GOING GREEN IN 2014:
Julie Lyons Bricker, Executive DirectorMichigan Interfaith Power & Light Michigan Interfaith Power & Light (Michigan IPL), is a non-profit organization of 200+ denominationally diverse congregations across the state, whose mission is to involve communities of faith as stewards of the earth by promoting and implementing energy conservation, energy efficiency, renewable energy and related sustainable practices. This is accomplished through education, advocacy, and action. The Diocese of Northern Michigan is pleased to announce a new partnership with Michigan IPL as we develop further action on behalf of environmental issues.
Since 2002, Michigan IPL has worked statewide to gather and focus the immense grassroots power within Michigan’s faith communities and clergy to help them become leaders in the effort to minimize humankind’s impact on climate change. We are one of 43 states with an IPL.
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Grace, Ishpeming, Laurie’s Fund and the Healing Arts Center at St. Paul’s, Marquette. A grant was awarded again this year to Camp New Day UP, a summer camp ministering to youth ages nine to 14 whose lives have been disrupted by the incarceration of a parent or immediate family member. The next Jubilee granting cycle and procedure will be announced in fall 2014. For more information, contact our Jubilee representative Phyllis DeWitt at phyllisdew@sbcglobal.net
Inside this issue... Page 2B Canterbury, Episcopal Ministry Support Team, Cycle of Prayer Page 3C Meetings and Events, UTO proposals, New Grants awarded, Transitions Page 4D Around the diocese, Winter Camp
Vol. 4 No. 2 February 2014
Michigan IPL has two primary goals: 1) Foster and engage an educated faith constituency that’s committed to proactive solutions for environmental sustainability and 2) Convince public officials, businesses, and utilities to significantly reduce energy demand and move Michigan to a cleaner, more efficient energy system. Through a recent grant funded pilot program, Michigan IPL was able to help 48 houses of worship in Detroit, reduce their energy costs by 14% through energy efficiency upgrades and track their energy usage and savings through EPA Portfolio Manager software accounts. I n 2014, Michigan IPL plans to engage in education through our Sustainability Workshops and Annual Sustainability Conference for Houses of Worship, advocacy to encourage Gov. Snyder and
Episcopal Journal
Membership with Michigan Interfaith Power & Light
Northern Michigan edition of
Members of Michigan Interfaith Power and Light celebrate 10 years of action and advocacy for the environment. The Diocese of Northern Michigan has entered a new partnership with Michigan IPL.
Jubilee Ministries are congregations or agencies with connections to the Episcopal Church, designated by diocesan bishops and affirmed by Executive Council, whose mission work affects the lives of those in need, addressing basic human needs and justice issues. Jubilee ministries in this diocese include the community garden at
The Church in Hiawathaland
Eleven Episcopal Church Jubilee Grants totaling $50,000 have been announced to support mission and ministry in 11 dioceses, including the Diocese of Northern Michigan.
News for and about the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan
Jubilee Grant awarded to Camp New Day UP
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Church In Hiawathaland
Haiti Scholarships:
Another Graduation Coming Up Burt Purrington
US – mainly in South Carolina and Atlanta -http://lagonavepartners.org/. Through Last spring, the Episcopal Church Women Laurie’s Fund for Haiti’s Children, our dioof St. James, The Soo, and their fellow cese helps support several programs in this parishioners celebrated the first graduapartnership including an adult literacy protion of our diocese’s 30-some scholarship gram, a women’s sewing and craft co-op, students in Haiti. Wilda Rejouis (see May, a children’s nutrition program, a medical 2013, issue of The Church in Hiawathaland) clinic staffed by Haitian doctors and nurses, graduated as an auxiliary nurse (like an LPN and the schools. in the US) and now, thanks to continued support from St. James, she is enrolled in a One of the largest and best-staffed secondbaccalaureate program to become an RN. ary schools on La Gonâve is the St. Francis This spring, St. James will rejoice with their of Assisi Episcopal school in Anse-à-Galets second graduate, Sterlendie Pierre, from the (Harbor of Stone) the largest town on the community of Plaine Mapou on the island island. This spring, Sterlendie will graduate of La Gonâve. from St. Francis. Sterlendie is 19 years old and in her 7th year of secondary school. This is her 13th year of school following three years of kindergarten. In Haiti, a student’s 12th year is called “Rheto” (as in “Rhetoric”), but this is the next-to-last, rather than final year of high school. The 13th year is called “Philo” (as in “Philosophy”). Along with her basic classes, Sterlendie is studying “enfòmatik” (computer science). She hopes to go to college, continue to study computers and enter a pre-med program with the intent of becoming a pediatrician. Sterlendie is the oldest of five children of Rosena Etienne and her husband JeanRigaud Pierre. She has three sisters: Chrislors ((16 years old), Charmika (13) and Roseberlica (“Katye” as in “Katie”) (4) and one brother, Dayfenchy (“Day” pronounced “dye”) (6). All of the children are in school, and Day has a small scholarship from St. Paul’s, Marquette. Sterlendie in her high school uniform.
Haiti is often referred to as “the island the world forgot.” La Gonâve, where Sandy and I began our journey in Haiti nearly 17 years ago, is often called “the island Haiti forgot.” Indeed, government support for public schools on La Gonâve has been mostly weak and inconsistent. If it were not for schools supported by churches and other non-governmental organizations, most students who wanted to continue their education beyond the sixth grade would need to move to the main island – usually to the rough capital city Port-au-Prince. The costs of such a move would be prohibitive for most families on La Gonâve. Thankfully, the Episcopal Church has a strong presence on La Gonâve through a partnership between the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti and a coalition of Anglican, Presbyterian and Episcopal churches in the
I have known Sterlendie’s mother Rosena since 2000 when I did a month-long assessment of the La Gonâve Episcopal Church’s Children’s Nutrition Program and she was a trained community health worker at one of the 20 nutrition sites. She still is a CHW for the Episcopal Church on La Gonâve although she and her family are active members of the Wesleyan Church in Plaine Mapou. Jean Rigaud is a farmer who formerly taught in the local elementary school. Sterlendie is a gentle, intelligent young woman with a quiet but strong ambition. The only high schools on La Gonâve are in Anse-à-Galets, which is a two-hour ride by motorcycle taxi over the mountain from Plaine Mapou. Because of the distance, Sterlendie stays in Anse-à-Galets during the week. Her room and board as well as transportation costs add to her school expenses. When she starts college, she will have to go off the island to Port-au-Prince where she will probably stay with family and commute to school.
February 20134
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer
February
2 Partner churches in Haiti (especially those in St . Simeon Parish, Croix-des-Boquets) Episcopal Church Executive Council Meeting 2/5-7 9 Living Stones (annual meeting 2/6-11) 16 Episcopal Ministry Support Team 23 St. Matthias’ Church, Pickford
Sterlendie (center) with her Aunt Carline on a moto (motorcycle taxi) about to take the 2-hour ride over the mountain from her home to Anse-à-Galets where she goes to school. Her mother Rosena is photographing them with a camera that was a gift from a parishioner in our diocese. Sterlendie and her parents were thrilled to receive the financial support from the St. James ECW. Last spring, she wrote a lovely thank-you note to Dawn Aldrich, Susan Harries and the other women of St James that is translated here: Dear Dawn and Susan and the Women of St. James Church, It is with much joy in my heart that I take this pen to greet you in Jesus’ name. My family and I are all very well, thanks be to God.
the mission in our Huron (Eastern) Region. Her initiative and the financial support of the St. James ECW are helping a deserving and promising young woman enter the adult world well-educated and computer-savvy. Nothing is certain in Haiti, but God willing, Sterlendie will follow in her mother’s footsteps and become a health care professional. Perhaps she will realize her dreams and ultimately serve her people as a physician. Editor’s Note: This is the eighth in a series of profiles of our Haiti scholarship students.
I want to thank you for the support you sent to help me pay my school expenses. I am 18 years old and I am in my sixth (and next-to-the-last) year of secondary school. I am studying computer science and I want to study to become a pediatrician after I finish my high school education. I pray that God will always bless you and all of your families. I pray, too, that God will continue to give you the means to help me in the future. Thank you so much, Sterlendie Pierre I am especially grateful to Susan Harries for her spiritual support for the Haiti Mission and her leadership role in promoting
Rosena, Day and Jean-Rigaud in front of their home on their way to church.
February 2014
Church In Hiawathaland
Meetings and Events All times Eastern
FEBRUARY 1 EMST 10:00 am 6-7 Ministry Devs Collaborative Workshop 8-11 Living Stones Partnership Meeting 14 Trust Association 10:00 am MARCH 1 EMST 10:00 am 5 Ash Wednesday 8 Diocesan Council 10:00 am 22 Commission on Ministry7:00 pm APRIL 5 12 25 27 28 MAY 2
3 10 16-18 17
Diocesan Office, Marquette Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas, NV Diocesan Office, Marquette Diocesan Office, Marquette Diocesan Office, Marquette via phone
EMST 10:00 am Diocesan Office, Marquette Diocesan Council 10:00 am Diocesan Office, Marquette Good Friday - Diocesan Office Closed He is Risen! Easter Monday - Diocesan Office Closed EMST 10:00 am
10:00 am
Diocesan Office, Marquette
Same-Gender Liturgy Wksp 10:00 am St. Paul’s, Marquette Diocesan Council 10:00 am Diocesan Office, Marquette Diocesan Retreat tba Commission on Ministry 7:00 pm via phone
JUNE 7 EMST 10:00 am 10:00 am 14 Diocesan Council 10:00 am 15-20 Diocesan Youth Camp
Diocesan Office, Marquette Diocesan Office, Marquette Presbytery Pt, Michigamme
To have meetings included, call 1-800-236-0087 or email jane@upepiscopal.org
UTO Grant Applications Are Now Being Accepted Teena Maki The Psalmist says: “Praise the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits”. O Lord, as I place this coin in the UTObox, Let me not only be thankful for this one blessing from your hand, But help me to ever praise your holy name and forget not all your benefits. Amen. This was a glorious United Thank Offering Fall Ingathering! There were 17 congregations participating, sending in $1448.49 to be sent to the UTO granting mission. THANK YOU one & all. It is time to submitted a grant if there is a need. The guidelines are on the web site: episcopalchurch.org/page/UTO-grants. They are recognizing the Five Marks of Mission, especially “to seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace
and reconciliation, the Untied Thank Offering is seeking to address the current CULTURE OF VIOLENCE by supporting the MISSION OF PEACE as expressed in the Gospel. The Gospel of Love—of Joy, Hope and Grace—proclaimed by Jesus Christ is the focus for the United Thank Grants during the 2014-2015 time. Through the love and peace Christ promised, violence may be overcome. The United Thank Offering motto is: “Our Change Changes Lives.” During the coming granting season, the United Thank Offering seeks to change lives in NEW WAYS. If you need assistance or have questions about the application process, please do not hesitate to contact, Rayford Ray or Teena Maki.
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Lutheran Social Services partners with Northern Michigan for justice and peace Lutheran Social Services has shared a parternship with the Northern Michigan Justice and Peace commiitte for several years now, advocating for and educating people around the state of Michigan. Lutheran Social Services of Michigan is one of the largest social service agencies in the State providing care to people “from cradle to glory”, as President and CEO, Mark Stutrud likes to say. Serving Refugees and Immigrants As the affiliate for Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM), Lutheran Social Services (LSSM) is the largest agency in Michigan that receives grant money from the U.S. State Department to resettle Refugees in the state. Most of the refugees are persons with skills and education to gain employment and start businesses that help the Michigan economy. EMM and LSSM are advocating to Congress to replace funding for the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement that was lost as a result of Sequestration, and to increase funding due to the arrival of greater numbers of refugees. Last year over 4,000 resettled in Michigan alone. http:// www.lssm.org/refugee Serving Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Lutheran Social Services worked with the Michigan Department of Community Health to implement a strategy for integrated health care for persons who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. The current system of requiring patients to enter a skilled nursing facility in order to obtain Medicaid coverage for long term care is unsustainable. Community based services and/or in home care that is properly managed and person-centered, will provide better health outcomes and save health care dollars. LSSM advocated for the federal Affordable Care Act, Medicaid Expansion in Michigan, and the State’s efforts to integrate the health care of dual eligibles. http://www. lssm.org/seniors and http://www.lssm.org/ PWD
Serving Children and Families Lutheran Social Services worked with the Michigan Department of Human Services to obtain a waiver from Title IV-E of the Social Security Act so that funds for Foster Care can be used to help keep children with their families. Currently funds must be used to place children in foster homes. The waiver will allow us, through the pilot project, to work with at-risk families to give them the skills and supports they need before the situation arises to the level of removing a child from the home. LSSM advocated for the proposal that increased reimbursement by $3 per day per child for foster parents, and increased foster care agency rates. http://www.lssm.org/foster Serving the Formerly Incarcerated Lutheran Social Services supports women prisoners re-entering the community with housing, job training and placement, and life skills at our residential center, Heartline in Detroit. The vast majority are Federal prisoners. LSSM works to reduce the female prisoner population and the cost of housing State prisoners in Michigan. http:// www.lssm.org/page.aspx?pid=559 Serving Those in Poverty Lutheran Social Services provides housing and support services to seniors and low income families in 15 HUD subsidized apartment complexes throughout the state of Michigan. We run the Wayne Family Homeless Shelter, providing temporary housing to homeless families and help them to find permanent housing and supports. LSSM partners with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) and HUD. http://www.lssm.org/wcfc http:// www.lssm.org/page.aspx?pid=548 LSSM serves all people as an expression of the Love of Christ and we welcome our partnership with the Episcopal Church!
Transitions Baptisms
Rodney Maynard Trinity Church, Gladstone
Deaths
Joan Swanson Holy Trinity, Iron Mountain
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Church In Hiawathaland
February 2014
Soo Hospice House Celebrates Mortgage Payoff Susan Harries, Selden Collins, Hillary Galey
A scene from the last time we had enough snow for Winter Camp to go tubing at Al Quaal, 2011. We should be good to go this year!
Time to think about Youth Events! Here’s an invitation to the Diocese of Northern Michigan Winter Camp, Summer Camp, and –for high school students—Episcopal Youth Event. Information has been mailed out to congregations and youth who are on our mailing list. Winter Camp is moved to President’s Day weekend, February 14-16. We’ll gather in Marquette and go sledding at Al Quaal, then Saturday morning head down for a day at the indoor water park in Green Bay. We’ll stay overnight and then head home on Sunday morning. Cost is $35 for everything, and scholarships are available. A flyer is enclosed, tell your friends! Episcopal Youth Event is a national gathering in July 2014 for high school students, held every three years. See the enclosed flyer for more information. Everyone who has attended in the past has raved about how great it is. Registration opened nationally in early January, and we want to send our delegation in soon, because this event has sold out in past years. So let us know if you want to go, and we’ll work with you on how to pay for it, with ideas for raising money. Summer camp is coming, too, June 15-20, 2014. We’ll be in a new setting this year, at Presbytery Point, on Lake Michigamme. They have a great camp setting, and we’re looking forward to being there for all of the fun we’ve had in the past. Look for more information in the coming months, but get the dates on your calendar now. For more information, contact Rise Thew Forrester, risetf@gmail.com or Susan Harries, bmcsharries@yahoo.com
Hope we’ll see you there!
Planning continues for fall event with author John Shelby Spong Small groups around the UP have been reading and studying the books of John Shelby Spong, retired Episcopal bishop of Newark. Ministry Support Teams, Covenant Groups and others have been inspired and challenged by the work of this engaging writer. A partnership of the Healing Arts Center of St. Paul’s, the Diocese, and Northern Michigan University are now planning to bring John Spong to speak in Marquette on September 12-14. He will speak on his
books, “Re-Claiming the Bible in a NonReligious World,” and “Why Christianity must change or Die.” Over the past four decades, he has become one of the defining voices for progressive Christianity, and UP readers have found that engaging conversations tend to flow from reading his work. More information will be here in Hiawathaland and online as the event draws nearer.
On December 31, 2013 community members gathered at the Robert and Helen Ball Hospice House in Sault Ste. Marie to welcome the New Year and to celebrate the retirement of the $ 900,000.00 mortgage less than two years after it was written! According to an article in the Sunday January 5th edition of The Evening News, Tracey Holt, Executive Director of Hospice of the EUP, tore up the mortgage document and handed the pieces to community members who then placed them in a portable fire pit where they were burned. The retirement of this debt would not have been possible in such a short time frame were it not for tremendous support from people and organizations from all over the eastern Upper Peninsula and beyond. Individual and corporate donations both small and large have enabled the Hospice House to meet one of its most critical financial goals. In February of 2012 the people of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan supported the Hospice House via a donation from the Justice and Peace Committee as part of its outreach program, and congregations and individuals continue to do so by donating their time, talent, and treasure as they
are able. Some members of St. James’ Episcopal Church in the Sault serve as counselors, board members, and yeseven as photo subjects in calendars which have been sold to raise money for Hospice. Hospice of the EUP does not charge for any of its services which provide a place for terminally ill residents of Chippewa, Luce, and Mackinac counties to spend their final days. The house is also open to relatives of residents in these three counties. Other services include nursing care, counseling, pain management and more. According to Holt it costs $250,000.00 per year to operate the Hospice House and provide services there and in patients’ homes. Now that the mortgage has been paid off, a new campaign has been launched to provide a stable form of funding for hospice services year round. The house also has a wish list of items needed on an ongoing basis such as paper towels, canned goods, wipes etc. Donated items can be dropped off at the house located at 308 W. 12th Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. For further information about Hospice of the EUP and the Robert and Helen Ball Hospice House, visit http://www.euphomehealthhospice. com/hospice-of-the-eup-11/ or call (906) 259-0222.
LoveLife Lenten series available for both groups and individuals Series begins March 5, 2014, Ash Wednesday. Love Life: Living the Gospel of Love is an offering from the Brothers of SSJE that delves deeply into the gospel that shapes their community life. The Brothers believe that spending time reading and thinking about the Gospel of John can help us all to live more abundantly: the life of love to which we are called. John’s message of love can unlock our own hearts and transform the communities we are all part of. This series is designed so that everyone in your community can participate. Everyone is busy. Time is at a premium. It is hard to all come together to deepen one’s faith. Love Life can bring a whole community together across the spectrum of supporting in-person groups through to those able to connect via their phone or computer from wherever they are. The daily series runs from Ash Wednesday, March 5th through to Palm Sunday. Subscribers with will be emailed each morning with a mobile friendly video and provocative question. The daily email subscription is free, as are all the supporting materials which are available to download for free or printed version can be purchased through Forward Movement.
Subscribe: www.SSJE.org/lovelife You will receive a free workbook to accompany the series.