VOL. 2, ISSUE 4 • WINTER 2011
A new state of Grace
Creating an inviting place to pray in Southgate
Also: The 177th Diocesan Convention
2
The Record/Winter 2011
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Bishop’s address The Record 4800 Woodward Avenue Detroit, MI 48201-1399 therecord@edomi.org www.theRecordOnline.org Phone: (313) 833-4425
The Record is a quarterly magazine for the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan. Vol. 2, Issue 4 Winter 2011
The Reverend Canon Lisa A. Gray Canon to the Ordinary lgray@edomi.org Jo Ann Hardy Diocesan Administrator jhardy@edomi.org Sue McCune Executive Assistant Office of the Bishop smccune@edomi.org Beth Rowley Assistant for Program and Administration browley@edomi.org
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
No questions, no problems The proposed budget for 2012 raised no objections and passed unanimously. Also, a look at the resolutions and elections results. Page 6-7
A final resting place The cremains from the memorial garden at the now-closed St. Andrew’s, Clawson were moved to a new home. Page 8-9
Building a better church
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan Episcopal Church Center 4800 Woodward Ave. Detroit, MI 48201-1399 (313) 832-4400 • Toll Free (866) 545-6424
The Rt. Reverend Wendell N. Gibbs Jr. Bishop of the Diocese bishop@edomi.org
‘Investing in God’s Future’ was the theme of the 177th Convention. Read an excerpt of the address from Bishop Wendell Gibbs Jr. Page 4-5
When the time came to make improvements at Grace Church, Southgate, they decided to do things the right way. Page 10-11
Made in (Central) America
Rick Schulte Diocesan Communications Editor, The Record therecord@edomi.org Karen Robinson Executive Director Whitaker Institute krobinson@edomi.org Eric Travis Missioner for Youth and Young Adults etravis@edomi.org Maria Franklin Director of Finance mfranklin@edomi.org Kara Chapman Accountant kchapman@edomi.org
With a little help from St. George’s, Milford, a group of Hondurans creates scarves to warm the homeless in Detroit. Page 12
Becoming: It’s coming soon The annual Becoming the Household of God conference has been moved ahead to late February. Page 13
Happy anniversaries Congregations in Plymouth, northwest Detroit and Clinton mark their respective milestones. Page 14-15
A celebration of youth See what’s coming up in 2012 for our young people; also, a look back at New Beginnings and Happening. Page 15-16
Book review In Shepherds, Abiding, Dawn McDuffie finds there’s a real value in the preparation for Advent. Page 18
The Last Word When it comes to the subject of bullying, you really can’t bully this diocese. Page 19
The Record/Winter 2011
3
BISHOP’S ADDRESS
‘Investing in God’s Future’ subject of 127th Diocesan convention, address Let me tell you a story: There was a man named Jeremiah. Jeremiah and his people were experiencing what today we might call “a bad hair day,” only it was 100 times worse! The people, in a vain attempt to keep peace, had stepped aside from their calling to be God’s people and had made an alliance with folks who didn’t embrace their God. That decision was turning out to be a really bad idea. Trying to be like someone they were not made them a threat. The security team for the community was overwhelmed; Jeremiah ran off at the mouth, which in turn put the entire community under threat of execution, and got him thrown in jail. The security team tried to fight for Jeremiah and for the community, but they were outnumbered and quickly surrounded and subdued. All seemed lost: Jeremiah in jail, the group tasked with providing security to the community helpless. Then Jeremiah gets a visitor in jail who offers him an opportunity to invest in the future by purchasing a piece of land. Silly idea, huh, a man in jail, probably facing the death penalty and he’s approached to buy land! Just as he was ready to open his mouth and say, “you must be nuts, give up and run” he was stopped by his remembrance of God’s faithfulness. Jeremiah thought: ”If I don’t have faith, who will?” And then Jeremiah remembered… how faithful God had been in the past. Just when all the community’s first-borns were to be slaughtered by the Egyptians… God stopped them. Just when
4
Bishop Wendell Gibbs Jr. delivers the Saturday address to the 177th Diocesan Convention in Lansing.
the community had given up hope of ever leaving Egypt, God and Moses led them out. Just when the traveling community was dying of thirst in the desert, they found water in a rock. Just when the people were about to die of hunger, they suddenly saw manna all around them. Jeremiah found himself thinking, “could this be one of those times?” Then, Jeremiah did what seemed to be a really dumb thing: he told his visitor that he would indeed buy the land. The visitor almost fell off his chair laughing in astonishment; Jeremiah almost changed his mind, but realized that would have been yet another bad idea. So he completed the transaction and made certain that the deed was recorded and preserved! The end.
Have you ever been faced with a situation like Jeremiah’s? Have you ever been in a place like Jeremiah when all hope seemed lost? Perhaps it was a medical diagnosis; perhaps you had lost your job; perhaps an illness in the family; or the death of a loved one. Perhaps the continued difficulties we all face in the midst of a struggling economy have had you wondering what in the world is the bishop doing talking about “investment” in these hard times? If the Jeremiah scenario played itself out today we might be ready to say: “that’s ludicrous; the man is not thinking straight; the community can’t afford such wasteful extravagance; we need to hold onto everything we’ve got to make sure we don’t lose anything.”
The Record/Winter 2011
In the middle of terrible times and desperate circumstances, Jeremiah makes an economic investment in a piece of land. Why does he do it? Because he discerns that this is what God wants. He does it as a statement of his faith that God has a future for that land, and he— Jeremiah—will have a part in that future. At a time when other people are giving up and retreating in fear, Jeremiah is surrendering and investing in God’s future. Let me share another “story” with you. This one is from Luke’s Gospel (Luke 16:19-31). The story may well be familiar to you but the translation may be a bit different. I am using The Message as our source today: “ There once was a rich man, expensively dressed in the latest fashions, wasting his days in conspicuous consumption. A poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, had been dumped on his doorstep. All he lived for was to get a meal from scraps off the rich man’s table. His best friends were the dogs who came and licked his sores. “Then he died, this poor man, and was taken up by the angels to the lap of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell and in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham in the distance and Lazarus in his lap. He called out, ‘Father Abraham, mercy! Have mercy! Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water to cool my tongue. I’m in agony in this fire.’ “ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that in your lifetime you got the good things Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
and Lazarus the bad things. It’s not like that here. Here he’s consoled and you’re tormented. Besides, in all these matters there is a huge chasm set between us so that no one can go from us to you even if he wanted to, nor can anyone cross over from you to us.’ “ The rich man said, ‘Then let me ask you, Father: Send him to the house of my father where I have five brothers, so he can tell them the score and warn them so they won’t end up here in this place of torment.’ “ Abraham answered, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets to tell them the score. Let them listen to them.’ “I know, Father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but they’re not listening. If someone came back to them from the dead, they would change their ways.’ “ Abraham replied, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the Prophets, they’re not going to be convinced by someone who rises from the dead.’” This gospel passage has often been misused in my opinion. The characters aren’t real. It’s not a parable, which is openended. It is instead an allegory: an idealized unambiguous metaphor. After all, who can define what makes a person rich or poor? I think the real issue here is that the rich man fails to see the opportunities all around him. Caught up in his fear of losing what he has, he shuts himself behind a fence and a gate and he is blind to the opportunity that is at his gate: the so-called poor man. This is an opportunity to help; yes; but, it is also a learning opportunity: to embrace a different perspective. However, it is only when disaster strikes, that is -he die -- that he gains perspective. At that point, he has concern for his brothers and their blindness. All of this comes too late. The opportunity is gone. Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
BISHOP’S ADDRESS
Bishop Gibbs surprised the Ven. Jeffernell Howcott (left) and the Ven. Linda MacDonald, naming both Archdeacon Emerita and honoring both for their service. It proved to be one of the more moving moments at the Diocesan Convention.
In the Jeremiah story and in the allegory of the rich and poor man, we experience the tension that exists between those times when we actually trust God and those times we choose to trust ourselves. We can see what happens when we choose to believe God’s promises versus our desperate grasp on mistaken notions of our own abilities apart from God. We are faced on a regular basis, with the question of whether we should invest in our future or in God’s future. I submit that the fallacy of investing in our own future is that our future is mired in and suffering from the strangle hold of the past! Too many good church people have an idealized memory of how grand and wonderful the church was in the past; “the good old days.” The reality is that we each choose certain aspects of the past on which to hang the entirety of that experience and we call it good, absolutely desirable and we wish things could be the way they used to be. Stuck in that memory we avoid the realities of the lack of inclusion of women in ministry, a lack of embrace and acceptance of the ministries of all baptized persons. In those strident and faulty memories from the glorified past we for-
get the ever-present sins of racism, sexism, heterosexism, classism, and all the other isms that diminish the humanity of others. In those memories of the past we avoid facing the fact that often-small cliques of people were the sole powerbrokers and the development of new leaders was considered heresy. When we invest in ourselves we can only realize a future overshadowed by our past; a past that often fell short of God’s inclusive dream for our lives. We overlook the call of God, which beckons us to new and abundant life: a life full of new hopes, new opportunities, and new ways of participating in God’s mission. I suggest that part of the issue we face as a church and as a diocese today is a fundamental misunderstanding of mission. The mission is God’s, not ours. To be honest, I believe our own Catechism in the Book of Common Prayer is misleading when it asks: “what is the mission of the church?” I believe the question would be more properly phrased by asking two questions. First, what is God’s mission; and, second, “what is the church’s response to God’s mission?” The church serves God’s mission, God’s mission is not intended to serve the church. We the
The Record/Winter 2011
church, by God’s grace, are invited to share in God’s mission and we do that through what we know as ministry. The ministry of word and deed is how we express and participate in God’s mission. The decisions we make about ministry priorities speak volumes about our depth of commitment to God’s mission – God’s future. The church’s use of resources, be they human or financial, must be done in such a way as to build-up, advance and serve God’s future not preserve our past. Friends, if we do not move towards God’s future, we shall surely die, or worse, end up completely irrelevant. Such a death will be punctuated by the need to pry our fingers off of our self-righteous claim on the fences we have built-up that keep us blind to the opportunities that await us just outside the gate. Through our spiritual practices we are called to strengthen our trust of God and empty ourselves to God’s purposes. This is a portion of the address given by Bishop Wendell Gibbs Jr. at the 177th Diocesan Convention. The complete text and video for Bishop Gibbs’ address can be found online at www.edomi.org.
5
DIOCESAN CONVENTION
Good numbers
Proposed 2012 budget unanimously passes at Convention The silence was almost deafening. Surprising, in an “is this microphone working?” sort of way. The highlight of the 177th Diocesan Convention for the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan wasn’t so much what happened, but rather, what didn’t happen. The proposed 2012 diocesan operating budget passed unanimously. It left many convention-goers scratching their heads, wondering if that had ever happened. The budget of $2,119,500 was more than $73,000 less than the 2011 budget (a 3.3 percent decrease). It was presented to convention in two parts – treasurer Mark Miliotto broke down the numbers, explaining in detail the formulas that went into creating the bottom line. Also, mission budget committee chair Andrea Morrow presented a narrative budget video, explaining in pictures how the budget was used and the people it affects. A brochure was also presented to further explain the numbers. So when the presentations concluded and voters had an opportunity to express their concerns or questions to the convention, no one came forth to the microphone. That alone was rather shocking as a murmur went up over the Lansing Center ballroom. Next, by unanimous approval, the budget was passed. Miliotto wasn’t the only person in the room pleased the budget was met with overwhelming approval. “I think there were a couple things that made this happen,”
6
The Rev. Dr. Susan McGarry addresses the convention.
he said. “One is the process. By having those budget meetings in the spring, and particularly by having the budget meeting at the Ministry Fair in May, where there were maybe 150 people who heard the presentation early on…I think people were educated, and we were able to hear the people, too.” If anything, a feeling of trust developed. Those who had concerns regarding the proposed budget were given ample opportunity to let their voices be heard. In turn, “people were already looking at this and talking about it back in May,” Miliotto said. It also helped that the 2012 budget did not stray far from the current year’s budget. Some line items shrunk slightly; some held course. But there were no instances of parts of the budget being seriously hacked, as economic climate dictated such action a few short years ago. “The biggest changes were all formula-driven, so there’s not a lot of controversy involved,” Miliotto said. In using formulas to create a budget – putting it in very simple terms – much time is
spent looking at expenses and income. While expenses are somewhat (but not always) predictable, revenue is a little harder to gauge. “The biggest unknown throughout the year was the tithes and offerings number,” Miliotto said. “Those pledges from the congregations come in September. So for the first eight months of the year, we don’t know what that number will be. We can make a guess based on the current year, but we really don’t know until the commitment letters arrive in September. “We were really fortunate that the estimated number was close to the number that actually came in.” For 2012, the projected number from tithes and offerings is just under $1.5 million – a 3.3 percent drop ($51,133) from this current year. Each congregation generally determines its offering amount based on 10 percent of its three-year revenue average. While it’s possible the tithes and offerings amount could be larger than projected during any given year, the stronger possibility exists that the
The Record/Winter 2011
number could come in lower – which would adversely affect the budget. The narrative budget video can be viewed on the diocesan website (www.edomi.org). Those who already contribute may have some idea of the value of where their contributions. More might actually participate if they viewed it. “I would say that the mission budget committee came up with the idea of the narrative budget video and brochure as a way to engage people in what the budget is really about, which is deeper than the numbers,” Morrow said. “The numbers are important, of course – especially since they represent a significant financial commitment from most of our congregations – so I don’t want to minimize that. But our goal was to take people beyond the numbers on the page, to the shared vision, dreams, and hopes that we as the living members of the household of God in southeastern Michigan have in our hearts. “The committee wanted to show, rather than just telling people, that we are all the diocese, that what goes on at 4800 Woodward is part of that, but is certainly not all of it. That’s why we asked for pictures and video from everyone, so that we could show ‘the mission of the diocese’ – which is composed of all of our ways of doing mission – in action.” Additional Convention coverage can be found online at www. theRecordOnline.org.
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
DIOCESAN CONVENTION
This is an abbreviated list of resolutions passed at the 177th Diocesan Convention, held Oct. 28-29 in Lansing. In addition, all election results are listed here. A detailed description of each resolution can be read online at www.theRecordOnline.org.
Resolutions #1: Continued Commitment to MDGs as a Mission Priority – Passed #2: Support for expanded mission initiatives in provinces, dioceses and congregations – Passed #3: Proposed Resolution concerning cooperation and sharing of resources by the dioceses of the Episcopal Church in the State of Michigan in connection with the implementation of Title IV – Passed #4: Expression of Thanks – Passed #5: Addressing Michigan’s Economic Crisis – Passed as Amended #6: Diocesan Funding for the Justice and Peace Advocacy Ministries – Withdrawn due to passage of budget #7: A resolution authorizing the solicitation of financial support for the Justice and Peace Advocacy and Social Service Support Ministries of the Diocese of Michigan – Passed as Amended #8: Diocesan Funding for the Social Service Support Ministries of the Diocese of Michigan – Passed as Amended #9: Opposing State and Local Budget Cuts That Target the Poor – Passed as Amended
ELECTION RESULTS (*: Denotes winner) Cathedral Chapter: Lay: James Garrett 111 Jenny Ritter 166* Clergy: The Rev. Janis Stevenson 239* Commission on Ministry First Ballot Lay: Sue Carpenter 129 Patricia Nielson 56 Peter Trumbore 86 2nd Ballot, 132 needed to elect Carpenter 180* Trumbore 83
Disciplinary Board Lay: Eric Travis 111 Tim Wittlinger 170* Clergy: The Rev. Susan Vandercook 262* Standing Committee Lay: Shelley Zalewski 253* Clergy: The Very Rev. Dr. W. Richard Hamlin 259*
Trustees Lay: Andrew Anyanonu 177* Carol Bennett 113 Louis J. Clark 99 Marie Donigan 183* Tamika Hamilton 114* Joanne Heaton 111 Craig G..Peterson 58 Tom Post 156 * Clergy: The Rev. William T. Roberts 141* The Rev. Ross Vandercook 137
Denise Crenshaw 111* Cedric Flounory 92 Pete Ross 109* Clergy First Ballot 142 needed to elect Barbara Cavin 62 Richard Hamlin 114 Thalia Johnson 107 Second Ballot 134 needed to elect Richard Hamlin 131 Thalia Johnson 135*
Provincial Synod Lay: Bonnie Anderson 168* Lizzie Anderson 67
Clergy: The Rev. John Franklin 91 The Rev. Jeanne Hansknecht 187*
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
The Record/Winter 2011
7
MEMORIAL GARDEN
A plaque greets visitors to the new Garden of St. Andrew, located at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Detroit. The cremains from the original memorial garden at St. Andrew’s, Clawson were carefully identified before being returned to the ground.
A final resting place After closure of Clawson parish, memorial garden cremains find new home
By Rick Schulte Stepping to the front of the line and making sure a project gets done right just wasn’t usually in the make-up of Mary Ellen Mackinder. But when Mackinder learned about the closure of St. Andrew’s, Clawson – which was home to a memorial garden that held the cremated remains of many of the church’s longtime parishioners, including her mother and grandfather – Mackinder felt compelled to get involved. The end result, which only came after a great deal of work, was well worth the effort. The cremains from the Clawson garden were transferred to a new, final home – the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Detroit, which created a new memorial garden. “When I found out the church was going to close, this
8
was the main thing people were concerned about – what was going to happen to their loved ones in there,” Mackinder said. “So I took it upon myself to make sure everyone was taken care of.” The ceremony began with a brief service inside the Cathedral, after which guests were invited to attend a final interment ceremony at the newly-created St. Andrew Garden. The garden is located alongside the north wall of the church. The 58 names of those to be interred were read aloud, with a rose presented to each family. Afterward, the cremains (which were identified and carefully placed in individual boxes) were released into the ground. Tracking down the families of everyone interred in the Clawson garden (which was in
existence for several decades) was no easy task. “It was a difficult thing, finding all these families after 30 or 40 years, but we did it,” Mackinder said. “We found most everybody. (It took) a lot of phone calls, a lot of internet Googling.” When the church closed in December 2010, its members expressed concerns about the cremains in the garden to Jo Ann Hardy, diocesan administrator. So she contacted the Cathedral Chapter, which had to vote to allow a new memorial garden on the grounds of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul. The Cathedral itself (including Canon Provost James Hooker, who designed the new garden) also provided a great deal of support At the same time, Mackinder contacted each family involved, serving as a liaison
The Record/Winter 2011
between them and Gene Andrus of Lynch and Sons Funeral Directors, Clawson. Andrus spent a great deal of time disinterring the cremains and making a positive identification of each. Mackinder, whose initial inquiry allowed her to be a key part of the team helping to create the new St. Andrew’s Garden, was glad she initially picked up the phone. “It took just a small little offer and it grew into this yearlong thing,” she said. “I’m so happy that it’s done…and it turned out so beautiful. All our loved ones can rest within the Diocese still. It’s a very nice place for it.” To see more pictures from this ceremony, go to theRecordOnline.org.
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
MEMORIAL GARDEN
The Very Rev. Scott Hunter, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, offers a prayer during ceremonies at the new Cathedral memorial garden. A great deal of work went into making sure all the cremains were properly identified and families were contacted. Gene Andrus (right), from Lynch and Sons Funeral Directors, Clawson, spent much time making the transfer go smoothly, as did former St. Andrew’s parishioner Mary Ellen Mackinder (bottom, left).
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
The Record/Winter 2011
9
GRACE, SOUTHGATE
There’s plenty of room around the altar at Grace Church, Southgate. The youngsters and choir flank the Rev. George Davinich in the church, which was remodeled to create a brighter, more inviting and more energy-efficient worship space.
Extreme makeover Southgate church takes on a new and improved feel
By Rick Schulte
“Building a better church” is a phrase often tossed about in metaphorical terms. At Grace Church, Southgate, that idea was taken quite literally. Opened in 1959 (after previously holding services in nearby schools for nearly seven years), the church was a reflection of the era in which it was built. And what may have worked well in the 1950s translated into an out-of-date gathering place a half-century later. The Rev. George Davinich
10
had more than just a casual interest in updating his surroundings. Prior to becoming a priest, he worked in industrial management, often overseeing the work of general contractors. So Fr. Davinich was able to look around and not only see what needed to be improved, but he knew a thing or two about the best ways to accomplish that. The idea of creating a vibrant worship space is one he didn’t coin all on his own. As a onetime assistant at All Saints, East Lansing, he helped the church
complete the renovation of its sanctuary. He also learned from the rector at a Chicago church, where he previously worked. “They had a priest there who understood space and liturgy,” Fr. Davinich said. “It was the most phenomenal worship space in the world, as far as I was concerned. I learned so much from that.” After listening to everyone’s suggestions at Grace – many which included keeping their familiar church looking similar to how it’s always been –
The Record/Winter 2011
there were some definite needs that were addressed. The church was poorly lit. The pews were old and uncomfortable. The altar was outdated. “And one third of the entire worship space was set up for music only,” Fr. Davinich said. “We had to do better than that. And this church was always drafty.” After talking about ways to improve the church for around nine months, it was time to form an exploratory committee. Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
GRACE, SOUTHGATE
The choir has a comfortable location on the altar. It is handicap-accessible and is visible to all who attend services.
“I set a target date last spring, which was Labor Day,” Fr. Davinich said. “We were on track for Labor Day, and we would have hit that date, too. But the Detroit Public Schools ordered 1,000 windows. They were a much bigger order than us, so we had to wait.” Aside from the new windows, there were other upgrades in store for the church. Pews were reupholstered; walls were insulated; lighting was upgraded to LED. “You’ve got to do it all at once,” he said. “Or you’re not going to do it right, and you won’t get back to it.” In comparing the previous version of the church, with colored windows throughout the church and a traditional but somewhat spotty lighting system, upgrades in those areas are obvious. Obvious, but not frivolous. “The LED lighting, it’s very expensive, but it’s extremely efficient,” Fr. Davinich said, noting the new lighting made the church much brighter. As for the windows, they are energyefficient and tintable. In turn, that has created a calm atmosphere allowing a view of nearby trees on the property. Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
“One third of the entire worship space was set up for music only,” the Rev. George Davinich said. “We had to do better than that.”
The choir also has a new place to perform – up at the back of the altar. Even that area has a couple of additions – a window can be opened to allow fresh air to enter the area. More importantly, a ramp has been built to allow handicap access for choir members. Not surprisingly, getting all church members to sign off on such an undertaking was not easy. “There were some people who said we should give every penny to the poor,” Fr. Davinich said. (The upgrade, costing about $75,000, was funded by money bequeathed
to Grace following the death of a long-time member, who expressed she wanted something to be done to help the church). “But now, they say, ‘I see it, I believe it.’ “It took months to get there. People couldn’t visualize this, but it makes sense.” The makeover has made Grace into a much more comfortable church. The numbers bear that out. Young people are coming to the church. Established members are also comfortable with bringing their talents to Grace. In fact, many of its members helped make the makeover
The Record/Winter 2011
possible. One of them was Dan Edmunds, a long-time athletic department administrator with the Taylor School District and a former football coach at Kennedy High School. Davinich was made aware of Edmunds’ woodworking skills (“Dan’s a brilliant carpenter,” he said) and talked him into creating a few items for the church. “He’s so good at this stuff. He really did a great job and look what we’ve got now,” Fr. Davinich said. People like Edmunds, able to use their talents, help a church like Grace grow. Likewise, longtime members Al and Sue Natale play a big role, too. Since he arrived at Grace a few years ago, Sue Natale has been a good sounding board. Her husband Al, “he’s just comes here and he does so much stuff every week,” Fr. Davinich said. “When you have people like that, it makes my life so much easier.”
11
OUTREACH
How the efforts of Honduran knitters help the homeless in Detroit
In 1998, Central America experienced very serious destruction from Hurricane Mitch, particularly in the countries of Honduras and Nicaragua. At that time, 60 percent of the dwellings were significantly damaged or destroyed. The storm hung hauntingly over them and poured out its fury for almost a week. Soon afterwards, under the leadership of Phoebe Griswold (wife of Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold), a churchwide effort was started to build an Episcopal village for the homeless outside of San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Numerous congregations throughout the United States responded in what became almost a fiveyear project, constructing the new community of Ocotillo. Today, the village contains 120 homes, a parish church, school and community center. One of the churches in the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan responding to the appeal was St. George’s, Milford. In 2000, six of its members made the trip to Central America. As part of this congregation’s work, members also asked then-Bishop Leo Frade of Honduras if he would consider linking St. George’s with one of his churches. The hope was to provide further support and to create a more enduring relationship. The Bishop obliged. During the initial group’s work at the project, it also traveled on Sunday to its newly-assigned congregation Villanueva and worshipped festively with them. This began a partnership be-
12
A gift from Honduras hangs at St. George’s, Milford.
tween these two church communities that, with its various ebbs and flows, has continued to this day. When possible, the Michigan priest has visited this congregation and when affordable, different priests and a teacher from Honduras have spent time in Milford. During these visits, the Michigan church has sent over-thecounter medications, toiletries and financial resources. In return, a banner of “St. George and the Dragon” (made by the women of Epiphany, Villanueva) now hangs in the St. George’s nave. The Rev. Walter Dawson (now retired rector of St. George’s) is also helping the Honduran women raise funds as they create and sell Stations of the Cross banners to sup-
port their ministries. An additional benefit of this friendship began over the past year, when Fr. Dawson and Silvia Pineda, principal of the Epiphany School, brainstormed possible projects to enhance their work together. The years have passed since “Mitch,” and they agree while the financial support from Milford has diminished, the personal connection and appreciation for each other remains. They agree this is due to the power of the Christian faith and to the importance of “giving yourselves away.” After noting St. George’s generosity over the years, ways that Epiphany could reciprocate were explored.
Vilma Rodriguez, Silvia Pineda and baby Silvia and Bessy Patricia Almendarez are among the Hondurans who have knitted scarves for those in need in Detroit.
The Record/Winter 2011
Fr. Dawson recalled the dinners for the homeless held each year at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Detroit, where they also provide scarves and hats to those needing to keep warm on Michigan’s cold winter nights. Fr. Dawson wondered if the women of Epiphany would like to knit them to help the homeless if St. George’s provided the yarn, Silvia responded positively to the idea, taking it to her knitters. Four accepted the challenge. During the past year, they have been knitting faithfully, making approximately 30 scarves and several hats for the effort. Each scarf takes three or four hours to knit. One of the women, Bessy Patricia Amendarez, really has enjoyed the project and has made many scarves. Even her daughter has caught the spirit and has knit one, as well. Bessy tells a story of a conversation one day on the bus. She was knitting away when the person sitting next to her asked what she could possibly be doing. “Making scarves for those in need in the United States,” she responded. “I wondered,” the stranger said, “It’s a little warm for those down here.” All this points to the truth of an old adage – wherever you are, when you choose to give yourself away to others, often and in so many ways it comes back to you.
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
WHITAKER INSTITUTE
‘Transforming Worship’ the topic of 15th Household of God Conference
The 15th Annual Becoming the Household of God Conference, set to run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 25, 2012 will touch on Transforming Worship. The daylong event (hosted by the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Detroit) will feature two keynote speakers, the Rev. Ian Mobsby and the Rev. Karen Ward. The focus of the day will be finding a means of investigating liturgy and mission, in the context of meeting the needs of 21st century parishioners and their communities. Mobsby is one of the founding members of the Moot Community in Central London, with past involvement in three previous alternative worship/emerging church communities. He is an ordained Anglican priest working with the Moot Community in the Diocese of London. Mobsby is also an associate missioner of the Church of England Archbishop’s Fresh Expressions Team, and an associate lecturer of the St Paul’s Theological Centre in London. He is currently an associate priest at the Church of St Matthew’s, Westminster. The Rev. Jim Hamilton, rector at Trinity Church, Farmington Hills, is familiar with Mobsby, having heard him speak several years ago. The message, in part, helped give Hamilton the impetus for establishing the Lex Orandi worship community geared toward young adults. Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
should be pretty interesting.” Registration begins at 8 a.m. with the first session – an introduction to “Transforming Worship” – starting at 9 a.m. The $40 registration fee (through Feb. 6) includes lunch; after Feb. 6 and up to the day of the event, the fee is
The Rev. Ian Mobsby
$50. The late-February date is a change in the traditional calendar for the event, which had previously been held later in the year. More information about this event, including registration, is at www.edomi.org/whitaker.
Early Safeguarding schedule includes four locations
The Rev. Karen Ward
Ward is a Seattle-based freelance Anglican Missioner. She specializes in a wide range of methods of reaching emerging churches, including expressions of mission, liturgy/alternative worship, church plants, fresh expressions of church and empowering the next generations in mission. She was recently the vicar/abbess of Church of the Apostles, a creative, emergent, Lutheran/ Episcopal Church near Seattle. Group sessions will occur where participants can build a new worship service. The end result, Hamilton said, could be rather eyeopening. “We won’t know what the service will look like until it actually happens,” he said. “It
Here’s the schedule for various Safeguarding courses offered by Whitaker Institute during the early part of 2012. The daily event fee is $30 for one session or $60 for both sessions. For registration information, contact kcausey@ edomi.org or call (313) 833-4421. Jan. 28 The Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Detroit Safeguarding God’s Children, 8:45 a.m. Safeguarding God’s People, 12:45 p.m. Jan. 31 St. Michael’s, Lansing Safeguarding God’s Children, 5:45 p.m. Feb. 7 St. Michael’s, Lansing Safeguarding God’s People, 5:45 p.m. March 24 Grace, Southgate Safeguarding God’s Children, 8:45 a.m. Safeguarding God’s People, 12:45 p.m. April 28 Resurrection, Clarkston Safeguarding God’s Children, 8:45 a.m. Safeguarding God’s People, 12:45 p.m.
The Record/Winter 2011
13
CHURCH ANNIVERSARIES
Clinton church reaches 175th anniversary Holding the unique distinction as one of the oldest wood-frame churches east of the Mississippi River, St. John’s, Clinton marked 175 years of serving its community. St John’s recently completed its yearlong celebration. The first service was held in December 1835, although the church was first known as St. Patrick’s Church. It began briefly as a mission of a nearby Tecumseh church (organized in 1833 by the Rev. William Lyster). In 1853, church members voted to change its name to St. John’s Church. It is known as the oldest Episcopal church building in Michigan. The hand-hewn beams, wainscoting and stained glass windows are original remnants are all 175 years old. St. John’s gathers for 9:15 services on Sunday, with Sunday school held during that time. Afterward, the youth group meets, as does the weekly coffee hour. On Wednesdays, there is also an evening prayer service (preceded once a month by a pot-luck dinner). The church also performs several forms of outreach throughout the year, including collecting items for the Clinton Food Pantry once a month. The Rev. Robin Smith serves as St. John’s priest-incharge.
The congregation of St. John’s, Clinton gathers outside of its church.
St. Christopher’s/St. Paul’s serves northwest Detroit-Redford area for 75 years
Founded in 1936 as a neighborhood church for residents of the Old Redford area of northwest Detroit, St. Christopher’s first met at the Redford Masonic Temple. Six years later, a small church was built, replaced by a larger, current structure on West McNichols in 1953. St. Christopher’s merged with nearby St. Paul’s in 1978. The history of St. Paul’s was noteworthy, too, as the wife of Henry Ford was involved in the early history of the church. (At that time, it was near Grand River and Eight Mile roads in what was a quiet, rural area). Among the activities in which the church is involved is the Celebration of Friends. It began more than three years ago when one of its members, Paul Betts, heard a story about the large number of bodies unclaimed at the morgue (because the deceased had no known or living family members to claim them). Betts got his church involved, with several members coming to Perry Funeral St. Christopher’s/St. Paul’s is located in the Old Redford Home in Detroit to participate in the service. St. Christopher’s/St. Paul’s has several other active groups and neighborhood of northwest Detroit. events, including its Altar Guild, Daughters of the King, Men’s sale. Group and Fun Group (which meets one afternoon a month for The Rev. Debora Semon-Scott has served as rector since April fellowship). The church also sponsors an annual community yard 2009.
14
The Record/Winter 2011
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
CHURCH ANNIVERSARIES
A century (and then some) worth of history St. John’s, Plymouth grows from humble beginnings
The year-long centennial celebration for St. John’s, Plymouth continues into the new year with two events; a dinner dance on Feb. 18, 2012 followed the next day by a celebration of the Eucharist with Bishop Wendell Gibbs Jr. The history began in 1898 with six women organizing the Women’s Guild of St. John’s Mission. The first church services were held in a hall over the stores on Main Street, conducted by Rev. William D. Sayres (general missionary of the Diocese of Michigan). By 1900, Charles Ramsay (diocesan lay reader) took over services, which were then held Sunday afternoons over Shingelton’s Store near the depot. He later became a deacon and accepted a call elsewhere. St. John’s closed for nearly a decade. In 1912, the church reorganized with 12 members meeting in the Universalist Church at the corner of Dodge and Union streets. Services were conducted by Harry Midworth, missionary in charge. On Feb. 19, 1912, it was granted mission status by the diocese and a three-person vestry was elected. In 1920, the first church was built on Union Street. Franklin Gibson succeeded Midworth and church attendance grew. In 1927, St. John’s second church was built at the corner of Maple and Harvey Streets. The Rev. Francis Tetu became minister in 1942; by 1944, St. John’s was granted parish status. He was followed by the Rev. Alexander Miller (1948-51). The Rev. Canon David T. Davies (1951Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
St. John’s, Plymouth has marked a century of involvement in its community with a series of events, concluding with a celebration of the Eucharist coming up on Feb. 18, 2012.
69) served as rector during a time of growth and change. Plans were made to move the church to the present Sheldon Road location, where the rectory was built first in 1952-53. Ground was broken for the church in 1959; the first service was held June 5, 1960. The unique design was symbolic of both praying hands and the hull of a ship. The cross was placed outside as a visible symbol of Christ in the community. The Rev. Robert S. Shank was rector from 1969-94 after serving as assistant to Canon Davies from 1966-69. As the parish grew, new classrooms were added with Davies Hall and the kitchen enlarged. The nave was remodeled and the gathering area was added in the early
1990s. Next, the Rev. William B. Lupfer served as rector from 1997-2003. Under his leadership, parish growth continued and St. John’s became a larger church with several staff members. In July 2005, the Rev. Dorian L. McGlannan became rector of St. John’s. This past year, Fr. Shank participated in a kick-off service and picnic in June. The community also celebrated its centennial with a tour of former church sites (followed by a barbecue) in September and a Thanksgiving potluck dinner and hymn sing in November. Contributed by St. John’s, Plymouth.
The Record/Winter 2011
15
YOUTH EVENTS
Plenty of opportunities await youngsters in the coming year Here’s a rundown of upcoming youth events for the early part of 2012 in the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan. As always, you can also go online to discover more information at www.edomi.org/yaya. There, you can also sign up at the ‘Get Connected’ link to receive periodic emails updates on events and programs relating to young people. Remember, the diocese wants its members to know that no one should have to miss attending any event due to financial reasons. You can also view and print a scholarship form to help defray or cover the cost of any event. Becoming the Household of God When: Feb. 25 Location: The Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Detroit Young people are encouraged to participate as a special youth track program explores Transforming Worship. For details, contact etravis@edomi.org.
New Beginnings #5 When: March 9-12 Location: To be determined This weekend retreat is based on relationships with friends, family and God, geared toward middle schoolers (grades 6-8). It is run by high schoolers and adult leaders. The program begins at 7 p.m. on Friday evening and continues through to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Participants meet peers from across the diocese, enjoy skits, listen to talks and participate in small group activities and discussions. These activities focus on self, friends, parents, siblings, school, God’s love, prayer and the church. Free time is built in for youth and sponsors to experience fellowship with their newfound friends. Participants of New Beginnings may attend as many weekends as they choose throughout their middle school years. Participants do not have to be Episcopalian, but must be recommended through an Episcopal Church and have the backing of an adult sponsor from that church, who must attend the entire weekend.
16
Nightwatch: Detroit When: April 14-15 Location: The Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Detroit Nighwatch: Detroit was conceived to show its participants just a tiny bit of the grand and awesome nature of the God who loves us constantly, completely and unconditionally. Its events are unabashedly Episcopal in their theology and practice yet presented in ways that welcome, embrace and challenge people of all backgrounds. The program is presented by the Nightwatch Design Team and the Diocesan Youth and Young Adult Ministry staff. Why Nightwatch: Detroit? Adventure, community, worship, mystery…Nightwatch: Detroit is all of these and more – it’s a chance for you and 30 of your closest friends (most of whom you have not met yet) to grow closer to God. Each event begins when the Nightwatch: Detroit bus drives around the diocese, picking up participants. Once the bus is filled, all are taken to the Cathedral where a safe, Christ-centered atmosphere of joy, contemplation and fun awaits them. Nightwatch: Detroit is a place where God happens. This is a weekend, overnight program. (Participants are dropped off at their churches around mid-day Sunday). Young people gather around themes designed to fit in with the Journey to Adulthood curriculum and many other Christian formation programs. The event is open to junior and senior high youth (grades 6-12) and their friends in the diocese. Meals consist of Saturday dinner, Sunday breakfast and a sack lunch for the ride home, plus snacks and beverages throughout the weekend. Vegetarians will find plenty to eat, but those with other special dietary needs are requested to you bring your own food. Happening #10 When: April 27-29 Location: To be determined This weekend retreat for high school students allows young people to explore their relationships with Jesus, each other and the world. Concentrating closely on the person and teachings of Jesus Christ, Happening gives those who attend the desire to understand and serve the church. It also provides a fun means to continue the Christian formation process.
The Record/Winter 2011
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
YOUTH EVENTS
New Beginnings
St. James, Birmingham hosted a New Beginnings event for middleschoolers in October. The next New Beginnings will take place March 9-12, 2012.
Happening High school-aged youngsters from the Diocese of Michigan and the Diocese of Eastern Michigan gathered at St. Christopher’s, Grand Blanc for Happening #9. The next Happening event will be April 27-29, 2012.
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
The Record/Winter 2011
17
BOOK REVIEW
The journey to Advent holds a special meaning December readers who long for a perfect Christmas book will enjoy Jan Karon’s illustrated novel, Shepherds, Abiding. I loved it for the imperfections of its characters, for the many examples of grace and for the faith that shines through this narrative. In Mitford, the prelude to Christmas isn’t a starry night in Advent. Instead, the story begins on a rainy day in October with the residents already full of huge expectations for Christmas. Fr. Tim Kavanagh, retired Episcopal priest and ardent husband, needs a splendid gift for his wife. Uncle Billy Watson doesn’t mind being poor, and he doesn’t expect his mentally ill wife will become rational or kind to him. What worries him is the prospect of no appropriate present for the person he loves most. J. C. Hogan wants the world to stop changing. All these wishes and more are almost like prayers in the heavy autumn weather. Slowly, these characters see possible answers, bad or good. Fr. Tim buys a set of antique European Nativity figures and commits himself to the long, painstaking work required to restore them to beauty. The challenges of finding historically-appropriate colors and the need for reconstruction of missing bits of plaster are a gift to Fr. Tim, who finds working with his hands a soothing and creative way to spend the fall days. Although he has never been one to work with his hands, Fr. Tim discovers handcraft is not so different from his
18
former occupation. He throws his heart into healing these lovely images of Christ’s incarnation and discovers more sorrow, more brokenness as his work continues. He has a lifetime of prayer and reliance on grace to help him. As his project comes together, he tells himself, “Christmas hadn’t begun the weekend after Halloween…the darkness before the light was still with the world.” Throughout this Advent journey, everyday miracles happen so quietly only a few observers understand what they have seen. Yet, memories are healed, mature people find themselves in love for the first time, grudges are forgotten and Tim and his own Cynthia are delighted to prepare surprises for each other and discover a surprise gift that remains a mystery even as the book ends. Perhaps what makes this book stand out from other Christmas books is its celebration of Advent and the sweetness of preparation. The characters and the readers have traveled a path of memory and meditation. Cynthia sums up her own journey on the last page. She explains she undertook her Christmas project because she wanted it to “…represent the very reason Christ was born. He came to put us back together and make us whole.” Fr. Tim’s answer is the last line in the story. “Christmas is real…It’s all true.” Reviewer Dawn McDuffie is a freelance writer and a member of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Detroit.
Contact Maria Franklin at mfranklin@edomi.org
The Record/Winter 2011
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
THE FINAL WORD
When it comes to being bullied, we’re not going to take it
I was fortunate as means being suba kid. I never really jected to ugly namewas bullied, but I do calling, among other recall one or two inbad things. stances of being put So Joe Schmoe on the spot – embargets called into the rassed, humiliated, principal’s office, that sort of thing. I only to leave shortly didn’t particularly after that. And the Rick care for the reason principal then calls Schulte why this other boy you in and says, “You decided to pick on know, I feel bad for me. I just knew I didn’t like it. you. But Joe says his religious I know I was lucky. But I still values don’t believe in homoremember those limited oc- sexuality. Whether you like it currences. I even remember or not, he has the right to his the name of who did it to me. opinions and beliefs…” Now, put yourself in the I know, this scenario sounds shoes of a kid who just wants utterly stupid, doesn’t it? Well, to go to school, keep his or her it should, because that’s what nose clean, and make it to the some last-minute wording end of the day. But every day added to “Matt’s Safe School is one instance or another of Law” legislation introduced being bullied. Being called a in the Michigan state Senate derogatory name. Being made would have allowed for. fun of. Being shoved down. Anti-bullying legislation, Hearing whispers you know which many people (including are directed at you. the diocesan Alliance to AbolDoesn’t feel good, does it? ish Bullying Behavior) have Unfortunately, personal ex- sought for years, was a long perience has made it so many time in coming, as 46 other of you may know exactly what states beat Michigan to havthat feels like. ing some sort of law requiring Now, imagine this: Think of school districts to anti-bullyyourself being young and feel- ing measures spelled out. ing vulnerable, scared, fed-up, While the ensuing uproar worthless. And you decide over the passage of this iniyou’ve had enough. tial legislation brought tons of Conventional wisdom negative attention to Michiwould say go to a trusted per- gan, I was happy to see our son at school, like a teacher or people stand up and demand counselor, and confide how Joe something better. (Thankfully, Schmoe has been doing this to the House of Representatives you for so long. Let’s say, for later eliminated the additional sake of argument, Joe Schmoe wording when approving the thinks of you as ‘acting like measure. The Senate later did a homosexual,’ which in the likewise). world of a school-aged kid, I’m proud of people like the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
Rev. Jeanne Hansknecht, curate at St. Andrew’s, Ann Arbor. She approached the Saline School Board with a simple request – a resolution opposing Senate Bill 137 and asking them to make a stand (in the hopes other districts would follow suit). Thus, the board did just that, noting “each and every child who attends school in the Saline Area Schools District have an unequivocal right to be protected from bullying and…bullying in any way, shape or form is wrong.” I’m proud of people like Bree Schultz, the youth group leader at St. Mary’s-In-The-Hills, Lake Orion. The group has been involved for at least a year in declaring the need for the right anti-bullying legislation. “I am particularly offended that the proposed Michigan
legislation provides an open door for people to not just discriminate against, but to definitively bully someone and claim to be motivated by the God whom I believe loves all humans equally,” Schultz said. “Christians who see fit to bully other people are supposed to be reading the same Bible as I, in which is clearly stated that it is neither our responsibility nor our privilege to judge others, and that we should treat those around us with the same respect we all should be able to wake up in the morning expecting to receive. “Our security and safety from harm is not a privilege, it is a right.” This is who we are as Episcopalians. If you choose to allow bullying, we’ll be there to challenge you at every turn.
Heritage remembered
St. James, Birmingham recently held a service which gave a nod to the church’s Scottish heritage. Jacob Mark (left), Murray Christianson, Jacob Mark (who played bagpipes that day), senior warden Michael Stewart and dressed appropriately for the day, also celebrated by the Rev. Bob Hart.
The Record/Winter 2011
19
The Record Episcopal Diocese of Michigan 4800 Woodward Avenue Detroit, MI 48201-1399
Diocesan Calendar Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012 Camp Compassion Reunion St. Stephen’s, Troy Saturday, Jan. 14 Diocesan Council St. John’s, Plymouth
We’ve got even more news from your Diocese at
theRecordOnline.org
Meet the new Diocesan Council
Saturday, Feb. 18 Diocesan Council St. John’s, Plymouth
A new Diocesan Council got to work at its November meeting at St. John’s, Howell. Find out who are the new members of the group and what duties they will serve in the coming year.
Saturday, Feb. 25 Becoming the Household of God Conference Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Detroit March 9-11 New Beginnings Location TBD Saturday, March 10 Deacon’s Quiet Day St. John’s, Howell Calendar items subject to change. For the most up-todate calendar and to learn more about each event, please go to www.edomi.org.
20
The Grand River Project
When you cover nearly 100 miles in three minutes in this high-speed video journey along Grand River Avenue, you get a pretty good sense of the communities making up the Diocese.
A Blue Christmas
Although the Advent season usually leads into a time of joy and celebration, some people have a tough time getting into the spirit of the season due to a variety of hardships and challenges. Meet some of the churches recognizing this through Blue Christmas services.
The Record/Winter 2011
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan