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 22, 2025.
Alan James, Interim Executive Director
It was wonderful to worship again with the people of Grace, Grand Rapids, whom I served as Interim Rector in 2020-2021. After church, Margaret Sotille showed me Grace’s efforts, shepherded by her and Steve Birnie, to steward their property in ways that benefit the environment. Margaret is seen here standing on the newly installed bioswale. The reconfigured and reconditioned soil along with the new native plants will filter runoff water before it reaches Plaster Creek, located right behind where she is standing. The project is a collaborative effort of the State of Michigan, Plaster Creek Stewards, Calvin University, and Grace. Additionally Grace has been transforming their garden beds with new native species.
Rachel Rose-Ravellette, Director of Communications
Another big weekend around the diocese! I was glad to be able to spend time with the faculty and students of the Academy for Vocational Leadership (and the lay preaching students!) at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt this weekend as they wrapped up their academic year. This is my third trip to an Academy weekend as a staff person. During the weekends, I capture video and photos of the work of the Academy. Over the next couple of months, we’ll be working to put that footage together into a video to help the whole diocese to understand what we mean when we say, “The Academy,” so be on the look out for that!
I skipped the Saturday classes (Shh! Don’t tell the faculty! 😉) to get back out on the road to find more Episcopalians at Pride Fests! First stop was Grand Rapids Pride where I caught up with Scott, C. and other folx from St. Mark’s Grand Rapids. Their booth (on such a windy and HOT day!) was actually in an awesome spot at the corner of Ottawa and Pearl in Grand Rapids – just two blocks down from where St. Mark’s stands at the end of Pearl Street. While I was with them, so many people walked by to say hi (and get an ice pop!) and mention that they love seeing the rainbow “God is Love” banner at St. Mark’s because it’s good to know that there is a loving and accepting place for all people.
I got back in the Helly R. the Car and drove down to Michiana Pride in Niles. The folx from Trinity Niles were there and braved setting up a tricky canopy in extreme heat so that they could welcome Pride-goers and share lots of rainbow swag and joy! One couple who stopped by the table knew which church they were by their classic Episcopal Red door. They were glad to know that Trinity is a loving and accepting place.
Back at the Academy, we shifted our focus to the graduation Eucharist on Sunday, hosted by St. David’s in Lansing. The graduates, their friends and families, and their supporters from their sending parishes and their field work parishes all gathered for a wonderful time of honoring the hard work and growth of the graduates and sending them forth with prayers and thanksgiving. In the shadow of the news that our country had bombed Iran the evening before, it felt especially hopeful and joyful to see these newly-formed leaders together, ready to serve the world in the name of Christ.
An Evening Prayer service online on Tuesday night was a great time of gathering as the church to do what we do best in all times and circumstances: pray. I was glad to see so many people from different ministries and parishes and generations participating in the time of corporate prayer on the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist!
