An update from the Standing Committee and an invitation to gather.
Dear Friends,

Over the past few months, the Standing Committee held a series of self-study gatherings aimed at identifying the hopes and priorities of our diocese as we look at our ministry over the next ten years and beyond. 
 
We held five meetings, starting in Blue Water, heading west to Flint, and north to Saginaw, Gaylord, and finally, Alpena. 173 members of the diocese participated overall, representing 29 congregations. As a whole, our voices were 73% lay and 27% clergy. 
 
So, what’s next? 
 
After collecting the written and voiced responses to our study questions, the Standing Committee President sent them on to our transition consultant, the Rev. Dr. Diane Vie (St. Paul’s, Lynchburg, VA). Over the next couple of months, she and the Standing Committee will analyze the results and draft a report to the diocese reflecting the priorities you identified. 
 
Save the date! We will host a next-steps gathering on  Saturday, June 9th  at  St. John’s, Midland  where Diane and the Standing Committee will present the results and make some recommendations for our what’s next in our transition. (For more information about this gathering and to RSVP, see below.) We’ll also hear a report on the financial realities facing the diocese from our diocesan treasurer, Mike Turnbull (Holy Family, Blue Water). 
 
We continue to be grateful for your patience and your prayers. Transition is truly hard and faithful work - we thank you for taking on this journey with us.
 
Prayer for the diocese:
O God, by your grace you have called us in the Diocese of Eastern Michigan to a goodly fellowship of faith. Bless our Provisional Bishop Cate and other clergy and all our people. Grant that your Word may be truly preached and truly heard, your Sacraments faithfully administered and faithfully received. By your Spirit, fashion our lives according to the example of your Son, and grant that we may show the power of your love to all among whom we live; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  (BCP, 817)

Peace,

The Standing Committee
The Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan
The Rev. Dan Scheid, President
St. Paul's, Flint

William Thewalt
St. Christopher's, Grand Blanc

The Rev. Sue Rich
Trinity, Bay City
Stephanie King, Vice President
St. Alban's, Bay City

Beth Barkley
Trinity, Lexington

The Rev. Phil Seitz
St. Mark's, Atlanta
The Next Steps Gathering
Join us on Saturday, June 9th from 10-2pm at St. John's Episcopal Church in Midland for reports from the Standing Committee, Transition Consultant, and Diocesan Treasurer and to break bread and celebrate Holy Eucharist together.

Please RSVP so we can plan for food. There is no fee to attend though donations will be accepted to help offset the cost of lunch.