Building Bridges
At our convention in 2019, the Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan kicked off 3-5 years of intentional sharing, collaboration, and exploration focused on considering how we might continue to build and imagine the Kingdom of God from coast to coast.
BUILDING BRIDGES
Our dioceses have committed to 3-5 years of intentional collaboration and exploration. This includes continuing and deepening existing collaborations, considering where other opportunities might exist, and engaging in conversation across diocesan lines about our individual and shared histories, cultures, ministries, finances, and more.
Winter 2022-23 Listening Sessions
Click here to learn more and RSVP, December 2022-February 2023.
Building Bridges Process
8/30: An Update from the Internal Conversations Group of the Building Bridges Subcommittee
2/17: Update from Building Bridges: Affinity Groups Invitation, Reporting from Convention
3/07: Reminder: Affinity Group Conversations Begin This Week
3/12:Appointment of a Building Bridges Steering Committee
10/19:The Season of Practice, Debriefing Leadership Retreat
10/19: Reflections and de-brief of the August Leadership Retreat
Regarding the Episcopacy
6/28: At the Conclusion of the Bishop’s Suspension
4/16: Bishop Update: Moving Forward, Invitation to Survey
3/4: Bishop Skip moves into Assisting Bishop role
2/3: Invitation to participate in Affinity Groups – a pastoral response
2/1: Bishop Skip Adams called to serve as Consultant, later Assisting Bishop
12/18: Update on the Assisting Bishop Interview process
9/15: Standing Committees call for a Visiting Bishop, Invite feedback on job description
8/18: Informational Sessions & FAQs
6/15: Notice of suspension
10/18: The Rt. Rev. Whayne M. Hougland, Jr. elected bishop provisional
4/13: Western Michigan accepts the invitation to dance
4/2: Transition Update: Bishop’s Forums end in EDWM, Decision expected by end of month
11/9: Standing Committee delivers resolution from Western Michigan’s convention
8/17: Updates for Convention, Invitation to Transition Gathering
6/12: Transition Moving Forward
4/3: Invitation to a next-steps gathering
11/7: The diocese is invited participate in self-study process
10/20: The Rt. Rev. Catherine Waynick is elected Bishop Provisional
9/20: Standing Committee Nominates a Bishop Provisional
7/10: An Update from the Standing Committee
THE BUILDING BRIDGES STEERING COMMITTEE
In 2020, the Standing Committees of Eastern and Western Michigan appointed a steering committee to oversee and facilitate the ongoing conversation around our bi-diocesan partnership.
The committee is accountable to the Ecclesiastical Authority (the Standing Committees and/or the bishop) as well as to the Diocesan Conventions of the dioceses. In addition to annual reports to the conventions, they will be expected to produce an interim report no later than the end of June 2023, articulating whether they propose formal resolutions to the diocesan conventions and the 2024 General Convention of the Episcopal Church, with a final report expected no later than June 30, 2024.
EASTERN MICHIGAN
The Rev. Don Davidson
St. Paul’s, Flint
Gary Grinn
St. Paul’s, Gladwin
Beckett Leclaire
Grace, Port Huron
Tom Manney
St. Paul’s, Bad Axe and St. John’s, Dryden
The Rev. Deacon Dan Maxwell, MD
Trinity, Alpena
Ellen McVey
St. John’s, Midland
Alicia Miller
Holy Family, Midland
WESTERN MICHIGAN
The Rev. Jen Adams
Grace, Holland
The Rev. Deacon Jan Gockerman
St. Mark’s, Grand Rapids
Vicki Shroeder
St. Augustine’s, Benton Harbor
The Rev. Eileen Stoffan
St. Paul’s, Muskegon
STAFF
The Rt. Rev. Prince Singh, Convenor
Eastern & Western Michigan
Canon Katie Forsyth
Eastern & Western Michigan
There are several working groups that have been (or will be) created to focus on a particular aspect of the conversation. Asset Mapping – Joyce Henry External Research & Conversations – Vicki Shroeder Governance & Canons – The Rev. Don Davidson History & Storytelling – Beckett Leclaire Internal Conversations – The Rev. Deacon Jan Gockerman Stewardship of Resources – Dan Maxwell
These groups would welcome additional members with particular skills and experience in these areas. To connect, please email kforsyth@eastmich.org.
