Second Diocesan Convention
Nominees
Diocesan Council
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
I served one term as member of the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Eastern Michigan, including serving as vice president and president. I served one term as a member of Diocesan Council of the Diocese of Eastern Michigan. I served for several years as the treasurer of the Diocese of Eastern Michigan, and for one year as assistant treasurer of the Diocese of the Great Lakes. I served as an alternate deputy for the 2015 General Convention, and as deputy for the 2018 General Convention. As a retired priest, I serve as long term supply to two congregations in the northeast part of the Diocese of the Great Lakes, and have familiarity with the gifts and challenges of small church mission and ministry. I also served on the Building Bridges Task Force, discerning and planning for the juncture of the dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan.
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
Fr. Brian brings many years of experience in the diocese and a grasp of our culture, our shared culture as a new diocese, and our people. Fr. Brian has previously served on Diocesan Council and as the Vice Chair of Council. During this tenuous period of search for a new Bishop Diocesan, and as we work to become one diocese Fr. Brian would be a tremendous asset to Council and the diocese as a whole.
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
I believe my experiences on Standing Committee, Diocesan Conventions and 6-time Deputy to General Convention are a valuable and an important resource to this office. I have also been the Administrator of G.R.A.C.E. Center (a ministry of St. Francis Church in Grayling) for 30 years and have served as an ex-officio of this agency’s Board of Directors for the past 17 years and feel that these experiences would be a good fit to serve on the Diocesan Council. I think that I have been called to this service because of my organizational, insightful and analytical skills. My family, friends and co-workers know me to be a loyal human being and very committed to serve.
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
I have had extensive leadership experience. While working with the Flint Community Schools I spent two years working with district level committees and my last 15 years as a building administrator, five as an assistant principal and my final ten as a building principal.
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
Most importantly, I bring such great love for this beautiful new Diocese of ours! It’s a love tried by fire, as my first year on Standing Committee saw the resignation of our last Bishop. I bring the ability to see new fresh perspectives while staying true to our gospel values.
Standing Committee
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
I have participated in the councils of the church at a parish, Diocesan and, wider church level since I was 15 years old, and I have had the opportunity to see the church both fail and succeed in fulfilling it’s mission. I understand the functioning of institutional structure and the importance that it can carry in allowing the church to preach the gospel unfettered. I bring perspectives as a person who is non-neurotypical and lives in an indigenous family, navigating cultural differences and tensions.
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
I have worked most of my career in the nonprofit sector blending a solid management approach to mission-driven organizations whose bottom line is quality service. I have been both a Trustee and served on the Standing Committee of another diocese and understand the importance of the work of a Standing Committee during a time of transition. I have been active in work at the parish and diocesan levels during the last 3 decades. I grew up and was confirmed in the Diocese of Michigan in a section of what was a portion of the Legacy Diocese of Eastern Michigan prior to the formation of EDGL. During my time in Michigan, I have lived in each of the dioceses in the state and bring a perspective of the large portion of EDGL made up of small parishes with a range of shared approaches to doing God’s work through collaborative efforts. I have also had extensive work in interfaith efforts in communities in Pennsylvania and Michigan which I believe has strengthened my ability to see and hear a range of perspectives on issues, a skill I believe is important for working in diocesan level roles. I am excited about and committed to the future of EDGL as we come together to follow God’s call in our region and the world and willing to commit the time necessary to do the tasks required.
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
As a Pharmacist before becoming a Priest, it was often required that I make life or death decisions, often without having as much information as I would have liked to have had. This prepared me to be able to ask probing and meaningful questions as well as to act quickly when action was required. This healthcare background also prepared me to parcel information into what is shareable and what must remain private — an essential skill for serving in public leadership. As Rector of St. Paul’s, Elk Rapids, and as Assistant Priest for Outreach at Grace, Traverse City, I have worked to ensure a collaborative approach amongst the lay leaders, staff, and clergy. As a member of the Diocesan Finance Team, former member (and Vice Chair) of Diocesan Council, a deputy to Provincial Synod, and a deputy to General Convention, I also bring a network of experience from across the governance structure of The Episcopal Church.
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
Pam is a strong leader and innovator.
Her passion for justice and for caring for the needs of others is grounded in her faith and love of God.
Her business background in real estate includes experience as a broker and as a senior instructor for a state license real estate school. She has owned and operated a property management rental company and was general manager of a real estate office.
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
Fr. Mary is a leader, and a fighter. She’s never stopped for the Lord, no matter the obstacles in her way.
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
I have been active at St. John’s Ionia for the past 10 years. I have served as the junior warden for 1 year and the senior warden for approximately 7 years. I am currently the Superintendent of Schools for Saranac Community Schools. In this role, I am privileged to work with the community in building relationships, working on financial structures and procedures, grant work, personnel, and marketing.
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
I have served in many capacities both as a vestry member, and also on professional organizations during my former career. I have also served on leadership councils at the state and national level helping to set vision and shape directions. As the rector of a parish in the far Southern part of the Diocese, I bring the perspective of a small town church from a rural setting with a storied past in the Diocese.
Treasurer of the Diocese
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
I believe (and hope!) that I bring to the office of Treasurer a combination of proven diocesan financial leadership, nonprofit governance experience, and a deep commitment to the Church’s mission. I am in my fifteenth year as Rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Grand Haven and currently in my second term on Diocesan Council, having first served as Secretary to Council, Assistant Treasurer of Western Michigan, and then Treasurer in 2022 and 2023. I now serve as Treasurer of the Diocese of the Great Lakes. In that work, I have brought extensive experience in budget preparation, apportionment structures, and ever increasing transparency in financial reporting.
In addition to my diocesan roles, I have served on the board of several nonprofits, often as chair or treasurer, and have helped two organizations—the Tri-Cities Puentes Initiative and Grand Haven Pride—successfully launch and achieve 501(c)(3) status. My theological and pastoral training includes a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies (with a minor in Biblical Languages), a Master of Divinity, a Master of Sacred Theology, and a Doctor of Ministry. This year I will also complete an Executive Master of Nonprofit Administration from the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza School of Business, which strengthens my ability to align governance, strategic planning, and fiscal oversight with the mission of the Church.
All of this work has honed my ability to lead with integrity and collaboration, guided by a conviction that the significant resources of the diocese must be used to make a substantial and strategic impact upon the witness of the Episcopal Church in local congregations.
Secretary of Convention
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
I have extensive experience with the Episcopal Church (confirmed in the Diocese of New York in 2012) both as an active member of local parishes and for the past year as a staff member in this diocese’s Grand Rapids office. My diverse educational, work, and life experiences that have equipped me for this role and will be an asset in my service as Secretary of Convention, if elected.
Deputy to Provincial Synod
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
I am a collaborator, a relationship builder, and a connector. If selected, I look forward to representing the Diocese of the Great Lakes at the Provincial level during Synod. My experience serving on our diocesan staff has allowed me to listen closely to the priorities, focus, and hopes of our diocese. I believe this background will provide me with a broader perspective at Synod.
I have been active in Province 5 for almost 5 years and currently serve on the planning committee for the Big Provincial Gathering.
Deputy to the General Convention
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
Our church is messy. And like so much in our world, we’re also broken. And yet we gather, week after week, in all kinds of settings and become the Body of Christ. We gather because we have prayers to pray; good news to share; justice to seek; merciful care to offer one another and this hurting, hungry world; and because of an abiding hope which (with God’s help) we stubbornly, faithfully and miraculously manage to embody. I experience all of that as profound grace and bring gifts for evolving our processes and structures to better serve, and not detract from, our church’s presence and purpose.
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
I bring fifteen years of experience as Rector of St. John’s, Grand Haven, leading a parish deeply committed to liturgy, formation, outreach, and justice. My ministry is grounded in broad academic formation: a B.S. in Biblical Studies with a minor in Biblical Languages, graduate and doctoral work in Anglican theology and liturgy at Sewanee, and now continuing with my third master’s degree, one in nonprofit leadership at Notre Dame. My pastoral work is shaped by a passion for inclusive community, particularly in LGBTQIA+ inclusion and Latinx ministry, and by a desire to see congregations flourish in their local contexts. At the diocesan level, I have served in numerous roles, including the Building Bridges Task Force, seeking to help guide our dioceses with honesty and care through the discernment and decision of juncture. In my current roles as Treasurer and Diocesan Council Member, I work to strengthen financial transparency and align our resources with mission and strategy. At the churchwide level, I represented The Episcopal Church to the Faith & Order Commission of the National Council of Churches. My first book, Safeguarded by Glory, on the doctrine of the church, received commendation from former Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, and my essays on General Convention, including several featured in Deputy News, reflect years of thoughtful engagement.
Having served three times as an alternate, I would now be honored to serve as a deputy—bringing pastoral experience, theological depth, and a commitment to the thriving of the local church to our next General Convention.
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
Ordained 40 years as Chaplain, Rector, Vicar and Priest-in-Charge(Interim) for Episcopal School, U.S. Army, and 10 congregations.
I hold BS, M.Div. and D.Min. degrees, I am a graduate of various military schools and courses including The Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
I formerly held teaching certificates (secondary) in Ohio, Kansas and Nebraska and served as an instructor trainer for the Army Chaplaincy in area of suicide prevention and marriage enrichment.
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
I am a cradle Episcopalian, who has served in many roles. I have been in attendance for Diocesan conventions of four different dioceses. I have unique perspectives as I have have grown up around vastly differing types of Episcopal Churches, from the ultra- conservative to the ultra-liberal and I have developed my own perspectives of church business, church politics, and the future of the Episcopal Church
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
I have vast experience as a deputy to General Convention and have chaired the deputation from our diocese several times. I have served on several legislative bodies at General Convention and have aided our deputies to understand the legislative process at General Convention.
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
I have spent the last 28 years of my life attending church meetings and the parish, diocesan, and larger church levels as both a lay and ordained person. I have watched the church change, and not change, over my 43 years as a part of the Episcopal church. I am marred to a enrolled member of the Citizen Band of Potawatomi Nation and also helping to raise a citizen of that tribe. I have spent the last 15 years training in Bowen Familiy Systems Theory as it applies to church families and their functioning. I bring the perspective of a person who is neuro-divergant and has a chronic mental illness, but serves Jesus with his whole heart.
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
I have served on several committees for my parish, as delegate to the diocesan convention, secretary of the vestry, organizing our assistance ministry, and outside of the church I have a background in political committees and executive boards such as the Emmet County Democratic Party and Michigan Democratic Party.
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
Being selected and attending as the 1st Alternate Lay Deputy for the Diocese of Western Michigan to the 81st General Convention was an exciting and inspirational experience. All of us from the dioceses of Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan felt honored to stand on the stage with our new Presiding Bishop, Sean Rowe, and receive the affirmation of ALL of the bishops as we became the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes.
Just as we, the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes, come together, learn from each other, and realize that we all strive to be siblings to one another, all of The Episcopal Church does the same. We have similar concerns and challenges, and we address them in many different ways. As part of my various roles, including being a member of the EDGL Diocesan Council and a Michigan Civil Rights Commissioner, I’ve had the opportunity to travel throughout our beautiful diocese. I know that we have many ways of doing what needs to be done and what we’d like to do. There are many rural parishes throughout the US, facing similar challenges as our own rural parishes. I hope to learn from other delegations how they address these similar challenges and concerns and bring those learnings back to us.
As a mature, Latina woman, I am deeply concerned and distressed by the treatment of immigrants, both documented and undocumented, in our country at this time. I am so inspired by the leaders of The Episcopal Church in their words, actions, and prayers, addressing these issues and helping us navigate them.
Although I will not be able to attend the 2025 EDGL Convention in person, as I will be in California at the wedding of a dear friend’s son, I am confident that the Convention will be a meaningful and enriching experience for all who attend. I look forward to viewing the Presiding Bishop’s remarks and following the proceedings from afar.
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
I have attended five General Conventions, one as a guest and four as a deputy. I understand all the time and work that is involved in being a deputy to general convention. I also understand the process and how convention works. You might call me a “church nerd!” It would be my honor to serve once again in this capacity.
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
I have served as a delegate to each of the last two conventions, in Baltimore and Louisville. As such I have insight as to the overall direction that the House of Deputies has been moving, and some idea of what the issues are that will be faced in Phoenix in 2027. I stay pretty well up to date on the current events of House of Deputies.
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
I am a friendly and outgoing person. I like to listen and consider the options before making a decison on church matters. I like to think about how things will affect the church long term rather than look for the quickest solution. I feel my experience working in schools has taught me how to work well with people coming different perspectives.
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
I served as a Deputy to the General Convention in 2024, 2022, and 2018 on behalf of legacy Western Michigan. I also served as Alternate Deputy in 2015 and was a Visitor to General Convention in 2012. At the 2024 General Convention, I was Co-Chair of the Legislative Committee for Environmental Stewardship & Care of Creation on behalf of the House of Deputies.
As an experienced Deputy, I find joy in mentoring our newer deputies and strengthening our connections with other dioceses. I also bring a background in churchwide Creation Care work which I hope serves our goal to tend God’s earth. I would like to contribute the wisdom I gained in prior Conventions to the next Convention, the first in which we will send Deputies as the new Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes.
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
I served as Deputy to General Convention in 2021 (postponed to 2022) and in 2024. I was appointed to the Congregational Vitality & Data-Driven Initiatives committee in 2022. The work of this committee is a passion of mine and is closely related to the work I do as CFO and Benefits Administrator for the diocese. I would love the opportunity to continue this vital work at General Convention and bring my knowledge from my service within the diocese to the wider church level.
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
Linda has attended Diocesan conventions since she was 16. She understands the parliamentary process and has been able to make wise decisions when voting on issues. She just attended the Association of Episcopal Deacons, gained much knowledge and shared with her diaconal community. Linda’s career as a corporate program manager prepared her to be a good listener, offer input, and choose the best option for those involved. Her deep and abiding love for her Lord will surely guide her along.
What experiences, gifts, and/or perspectives can the Nominee offer in the service of our Lord in this office?
My lived experience during seminary and ministry has brought me into contact with wider church structures in ways that have been both lifegiving and, at times, harmful. I believe that there is good in our church structures, but that we can continue to improve them to be more reflective of our common life and baptismal covenant. I am committed to working for structures and processes that promote human flourishing and an increased ability for The Episcopal Church as a whole to focus on mission.
I am able to stay focused on the crux of complex issues and critically evaluate the impact of potential decisions on different groups of people. My careful focus and commitment to discernment through prayer and community are important qualities in a General Convention Deputy.