October 10, 2019
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Hello!

We are excited to welcome Lisa Kimball, our keynote speaker, at our diocesan convention in just a few short weeks.

Lisa serves Virginia Theological Seminary as the Associate Dean of Lifelong Learning and the James Maxwell Professor of Lifelong Christina Formation, where she focuses on human development, experiential learning, faith formation, church history, popular culture, adult formation, lay ministry development, adolescent spiritual development, and program evaluation.
She is a passionate advocate for lay ministry, the full inclusion of all generations, digital literacy, and leaders who are confident teachers of the faith.

In her church-wide ministry, Lisa serves as Chair of the Standing Committee on Formation and Ministry of the Baptized for the Episcopal Church, co-founded the Episcopal Confirmation Collaborative, is currently directing a 5-year grant project –  Baptized for Life: An Episcopal Discipleship Initiative , and serves on the Way of Love resource development team.

Click here to learn more about the Way of Love.
Click here to learn more about our 145th Diocesan Convention.

Peace, 
The Rev. Canon Bill Spaid
Convention Secretary & Canon Missioner for the Southern Region,
The Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan
UPCOMING EVENTS
October 12
Save the date: Daughters of the King Fall Assembly at Trinity, Three Rivers from 9:30-3:00pm.
October 19
Chorister Festival at the Cathedral of St. Paul in Detroit.
Oct. 22-24
LARC Retreat at the Augustine Center in Conway. Info & Registration.
October 24
Celebration of New Ministry with St. Andrew's, Grand Rapids and the Rev. Molly Bosscher at 7pm.
November 2
Confirmation at Diocesan Convention. Register Candidates.
November 14
Celebration of New Ministry with St. John's, Sturgis and the Rev. James Lively at 7pm.
November 16
EYC hosts a going away party for Gennie Callard, former Assistant to the Bishop for Children and Youth Ministries at Camp Newaygo, 1-5pm.
Dec. 7-8
Advent Retreat at Plainsong Farm for high school and middle school youth. Info and registration.
May 8-20
Journeys of Paul - Pilgrimage through Greece. Info and Registration.
July 7-11
Save the Date:  Episcopal Youth Event in Washington, DC for high school-aged youth and adult leaders.
EDWM in the NEWS
" Dowagiac community members and residents with furry friends and animal companions can attend a blessing of the animals hosted next weekend [at St. Paul's, St. Joseph ]. .."
Grand Haven Tribune - 'We're all one'
" Abby Teasley grew up in Mexico, and moved to the United States in 1999. Saturday, she got a taste of her homeland as Grand Haven hosted the inaugural Hispanic Heritage Fiesta at Central Park [sponsored by St. John's, Grand Haven ]..."
NEWS & UPDATES
Western Michigan Churches Go All Out for St. Francis Day Animal Blessings
Congregations across the diocese gathered with pets
St. Mark's,
Grand Rapids
St. Augustine's,
Benton Harbor
Emmanuel,
Petoskey
A large number of congregations across the diocese joined with the Church in celebrating the Feast of St. Francis last weekend, holding special events and services incorporating parishioners' furry friends and offering blessings to those with us and those departed.

Several - including St. Augustine's, Benton Harbor, pictured above - also incorporated some kind of collection to benefit local pet shelters, raising funds or gathering food and other supplies.
145th Diocesan Convention:
Submission Deadlines are TODAY!
Today, October 10th, is the deadline for several submissions in preparation of our 145th Diocesan Convention, to take place in Grand Rapids, November 1-2. Those deadlines are:

  • Hotel Reservations
  • Nominations for elected leadership (Standing Committee, Deputy to General Convention)
  • Reports on diocesan ministries
  • Registrations for candidates for the service of Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation
  • In Memoriam records

All information about these items and links to the submission forms are available at www.edwm.org/convention.
AMEN Conference Gathered on Mackinac Island
The All Michigan Episcopal Network gathers every two years
The All Michigan Episcopal Network is gathered in the Diocese of Northern Michigan, on Mackinac Island this weekend for the biannual AMEN Conference - gathering clergy from all four of the Michigan dioceses for fellowship, continuing education, and worship.

This year's keynote speaker is the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. He spoke to the group yesterday, saying "The Jesus Movement has existed in many and manifold forms. We have been Christendom and we have been in the catacombs. We have crowned emperors and been persecuted by emperors...You and I are here today because of what the apostles did - without any buildings, without an endowment, without a pension fund - as witnesses to Jesus."

The conference is hosted at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. The long-time former owners of the hotel are Episcopalians and offer space to the AMEN Conference at a deep discount.
CLERGY TRANSITIONS
OPEN SEARCHES
Church of the Mediator, Harbert seeks a full-time Rector. View the listing.
St. Christopher's, Northport seeks a part-time Rector. View the listing .
Emmanuel, Petoskey seeks a full-time Rector. View the profile.
OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES
Engaging Ministry: Practices of Prayer, Worship, and Community
Jan. 30-Feb. 1 at the Beecken Center at Sewanee
Parishes that are growing have several characteristics in common. They are described as “spiritually vital and alive” and reflect what the report writers call “entrainment,” or a kind of “collective effervescence.” They also tend to describe their worship as “vibrant and engaging” or “joyful.” How do clergy and lay leaders create such communities?

In this two-part educational and experiential series we'll explore two aspects of congregational vitality: cultivating practices that invite Christ’s indwelling presence in both ordained leaders and in communities, and processes for creating dynamic and transformative worship that stirs the senses and opens the heart. Participants will leave refreshed, inspired, and prepared with tools and resources for engaging ministry.

Journeys of Paul Pilgrimage in Greece
Join the pilgrimage May 8-20, 2020
Join Bishop Hougland and other pilgrims from around the Dioceses of Western and Eastern Michigan in Greece next Summer as they walk in the footsteps of Paul.

The deadline to register is November 8th. Click here to learn more, including pricing, airfare, itinerary, and more.
CONGREGATIONAL CALENDAR
October 19
Ultreya at St. Timothy's, Richland from 11-3pm with potluck.
October 22
Feeding the Soul of the City concert hosted by St. Paul's, Muskegon featuring Matthew Ball (boogie-woogie/jazz piano) at 12:15pm.
October 23
Acts of Transformation: A Solar Celebration at Emmanuel, Hastings to unveil and bless their new solar energy at 3:30pm.
November 2
University of Michigan Men's Glee Club will perform at Christ Church, Charlevoix at 2pm.
November 3
Christ Church, Charlevoix celebrates 125 Years with a service using hte 1892 Book of Common Prayer.
November 9
Holy Spirit, Belmont ECW's Christmas Delites (crafts, baked goods, silent auction).
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.
December 7
Winter Songs & Carols at Grace, Traverse City featuring Manitou Winds at 7:30pm. Free will offering to benefit community lunch program.
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

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