Image Description: The stamp for the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes. The bottom of the stamp is a orange-yellow shield with a dark blue outline that reads "Estd. 2024" in highly stylized type with two Episcopal-style crosses. On the top of the shield, like it's sailing on it, is the two-sailed ship from the diocesan seal, along with the three stars in the sky. the largest of which represents our new diocese while the two smaller stars represent our two legacy dioceses.
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Image Description: The wordmark for our diocese that reads, "EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF THE GREAT LAKES." The first four words are in all caps in a simple-yet-wide sans serif font. "Great Lakes" is also in all-caps, but in a highly stylized font that is reminiscent of vintage sign art. The G, L and S all have added flourishes that look like waves. This is the horizontal orientation of the wordmark and it is shown in the warm gray (off-white) brand color.
Image Description: Three camp staff members stand with their backs to the camera and their arms around each other as they are led in Compline by a group of campers gathered around a mic and amp. Other campers are seated at the ground, praying along. On the left side of the image, there is a semi-transparent dark blue color block. In bold yellow and rich orange letters, text over the box reads, "being & becoming."

Diocesan Staff: Week of August 3

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.

Alan James, Interim Executive Director

Great morning! Today was my first Sunday back at Epiphany South Haven. I worked with them in 2021-22 when I was the regional canon and they were searching for a new priest. I have always experienced them as a joyful community, but back then there were 24 people in church for services. Today 89 of us gathered, and that is the new norm! They continue to faithfully serve the people in their community in a variety of ways. Claiming the Unclaimed is a ministry of receiving unclaimed cremains from area funeral homes and giving them a respectful burial in the church’s memorial garden – not forgotten, one is always a beloved child of God. Thank you Fr. John Wakefield for the invitation to be with you all this morning!

Image Description: A photo of a full-to-bursting parish hall at Epiphany South Haven in which most of the congregants are seated at tables, enjoying brunch together. The room is bright and cheery; it's walls are painted in a vibrant, deep sky blue with deep butter yellow accents.
Image Description: A detail shot of a plaque at Epiphany South Haven. The top of the plaque reads "Claiming the Unclaimed," which is the name of the ministry of Epiphany wherein they take the unclaimed cremains from local mortuaries and give the individuals a respectful burial in the parish's memorial garden. The names of claimed individuals and their dates of birth and death (when known) fill the rest of the plaque.
Image Description: A detail shot of a plaque at Epiphany South Haven. The top of the plaque reads "Claiming the Unclaimed," which is the name of the ministry of Epiphany wherein they take the unclaimed cremains from local mortuaries and give the individuals a respectful burial in the parish's memorial garden. The names of claimed individuals and their dates of birth and death (when known) fill the rest of the plaque.
Image Description: A full nave at Epiphany South Haven as shot from the altar. Fr. John Wakefield's back is to the camera, facing the congregation. The nave is simple and bright and you can see the beautifully restored wood floors. John's chasuble is green, the liturgical color of ordinary time.

Nurya Parish, Canon for the Northern Collaborative, Creation Care, and Beloved Community

It was a beautiful Sunday morning with Transfiguration Episcopal Church! I preached, LaRae Rutenbar officiated, and then we discussed life in the diocese and the clergy search process with the congregation. Great questions and great conversations!

Image Description: In the parish hall at Transfiguration Episcopal Church in Indian River, Rev. LaRae Rutenbar addresses congregants who are facing her while seated at tables during coffee hour.
Image Description: An exterior shot of Transfiguration Episcopal Church in Indian River, Michigan. The church is very happily situated in the woods, surrounded by large trees. The building has wood siding, painted a deep, rich brown to blend in with its natural surroundings. You can see a reserved parking sign in the foreground that reads, "VISITOR" and on the right side of the image there is either a garden or a labyrinth marked with stones and placards. The sun is shining through the trees and it is clearly summer - the grass and leaves are verdant.
Image Description: A group of five adults stand together in what appears to be the kitchen at Transfiguration Episcopal Church in Indian River. Among the group are Canon Nurya Parish and the Rev. LaRae Rutenbar.

Tracie Little, Canon for the Southern Collaborative and Adult Formation

It was a joy to celebrate Pastor Nicole Smith’s celebration of new ministry as she joins with the wonderful folks of Trinity, Three Rivers in living into God’s call for their ministry together! Alongside this celebration they were also hosting their community meal. Being nourished by God, they are ready to hit the ground running! Joy and love wrapped and filled their building! Prayers abound as you all begin this new adventure.

Image Description: A selfie in the sacristy at Trinity Three Rivers with at least five priests, one archdeacon, and two other humans!

Rachel Rose-Ravellette, Director of Communications

My week started out very joyfully! I was so glad to be able to work from Episcopal Youth Camp at Living Water Ministries on Stony Lake near Lake Michigan north of Muskegon on Monday and Tuesday. This was my first opportunity to visit EYC and I loved seeing it in action. I got to spend more time with Bill Fleener, our diocesan chancellor, and learn about the legacy of people who have stewarded this camping program that comes out of the legacy western diocese.

Some highlights for me were watching Bill lead Christian formation and teach campers about the different parts of collects and the prayers of the people. He did such a great job connecting with the kiddos on their level and with their Gen Alpha cultural context, all while making ancient and rich parts of our prayer traditions accessible. The campers wrote their own collects and prayers of the people and they were so cool! I also enjoyed watching McKenzie Bade-Knill, our Director of Children, Youth, and Young Adult Formation and the Executive Director of Camp Chickagami, help a cabin prepare to lead Compline and then, later the same day, getting to pray Compline led by those campers. McKenzie was there to be a support to the EYC program. I also loved seeing Erynn Fleener, the Director of EYC, and her leadership, especially the opportunity I had to see her connect with a homesick camper and help them to feel true belonging at EYC.

For the rest of the week, it was back to regularly scheduled work programming in my regular work spot of my office! I’ve loved the ability to work from our diocesan camps this summer – connecting the (admittedly sometimes tedious) work I was doing on my laptop with the vibrant formation and development environments of our camps and young people buzzing around behind my screen was such a gift! Still, as we get nearer to diocesan convention and a very busy end of summer wrap up (stay tuned!), it was good to be back to routine.

Finally, I was glad to be able to present at the Virtual Conference for Episcopal Communicators on my lunch break on Thursday! Episcopal Communicators is the most valuable professional development organization I’ve ever been part of. As a new member of EC’s Professional Development committee, I was glad to be able to give back by presenting a workshop about practical ways to communicate with different audiences with empathy.

Image Description: A wide shot from the back of the outdoor chapel at EYC as campers and staff alike are gathered for Eucharist.
Image Description: Under a large open tent to lessen the impact of the late July heat, Chancellor Bill Fleener teaches campers gathered at picnic tables about collects and the prayers of the people before they took a turn to write their own.
Image Description: A screen shot of a Zoom presentation. The person on the left is introducing Director of Communications, Rachel Rose Ravellette, before she presents about communicating with empathy to different audiences.
Image Description: Three camp staff members stand with their backs to the camera and their arms around each other as they are led in Compline by a group of campers gathered around a mic and amp. Other campers are seated at the ground, praying along.

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