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.

Annual Parish Audits, Financial Reviews

Democratic leadership and structures combined with appropriate transparency and systems of checks and balances for finances are an important part of our polity in The Episcopal Church. We know that when people are able to contribute to and observe decision-making processes at all levels, we can increase trust in relationships and decrease the likelihood of errors that can harm people or parishes as well as the likelihood of malfeasance. 

To that end and according to Canon 13, Section 1 of the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes, parish audits are to be submitted to the diocesan office by September 1 of each year. 

 

Current Year (2025)

For our first calendar year as a new diocese, in 2025 parishes are to follow the parish audit policies and procedures for their legacy dioceses. 

Jump to Western
Jump to Eastern

Future Years (2026 and beyond)

New policies for 2026 and beyond will be shared in the second half of 2025, as well as a call for people to be trained by the diocese as parish audit reviewers.

Legacy Western 2025

For parishes which were in the legacy Diocese of Western Michigan, the following documents will guide you through the process of auditing your financial and operation records and practices. 

Annual Audit Policy
Guidance for Parish Audit Committees
Audit Committee Certificate

Legacy Eastern 2025

For parishes which were in the legacy Diocese of Eastern Michigan, the following documents will guide you through the process of auditing your financial and operation records and practices. 

A Note about Reviewers

Please note that we are no longer going to publish a list of reviewers of parish audits on our website to protect our volunteers’ privacy. To access a list of available reviewers, please contact Bishop’s Assistant Angela Krueger. 

Financial Review Prep List
Financial Review Check List
Submission of Reports Review

Need Support?

If you have questions about the audit or financial review process, please contact CFO and Benefits Administrator, Sara Philo.

If you are a parish whose legacy diocese is Eastern and you would like to be able to access a list of audit reviewers in your area, please contact Bishop’s Assistant Angela Krueger. 

This website, like our diocese, is in the process of becoming. Thanks for your patience!
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