Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan

– Trinity Church Marshall,  2010 Convention Report

 

Debbie Egnatuk and Fran Rauth, convention delegates elected at the annual meeting, attended the 2010 convention of the Episcopal Church Diocese of Western Michigan. .  The convention was held in Traverse City, Friday, April 23^rd and Saturday, April 24^th.

The Call to Convention was “Living into Wholeness:  Inviting and Welcoming Others into our Midst”.   Bishop Gepert addressed the convention on the first morning of the first day.  After 8 years as Bishop of the Diocese he feels “relaxed and hopeful”.  We have made good efforts to improve on and build Diocesan relationships, by connecting people in individual parishes with similar roles on the diocesan level.  We are building mission and ministry together along with the Diocese of Michigan and Eastern Michigan and looking to the future by sharing support staff among and within the three Dioceses to free up money for mission.  The partnership with the Dominican Republic is a Companion Relationship. The relationship is not meant to be a one way relationship.  It is a relationship in which each partner is both a giver and receiver.  The hope is to bring our Dominican partners to Michigan to exchange  ideas, and share their spirituality and enthusiasm in worship.   

Following is a summary of the Bishop’s 2010 Goals.

            To continue Diocesan relationship building. 

We have a newly created position of Archdeacon Christine Tillman.  She will  oversee the Deacons in the Diocese.

Several Deans will be appointed to focus their time on specific ministries within the diocese.  The Bishop is working on job descriptions and will make the appointments by June. 

Increased Clergy and Laity opportunity for continued education.

Provide training and programs on the parish level to persons involved with Christian Education, secretary/administrative staff, and church treasurers.

            A continued focus on Mission

This summer is the first Dominican Youth Mission Trip – 12 youth going this summer

Local Youth Mission trip, will be held one week in July.  There will also be 2 additional Mission Days

           

            Other Goals

Focus on Clergy health

Confront inappropriate individual and parish behavior

Challenge the Episcopal Church to be Episcopalian

Work with motivated people and groups

Promote diocesan community and partner relationships

 

Elections were held.  The Reverends Jen Adams, Bill Spaid, Laurel Dahill, and Greg Brown were elected as Clergy to the General Convention.  Lay Delegates to the General Convention elected were Olivia Adams, Bill Fleanor Jr., Musette ElMohamed, and Pam Chapman.

One clergy representative to the Standing Committee elected was Rev Robert Schieseler and one clergy representative to the Eclesiastical Court elected was Rev Michael Ryan.

Three resolutions were presented.  Resolution 1 provided direction to the Diocese for the distributions of the money from the future sale of St Michael’s Parish properties in Cascade Township.  The resolutions passed providing 1% to the Episcopal  Relief and Development fund, 10% allotted to  Holy Cross Kentwood, outreach and mission account and the remaining monies to be placed in restricted funds for Diocesan outreach and mission efforts with the Executive Council developing the plan for distribution.  Resolution 2 passed which strongly encourages individual parishes and the Diocese to provide fairly traded, preferably, Dominican Republic grown coffee at all events.  Resolution 3 passed and provides the 2010 cost of living percentage increase to the clergy.

The budget passed quickly with only one amendment to add a line item for the  Eclesiastical Court.

Some comments:  33 out of 57 pledging parishes are in full apportionment.  75% or the parishes are meeting or increasing their apportionment.

Highlighting the budget:

There were no significant cuts to the 2010 Diocesan budget

Mission and Outreach was increased

The Diocese has decreased by 848 in numbers

Average Sunday attendance is down by 4% in the entire diocese.

All 2009 pledges were collected from parishes.

Over half the parishes are using money from investments to fund their operating expense

Parishes spent more money on their buildings than on mission.  This gave rise to conversation and many felt that it needed defending   We realize that most of our buildings are expensive to maintain, but it is our buildings that are out outreach!  Our churches are the home to many non-profit groups.  We need to keep these buildings modern, useful, and welcoming, to the many individuals and groups who walk through our doors.  

In closing, thank you for the opportunity to represent Trinity Marshall.  The diocese continues to move forward in missions and outreach.  To do this as a diocese we must increase and improve communication and be open and welcome to new ideas and opportunities to help each individual live into their baptismal covenant.