Journal of the Proceedings of the 186th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese 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 Spiritfilled 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