“We live along the amazing St Clair River. Big ships and wonderful Episcopalians – other folks too. There is a generous, kind spirit here that will welcome you with open arms. We look forward to that opportunity.”
“St. John’s Mount Pleasant is a welcoming faith community that encourages seeing God’s presence in all places and things. As well as a rich tradition of music, we seek modern theology while appreciating traditional liturgy. I found my connection to the Christian faith in this parish.” – Ethan Kindle
“The AuSable Inclusion Center is an emerging community committed to care, hospitality, and advocacy for marginalized people in the deep woods of northern Michigan. We’re experimenting with what it looks like to be The Church when you’re not A Church, while also working to network with faith communities within and beyond the Episcopal Church. When an ice storm devastated our region, we quickly built up capacity in our recently launched Hygiene Closet, reached out to partners throughout the region, and deployed ten “pop up” hygiene closets over eight weeks, distributing thousands of personal care, laundry, and household cleaning products to hundreds of households throughout the affected area. While we’re still discerning what it looks like to fully live into God’s call for this community in this place, we are committed to extending “love, justice, and dignity for all God’s children.”
“Our parish remained very strong and looking forward as we searched for a new rector. Spirits were high, and parishioners stepped up to keep the parish going, despite only having supply clergy a couple times a month. In January, we welcomed a new leader, then a deacon, and in July he was ordained to the priesthood. He has been a real shot in the arm for our parish, jumping in wherever needed from Day One! When we told him (as a finalist in our search) that we were facing a nearly 1/2 million$ roof reconstruction, he immediately said he would be fully on board with whatever was needed to raise the funds to complete the job! And he has done so. We asked for a rector strong in pastoral care and he has exceeded our expectations! Our parish’s joy and support were on display as 51 people from St. Mark’s traveled to be present at his ordination! (see photo). We are experiencing increased attendance and involvement, and look forward to a very bright future for St. Mark’s in Coldwater!” – Anne Davidson
“St Paul’s Muskegon, MI is right in the heart of Downtown Muskegon. It’s such a gorgeous building and while it’s a small community the love is immense and shared with the whole city. Lots of outreach programs & amazing music.”
“We welcome everyone, all week! With our Diaper Bank, Partners in Housing Transition, 55 & Better Ministry, and more we reach out to our community. We minister to our members through ongoing book studies (we just finished A Wing And a Prayer by Katherine Jeffrey’s Schori), Formation for both Children and Adults, Healing Ministry, and a fabulous choir and handbell ministry to name a few!”
– Sarah Swart, AOSH
“We are a rural parish, and rural child poverty is an emergency. Our Baby Pantry serves and advocates for children and families who are overlooked and underserved.
St. Philip’s is the home of the only no-barriers assistance to families with young children in a five-county area. We do not require income verification for need and do not maintain records beyond what is necessary for the program’s operation. We welcome our neighbors twice a month to “shop” at our boutique-style pantry.
We also invite other area service providers, such as Early Head Start, WIC, the Unemployment Office, and Car Seat Technicians, among others, to be present during our open hours, so that families who come to us may find more comprehensive support. Our other ministries, The Good News Gardens and The Order of Naucratius, provide fresh organic produce, and Salmon for our families.
The Baby Pantry offers a wide range of essential items for young children.
We collaborate with other organizations to provide needed items. Our primary partner in ministry is The First Congregational Church of Benzonia UCC. This amazing partnership provides winter gear, including boots and coats.” – Joy Foster
“My family moved to Mt. Pleasant from out of state less than a year ago. One of our biggest concerns was connecting with a church family. After several attempts at churches we came to St. John’s. We could not feel more welcomed, included and appreciated. The ability to worship with our new affirming church community is a blessing for heart, mind and soul. Growing up as a Catholic the liturgical form of the Episcopal worship is familiar and comforting. Each Sunday is a joyous experience and I look forward to many years of shared community and faith building.”
Holy Family, Midland is family that cares about each other and its community. From housing the foster closet in cabinets throughout church to the Easter Egg hunt for the community, we like to share our gifts. We also help support the River Jordan a nonprofit that supports Foster care youth who have aged out of the system. We have two labyrinths on our property inside and outside. We just started a church garden on our property.
– Allie Miller