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 June 1, 2025.
Alan James, Interim Executive Director
Another great day to be in the Diocese of the Great Lakes. On Sunday I was at Grace, Port Huron. During the joy filled service, a couple celebrating their 60th anniversary renewed their wedding vows. The church is deeply committed to supporting the needs of their neighbors. Their weekly pantry offers food and paper goods for 13 families, their youth are collecting products to make 50 soup kits with 4 servings each, their recent pop-up food pantry (in collaboration with others organizations) provided food for 138 families (over 500 people), and for the 6th year their raised bed community garden will provide fresh produce for the picking. They have a free little library for readers in need of a book. Through their outdoor clothes line they offer free coats, gloves and hats in the winter time, and a year round place for community members to share their prayer requests with the church. And, they also open their beautiful building for use by AA, NA, and Community Enterprises (a local group supporting individuals with developmental disabilities).
McKenzie Bade-Knill, Director of Children, Youth & Young Adult Formation and Executive Director of Camp Chickagami
Lots happening at Camp Chickagami this week!
Construction began on the Blyth Pavilion, a project that has been years in the making. Our boys camp alumni, and the generous contribution from the John Blyth trust (an alumni of camp from the 1930’s) have brought this project to life.
Four sweet pullets (chickens) joined us last week and 4 year old camp kid K has named them Rosie, Rosie, Chumbawumba and Carl. Do you have better suggestions? Those aren’t the final names!
We also welcomed biologists to our property to survey for endangered and protected species of plants and biodiversity. The biologists identified TWO legally protected plant species thriving right here on our land! We were astounded to learn they counted at least 700 Dwarf Lake Irises (Iris lacustris) and a significant amount of Houghton’s Goldenrod (Solidago houghtonii). It’s truly special to know that these vulnerable species have found a haven here.
They also found a bunch of Ram’s Head Lady Slippers (Cypripedium arietinum), which I (McKenzie) had never seen before. And wow, are they cooool! The intricate and unique shape of these orchids is truly captivating. They’re so much smaller than their yellow sisters that we see all over camp!
The biologists will hopefully be returning in the late summer/early fall to conduct another survey, this time focusing on the blooms of that season.
The coolest part of this whole experience? We get 100% access to all the data they collect and the comprehensive report they will write. We can’t wait to delve into their findings and share them with you all.
It’s truly an incredible gift that the Episcopal Church has owned and diligently stewarded this land for almost 100 years. To hear from scientists, whose entire profession is dedicated to observing natural environments, that they have “never seen anything like what we’ve seen here” speaks volumes about the ecological significance of Camp Chickagami.
OH! And, the apple blossoms and lilacs are in bloom! 🍎💜
Rachel Rose-Ravellette, Director of Communications
I was glad to be able to spend much of last week preparing to announce that the search for the I Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes is officially opened! As soon as we knew that we’d probably have all the ducks in a row logistically after Monday’s Standing Committee meeting, I got right to work so that we could be ready to announce the next day! I’m grateful that the Standing Committee and our other diocesan leaders are showing their commitment to timely and transparent communication around this sacred process!
I did get to hit the road Sunday afternoon! Destination: Bay City for the Pride Eucharist that Trinity Church hosted for the whole community, along with the support of St. Alban’s in Bay City and St. John’s in Midland. For me, this experience embodied celebrating (not just including!) the beauty and diversity of this beloved community. The music from the Great Lakes Bay Pride Harmony Diversity Choir provided a sweeping experience and reminder of how we can know God more fully when we come to know God’s children in their particular, unique expressions of the Imago Dei, the Image of God. I’ll have photos to share from this joyful service soon, but for now, enjoy these clips of the music!