From Debbie Egnatuk :
Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan - 2011 Convention Report - Trinity Church Marshall
Debbie Egnatuk and Margaret (Margi) Brown were elected by Trinity Church Marshall, to represent the parish as delegates to the 2011 convention of the Episcopal Church Diocese of Western Michigan. The convention was held in Traverse City, Friday, April 8th and Saturday, April 9th.
The theme and this year’s Call to Convention was “Moving Beyond Ourselves”. The focus of the convention, beginning with Bishop Gepert’s address, stressed the importance and commitment on mission. Bishop Gepert talked about the need for community. Jesus needed community to do His work. He had a greater vision of just what was in front of him. As Episcopalians, we are bound together in community. We have a COMMON STORY, we share good times and bad times. We have COMMON PRAYER, at least four times a day, as outlined in the Book of Common Prayer! We have the COMMON CUP, sharing with ALL who come to our table. COMMON GOOD is our goal, working together for the good of ALL people.
Interspersed throughout the two days, were Mission Moments. People shared their diocesan mission experiences. When we say in the confession of sin “the things done and left undone”. We are urged and expected to get missions off our “undone list”.
The business of elections went well. Clergy and Laity stepped up to the task. One clergy representative and two lay representatives were elected to the Standing Committee. The Rev. Paula Durren, Church of the Mediator, Harbert and Don Davies, St. Andrew’s, Grand Rapids and Janet McKensie, Church of the Epiphany. Two laity were elected to the Province V Synod, Cindy Nawrocki, St. Marks, Grand Rapids and Pam Chapman, St. Philip’s Grand Rapids.
Three (3) resolutions were presented.
Resolution 1, which originated at St. Timothy’s, Richland, asked that there be a “Just and Durable Peace between Israel and the Palestinians”. The resolution was approved.. The Bishop shall appoint a task force that will provide forums throughout the diocese to inform, and educate clergy and laity about conditions in Israel and Palestine and discuss possible strategies to bring about a non-violent end to the occupation and the establishment of a just and lasting peace between the two peoples. The exact wording of the resolution, suggestions to accomplish, and the rationale can be found on the diocesan website.
Resolution 2 was the review and acceptance of a complete Canon update and revision. The updated Canons were approved with a few amendments. A major change in the Canons was to make the numbering system sequential, and create a Table of Contents and Index for ease of use. A critical Canon was changed to require 2 delegates from each parish elected to convention. An amendment was made to require 1 delegate (for a parish off 1-26 regular Sunday attendance), 2 delegates (for a parish of 27-100), 3 delegates (for a parish of 101-150) and 4 delegates (for a parish of 151+). This was debated. An amendment to the amendment provided that 2 delegates would be required for a parish of 1-100, 3 delegates for a parish of 101-150, and 4 delegates for a parish of 151+, with the maximum delegates being four.(4). This amendment and the revision of the Canons were approved. A copy of the Canons can be obtained on the diocesan website.
Resolution 3 provided the 2011 cost of living percentage increase to the clergy and was approved.
The budget was approved as presented. Please ask at the office to see a copy of the budget or refer to the diocesan website.
We thank you for the opportunity to represent Trinity Marshall. Do not hesitate to talk to Debbie and Margi for a better understanding and how to get more complete information. The diocese continues to move forward in mission and outreach. We ask that each one of us keep looking beyond ourselves, in our hearts, in our actions and in our prayers.
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From Margi Brown:
Notes on the Annual Convention April 8-9 2011
Traverse City, MI
The theme of the convention this year was “Moving Beyond Ourselves.” It was a great experience. I ran into some old friends, listened to some excellent speakers, found out about new mission projects, and voted on some important issues concerning the diocese. (I was pleasantly surprised it wasn’t ALL business!) I believe Debbie enlightened you on some of the business decisions that were made. Bishop Gepert was very professional in keeping the meetings on task and on time. Most of the conference was held in the elegant domed meeting room of the Park Place Hotel in Traverse. Around noon on the first day we moved to the beautiful wood architecture of Grace Church, a short walk out the back door and down the block, for a communion and worship.
One of the speakers I enjoyed was Sharon Buursma, chairperson of the committee that revised our Diocesan Mission and Vision Statement. She was on FIRE for the Episcopal Church! Fairly new to the church, she spoke of her journey, from a near death experience to a desire to serve God in a church that fit her values. “You people had it right!” she would say. The completed work of her committee is on the website edwm.org. I also understand the vestry was given a DVD of the work.
Another speaker I enjoyed was Rev. Mark Bozzuti-Jones, from New York. He had a deep, bold voice like that of James Earl Jones with a beautiful Jamaican accent. He spoke eloquently of God’s love for us that we are to bear fruit AND become Disciples of Christ. He talked of God not always “answering our questions” but “questioning our answers,” which I thought was insightful. His talk was full of stories and anecdotes by all sorts of people from Chevy Chase to the characters of “The King’s Speech.” He ended his talk with a summary of the book “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team,” which has intelligent advice for any team, including a church.
As a member of our Board of Missions, I was especially interested in a project presented by Rev. Cindy Nawrocki, who is asking each congregation to assemble one back pack with specific items for a child on Barnes Mountain in Kentucky. I will be bringing this to my committee next month. Other mission designations are South Dakota and New Orleans.
There’s going to be a series of lectures this fall on Western Michigan’s campus regarding the issues of the Middle East, spearheaded by the Episcopal Campus Ministry. I also learned of the Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Church. More on these projects will be announced at a later time.
There’s so much more I could share, but I think I’ll stop there. All in all, it was a great convention. Thank you so much for allowing me to go as a delegate from Trinity. - Margi Brown