PARISHES IN PARTNERSHIP

The “Parishes in Partnership” Committee met on Tuesday, May 23 to finalize its presentation of a plan for assessed giving from parishes for the work and ministry of our Diocese. The plan was presented to Executive Council on Saturday, May 20, and received the Council’s unanimous endorsement.

The Partnership Plan will be printed in the next issue of the “Vision” and will also be posted on the Diocesan website in a downloadable format. In addition, copies in a brochure format as well as additional background information will soon be mailed to every parish.

The final proposal will come before Diocesan Convention in October.It is the desire of the Committee that people within each parish will read and converse about the plan, and that vestries and delegates will return a form to the Committee with their responses, concerns and suggestions. Each parish is also asked to indicate if it would like someone from the Committee to come and discuss the plan with them.

Members of the Partnership Committee
• Steve Bartlett*, Eastern Deanery
• Anna Cushman, Executive Council liaison, St. Joseph Deanery
• Musette El Mohammed, St. Joseph Deanery
• Judy Fleener, Lakeshore Deanery
• Nancy Foster, Traverse Deanery
• Knute Jacobson*, Eastern Deanery
• Richard McNeece, Grand Valley Deanery
• John Meengs*, Lakeshore Deanery
• Pamela Miller *, Committee Chairperson, Grand Valley Deanery
• Sherman Miller*, Grand Valley Deanery
• Domingo Mick Shriver*, Grand Valley Deanery
• Steve Wade, Traverse Deanery
  
  Advisory to the Committee:
• Valerie Ambrose*, Finance Committee Chairperson
• Bill Fleener, Jr., Chancellor of the Diocese
  (* denotes clergy)

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HUNGER NO MORE
Tuesday, June 6th—7:00pm at the Cathedral of Christ the King


• Join leaders of faith communities and anti-hunger movements
• Hear testimony from leaders affected by hunger and those galvanizing the anti-hunger movement
• Hear imperatives on ending hunger from sacred texts and music of many faiths
• Join the Movement…

Please let us know if you are able to bring a delegation
by calling Karla at the Food Bank at 269-964-3663 or via email at fbkarla@wmis.net
CLICK HERE for a downloadable brochure with directions to this event.

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• Safeguarding God's Children - Train the Trainer Seminar
  Saturday, July 15 - St. Gregory's Muskegon - 10am to 4pm
  

  Who should attend the Train-the-Trainer Seminar?
  This is for adults who are interested in becoming trainers for Safeguarding God’s Children. People who are interested are invited to attend with a recommendation of their parish clergyperson, or the Bishop if you are clergy. We still need at least 2 trainers from the Lakeshore Deanery to be able to hold Certification Workshops in that deaneries.

  What is the format of the Train-the-Trainer Seminar?
  Attendees will participate in Safeguarding God’s Children as if it were an actual training session. They will receive in-depth information on training methods using Safeguarding God’s Children materials, review typical questions that may arise and how to respond to them, learn how to pace the training, and other practical suggestions. There will be ample time for discussion.

  Who will present the material at the Seminars?
  Ms. Pam Fenno, Social Worker in Kalamazoo County, and Ms. Gennie Callard, Assistant to the Bishop for Children, Youth and Young Adult Ministries in the Diocese of Western Michigan

  Is there a cost for the Seminar?
  The cost of the Train-the-Trainer Seminars, including lunch, will be absorbed in the Diocesan Budget.

  Is there an expectation of the trainers once the seminar is completed?
  The expectation is that each trainer leads two Safeguarding God’s Children Certification Worship in their deanery each year (that’s only 3 hours twice a year – scheduled at your convenience). Each Certification Worship will have two trainers, will take place in the trainers’ deanery, and will be scheduled through the Diocesan Office in observance to the trainers’ schedules.

  How do I register?
  Register by contacting Gennie Callard (269.381.2710, x17)at least one week before the event.
  Please leave your name, phone number, e-mail and parish.

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• Safeguarding God’s Children Certification Workshops
  Safeguarding God’s Children is the module for children’s sexual misconduct prevention training in the Diocese of Western Michigan. The Church Pension Group worked with Praesidium Religious Services to create a program aimed at preventing child sexual abuse. Parents, congregations, church leaders and clergy can all benefit from this program geared to preventing and responding to child sexual abuse in everyday life and in ministry. Please be aware that it does have testimonies of both abusers and victims. For more information on Praesidium Religious Service go to http://www.praesidiuminc.com/ on the web.
  
  How is the Diocese of Western Michigan implementing the program?
  Certification workshops will be scheduled by the Diocesan Offices regularly in each Deanery. You may attend any scheduled training in any Deanery.

  Who should attend?
  The Diocesan expectation is that everyone who is working with children and/or youth on a parish or Diocesan level becomes certified within 6 months of hire (volunteer or paid). Parents, church leaders and clergy can all benefit from the program.

  Cost
  The cost for each Safeguarding God’s Children Certification Workshop is $10.00 per person. Financial assistance is available through the Diocesan office – be sure to ask about it at the time of registration.

  Registration
  To register contact Mary McGuire in the Diocesan Center at (269) 381-2710 or mmcguire@edwm.org at least one week before the workshop. Please tell her the name of the parish and the name of those attending.

  Who should I contact with questions?
  For questions you can contact Gennie Callard, the Assistant to the Bishop for Children, Youth and Young Adult Ministries in the Diocese of Western Michigan. gcallard@edwm.org
  

  2006 Certification Workshop Dates

  Thursday, June 29 – Holy Trinity, Wyoming ~ 6:00pm – 9:00pm
  Saturday, July 15 – St. Gregory’s, Muskegon ~ 10:00am-1:00pm - (Training-the-Trainers 10:00am – 4:00pm)
  Sunday, September 24 – St. Luke’s, Kalamazoo – 1:30pm-4:30pm
  Saturday, September 30 – Emmanuel, Petoskey – 9:00am-12:00pm - Adult’s Model at 12:30pm

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  The Phoebe Griswold Education Fund
  established by spouses of Bishops to honor the work of Phoebe Griswold, is a trust that supports the work of the Episcopal Church in furthering the empowerment of women for leadership and achieving gender equality throughout the Anglican Communion.Income from the Fund will be used at the discretion of the Director of Women's Ministries in consultation with the Treasurer, for seed money and scholarships for events and conferences that:
  • advance the goals of empowering women for leadership and achieving gender equality; and
  • inform and educate women in a global perspective for ministry.

  Please click here for more information and a donation form.

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

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Whose Church is it anyway?
Friday, August 25 and Saturday, August 26, 2006
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

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• 5/25/2006: Grand Valley Deanery Confirmation
  St. Marks, Grand Rapids, 7pm.
  CLICK HERE for map

• 5/25/2006: Here Comes Everybody!: Christian Communities That Work -Webcast -
  Trinity Church presents a Live Internet Telecast Exploring Christian Communities That Are Coming Alive!
  May 25, 2006 at 8:00 p.m. (www.trinitywallstreet.org)

• 5/29/2006 - MEMORIAL DAY - EPISCOPAL CENTER OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED

• 5/31/2006 @ 7pm: GENERAL CONVENTION "PRE-CONVENTION MEETING"
  There will be an open Forum for the Diocese to meet with the Bishop and the General Convention Deputation on Wednesday May 31st at 7:00 pm at the Church of the Holy Spirit, Belmont.

• 5/31/2006 - REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Spiritual Discernment Program

• 6/6/2006: HUNGER NO MORE
  Tuesday, June 6th—7:00pm at the Cathedral of Christ the King

• 6/8/2006: OPEN HOUSE - EPISCOPAL CENTER - 11AM to 7pm
  Visit the new Diocesan Offices at 5220 Lovers Lane, Lower Level Suite 100, Portage, MI on Thursday, June 8.
  Click HERE for a map to the location.

• 6/15/2006: REGISTRATION DEADLINE for "FAITH COMMUNITY (PARISH) NURSING" at Transformations Spirituality Center
  is a unique specialty practice of nursing focusing on intentional care of the spirit. Please visit the "FILE DOWNLOADS" area, under "CONFERENCES" for a downloadable registration/information form - or CLICK HERE
  For further information, you may call Paula White, RN, FCN at 269-343-1396.

• 6/14 - 6/18/2006 E3 – Youth Participation at General Convention
  Where: Columbus, Ohio (site of General Convention 2006)
  Contact Gennie Callard at the Episcopal Center for more information on attending.
  This is an opportunity for high school students (young people in grades 9-12) to attend the General Convention with a group of other high school students from the entire Episcopal Church (all around the nation and even beyond!).

• 6/22 - 6/24 WESTERN MICHIGAN CURSILLO
  Grace Church Holland.

• 6/29 - SAFEGUARDING GOD'S CHILDREN CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP
  Holy Trinity, Wyoming ~ 6:00pm – 9:00pm

JULY:

• 7/7-8/2006: WOMEN OF FAITH - CHICAGO, IL
  Visit their website for more information: www.womenoffaith.com 

• 7/15/2006: SAFEGUARDING GOD'S CHILDREN - CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP & TRAINER TRAINING
  St. Gregory’s, Muskegon ~ 10:00am-1:00pm - (Training-the-Trainers 10:00am – 4:00pm)
  
• 7/15/2006: SMALL RURAL CHURCH SUMMIT: Re-Imagining the Small Rural Church
  Huron College, London Ontario
  

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

AUGUST:

• 8/25-26/2006: Whose Church Is It Anyway?
  A hands-on program for those who work with children, youth & adults in our congregations.
  Location: THE CONFERENCE CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. MARY OF THE LAKE IN MUNDELEIN, ILLINOIS
  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

• 8/26 - Registration Due: Anti-Racism Training
  for Lakeshore Deanery Training Session held on September 9, 2006.
  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

• 8/25-26/2006: SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT PROGRAM
  Spiritual Discernment program Application Form & Program Essentials
  can be downloaded here: http://www.edwm.org/pdf/2006 -SDP.pdf

• 9/1-4/2006 - SOLO FLIGHT and the Spirituality of Homing
  (click here for downloadable brochure)
  (http://groups.yahoo.com/group /soloflightepis/)
  A national Episcopal Conference for adults who are single. Kanuga Conference Center, Hendersonville, NC. A non-refundable deposit of $50.00 (made payable to Kanuga Conferences) should be sent to: Registration Services - Kanuga Conferences, P.O. Box 250, Hendersonville, NC 28793 (Tel: 828-692-9136) http://www.kanuga.org For further information: Offices of Solo Flight - Catch the Vision, St. Peter's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 27, Paris, KY 40362 kcollierm@diolex.orgor davidwperk@aol.com

• 9/9/2006: Anti-Racism Training - Lakeshore Deanery
  9a - 4p at St. John's in Grand Haven. Registration due: August 26th.
  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

• 9/19-24/2006: A BENEDICTINE EXPERIENCE
  AT THE EPISCOPAL HOUSE OF PRAYER COLLEGEVILLE, MINNESOTA
  9/19-24/2006: A BENEDICTINE EXPERIENCEAT THE EPISCOPAL HOUSE OF PRAYER COLLEGEVILLE, MINNESOTA
  For a complete flyer with registration information, fees, schedule and more -
  please visit the diocesan website and click on = FILE DOWNLOADS - CONFERENCES

• 9/23/2006: Registration Due: Anti-Racism Training
  Grand Valley Deanery- Saturday October 7, 9AM-4PM Location to be announced.

• 9/24/2006: SAFEGUARDING GOD'S CHILDREN CERTIFICATION TRAINING - St. Luke's - Kalamazoo
  Call Mary McGuire @ the Episcopal Center for additional information and to register.

• 9/30/2006: SAFEGUARDING GOD'S CHILDREN CERTIFICATION TRAINING - Emmanuel - Petoskey
  Safeguarding God's Children 9:00am-12:00pm
  Adult's Model 12:30pm - 3:30pm
  Call Mary McGuire @ the Episcopal Center for additional information and to register.
  

• 10/7/2006: Anti-Racism Training - Grand Valley Deanery -
  Location to be announced. 9a - 4p
  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

• 11/12-15/2006: "WE DO NOT LOSE HEART" - YOUTH WORKERS SUMMIT
  at Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista. http://www.youthworkersummit .org
  Brought to you by the Ecumenical Youth Ministries Staff Team of The National Council of Churches of Christ USA
  
• 11/17-19/2006: VOCARE Weekend - St. David's, Lansing.
  Click here to download informational materials for the weekend.