Diocesan Staff: Week of September 7

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's a look at what some of us have been up to September 1 - 7.

Alan James, Interim Executive Officer

It was great to be back at St. Mark’s Coldwater and see the growth and new energy in the congregation. Since I lasted visited three years ago, attendance was up 30%. Yesterday they kicked off the return of Lion’s Roar, their Sunday School. Fr. Barrett Lee is talking here with the kids about Jeremiah’s description of God as a potter. I also learned about the congregation’s prayer shawl ministry, in which they have knitted, prayed over, and given away more than 1,100 since they began the ministry in 2003.

Tracie Little, Canon for the Southern Collaborative and Adult Formation

What a joy to be with the Academy for Vocational Leadership for the first academic weekend of this year! We are off to the BEST start! Thank you to all this learning community for bringing your A-Game! LOVE learning with you all!

Nurya Love Parish, Canon for the Southern Collaborative and Adult Formation

I am glad to share my experience with Sudanese Grace Episcopal Church, Grand Rapids over the weekend. On Saturday and Sunday they celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Lost Boys and Girls arriving in the United States. On Saturday was a short film, a keynote speaker, the sharing of stories from the early days, a great meal. On Sunday at worship I got to help give thanks for a new baby and to offer a prayer (no pictures of that though!). This congregation is a huge blessing. Fr. Zachariah Jok Char, thank you for your faithfulness and perseverance and for including me!

Rachel Rose, Director of Communications

The highlight of my week was supporting the Leadership Retreat for our newly called Bishop Search and Bishop Transition committees along the shore of Higgins Lake in Roscommon. Our Search Consultant, Katie Glover, helped to orient the committees to the timeline, their roles, and their responsibilities. The committees spent time praying and connecting with each other and starting their vital work for our diocese. I was so encouraged by the way we started the retreat; during introductions, everyone was asked to share a story of a time they experienced joy in church. The stories ranged from moments of spiritual encounter to core memories of moments (sometimes funny!) in community. The weekend ended with a service of Eucharist and Commissioning that was led by four members of the Standing Committee. You can read the charges for the Search Committee here and the Transition Committee here.

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