One of the best parts of being on Diocesan Staff is that we we get to travel around this very pleasant peninsula to connect with people, parishes, and communities. AND, even when we are in our offices and not on the road, we still get to do cool and meaningful work to support Episcopal ministries in our diocese.
Here are some highlights from our team for the week of July 6, 2025.
Alan James, Interim Executive Director
Mostly recovered from my illness but still needing to isolate, I am grateful for the chance to worship online. I am thankful that many of our churches of all sizes still livestream their services. It matters to those like me who cannot attend and to those who are looking for a new church home. So in this case, to the people of St. John’s Saginaw and the Rev. Ann Grady – thank you for your words and the opportunity to pray as a part of your extended community.
Rachel Rose-Ravellette, Director of Communications
What a joy it was to spend a significant amount of time last week preparing the announcement of our new assisting bishop, Bishop Anne Hodges-Copple! Through the process, I was blessed to get to know Bishop Anne a bit and I can tell you, siblings, that God has sent us a wise, kind, excited, and faithful pastor to help us continue to grow and prepare for our first bishop diocesan.
The week was a short one because of the holiday, but apart from the announcement of Bishop Anne’s call, it was still full of the work of being a diocese and supporting ministers both lay and clergy. Through a number of conversations I’ve had with other staff members and diocesan leaders in recent weeks, I know that I am not alone in this sentiment: we are turning a corner, Great Lakes Episcopalians! We are turning a corner from the uncertain and at times chaotic and confusing work of the logistics of juncture to a place where we can focus on the work of being a diocese. That turn, siblings, is so so so welcome by our leaders!
