“The purpose of the Commission on Ministry will be to advise and assist the Bishop in implementing Title III of the Canons of the General Convention.”
– Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes,
Title II, Canon 8, Section 3.a
The Commission on Ministry (COM) is the elected governing body in our diocese that is charged with developing and shepherding a clear, effective, and Spirit-filled process for discernment for ministry, especially for those who are are exploring a feeling of call to ordained ministry as deacons and priests. The Commission on Ministry members also serve as COM liaisons who guide and support those people in our diocese who are in the process of formal discernment, helping them to navigate the process both logistically and relationally.
Our Commission on Ministry, after having paused formal discernment processes while the Commissions from both of our legacy dioceses discerned together how to develop a single, consistent process for all people and parishes across our new diocese.
In December 2025, the Commission on Ministry began the work of restarting formal discernment by first reaching out to the sponsoring priests of those discerners, aspirants, and postulants who were already in the process along with those people in process themselves to share the updated process and changes. A full roll out of the new process to the diocese as a whole is expected in February 2026.
Commission on Ministry Members 2025-2026
The Rev. Lily Marx, Co-Chair, Class of 2027
Priest Order | Home Congregation: St. Gregory’s, Muskegon
Ms. Ellen McVey, Co-Chair, Class of 2026
Lay Order | Home Congregation: St. John’s Midland
Mr. Patrick Foster, Class of 2027
Lay Order | Home Congregation: St. Mary’s, Cadillac
The Rev. Jennifer Frechette, Class of 2027
Deacon Order | Home Congregation: Church of the Mediator, Harbert
The Rev. Kay Houck, Class of 2027
Priest Order | Home Congregation: Emmanuel, Petoskey
The Rev. Micheal Hueschen, Class of 2028
Deacon Order | Home Congregation: St. Luke’s, Kalamazoo
The Rev. Jay Johnson, Class of 2026
Priest Order | Home Congregation: All Saints’, Saugatuck
Ms. Emily Klein, Class of 2026
Lay Order | Home Congregation: Christ Church, Owosso
The Rev. Nancy Mayhew, Class of 2028
Priest Order | Home Congregation: St. Alban’s, Bay City
The Rev. Cindy Nawrocki, Class of 2026
Deacon Order | Home Congregation: St. Andrew’s, Grand Rapids
The Rev. Wendy Pearson, Class of 2028
Priest Order | Home Congregation: Trinity, Marshall
Mr. Fred Skidmore, Class of 2028
Lay Order | Home Congregation: St. Andrew’s, Grand Rapids