VOL. 6, ISSUE 2 • SUMMER 2015
The New Presiding Bishop
THE FIRST LOOK
A super day for the annual
Diocesan Picnic
The fifth annual Bishop’s Diocesan Picnic offered plenty of games, fun and food, plus a chance to visit with some familiar friends. Emrich Retreat Center in Brighton again served as the host for the event and will again host next year’s picnic. (Photos by Susi Stiles)
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The Record Summer 2015
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
THE FIRST LOOK
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
The Record Summer 2015
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Conversation: Bishop Gibbs Episcopal Diocese of Michigan Episcopal Church Center 4800 Woodward Ave. Detroit, MI 48201-1399 (313) 832-4400 • Toll Free (866) 545-6424 Submissions: submit@edomi.org
The Reverend Michelle Meech Ministry Developer mmeech@edomi.org
James Gettel Canon for Congregational Life jgettel@edomi.org
The Reverend Eric Williams Director of Whitaker Institute ewilliams@edomi.org
Beth Rowley Executive Assistant Office of the Bishop browley@edomi.org Rick Schulte Diocesan Communications Editor, The Record therecord@edomi.org
A rundown of the legislative activities which took place in Salt Lake City, including the historic election of a new presiding bishop. Page 8
A great deal of work went into participating in the General Convention. Fittingly, there is also much work to be done as a result of the event. Page 10
The Rt. Reverend Wendell N. Gibbs Jr. Bishop of the Diocese bishop@edomi.org
Jennifer Michalak Secretary Diocesan Administration jmichalak@edomi.org
General Convention
Steps
The Record is a quarterly magazine for the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan. Vol. 6, Issue 2 Summer 2015
Canon Jo Ann Hardy Diocesan Administrator jhardy@edomi.org
It just so happens the 78th Convention for the Episcopal Church took place at a rather monumental point in history. Page 5
Eric Travis Missioner for Youth and Young Adults etravis@edomi.org Mark Miliotto Director of Finance mmiliotto@edomi.org Kara Chapman Accountant kchapman@edomi.org Knena Causey Whitaker Institute kcausey@edomi.org
Historic Recognition
St. Matthew’s and St. Joseph’s, Detroit came together as one church more than 40 years ago. The unique background has provided the church with national recognition. Page 12
Same-Sex Marriage: An Outline
With the Supreme Court recognition of same-sex marriage, Bishop Gibbs outlines what this means to our local churches. Page 14
Diocesan News
Information about our upcoming Diocesan Convention and a calendar of upcoming events. Page 15
Photostory
Three ordinations take place at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Detroit. Page 16
Opinion: The Rev. Matthew Bode
It might make ‘white America’ uncomfortable to realize the challenges faced by African-Americans. Page 18
The Final Word: Rick Schulte
An uncomfortable situation of narrow-mindedness is settled, which is bad news for one business. Page 19
VOL. 6, ISSUE 2 • SUMMER 2015
The New Presiding Bishop
Cover Photo courtesy of: Melodie Woerman
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The Record Summer 2015
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
CONVERSATION WITH BISHOP GIBBS
General Convention meets during crossroads in history Individually, recent events – a ruling in favor of samesex marriage, various incidents of gun violence, the General Election of the Episcopal Church and the first election of an AfricanAmerican to serve as the new presiding bishop – have been very significant. Collectively, could it be a sign we’re at an important point in our history as a country and as a church? Bishop Wendell Gibbs Jr. recently spoke with Rick Schulte, editor for The Record, about this.
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: You could say we are at a flashpoint in our history. That may actually be an understatement. Same-sex marriage: Whether you agree with it or not, people are talking about it. Gun safety is in the discussion. Black Lives Matter is no longer abstract after several incidents caught on camera. After all of this, does the job of our churches become more important or more challenging? : I would say yes to both of those. It’s challenging and important. One of the things that strikes me in your summary of what’s been happening is how the news cycle almost seems to have difficulty keeping up. Because of the General Convention, and of the cases that were before the Supreme Court, marriage equality was the top thing, particularly here in Michigan, since it was that case (it began as DeBoer vs. Snyder in Michigan, before moving through the court
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appeals system) that was riding the whole Supreme Court rail. At some level, we thought the Supreme Court might speak, even before we went to General Convention. Then General Convention convened and we still didn’t have a report until the day before the election of the presiding bishop. And then the ruling comes down and it was like people weren’t ready for it. They
thought it would be in a few days. I’m about to turn off the television in my hotel room and see something flash across the screen, ‘Supreme Court issues gay marriage ruling.’ And I thought, what! But then, the Episcopal Church went into this historic election on Saturday with many people certainly riding high and some not so high, but with a lot of hope around the next presiding bishop. Obviously, on Sat-
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urday morning, nobody knew who that would be. But after the encounter with the candidates the previous Wednesday, a lot of people were leaning toward (Bishop) Michael Curry, and a lot of the bishops were leaning the same direction. By Saturday afternoon, while there was still a lot of buzz around the Supreme Court decision, Michael Curry’s election took over the headlines. (At least, in Salt Lake City, that was the case). By Saturday evening, between the ruling in favor of Obamacare – which a lot of people were excited about – the marriage ruling and Michael Curry’s election, some of us were like, let’s go home. What could possibly surpass all that? Then on Sunday morning, to have 1,500 people walk through the streets of Salt Lake City – not trying to take guns out of people’s hands – but essentially trying to stop violence with guns, and suggest guns need to be taken out of the hands of those who should not have them in the first place. So you hunters, you folks that know how to responsibly handle guns, we’re not saying no to you. We’re saying no to the people going around to the theatres and church basements shooting people, and who shouldn’t have the guns in the first place. So in many ways, following that, the Episcopal Church kind of puts a period at the end of the sentence on marriage equality by authorizing rites to be used over the next three years, and going in the direction the country was already going. In some ways, it was almost anti-climactic, and people aren’t talking about it much. At least, the ones I hang around with aren’t talking about it.
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CONVERSATION WITH BISHOP GIBBS
On the first Sunday morning of the General Convention in Salt Lake City, the bishops of the Episcopal Church were joined in a march and peaceful demonstration against gun violence. (Photos by Caroline Carson)
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: How about the talk of alcohol abuse? : Certainly, there’s been some fire around alcohol abuse and some of the things which were made at General Convention. By the way, we already have an alcohol policy in the Diocese of Michigan. We had it before I got here. Our policy manual already states what came out of General Convention. We don’t have to change anything, it’s already there. Of course, we urge congregations to use that as a base for something they want to put in action. If they want to be more stringent, fine, go for it. I think what has happened is that no matter what went on before, during or after General Convention, the state of race relations and the violence between races and the random violence that seems to be going on, that’s the real news. I’m not surprised, but I’m incredibly disappointed, in the numbers we are seeing,
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the percentage of people in our country who think race relations aren’t good. I could have told you that.
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: And water’s wet.
: Yeah, exactly. But all of a sudden, it’s national news, it’s breaking news. Really? It took you all this long to figure that out? And I wonder where we’re headed. The latest two shootings, the theatre and the recruiting office (in Chattanooga, Tenn.), I’m fearful for this country. There is an ethical break. There’s a moral break. Something’s happened. And I’m sure at some point, someone will suggest there are too many violent video games or something else like that. I don’t buy that. I don’t. I think if anything, it’s that we don’t know how to deal with each other anymore. I grew up in a time period where the whole family came to the dinner table
and talked to each other. It was something everybody did. There wasn’t a house in our neighborhood where I grew up where, at some point, all the kids were called in off the street, and we went to our homes and went to dinner, where we sat with our parents and talked about the day. What’s happening, how are things going with us? The family dinner was a normative thing. And now, you look at shows on TV and it’s normative for them to sit down and have a family dinner, but now everyone is actually looking down at their iPad, tablet, iPhone, Android, whatever. And they’re texting or playing games while the meal is going on. The table and chairs are merely tools for where you sit while you’re shoveling in food, but there’s no interaction. So we have this whole generation or more of people who have no idea how to interact with other human beings. I worry about that. I certainly
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think that’s way more important today, right now, before our church, than anything that happened at General Convention. The stuff at General Convention was going to happen anyway. How we deal with this violence and what our reaction is, and how we minister to victims of violence, and how we preach and witness against violence, all of those are made more difficult and are a definite challenge to our faith. It’ll be interesting to watch that over the next few months. : Do you think this is an opportunity for the church? A chance to step forward and provide a place to discuss this? Not just a matter about talking about today’s Gospel, but how to apply this to real life – to our interactions, to violence, to our response to racism. There’s a lot of opportunity and reason for us to discuss these things in a church setting, since they aren’t being discussed at the dinner
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Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
CONVERSATION WITH BISHOP GIBBS
St. Paul’s, Brighton hosted a get-together featuring deputies from our General Convention delegation, Bishop Gibbs and others interested in the meaning behind all the action which took place in Salt Lake City.
table. It’s a chance for those who want to be in church to get involved with issues. : It’s a ‘both and’ thing. To invite and expect its membership to be involved in those conversations and apply the teachings of the Gospel. But it’s also an opportunity for the church to get outside the box and have this discussion with non-church members, without putting an expectation on those non-church members that discussion will somehow lead to church membership. We don’t do well with that. We always want it where, if we do this, let’s put a measurement on it and see how many of these people we can get to come to church. We might not get any of them to come to church, and that’s okay. None of those people may come to church, but someone else may see what we’re doing and decide that’s why they want to come to church. What we need to do is simply be the church, be the Body of Christ in the world, and get people to sit down and talk about racism and violence and all of these things, so we can learn how to live together. If we don’t learn how to live together, we’re going to die together. We’re going to kill each other. And then what? It’s not going to matter if we are a church or we’re not a church, because there’s not going to be
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anybody left.
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: Not to be done as a recruiting tool by any means, but I see some of our churches doing things. For instance, a small church like Christ Church, Pleasant Lake is getting something like 20 young people coming into their church. They’re obviously getting something out of it. But you’re not recruiting these people. You’re presenting something people want. : I agree. We have an important thing to share. Our faith story, our faith history, our salvation history. We have something important to share. We just don’t do it. We also tend to want to package it like we did in the 1950s and 60s, and that’s not going to work. We need to package it in a way that’s going to speak to people today. And that means to take some of the judgmental part out of it. We have to be able to welcome people and not judge people. Heck, we have enough people not welcoming our own members without judgment. The old, “Oh, it’s good to see you, haven’t seen you in such a long time” thing. That’s a nice, welcoming statement for someone who may have been away from the church, and someone who is looking at the church hears that and thinks, “Oh boy, if I start coming and miss church,
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my name’s mud.” So, we have a lot to learn there. And, we need to remember that the church is the Body of Christ, the people, not the building. We still focus too much on our buildings and our worship. We idolize the worship instead of using it as the tool to point beyond and to what and who we are worshiping. Gosh, if we could really embrace worship as a tool, maybe it would be easier to embrace people as children of God.
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: Is there anything else you want to touch on? : I’m looking forward to this fall’s Diocesan Convention, dealing with racism and racial reconciliation head on. It’s not going to be just about convention, but something we want as an umbrella over everything we do in the year following convention. Clergy Conference, Household of God and Ministry Fair (both of which are now one in the same), where we are constantly dealing with the issues around race that are in this country. Helping people understand that not everyone is equal because of the privilege that some have had. It’s not that I want to turn my back on somebody who has privilege. I just want them to realize they have a privilege I’ve never had. They have privilege I don’t have. Until we deal with the
The Record Summer 2015
matter of racism in this country, anyone whose skin is not brown has privilege. A privilege I don’t have.
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: And that’s an uncomfortable message for a lot of white people. When I first hear the team “white privilege”, which my kids brought up in a dinnertime discussion, it was uncomfortable. But as white people, we have never experienced racial profiling. We never experienced walking into a job interview as a person of color, instead of being a white person, not knowing what the interviewer is going to actually think. We don’t know what we don’t know. : That’s really what it’s about. It’s not about hitting you about the head and being angry at you for having privilege. Just try seeing it from the other side. That’s the seeds of dealing with the whole race issue. In my book, black lives matter. All lives matter. And part of the conversation is how do we get to the point that all lives matter. If the church lives into its witness of the Gospel, then we can make a difference in this conversation. And that’s what I’d like to see us do. Rick Schulte is director of communications for the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan and is editor for The Record magazine.
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GENERAL CONVENTION
A new presiding bishop, a marriage equality ruling and a busy convention One General Convention, over the course of about two weeks. That’s not a lot of time for change. And yet…well, not only did the Episcopal Church experience great change but the rest of the world did, too. Consider this: The United States Supreme Court ruled for marriage equality, affording the right to marriage for same-sex couples. A new presiding bishop was selected to lead the Episcopal Church. In the first-ever, firstballot selection of a new presiding bishop, North Carolina Bishop Michael Curry was the first African-American selected to lead the church. Those two occurences weren’t all that took place during the time of the 78th General Convention, held in Salt Lake City, but they were among the key highlights. Here’s a rundown of some of the events. A New Presiding Bishop North Carolina Bishop Michael Curry was chosen to be the 27th presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, gaining 121 of 174 votes cast in the House of Bishops. Other nominees were Bishop Dabney Smith (Diocese of Southwest Florida, 21) Bishop Thomas Breidenthal (Diocese of Southern Ohio, 19) and Bishop Ian Douglas (Diocese of Connecticut, 13). Later, by an 800-12 vote, Curry’s election was confirmed by the House of Deputies. “We’ve got a society where there are challenges before us and there are crises all around us. And the church has challenges before it,” the presiding bishop-elect
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nonical and liturgical changes to provide marriage equality for Episcopalians. The House of Deputies concurred with the House of Bishops’ approval the day before of a canonical change eliminating language defining marriage as between a man and a woman (Resolution A036) and authorizing two new marriage rites with language allowing them to be used by same-sex or opposite-sex couples (Resolution A054). The two new liturgies, “The Witnessing and Blessing of a Marriage” and “The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage 2” from “Liturgical Resources 1: I Will Bless You and You Will be a Blessing, Revised and Expanded 2015” from the supplemental Blue Book materials of the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, are authorized for use beginning this Advent (Sunday, Nov. 29).
The big board at the General Convention showed the landslide results from the House of Bishops’ first ballot to elect a new presiding bishop: Bishop Michael Curry was the clear-cut winner of the vote. (Photo by Judith Schellhammer)
said afterward. “We got a God and there really is a Jesus, and we are part of the Jesus Movement. Nothing can stop the movement of God’s love in this world.” Curry will become presiding bishop Nov. 1 in a celebration at the National Cathedral in Wash-
ington, D.C. Marriage Equality Follow the June 26 U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage for all Americans, General Convention followed suit on July 1 with ca-
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Budget Notes Racial Reconciliation, Evangelism The General Convention adopted the 2016-2018 triennial budget July 2 after agreeing to add $2.8 million for evangelism work. Revenue projects will change in future years as individual dioceses will be asked for decreasing amounts the next three years – 18 percent of income for the 2016 budget year, followed by 16.5 percent for 2017 and 15 percent in 2018. That is significant as it leaves more money in the hands of local dioceses. The version of the budget presented July 1 by the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
GENERAL CONVENTION Budget and Finance also also included a major new $2 million initiative on racial justice and reconciliation. Mandatory Assessment General Convention made mandatory the current voluntary diocesan budgetary asking system for the 2019-2021 budget cycle and imposed penalties for noncompliance. The mandatory assessment will not apply to the upcoming 2016-2018 triennial budget, but becomes effective Jan. 1, 2019. Without getting a waiver, a diocese that does not pay the full assessment will be unable to get grants or loans from the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society unless the Executive Council specifically approves disbursing the money. No to Fossil Fuels Reinvest in Renewables General Convention passed two resolutions aimed at environmentally responsible investing and creating a climate change advisory committee. Resolution C045 calls upon the Investment Committee of Executive Council, the Episcopal Church Endowment Fund and the Episcopal Church Foundation “to divest from fossil fuel companies and reinvest in clean renewable energy in a fiscally responsible manner.” Resolution A030 calls for the creation of a climate change advisory committee with one representative from each of The Episcopal Church’s nine provinces. The resolution also calls on each province to create a Regional Consultative Group composed “of no fewer than five experts in areas of environmental sustainability appropriate to the demographic, ecological, cultural and geographic specifics of each region.” Oppose Divestment in Israel, Palestine The House of Bishops sent a Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
Steps were taken toward revising the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and The Hymnal 1982, directing the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to prepare plans for revising each and to present them to the next convention in Austin, Texas, in 2018. Among other liturgical issues, the convention directs bishops to find ways for congregations without clergy to receive Communion, but the House of Bishops defeated proposals to allow unbaptized people to receive Holy Communion or to study the issue. Deputies from the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan gather during a break in the action at the 78th General Convention.
With Bishop Gibbs nearby, Presiding Bishop-elect Michael Curry addresses a joint gathering of the House of Bishops and House of Deputies.
strong and clear message that divestment from companies and corporations engaged in certain business related to the State of Israel is not in the best interests of the Episcopal Church, its partners in the Holy Land, interreligious relations, and the lives of Palestinians on the ground. Resolution C018 expresses solidarity with and support for Christians in Israel and the Israeli-occupied territories; affirms the work of the Episcopal
Diocese of Jerusalem in healing, education, and pastoral care; and affirms the work of Christians engaged in relationship building, interfaith dialogue, nonviolence training, and advocacy for the rights of Palestinians. The resolution also urges Episcopalians to demonstrate their solidarity by making pilgrimage to the Holy Land and learning from fellow Christians in the region.
Convention Admits ‘Alcohol Affects Us All’ General Convention passed three resolutions on the issue of alcohol and drug abuse. Resolution D014 recommends ordinands should be questioned at the very beginning of the discernment process about addiction and substance use in their lives and family systems. The bishops also passed Resolution A159, which acknowledges the church’s role in the culture of alcohol and drug abuse. Resolution A158, to create a task force to review and revise policy on substance abuse, addiction and recovery, passed with one amendment. Bishops March Against Gun Violence About 1,500 General Convention participants joined a Bishops United Against Gun Violence procession in Salt Lake City early during the convention. The prayerful procession walked the half-mile from the Salt Palace Convention Center to Pioneer Park while marchers sang hymns and prayed. Members of Utah anti-gun violence groups and civil rights organizations joined in. The Episcopal News Service contributed to this report.
Plans for Prayer Book, Hymnal Revision
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GENERAL CONVENTION
Many steps taken toward progress in Salt Lake City
By Larry Vandenbergen Steps. I have been thinking of a word that would encapsulate our time here in Salt Lake City for General Convention (GC78). So many things have already happened. As a chaperone for the Diocese of Michigan youth attending GC78, I have been able to see, hear, and experience many of these things. For that, I am grateful. Without going through a journal, Facebook posts, Tweets, or the hundreds of pictures that have been taken, it would be difficult to chronologically put these in order. Perhaps this is my need for an all-encompassing word. Steps. The days here in Salt Lake City are long. It is only fitting that my word came to me at 4 a.m. Moutain time, which is my normal wake up time back in Michigan. On the map, our hotel is about four blocks away from the convention center; it truly is about a half-mile walk. We then walk at the convention center, back and forth between committee rooms, the exhibit hall, the House of Bishops, the House of Deputies and our worship space. My feet are sore and I have resigned to wear tennis shoes with my dress clothes. I am sure my daughters are glad they are not here to see the fashion faux paus that is their father. After arriving, our group headed to the convention center. After watching a short time in the House of Deputies, we walked to the House of Bishops. During that time, the General Convention Official Youth Presence (GCOYP) was introduced. The GCOYP is a group of 18 high school youth chosen a few months ago – two from each province. During the
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Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori (left) and Presiding Bishop-elect Michael Curry were at the center of the action at the 78th General Convention.
The youth delegation from the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan was very busy during their time in Salt Lake City.
short five-minute introduction, one of the bishops tweeted that he “was never impressed with the official youth delegation” and he wondered how they were chosen. This prompted hundreds, perhaps thousands of tweets in support of the Official Youth Presence, and for youth in general. This bishop spent a fair amount of time trying to explain what he really meant. He met with some other groups of youth and young adults since then, trying to explain his position. Sometimes, when we try to explain something over social
media in 140 characters or less, we stumble, and have to take the appropriate steps to get back up. Our youth were able to see and hear this, but they are also able to see and hear the reconciliation that is taking place. More so the next day, but throughout the convention, there has been a celebratory feel most of the time. Right before leaving the hotel on Friday, we heard about the Supreme Court marriage equality decision. For many of my friends, this was a momentous occasion. This decision
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was a huge step for my LGBTQ friends, both here and at home. My friends, who have had so many decisions go against them, have finally won. For some of my friends here, though, it has been a struggle. I think that in our celebration, we have lost sight of that. We must continue to take steps to where we can acknowledge our differences and treat each other with respect and love. The ruling is final. The reconciliation needs to continue. Saturday was also a great day, as the House of Bishops elected a new presiding bishop. The name of the elected bishop was brought to the House of Deputies, and after discussion by Committee 19, it was brought to the House of Deputies for a vote. For the first time ever, a bishop was elected on the first vote. Bishop Michael Curry from the Diocese of North Carolina will be our 27th presiding bishop (and will also be our first African-American presiding bishop). Many consider Bishop Curry to be charismatic, and they would be right. But in the times I have met Bishop Curry, I see love. Certainly, he is an amazing speaker, and he will lead us to places our church has not yet ventured. And he is not afraid to take steps to get there. But, he also listens. He truly cares. He honestly loves Jesus, and all of us. More than his words, I think his love will lead us all to take steps in our own ministries in the next nine years. Steps. We took a lot of them Sunday. We woke early and walked to the convention center, where we and hundreds of others took part in the “Claiming Common Ground Against Gun Violence” walk. We were led by Bishops Beckwith Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
GENERAL CONVENTION
Much of what took place with the House of Deputies could be seen on massive video screens in the convention hall. It allowed for everyone to have a better feel for the proceedings. (Photo by Melodie Woerman)
(Newark) and Sutton (Maryland), as well as over 60 other bishops. We walked half a mile to Pioneer Park, some quiet, some in song, many holding signs that said “Black Lives Matter.” After hearing a few more speakers at the park, we walked back to the convention center and heard from a gunshot victim from Salt Lake City, and Bishop Curry. I am sure my personal views on firearms differ from many of the people here. But we, as a nation, as a whole nation, need to have the conversation on gun control, and background checks and we need to take these steps now. Virginia Tech. Columbine. Northern Illinois University. Sandy Hook. Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. How many have I forgotten? How many more do we need to list until we take the steps to talk? During our time here, we have taken steps to learn about Thistle Farms and Magdalene House – programs started by Rev. Becca Stevens to help women who have escaped lives of trafficking and prostitution. We have taken steps to learn about Episcopal Relief and Development and their work around the world. We walked through Temple Square, Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
and saw how others believe. We walked to committee meetings and heard people speak on behalf of Episcopal gap year programs, transgender inclusion in the Common Book of Prayer, humanitarian relief, race issues and social justice. We walked to budget meetings. And as we walk, we take many steps. Certainly these steps are physical, but we are also taking the steps of formation for our youth on learning about our church and our God. As I look back on the steps we have taken this week, I relish the steps that I have taken with our youth. I wonder what steps we all will take back with us and how this week has formed us. I am thankful for our youth and for the opportunity to walk with them – on the next steps of our journeys with God. Steps. Larry Vandenbergen traveled as a chaperone for the youth and young adult contingent from the Diocese of Michigan to General Convention. One of the interesting new points to this convention was the extensive use of iPads. Not only were they loaded with convention information relating to voting matters, but the iPads were used during worship services. This was meant to cut down on the use of paper. (Photos by Caroline Carson)
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HISTORY
St. Matthew’s and St. Joseph’s earns National Historic Site designation If it seems like working hard to make a difference for all – especially for the African-American community – is in the DNA of St. Matthew’s and St. Joseph’s Church, Detroit, that would be true. In fact, the church has its history to back it up. Recently, it also gained recognition from the United States Department of the Interior National Park Service as a National Historic Site. Part of what sparked interest from the organization was St. Matthew’s contribution to the Underground Railroad. St. Matthew’s (which was located closer to downtown Detroit, before its merger with St. Joseph’s, located on Woodward near the Highland Park border) originated in 1846. “This is quite an honor,” said church member Dr. Richard Smith, who worked with the Department of the Interior to help the church gain its historical designation. He noted the church “is the second Detroit church that has received this special recognition. The other is First Congregational Church on Woodward.” In St. Matthew’s early days (led by the Rev. William Monroe and local businessman William Lambert), the church quickly established its presence with an eye on social justice. It was a principal location along the Underground Railroad. The two abolitionists organized St. Matthew’s as a mission before it moved to a new church building (at Congress and St. Antoine) in 1851. The church was closed for a few years but reopened on a new nearby site. The church continued to grow before being recognized as an independent parish in 1906. The history of the clergy of St. Matthew’s making an impact
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Recently, during the Rise Up youth event for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, young people from churches in Washington state came to St. Matthew’s and St. Jospeh’s to help work on the church and in several neighborhood properties.
continued. Among those were the Rev. Theodore Holly, who later became the first AfricanAmerican bishop in the Episcopal Church. Later, from the basement of the church, the Rev. Robert Bagnall organized Detroit’s first NACCP chapter. The Rev. Everard Daniels worked with Henry Ford to help during the Great Migration of southerners looking for work in Detroit. In more recent history, the Rev. Orris Walker Jr. served at St. Matthew’s and St. Joseph’s before serving as Bishop of Long Island; he died earlier this year. Not only was the church known for its role in social justice and civil rights, but it provided great opportunities for its young people. The church’s parish house offered educational and recreational activities. It also gained recognition for the St. Matthew’s School of Music, which provided great opportunities and a venue
for African-American artists. As the church entered the 1970s, the time came for it to merge with St. Joseph’s (which was established in 1883). The new combined church integrated items from St. Matthew’s with the established new home on Woodward, but also was progressive in many ways. The altar was created to face the people. Also, it was one of the first to admit women as chalice ministers and girls as
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acolytes. A previous Michigan Historic Marker was placed at the St. Antoine and Elizabeth location. It was moved, currently housed at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History in Detroit. Recently, carrying on the in spirit of the church, St. Matthew’s and St. Joseph’s hosted youth groups from various Evangelical Lutheran Church in America congregations from Washington state, who were in town for July’s Rise Up youth event in Detroit. The out-of-towners worked with the small but active youth group from St. Matthew’s and St. Joseph’s on various projects at the church and in the neighborhood – where the church’s housing non-profit is working on rehabbing several residential properties.
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
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DIOCESAN NEWS
Bishop Gibbs issues clarification regarding same-sex marriages Bishop Wendell Gibbs Jr. recently issued a letter, outlining the procedure all clergy must abide by in performing a same-sex wedding. This includes information about when these marriages may begin to take place in the Diocese of Michigan. Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ: In many ways, my post General Convention re-entry has been a lot like returning from sabbatical or other long absence from the diocese. During this time, I have had a lot of catching-up to do (thanks for your patience!) and a lot of time to reflect on what exactly happened while we met in General Convention. There wasn’t just history occurring through the actions of our Church, but also history was being made in the decisions announced in our secular society. In particular, the Supreme Court decision allowing for marriage for all loving couples regardless of gender followed closely by the Church’s decision to revise our marriage rites and Canons to include lesbian and gay couples in those jurisdictions covered by our Church where this is now legal. (Please remember, there are dioceses of this Church outside the United States where it is not!) As chief pastor and liturgical officer of the diocese, it is my duty to outline if and how we are to make use of the approved rites in the Diocese of Michigan. As with the decision in 2012 to permit the blessing of same gender relationships, it is clear to me that we are not of one mind in the diocese about these decisions. However, after conversation with the Standing Committee of the Diocese, with several senior clergy and others, I am prepared to
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give a framework for how we will proceed. First, beginning on the First Sunday of Advent, 2015 (November 29), I will permit the solemnization of gay and lesbian marriages in this diocese. While this may seem to some as a “given”, I assure you it is not. The actions of the Church are very different from decisions rendered by the Supreme Court that cover civil actions only. Some bishops of our Church have formally rejected the Episcopal Church’s action. However, as an outspoken advocate that same-sex unions can be equally reflective of the teachings of Scripture regarding fidelity, mutual sacrifice and shared service as are unions between male and female partners, I am thankful for the decisions our Church has made. I know that many of you are overjoyed and I honor that. I also know that some among us are not joyful and I honor that as well. Some have challenged me on waiting until Advent 1. My reasons are: • Two marriage rites have been authorized for trial use beginning on that day (please see Resolution A054). While I could permit earlier use, I have always stated that I would work within the guidelines of the church as expressed via General Convention; that is still my intention. • We need time to make sure that the policy we put in place covers all possible circumstances
as fairly and “equally” as possible. • As I stated above, as we are not of one mind on this matter, I want our household to have the time/space to embrace this change with all grace while being sensitive to those who may disagree. I realize that for some waiting for four months may seem unreasonable, but please understand, I am seeking to keep the household whole and healthy. What follows is the policy that will take effect on Sunday, November 29,2015: • All requirements stated in Canon 1.18 (“Of the Celebration and Blessing of Marriage,” formerly entitled “Of the Solemnization of Holy Matrimony), as amended by Resolution A036, will apply (i.e.,no change to present rules, except that the language of the canon has been rendered gender-neutral). • For a priest to make use of these liturgies, the priest must be in conversation with their Vestry or Bishops Committee and obtain their support for their use in the congregation. • No deviations from the authorized texts will be permitted during the period of trial use. Only the authorized rites are permitted. Use of the rite currently contained in the Prayer Book with “home-made” modifications is strictly prohibited. • At least one of the parties must be baptized. • As has always been the case, no priest shall be required to per-
The Record Summer 2015
form any marriage. • Where there has been a previous marriage or civil union, all the current provisions of Canon 1.19 pertaining to remarriage after divorce will apply, as will our own diocesan procedures. • In the case of a gay or lesbian couple already married in a civil ceremony, provision is made for the marriage to be blessed. • A gay or lesbian couple whose union has been previously blessed, but who now desire legal marriage in the church, may proceed to be married in the church. • Between now and November 29, 2015, the Guidelines for use of Authorized Liturgy for Blessing of Same-sex Relationships, promulgated in 2012, remains in effect. • Finally, I will not tolerate any dishonoring of opposing viewpoints from either side of the matter. No one and no congregation will be forced to use the trial liturgies; no one and no congregation will be forced to perform any marriage (a current provision of our Canons). If any harassment is experienced I ask that you bring it to my attention immediately. It is my sincere hope and prayer that as we live into the new reality of equal marriage for all, we will, as a community of believers, find more and more ways to embrace and include all of God’s children in the sacramental and missional life of the Church. As beloved children of God, we are called to do nothing less. Peace and blessings, The Rt. Rev. Wendell N. Gibbs Jr. 10th Bishop, Diocese of Michigan
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
DIOCESAN NEWS
‘Waters of Reconciliation’ theme of 181st convention October 23-24, the Suburban Collection Diamond Center, Novi will host the 181st Diocesan Convention for the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan. This will be a first-time location for the event. A Friday-morning workshop, “Race in America” with Dr. Ivy Forsythe-Brown (assistant professor of sociology at University of Michigan-Dearborn) opens the event. Later, the Rev. Dr. Bill Danaher (rector of Christ Church Cranbrook, Bloomfield Hills) leads a “Public Rites of Reconciliation” discussion at 2 p.m Guest preacher for the Friday-evening worship is the Rev. Dr. Jay Emmerson Johnson, a professor at Graduate Theological Union Seminary, Berkeley, Calif. Race and diversity will be covered throughout the next day, which includes a panel discussion and table conversations. This will also include an updated from the diocese’s Race Relations and Diversity Task Force
The next issue of The Record, in fact, will be devoted to several items pertinent to the theme of the convention – which covers racism and issues relating to it, plus how we respond to racism. This will be available just before convention. For a complete look at updated information relating to the convention, please visit the diocesan website at www.edomi.org/convention.
Whitaker Celebration The event truly lived up to its name, as the annual Whitaker Celebration honored the achievements of those who worked hard to participate in various educational programs through Whitaker Institute, the educational arm of the diocese. The Rev. Michelle Meech (ministry developer for the diocese and previous interim director for Whitaker) earned the Servant Leader Award.
Diocesan Calendar Sept. 5 Episcopalooza Location, St. Michael’s & All Angels, Lincoln Park
Sept. 17-18 Fresh Start Retreat Emrich Retreat Center
Oct. 3 Family System Workshop St. John’s, Royal Oak
Sept. 19 Safeguarding Workshop St. John’s, Clinton
Oct. 9-11 Academy for Vocational Leadership Columbiere Center
Sept. 11-13 Academy for Vocational Leadership Columbiere Center
Sept. 19 Diocesan Council St. Paul’s, Brighton
Oct. 9-11 New Beginnings
Sept. 11-12 EYSJ Retreat Emrich Retreat Center
Oct. 2 Retired Community Luncheon Cathedral Church of St. Paul
Oct. 13-15 AMEN Conference Mackinac Island
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
The Record Summer 2015
Oct. 17 Safeguarding Workshops St. Patrick’s, Madison Heights Oct. 23-24 Diocesan Convention Suburban Collection Diamond Center, Novi
Times, dates and location subject to change.
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PHOTOSTORY
The Rev. Lynda Carter was ordained as a priest, while Deacons Areeta Darshanee Briedgemohan and Andrea Morrow were also ordained at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Detroit in June. (Photos by Jude Walton)
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The Record Summer 2015
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
W
e are grateful you are reading this edition of ‘The Record’ magazine. Four times a year, we do our best to present a wide range of news and events, showing who we are as the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan.
And while this magazine has been a large part of how we keep you informed, it’s not the only way.
Our Communications Ministry also presents Weekly Connection, a Tuesday-morning electronic newsletter highlighting church events and offering helpful resources to everyone in our diocesan household. We also offer The Friday Morning Grind. This includes links to stories of interest to all, including The Nuts and Bolts Blog (which explains resolutions and issues of the Episcopal Church in terms everyone can understand). We are also busy in other areas online. We have developed and maintain a website that serves as a great resource for information about our diocese. We also believe it’s important to maintain a social media presence on Facebook and Twitter, promoting events locally while also providing timely news and information to all. All of this is done so our identity is clear – not only to long-time Episcopalians, but also to those who are curious about what our Church has to offer. Today, we ask you consider helping our Communications Ministry. Your help allows us to continue the mission of telling our story. Won’t you consider making a donation to our worthy cause? Simply cut out the attachment below. We are grateful for whatever you can do to help.
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The Record Summer 2015
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OPINION
A message to my white brothers and sisters
For White People: To my sisters, and especially my brothers, of European ancestry in the United States of America who socially identify as white, please stop your public musings, your coded social media postings, your backhanded compliments to people of color, and just say it to or ask it of me, or at least some other white person. Private message somebody who looks like you. I am serious. Or better yet, let’s get together and have some mini-conferences just as white people. Let your white brothers and sisters of faith break it down for you. Stop bothering our sisters and brothers of color. Just stop. Leave them alone. Ask us. Ask us, your white sisters and brothers, why Black Lives Matter is right and All Lives Matter is wrong. Ask us why white people can open carry assault weapons and a woman of color in Texas cannot open carry a cigarette in her own car in the middle of the day in the presence of a police officer. Ask us why talking back to the police is not wrong. Ask us why you see the police as your friends but no one else does. Ask us why a requirement to show photo identification at the voting booth is unconstitutional. Ask us how we are talking about voter fraud as an issue when it is not. Ask us why more men of African descent are in prison, proportionately, than white men. Ask us how writing legislative district boundaries is a tool to keep a minority of white people in charge over a majority of people of color. Ask us how emergency financial management is racist. Ask us about sentencing guidelines, about the prison industrial complex, about drug-testing welfare recipients. Ask us about the Confederate flag, and the American
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cial advantages in the flag for that matter. world. Let us teach you White people need to that it is not your fault talk to white people. that you are white, but Ask us because as it is your responsibility a white man, it is my to address these ineqresponsibility to teach uities and take part in you, to take your igdismantling them. It is norance, which is not Matthew not your fault, but it is your fault unless you Bode your responsibility to refuse to address it, engage, to learn and to and set you straight. listen twenty minutes Let us teach you that it is not your fault that you, that for every minute that you speak. we, were born white with social Let me teach you that when you blinders and an understanding mess up it is not the job of people of the world that keeps you from of color to make you feel better seeing things from everyone else’s about yourself or let you off the perspective. Let us teach you that hook, even if they do. I am here, your white brother, it is not your fault that you were born into and understand white to teach you that being called a supremacy, or white normativity, racist is not the worst thing that as normal. Let us teach you that can ever happen to you. You it is not your fault that you, that should not be afraid of it. In fact, we, have been born several steps you should welcome it because it ahead of everyone else in the race is a gift, even a moment of grace, for economic, political and so- to learn, to grow, to see things
from a different perspective, even if it is something you have never done before now. I, your white brother, am here to tell you that you will not die if you are called a racist. I swear to God you will not die. However, our sisters and brothers of color just might if you do not address the racism within you, and within this country, and within this church. And after you ask us enough questions, and after you start to get it, then you get to do like we do. You will teach other white sisters and brothers what we taught you. You know why? It’s because I was lucky enough to have people in my life who taught me. They tore down the temple of my blinded understanding of the world. And I love you enough to do the same for you. And we will continue on the journey together, knowing that it is never done. It is how we grow as white people stuck in a racist system that keeps us from seeing the truth. We can see it, if we try. We, even white people, can be liberated. We can understand that white supremacy does not need to rule white people. We can break it apart. We can. I will do it with you. Now stop bothering people of color about this and talk to me, to each other. I am ready for it. Seriously. And we will know the truth, and the truth will set us free. The Rev. Matthew Bode is pastor of Spirit of Hope and the Episcopal-Lutheran Detroit Cooperative Parish.
There are issues of relating to the comfort and well-being of African-Americans that are not always considered by white people. (Photo: The Free Thought Project).
The Record Summer 2015
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
THE FINAL WORD
The right of free speech goes both ways for all For years, I always patronized the same tire store. The prices were always reasonable. I could get my work done quickly. And the owner knew my name, so it seemed like it was a comfortable place to spend money I otherwise would prefer not having to spend. With that familiarity came a caveat, however: The comfort to speak freely in front of me. For years, that was never a problem. I learned how he liked taking trips Up North in the summer, or going to Florida in the dead of winter. He learned about my family. He always treated me quite well. Until one day, when the conversation turned to Islam. “Did you hear about what happened at Duke University a while back?” the owner said to one of his workers. “You know, about what those Muslims did.” Uh-oh. Judging by the tone of the statement – and the fact the hairs on the back of my neck stood up – I sensed this wasn’t going in a good direction. “There’s a bell tower right in the middle of campus. And those Muslims, they wanted to have the bell ring at noon and have everyone stop and worship to them. Can you believe that?” It wasn’t exactly how that took place. The Duke Chapel (Duke is a private institution) previously allowed prayer services from other religious groups, including Hindus and Buddhists. The school initially allowed the chapel and its bell tower to be used for a traditional Muslim call to prayer, but later rescinded the offer after resistance from some Christian groups. “Duke remains committed to fostering an inclusive, tolerant and welcoming campus for all of its students,” a school representative said in a written statement. “However, it was clear that what was conceived as an effort to unify was not having the intended Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
effect.” “You mean the I’ll say this: Duke is Quran,” I said. a wonderful academic It’s an interesting institution. The term take on something that simply isn’t true. Our ‘best and brightest’ apBible is a collection of plies to those able to atwritings from various tend. But, like much of authors. The Quran is society, intellect does based on God speaknot correspond with Rick tolerance. Many people ing, first-person, to Schulte I know would agree man. And while there with the school’s reare some differences, sponse to the backlash. there are some fundaMany would disagree. But it has mental similarities. However you nothing to do with one’s level of choose to interpret either book, education or IQ. it’s accurate to say the Quran is In my instance, inside the not a hate-filled manifesto. tire store service area, it was the Ah, but why let the truth get in owner, an employee, my car and the way of a convenient percepme. Since my car had its wheels tion? removed at this point, there was “The Quran?” the owner said nowhere to go. And nothing to to his assistant. “Oh, that’s what do but listen. they call it, right. Well, whatever “The Muslims, they don’t care it is, why should we let the people about us. All they want to do is who want to kill all Christians convert everyone to being a Mus- have a public forum to try to conlim,” the owner said. vert us? No thanks.” “Yeah, and they want to kill evIt took my mind right back to eryone who isn’t a Muslim. It’s in Sept. 11, 2001. I got to be good their bible,” the assistant said. friends with Abe, who owned
An outcry came when many when a Muslim group wanted to use the Duke University chapel bell tower for a call to prayer, although there was also support for the right for the event to take place. (Photo: The Herald-Sun, Durham, N.C.)
The Record Summer 2015
the gas station in my neighborhood. When the acts of terror took place, the prices of gas immediately began to skyrocket. So I hustled up to the gas station to fill up. Abe was working, but this time, he had someone else behind the counter with him. And he was visibly shaken as a small black and white television ran the endless, awful news coverage of the day. “Are you okay, Abe?” I asked. “Rick, I’m scared,” he said. “We’re not all like that,” he said, pointing to the TV. Abe talked about how he emigrated from Iran, how he loves America, how his family loves America. But he also felt vulnerable, knowing some people would associate him and others like him as people siding with the terrorists. At this point, I was happy to see the tires were back on, and the lugnuts were being tightened. Now, there are two things in life bartenders are told not to discuss: Religion and politics. I take that a step further – watch out whom you engage in a discussion of religion and politics, especially when you have no wheels on your car and you’re sitting in a tire store garage. The owner handed me the bill and I went to pay it. “You didn’t have much to say earlier,” he said. “I hope we didn’t offend you. I mean, people have the right to free speech.” Yes, they do. And just as they have the right to free speech, I have the right to get my tires replaced at another store. It made me sad, knowing what had been a good relationship was ending with the realization I would never speak to him again. Rick Schulte is director of communications for the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan and editor for The Record. He can be reached at rschulte@edomi.org.
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