Friends and Colleagues,
As clergy of the Episcopal Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan, we grieve the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and all other victims of racialized violence. We stand with those who are pleading for justice, those demanding an end to police brutality, and those who are crying out for a new day. We also recognize that racism manifests in brutal ways every day, ways that those of us who are white don’t see.
The stories of the past few months, which echo and amplify those of over four hundred years in our nation, are opening the hearts, minds, and lives of us all. We have all witnessed people of color being murdered for no other reason than race. We have seen how the bodies of our siblings of color are perceived as inherently violent by some and expendable by others. We know that communities of color have suffered far higher percentages of deaths from COVID-19 due to inequalities in healthcare, working conditions, and other realities related to systemic racism. We have seen white supremacist groups growing in visibility and voice. We have witnessed inexcusable force—including the use of chemical irritants, rubber bullets, and batons—being used against people of all colors simply because they are in our streets peacefully protesting for change of racist structures and ways.
As Episcopal clergy, we decry any persons or groups who have subverted these otherwise peaceful protests by bringing violence to our streets and communities. And in those circumstances where the rage of those who are suffering oppression has boiled over into riots, we heed the advice of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “to commit to listen to the anger behind the riots.” Our nation has neither acknowledged fully nor responded comprehensively to the ongoing violence against people of color. Our baptismal vows call us to respond now and always with courage and compassion, “to persevere in resisting evil, to strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.”
We believe that this moment, like others in our shared history, is inviting us to radical transformation. We also believe that faith demands our participation in helping such transformation take hold. We acknowledge that racism is woven into the systems, institutions, history, and psyche of our nation, including our communities of faith. We confess our complicity even as we seek to break the cycles that sinfully perpetuate racialized violence, inequality, and injustice. We commit anew to the work of reconciliation.
As people of faith, we believe that God is present in struggles for justice, calling us to repentance and inviting us to more fully embody Christ’s mandate to “love one another.” Our Presiding Bishop, the Most Reverend Michael Curry, says that God’s dreams are so much greater, more merciful, more loving, and more just than the nightmare being lived by too many in our world. The nightmare of racism is real. God’s dreams are longing to break through. Now.
We commit our prayers and our presence to the hard work ahead, to the faithful work of reconciliation as we stand with those whose tears, hopes, and cries for justice can transform and liberate us all.
Signed,
The Clergy of the Episcopal Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan
The following people have signed their name to this letter -
The Rt. Rev. Whayne M. Hougland, Jr., Provisional Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan, IX Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan
The Rt. Rev. Edward L. Lee, Jr., Retired, VII Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan
The Rt. Rev. Edwin Leidel, Retired, I Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan
The Rt. Rev. S. Todd Ousley, II Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan
The Rev. Jennifer Adams, Grace Episcopal Church in Holland
The Rev. Deacon Brad Allard, Retired, Wyoming
The Rev. Canon Valerie Ambrose, The Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan
The Rev. Deacon Linda Ash, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Corunna
The Rev. John Autio, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Greenville
The Rev. Jodi Baron, St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Beulah, Church of the Holy Trinity in Manistee
The Rev. Christian Baron, St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Beulah, Church of the Holy Trinity in Manistee
The Rev. Heather Barta, Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Clarkston
The Very Rev. Judith D. Boli, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Saginaw
The Rev. Molly Bosscher, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids
The Rev. Paul Brisbane, Retired, Coldwater
The Rev. Deacon Katherine Brower, Retired, Grand Rapids
The Rev. Wendy Brown, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Charlotte
The Rev. Paul Brunell, Christ Episcopal Church in Owosso
The Rev. Celine Burke, Retired, Manistee
The Rev. Brian Chace, Trinity Episcopal Church in West Branch
The Rev. Elizabeth Chace, Retired, Frederick
The Rev. Zachariah Char, Sudanese Grace Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids
The Rev. Schuyler L. Clapp, Retired, Traverse City
The Rev. Sue Colavincenzo, St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in Kalamazoo
The Rev. Brian Coleman, St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Battle Creek
The Rev. Dr. Jared Cramer, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Grand Haven
The Ven. Linda Crane, Grace Episcopal Church in Port Huron
The Rev. Rebecca Crise, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Paw Paw
The Rev. Lewis D. Crusoe, St. James Episcopal Church in Cheboygan
The Rev. Dr. Kathleen Dancer, Retired, Muskegon
The Rev. John David, Retired, Muskegon
The Rev. Dr. Mary Delaney, Retired, Alma
The Rev. Hugh Dickinson, Retired, Grand Rapids
The Rev. Elizabeth Morris Downie, Retired, Grand Blanc
The Rev. Tom Downs, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Gladwin
The Rev. Marilyn Dressel, Retired, Traverse City
The Rev. Paula E. Durren, Retired, New Buffalo
The Rev. Patricia Eichenlaub, Retired, St. Joseph
The Rev. D. Edward Emenheiser, Retired, Traverse City
The Rev. Dr. Mark Engle, Retired, Battle Creek
The Rev. Dr. Valerie Fargo, The Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan
The Rev. Michael C. Fedewa, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Muskegon
The Rev. Allan Feltner, St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Mio
The Rev. Deacon Robert P. Finn, Retired, West Branch
The Rev. William Fleener, Retired, Muskegon
The Rev. Mary Frens, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Fremont
The Very Rev. Dr. Jay Gantz, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Flint
The Rev. Ann Grady, St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Grand Blanc
The Rev. Dr. Thomas Guback, Retired, Northport
The Rev. Canon Anne Hallmark, The Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan
The Rev. Jim Harrison, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Midland
The Rev. John B. Hills, Retired, Grand Haven
The Rev. Ken Hitch, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Midland
The Rev. Charles Homeyer, Retired, Grand Rapids
The Rev. Peter Homeyer, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Wyoming
The Rev. Deacon Kimberly Hoop, Holy Cross Episcopal and Ascension Lutheran Church in Kentwood
The Rev. Kay M. Houck, Trinity Episcopal Church in Lexington
The Rev. Michael Houle, Retired, Birch Run
The Rev. Mary Jo Hudson, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Saginaw
The Rev. Henry Idema, III, Retired, Grand Haven
The Rev. Mark Jenkins, Retired, Battle Creek
The Rev. Dr. Jay Emerson Johnson, All Saints Episcopal Church in Saugatuck
The Rev. Karen Joy Kelly, Retired, Three Oaks
The Rev. Edward King, Retired, Lexington
The Rev. Ted Koehl, St. Francis Episcopal Church in Orangeville
The Rev. Deacon Anna Leigh Kubbe, Retired Archdeacon, Eastern Michigan
The Rev. Darlene M. S. Kuhn, Episcopal Church of the Mediator, Harbert
The Rev. Rebecca Baird Lepley, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Harsens Island
The Rev. Tracie Little, St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Fenton
The Rev. James Lively, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Sturgis
The Rev. Pamela Lynch, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Gaylord
The Rev. Thomas Manney, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Bad Axe
The Rev. Deacon Judy Marinco, St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Fenton
The Rev. Mike Marinco, St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Fenton
The Rev. Lily Marx, St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in Muskegon
The Rev. Deacon Dr. Daniel L. Maxwell, Trinity Episcopal Church in Alpena
The Rev. Deacon John R. Meengs, Retired, Saugatuck
The Rev. David Meyers, St. Peter’s-by-the-Lake Episcopal Church in Montague
The Very Rev. Bill McClure, Trinity Episcopal Church in Alpena
The Rev. Richard McKenzie, ELCA clergy serving Trinity Episcopal Church in Grand Ledge
The Rev. Deacon Thomas McPherson, Trinity Episcopal Church in Marshall
The Rev. Kenneth Michnay, ELCA clergy serving St. John’s Episcopal Church in Grand Haven
The Rev. Deacon Cynthia Nawrocki, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids
The Rev. Curt Norman, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Saginaw
The Rev. Nurya Love Parish, Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in Belmont
The Rev. Deacon Larry Parks, Grace Episcopal Church in Lapeer
The Rev. Sara Parks, Grace Episcopal Church in Lapeer
The Rev. James Perra, Grace Episcopal Church in Traverse City
The Rev. Mary Perrin, St. Martin of Tours Episcopal Church in Kalamazoo
The Rev. David R. Pike, St. David’s Episcopal Church in Lansing
The Rev. Elsa Pressentin, Retired, Muskegon
The Rev. Thomas O’Dell, Christ Episcopal Church in Charlevoix
The Rev. Gerald Rehagen, Retired,
The Rev. Pamela Renna, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Saginaw
The Rev. Susan C. Rich, Trinity Episcopal Church in Bay City
The Rev. Rick Schark, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Coldwater
The Rev. Daniel S.J. Scheid, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Flint
The Rev. Canon Robert Alan Schiesler, Retired, Grand Rapids
The Rev. Anne Schnaare, Trinity Episcopal Church in Marshall
The Rev. Harold Schneider, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Otter Lake
The Rev. Philip A. Seitz, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta, Christ Episcopal Church in East Tawas
The Rev. Deb Semon-Scott, Retired, Jonesville
The Rev. Dr. Gail A. Shafer, Trinity Episcopal Church in Grand Ledge
The Rev. Mary J. Shortt, St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church in Higgins Lake
The Rev. Dr. Daniel L. Snyder, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Grand Haven
The Rev. Deacon Bonnie Smith, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Elk Rapids
The Rev. James E. Smith, ELCA clergy serving Trinity Episcopal Church in Three Rivers
The Rev. Deacon Thomas Smith, St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in Davison
The Rev. Canon William J. Spaid, The Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan
The Rev. Dr. Lydia Agnew Speller, Grace Episcopal Church in Port Huron
The Rev. Deacon Jane Spencer, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Sand Point
The Rev. Canon Michael P. Spencer, The Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan, St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Grand Blanc
The Rev. Nancy Steele, Retired, Chesaning
The Rev. Jim Steen, Retired, Saugatuck
The Rev. Pamela V. Sten, Retired, Buchanan
The Rev. Diane Stier, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Mount Pleasant
The Rev. Linnea Ruth Peterson Stiffler, Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Hastings
The Rev. Rick Stravers, Retired, Kalamazoo
The Rev. Charles M. Stuart, Retired, Saginaw
The Rev. Deacon Christine W. Tillman, Retired, Wyoming
The Rev. Dr. Chysanne Timm, St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Northport
The Rev. Joel Turmo, St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Richland
The Rev. David Vickers, Holy Family Episcopal Church in St. Clair
The Rev. Deacon Patricia Vinge, St. Martin of Tours Episcopal Church in Kalamazoo
The Rev. Sharon Voelker, Retired, Bay City
The Rev. Robert Walton, St. James Episcopal Church in Albion
The Rev. Dr. Randall R. Warren, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Kalamazoo
The Rev. Michael Wernick, Holy Cross Episcopal and Ascension Lutheran Church in Kentwood
The Rev. William Whiting, Retired, Elk Rapids
The Rev. Michael Wood, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Portage
The Rev. Susan York, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids
