Nov. 21, 2019
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Hello!

For the sixth year in a row, Virginia Theological Seminary invites Anglicans from all over the world to participate int he global online Advent Calendar, AdventWord.

Beginning on Sunday, December 1st, you are invited to share images and mediations following a daily prompt and to view and interact with those shared by others on any of the following: the AdventWord website, daily emails, or on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube). The meditations are available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.

Our diocesan social media channels for Eastern and Western Michigan will be participating again this year, sharing an image each day from our previous year of ministry together based on the daily meditation word.

Join us! Post your own images and reflecting using the hashtag, #AdventWord. Click here to learn more and to view the daily prompts.

Wishing you a blessed Advent,
Katie Forsyth
Canon for Evangelism & Networking,
The Episcopal Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan
UPCOMING EVENTS
November 23
Safeguarding God's Children Training hosted by St. Mark's, Grand Rapids from 9-12pm. Register by November 18. Registration .
Dec. 7-8
Advent Retreat at Plainsong Farm for high school and middle school youth. Info and registration.
February 7-9
The Gathering youth event for high schoolers and young adults in Kalamazoo. Info and registration.
February 22
Save the Date: Southern Leadership Day Workshop.
February 28-March 1
Provincial Youth Leadership Event at Bellwether Farm in the Diocese of Ohio. Info and application.
March 7
Save the Date: Central Leadership Day Workshop.
March 20-22
CHARGE youth event for middle schoolers at the Great Wolf Lodge. Info and registration.
March 28
Save the Date: Northern Leadership Day Workshop.
April 11
Save the Date: Diocesan Confirmation in Holland.
May 8-20
Journeys of Paul - Pilgrimage through Greece. Info and Registration.
June 20-27
Save the date: DREAM Mission Project in the Dominican Republic.
July 7-11
Episcopal Youth Event in Washington, DC for high school-aged youth and adult leaders. Info and Application.
October 30-31
Save the Date: Diocesan Convention in Lansing, with the Diocese of Eastern Michigan and with special guest, the Presiding Bishop.
EDWM in the NEWS
(Video) Grand Haven joined over 40 international cities Sunday evening to honor World Day of the Poor at their "Homeless Jesus" sculpture.
"The Sewanee workshop was a pilot program developed by two seminary graduates, the Rev. Hannah Pommersheim and the Rev. Kellan Day, through the university’s six-year  Roberson Project on Slavery, Race, and Reconciliation (and included a workshop from the Rev. Molly Bosscher) ."
" I was able to meet up with Kate Kesteloot-Scarbrough of Mediation and Restorative Services and Lily Marx who is the Coordinator of the Muskegon County Cooperating Churches organization to discuss this incredible program and learn a little more. "
NEWS & UPDATES
Episcopal Youth Event Location Finalized
EYE20 will be at the University of Maryland - College Park
The venue for the 2020 Episcopal Youth Event has been finalized. The gathering will be hosted by the Diocese of Washington at the University of Maryland in College Park.

The theme is "Unite! ¡Unámonos!" to recognize that we are 'yoked together' as a community through God's mercy and grace - united in following the Way of Love.

As a reminder, the event takes place July 7-11, 2020. Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan will travel together as a group. All high schoolers in the 19-20 school year are invited to apply.

Click here to learn more and apply. The deadline to apply is December 31st.
Join the project!
New #MIFaithStory featuring the Rev. Deacon Beth Drew
YOU are invited to share your #MIFaithStory - why do you follow Jesus? Why are you an Episcopalian? What do you wish people knew about your community?

FYI: Email Phishing Awareness
Please disregard any emails claiming to be from Bishop Hougland or other clergy requesting a favor or financial help. These are examples of email phishing, a specific kind of email fraud. This is not a hacked account , but a separate person pretending to belong to us. Click here to learn more about recognizing and avoiding email phishing.
CLERGY TRANSITIONS
TRANSITION UPDATES
The Rev. James Perra will be Rector of Grace, Traverse City. Previously, he served the Church of the Holy Apostles in Arbutus, Maryland.
OPEN SEARCHES
Church of the Mediator, Harbert seeks a full-time Rector. View the listing.
Emmanuel, Petoskey seeks a full-time Rector. View the profile.
OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES
Christ in Crisis with the Rev. Jim Wallis
December 4 at Transformations Spirituality Center
In perilous and polarizing times, where is our true north – our fixed point in a spinning world?

The Rev Jim Wallis, in his new book Christ in Crisis: Why We Need to Reclaim Jesus suggests that a focus on eight questions asked by, or of, Jesus provide a solid compass for people of faith. “Who is my neighbor?” is a question posed to Jesus by a lawyer. Pontius Pilate inquired of Jesus, “What is truth?” What is Jesus telling us when he repeatedly tells us “Be not afraid?” In exploring these and other questions, Wallis provides a path of spiritual grounding and solidarity to help us heal the divide separating Americans today.

Wallis speaks about coming home to our values in times of trouble – both personal and public – through Christian discipleship. While he directly addresses the dividing lines and dangers facing our nation, the religious and cultural commentator’s focus isn’t politics; it’s faith.

CONGREGATIONAL CALENDAR
November 23
Learning about Dietrich Bonhoeffer at St. Paul's, Muskegon .
November 24
Thanksgiving Dinner at St. Timothy's, Richland after the 9:30 service.
November 26
Feeding the Soul of the City concert hosted by St. Paul's, Muskegon featuring Lee Murdock, "The Christmas Ship" (folk guitar) at 12:15pm.
November 28
St. Mark's, Newaygo hosts a Thanksgiving Dinner from noon-2pm.
December 1
Advent Lessons and Carols featuring soprano, Diane Penning at 5pm at St. John's, Grand Haven .
December 4
Taize prayer service at St. Mark's, Newaygo at 6:30pm.
December 7
Winter Songs & Carols at Grace, Traverse City featuring Manitou Winds at 7:30pm. Free will offering to benefit community lunch program.

31st annual Cookie Walk at St. Mark's, Paw Paw begins at 9am with raffle and cookies and crafts for purchase.

St. Nicholas Day Craft Bazaar from 10-4pm at St. David's, Lansing . Artists and crafters welcome - contact Andi Flitton .
December 11
Taize prayer service at St. Mark's, Newaygo at 6:30pm.
December 12
Misa por Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe/Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass at St. John's, Grand Haven at 7pm.
December 18
Taize prayer service at St. Mark's, Newaygo at 6:30pm.
December 21
Blue Christmas service at Holy Trinity, Wyoming at 7:30pm.
December 31
Blood Drive with the Red Cross at St. Paul's Muskegon from 10-3pm.
Aug. 30-Sept. 9, 2020
St. Paul's Muskegon is organizing a pilgrimage to Ireland and the Isle of Iona - "In the Footsteps fo St. Patrick, St. Brigid, and St. Columba". For information, contact the Rev. Mary Frens at 231-519-2792.
CONNECT

Click here to submit a story or event for consideration in our biweekly newsletter.

This newsletter is edited by Katie Forsyth, Canon for Evangelism & Networking. Email Katie.
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