Guest Author: Rev. Sue Colavincenzo, Rector, St. Dunstan’s in Davison
Gathering to grow in “heart” as well as in “head” is one apostolic action we do well in our diocese. St. Dunstan’s in Davison was privileged to host a “Becoming Beloved Community” Dismantling Racism Workshop May 31, 2025. There were forty two people who attended, representing eight churches.
There is a long history of racism training in the eastern side of our newly formed Diocese of the Great Lakes. Deacon Anna Leigh Kubbe and Stephanie King, from St. Alban’s in Bay City, attended a conference in New York thirty years ago when Ed Leidel was the bishop of the Diocese of Eastern Michigan, and returned with the foundation to begin. In 2004, after Gene Robinson was elected as a bishop, training was expanded to include LBGT issues.
When Deacon Claudia Hollinger was ordained a deacon, she was appointed to lead the Dismantling Racism training in the diocese. Claudia taught the classes at Coppage Gordon School for Ministry, the precursor to the Academy for Vocational Leadership. After Claudia’s death, the dismantling racism group for the diocese was led by Bob Lotz and Jelecia Geraghty, with support from Rick Russell of the Missionary Baptist Church. The Blue Water Convocation seemed to take the lead in sacred conversations about racism with the Rev. Dr. Lydia Speller encouraging racism education and gatherings. Canon Tracie Little, as a rector, opened All Saints in Marysville to sacred conversation which gathered an ecumenical community weekly.
Jeanette Ettin and Jelecia became the Dismantling Racism team for the diocese serving in that capacity for many years, continuing their ministry today. It was from the Diocese of Michigan that Becoming Beloved Community was introduced to them from ChurchNext. That is the training we are using currently in our new diocese.
And that was the training used successfully on Saturday at St. Dunstan’s. Jeanette is to be commended for her leadership for this gathering. We not only grew in knowledge, but our hearts took on new understanding. And, we did it all while being in fellowship with our siblings in Christ from eight churches. We came away filled… minds, bellies, and hearts.