March 15th, 2006
 
In This Issue:
 
Special Announcements:
  • The Office of the Bishop has moved. Please make note of our new address:
    EPISCOPAL CENTER - The Diocese of Western Michigan
    5220 Lovers Lane, LL 100
    Portage, MI 49002
    Tel: 269-381-2710
    CLICK HERE FOR A LINK TO "GOOGLE MAPS"
  • A note from the editor of eNews: we've had some delivery difficulties recently with certain Internet Service Providers (AOL, Yahoo/SBC) and we are testing a new mail system with this edition of eNews - which might have resulted in your receiving duplicate issues of this edition - if so, please accept our apology. If you notice any irregularities, display problems or other issues that we should be aware of, please contact Steve Stofflet at 269-381-2710, x11.
  • From the Diocesan Business Office:
    Parish Pledge forms are now overdue - and we have not received them from the following:
    • Grand Rapids-St. Paul’s
    • Ionia
    • Ludington
    • Muskegon-St. Alban’s
    • Three Rivers
    • Wyoming
  • Here is a list of workers’ compensation forms that we have not received yet:
    • Cascade
    • Grand Rapids-St. Paul’s
    • Grand Rapids-St. Philip’s
    • Greenville
    • Hastings
    • Holland
    • Lansing
    • Muskegon-St. Alban’s
    • Muskegon-St. Gregory’s
    • South Haven
    • Three Rivers
    • Traverse City
    • Wyoming

Also, please make sure that your parish has submitted their parochial report, as they are now past due.

Saturday May 6,2006
ECW of the Diocese of Western Michigan will hold its 125th Annual Meeting 

The Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Western Michigan will hold its 125th Annual Meeting on Saturday May 6,2006 at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 5333 Clyde Park SW, Wyoming , MI 49507. Additional information, registration forms and more will be sent out in the next edition of eNews... please mark your calendars for this important event!
 
Saturday, March 18th
Evangelism and Church Growth Seminar - at Grace Episcopal Church, Grand Rapids, MI 

presented by the Diocesan Church Growth and Evangelism Committee

Cost: $10.00 per person (scholarships available)
Featured speaker the Rev. Charles N. Fulton, III is an international consultant on issues of congregational health and development. He currently serves as the Director of Congregational Development for the Episcopal Church. "Charles Fulton tells the harsh truth then shines the bright Light that is needed to help parishes get off the plateau and grow!"
Reserve your spot and get directions by emailing Linda at Grace Episcopal Church or calling her at (616) 241-4631
 
March 24 - 25, 2006
ART & GOD
Junior Youth Rally on March 24/25th at the Church of the Holy Spirit in their new location in Belmont.
Click on the title for a registration form & information.
Church of the Holy Spirit
1200 Post Drive NE
Belmont, MI 49306
Tel: 616-784-1111
Friday, 24 March 2006
ANGLO SAXON SAINTS AND SINNERS
A lecture by:
Benedicta Ward SLG
Cathedral Church of Christ the King, Kalamazoo
 
Benedicta Ward is a Lecturer in Christian Spirituality at Oxford University, a member of the community of the Sisters of the Love of God, and the author of numerous books and articles on the English religious tradition, medieval spirituality, and the desert monastic movement.
 
Among her publications (many will be available at the lecture) are:
click HERE for a poster / flyer to print & distribute
 
Mon., May 8th through Wed., May 10
THE 2006 CLERGY CONFERENCE - "Lord, let our eyes be open and our bodies be healed."

make checks payable to the Diocese of Western Michigan (memo line: Clergy Conference) - to be mailed to:
GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH, c/o The Rev. Jennifer Adams, 555 Michigan Avenue, Holland, MI 49423.

Where: St. Francis Retreat Center - Dewitt, MI. Registration Deadline: April 28.
St. Mary's Hospital, Grand Rapids, is in the business of healing and helping individuals live more productive lives. As clergy we are, also, called to a similar vocation. It becomes a complicated issue with our busy schedules, little time for rest and refreshment. Many of us have also felt a need for fellowship and worship with other clergy of the Diocese. This conference is to help us retrieve some of our direction as we work with the professionals from St. Mary's and each other in getting the most out of our vocation and spend time with one another in a holy and peaceful environment. Thanks to a substantial grant from the Bishop Whittemore Foundation we are able to subsidize much of the cost of the conference.
Click HERE for a downloadable .pdf with additional information & registration.

Please watch your mail - as brochures have also been sent out from the Episcopal Center.
ANTI-RACISM TRAINING SESSIONS

The Diocesan Anti-Racism Team will be presenting One-Day Anti-Racism Trainings in each Deanery this year. This training has been mandated by both the ECUSA and Diocesan Conventions. All Convention Delegates, Diocesan, Deanery and Parish Leaders, Clergy and Staff who have not already completed Anti-Racism training should plan to attend. Due to the materials needed for each participant, we must have PRE-REGISTRATION information to prepare for the trainings. Payment may be made on the day of the training.
It is important that participants plan to attend for the entire day. Due to Diocesan budget constraints, we ask $10.00 per person to cover the cost of lunch, snacks, and materials used in the presentations.
Please include the following information for each participant:
 
Deanery event you will attend :
 
____Eastern ____Traverse ____Lakeshore ____Grand Valley

Name_____________________________________ Parish___________________________

Home Phone_______________________________ E-Mail____________________________
 
Leadership positions currently held:
 
 
Parish__________________Deanery_________________Diocese_____________________

Submit registrations to : EDWM A-R Team c/o Pat Baxter
E-Mail: pntb@comcast.net
Fax: 616-365-0927
Mail:
EDWM A-R Team c/o Pat Baxter
833 N. Kentview NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
 

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