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 29, 2025.
Alan James, Interim Executive Director
During Sunday visits around the diocese, I am curious to learn the particular ways congregations are living out their faith. This morning at St. Andrew’s, Gaylord, it was a joy to learn of their ministry supporting Patriot Place, a local non-profit providing transitional housing for veterans who have experienced homelessness. This small band of faithful Christians engage in this ministry not as an act of charity but as an opportunity to support their neighbors in all ways – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. If you are in the neighborhood Saturday, you can join them at a barbecue with the veterans.
Nurya Love Parish, Canon for the Northern Collaborative and Coach for Beloved Community and Creation Care
It was my joy to visit St. John’s Episcopal Church in Harbor Springs. This seasonal chapel has a wonderful music program and is served by rotating clergy selected by their Bishop’s Committee. I heard a homily that referenced the fact that Bishop Gillespie had laid the cornerstone of their building in 1882. In addition, I am working on developing our Holy Ground program and finalizing our next Dismantling Racism training, which we had to postpone announcing as planned when I was unexpectedly away on family medical leave last month.
Rachel Rose-Ravellette, Director of Communications
What a joy to ordain five new priests on June 28! Anytime we gather together for something new – new confirmands, new priests, new deacons, newly baptized, you name it! – I’m filled with hope and wonder. There was so much about the ordination of Revs. Barrett, Jonathan, Kris, Anne Marie, and Ryan that warmed my heart, not the least of which was when an entire bus full of the good folks of St. Mark’s Coldwater pulled into the parking lot!
I wrapped up pride month with a visit to Big Rapids for their third annual Pride Fest followed by a quick jaunt over to St. John’s Mt. Pleasant for a pride month Eucharist. Mother Radha Michel-Trapaga is on the board of Big Rapids Pride and she along with the people of St. Andrew’s Big Rapids and St. Mary’s Cadillac have been instrumental not only in growing the pride presence in the vibrant college town, but also in offering services for everyone, but especially the LGBTQ+ community, to show the love of Jesus in a number of meaningful ways.
This month has been a whirlwind with a lot of time on the road, but the consistent themes have been love, joy, intentional inclusion, and celebration of the diverse and beautiful ways the Holy Spirit shines through people so brightly when they live as their full selves. Stay tuned for recaps from pride month in the coming weeks and months as we continue to celebrate the beauty of the LGBTQ+ community!
