingersoll, Don Waterford, St. Andrew’s Hamm, Dani Vestuvo, Lois Morrison, Pamela

West Bloomfield, Spirit of Grace Latimer, Carol Ballmann, Jocie Timmons, Janet

Westland, St. John’s Smereck, JD, Geoffrey Godbout, Jim Godbout, Sande

Williamston, St. Katherine’s Hall, Jonathan (Jon)

Wyandotte, St. Stephen’s Soyk, Sarah

Ypsilanti, St. Luke’s Symonette, Janet Kern Boprie, Martha Lewis, Cathy

Williamston, St. Katherine’s Jerry Dahlberg Janice Pfeifer

Wyandotte, St. Stephen’s Ross Foster Thomas Lee

Ypsilanti, St. Luke’s David Epskamp Sara Freeland Cathy Lewis

RECORD OF VIRTUAL CLERGY REGISTRATION

Alltop, Robert Anslow Williams, Susan Bailey, Julia Baxter, RaeLee Benes, Sandra S. Bowen, Kristin Bradley, Michael Brogan, Betty Buchin, Daniel Byrd, Ronald Campbell, Bruce A. Carter, Lynda Clifton, Ellis Congleton, Melissa A. Conners, John* Cook, Winifred Corner, Cynthia R. Danaher, Jr. William Dinwiddie, Philip Dischinger, III, Chip Dostert, Manisha Dunbar, Veronica Ekevag, Ellen Estes, Anthony Fentress-Gannon, Chris Ferguson, Linda Fitzpatrick, Michael Flynn, Timothy Fraley, Patricia Gibson, Alan Griebler, Denise* Grossoehme, Henrietta Guffey, Andrew Hamlin, W. Richard Hansknecht, Jeanne Harmon, Judith L. Harris, Chris* Hesse, Vicki Hickman, Clare L. Hoover, Joshua

Humphrey, Christine Hunter, S. Scott Hurlbert, Sarah Johnson, Thalia Johnson, Christopher Johnson, Carolynn Kelly, Steven J. Kerr, Ph.D., Robert Lawson, Daniel LeClair, Paul Ledford, Marcia L. Lukens, Matthew Mader, Carol Maffeo, Amy Martin, Andrea* Matthews, Joyce McNiel, D. Min, Donna McWhorter, Shirley Mileski, Annette Miller, Paula Montgomery, Terri Morrison, Glenn Morrow, Andrea Pashturro, James Peck, Maryjane Perry, Bonnie A. Pilarski, Terri Randolph, Barry Ritter, Jenny Roberts, William T. Rose, Peggy Salles, Stacy Sams, Jonathan C. Sawyer, Alice Sherman Schellhammer, Judith Seger, Nikki Shaefer, Susie Shafer, Linda Jean Shafer, Gail Shukair, Halim

Slater, JoAnn Kennedy Smartt, Cleda Spann, Ronald Spannaus, Timothy Stech, William Steinberger Domienik, S. Summers, Joseph H. Taylor, Beth Twiss, Ian Reed Tyriver, Marcia Van Culin, Andrew K. Vandercook, Susan Vandercook, Ross VanLoo, Marion Wakeen, Teresa Walworth, Diana L. Webber, Ann Williams, Eric Williams Guffey, Emily Yaw, Chris Yudasz, Mitch *Granted Seat & Voice

The Episcopal Diocese of Michigan

4800 Woodward Avenue Detroit, Michigan 48201 1399 www.edomi.org