• Terry Dorcy (St. Luke's, Kalamazoo) appointed as Diocesan ERD Representative.
  Mr. Terry Dorcy has been appointed to the position of diocesan representative to Episcopal Relief and Development.
  
•  "May 17, 2006
  
  Dear Terry,
  I am happy to appoint you as the diocesan representative to Episcopal Relief and Development. This is a three year appointment, effective immediately, and ending in April 2009.
  
  Your energy and interest in supporting the rebuilding post-Hurricane Katrina is an inspiration to us all. Thank you for your willingness to accept the appointment.
  
  +The Rt. Rev. Robert R. Gepert
  VIII, Western Michigan"
  

• Small Rural Church Summit: Re-Imagining the Small Rural Church

Huron College, London Ontario

July 27-30, 2006

 

This program is designed for Lay and Clergy leaders of small rural churches

 

Participants at the summit will:

• Learn the fundamentals of Appreciative Inquiry
• Engage in an appreciative inquiry into the best of rural ministry, to discover how God is still present and how the people are still caring for one another and the world.
• Create new images for rural congregations that convey the essence of these congregations at their best and that energize the people to build a sustainable future.
• Create alternative models of resourcing small rural congregations to enable their best to flourish.
• Be equipped with the appreciative skills to take back to their communities to do their own development work.

Program Facilitators:

• Bishop Ed Leidel of Eastern Michigan
• Rev. Robert Voyle, Director of the Clergy Leadership Institute

Costs:

• This program is heavily discounted over regular appreciative inquiry programs to encourage lay participation in the Small Rural Summit

Residential Training and Accommodation US $500 / Commuter Training and Accommodation US $375

When two or more people attend from the same parish they will each receive a $50 discount. For questions, call or e-mail Anne Reed (269.381.2710; areed@edwm.org).

For more details please see:http://www.clergyleadership.com/training/small.html

• August 25-26, 2006
  SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT PROGRAM
  
  Spiritual Discernment program Application Form & Program Essentials can be downloaded here:
  http://www.edwm.org/pdf/2006-SDP.pdf
  
  PLEASE NOTE:
  The Spiritual Discernment Program will now be held at Grace Church, Grand Rapids, beginning August 25-26. It will not be held at Kettunen Center, Tustin as previously advertised. This move will lower program costs considerably and utilize a more central site. Overnight accommodations will be arranged in private homes, essentially offering bed and breakfast, at no cost to students. The previously announced application deadline of May 15 is hereby extended to May 31 in order to get the word out.
  
  Fr. John Crean, Program Director
  paulepigrr@aol.com
  616-540-4566
  --------------------------------------------------------------
• We Do Not Lose Heart - Youth Worker Summit
  Brought to you by the Ecumenical Youth Ministries Staff Team of
  The National Council of Churches of Christ USA
  November 12-15, 2006 at Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Florida
  The website includes a list of workshops, the schedule, the cost, registration information and much more information: www.youthworkersummit.org
  -
• Friday, August 25 and Saturday, August 26, 2006
  Whose Church is it anyway?
  A hands-on program for those who work with children, youth, and adults in our congregations. Co-Sponsored by the Christian Education and Formation and the Youth Ministry Networks of Province V and The Episcopal Diocese of Chicago. If you have questions, please call 312-751-4206 or e-mail acothran@epischicago.org.
  Location:
  THE CONFERENCE CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. MARY OF THE LAKE IN MUNDELEIN, ILLINOIS
  -
• EDWM 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.
  
  • Grand Traverse DeanerySaturday May 20, 9AM-4PM
    @ Grace Church, Traverse City
    Registration due: NOW
    
  • Lakeshore Deanery- Saturday September 9, 9AM-4PM
    @ St. John's, Grand Haven
    Registration due: August 26
    
  • Grand Valley Deanery- Saturday October 7, 9AM-4PM
    @ location to be announced.
    Registration due: September 23
    
  • Anti-Racism Training Registration Form
    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

-

• HERE COMES EVERBODY!: Christian Communities That Work
  Trinity Church presents
  a Live Internet Telecast Exploring Christian Communities That Are Coming Alive!
  May 25, 2006 at 8:00 p.m.
  Following the live telecast, the program will be available for viewing online and by ordering DVDs through www.TrinityWallStreet.org.
  -

One of the positions is a CIT (counselor in training) mentor.
We are looking for 2 men over the age of 21 (and up to ???) (women CIT mentors are already in place)
It’s a one-week volunteer position.

Why would you do this, you ask?
Kris Forsyth, the former Director of Gordonwood Camp (the Diocese of Michigan camp), current Diocesan of Eastern Michigan Youth Coordinator and also St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church Director of Religious Education, and American Camping Association “Visitor”, will be the CIT director this year. Not only will she be training the CITs, she will also be training the adult CIT mentors so they can take over the program and also use it in their own parishes, youth groups, and Dioceses. This is a FREE week of training for the mentors from one of the most highly recognized leaders in youth and camp ministries in Michigan. Just think of all the skills you can gain and bring home to your own ministries.

The week of camp runs from August 13-19, with staff training beginning on August 12.

We have two opportunities for male cabin staff.

• The first being a male cabin counselor for junior camp (grades 3-8) – cabin to be determined. This person must be over the age of 18 and out of high school and this is also a one-week volunteer position.The week of camp runs from August 13-19, with staff training beginning on August 12

Benefits for all positions include:

• Room & board for the camp session (& between the camp sessions if you are serving both weeks)
• CPR & First Aid by the American Red Cross
• Camp ministry, youth ministry & children’s ministry training
• Two hours off each day (use the time to refresh yourself with a trip to the River Stop Café in beautiful downtown Newaygo, a hike in the many walking trails, or take a nap)
• Child care provided for the camp session (seriously, yes – if you have a child or children not of camping age, we have a program for you – The Pumpkin Patch is the cabin of staff kids. They have qualified counselors, just like the campers. They have activities, chaplain’s time, and participate in meals and the Eucharist with the rest of the camp.) And thanks to a generous grant from the Bishop Whittemore Foundation, we are able to offer this free of charge to all staff members.
• Financial assistance for children of camper age (ok, this is actually available to everyone!)
• Travel expense assistance may be available if needed

• If you answered: “Yes Gennie, this is the coolest thing ever and I would love to serve in one of these positions,” you can download an application here
• If you answered: “Gennie, this sounds like a wonderful opportunity, but I can’t serve this year,” please keep this in mind for another year.
• If you would not like to serve this year, but would like to send your children, other relatives or a young person from your parish, you can also find the camper registration form here
• If you answered: “Gennie, I’m from another Diocese, why would I want to send people to your camp?” just think of the new ideas people would be able to pick up here and share with you – or all the fresh perspectives we’d be able to gain from people from other places.

Please fill out all forms completely and mail to our NEW ADDRESS:
Episcopal Youth Camp
Attn: Gennie Callard
Diocese of Western Michigan
5220 Lover’s Lane, LL 100
Portage, MI 49002

CALENDAR ITEMS: (5/17/2006 updated)