• St. Paul's, Walker (Grand Rapids) Closes
  The Bishop will celebrate the Holy Eucharist at St. Paul’s Church, 3412 Leonard St., Grand Rapids this Saturday, July 29 at 10:00 a.m. [CLICK HERE for a map to this location]
  
  Following the Eucharist there will be a short office secularizing the building. Anyone is welcome to attend this liturgy.
  
  =============================
  The Rev. Canon William J. Spaid
  Canon to the Ordinary, Diocese of Western Michigan
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• THE BISHOP'S OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT
  September 23, 2006 - 1pm at the Lynx Golf Course in Otsego.
  http://www.lynxgolfcourse.com/
  900 Lincoln Rd., Otsego, MI 49078 
  Toll Free: (888)586-5969 Phone: (269)694-5969
  
  A benefit for the Deacons Fund / Camp for underprivileged children.
  Costs: $75.00 per person - $300 per team.
  For more information - or to register, contact: Kandi Gibson - 269.673.1732
  CLICK HERE FOR A MAP TO THIS LOCATION
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• Virginia Theological Seminary - Summer Collegium 2007
  Advance information on the "Summer Collegium" taking place in June of 2007:
  
  "The Lifetime Theological Education department has just completed the first Summer Collegium residency, and we are preparing for the 2007 event. The Summer Collegium is a nine-day intensive residential program, ecumenical in scope, for clergy in mid-career serving small parishes (average worship attendance 100 or fewer).
  
  Each summer the Collegium will serve 25 clergy (along with their spouses or partners), addressing the specific needs of clergy and clergy households committed to small-church ministry. Single clergy and non-ordained pastors are welcome to apply.
  
  The dates for the 2007 Summer Collegium are June 20-28, and the emphasis will be on Christian Education in the Small Church.The Summer Collegium is fully funded through the generosity of the Lilly Endowment through its "Making Connections" initiative, and is offered to participants at no cost. It is our hope that this time away will provide refreshment, education, collegiality, and encouragement in this important ministry.
  
  Registration information will appear on their website, and be mailed out around September 1st, 2006.
  Visit their website at: http://www.vts.edu/education/collegium/ for more information.
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• 10/6/2006: SPIRITUALITY OF CARING: The Rewards and Risks
  A workshop for professional caregivers at Transformations Spirituality Center, 3427 Gull Road, Nazareth, MI 49074 (near Kalamazoo). For nurses, physicians, clergy, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, managers, teachers and anyone who is committed to caring for others.
  Workshop fee: $50 before 9/1/2006 - $65 thereafter (lunch included).
  Registration begins at 8am - Closing remarks will be at 4:15pm.
  A day-long workshop facilitated by Dominic O. Vachon, M.Div, Ph.D - a psychologist who is the Director of Behaviorial Medicine and Caring Science Training at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in South Bend, IN. For more information you can download a brochure HERE or contact Transformations Spirituality Center directly at 269-381-6290, x310 or visit their website at www.transfomrationscenter.org
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• 10/30-31/2006: FAITHFUL CONVERSATIONS: Christians and the Middle East
  Registration begins at 8:30am. Conference 9am-9pm Monday / 8:30a-11:30a Tuesday
  Sponsored by Western Theological Seminary.
  Plenary and Panel Leaders:
  • Dr. Harold Vogelaar, Director-Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice at the Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago;
  • Dr. Lew and Mrs. Nancy Scudder - served for 40 years in the Middle East with the Reformed Church in America, most recently with the Middle East Council of Churches;
  • Dr. Ghulam-Haider Aasi - Associate Professor and Chairperson of Islamic Studies and History of Religions at the American Islamic College, Chicago;
  • Rev. John Hubers - Served in mission in the Middle East and as Supervisor of RCA Middle EAst Mission Programs; PhD candidate in Christian-Muslim relations, LSTC.

  Registration available online at: http://www.westernsem.edu/journey/ - or call 616-392-8555, x167. Early registration $65.00 before 9/30/2006 - $75.00 thereafter.

AUGUST:

• 8/1/2006: Standing Committe
  St. Andrews, Grand Rapids - 4:30pm

• 8/6/2006: BISHOP VISITATION -Leland
  
• 8/6 - 12/ 2006: SUMMER CAMP - Senior
  Download camp information here.
  
• 8/7-20/2006: BISHOP'S VACATION
  
• 8/13-19/2006: SUMMER CAMP - Junior
  Download camp information here.
  
• 8/13-19/2006: SUMMER CAMP - Counselor in Training Program
  Download camp information here.
  
• 8/17-21 Yearning for Justice: Writing the Unlived Life (for men and women)
  This workshop is offered through the Leaven Center in Lyons, Michigan. Cost: $300 per person. Leaders: Demetria Martinez and Naya Achtenberg. Location: Leaven Center, Lyons, Michigan Please visit the Leaven Center website at www.leaven.org for a full workshop description and registration information.
  
• 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
  
• 8/27/2006: BISHOP VISITATION -Beaver Island

SEPTEMBER:

• 9/5/2006: RESOLUTIONS DUE FOR DIOCESAN CONVENTION
  
• 9/5/2006: STANDING COMMITTEE
  St. Andrews, Grand Rapids - 4:30pm
  
• 9/9/2006: ANTI-RACISM TRAINING - Lakeshore Deanery
  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
  
• 9/1-4/2006 - 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
  
• 9/10/2006: BISHOP VISITATION - Grace, Grand Rapids
  
• 9/11/2006: CLERICUS LECTIONARY STUDY - Traverse Deanery - 12:30pm
  
• 9/12/2006: CLERICUS LECTIONARY STUDY - St. Joseph Deanery - 10:00am
  
• 9/12/2006: CLERICUS LECTIONARY STUDY - Eastern Deanery - 1:30pm
  
• 9/16/2006: EXECUTIVE COUNCIL - Kalamazoo - 10am
  
• CORRECTION - 9/19/2006: CLERICUS LECTIONARY STUDY - Lakeshore Deanery - 11:30am
  
• CORRECTION - 9/19/2006: CLERICUS LECTIONARY STUDY - Grand Valley Deanery - 3:00pm
  
• 9/15/2006 DEADLINE: Renewal Grants for Clergy - Deadline 9/15/2006
  
  • Louisville Institute: Sabbatical Grants for Pastoral Leaders Program The Sabbatical Grants for Pastoral Leaders Program, administered by the Louisville Institute, awards grants to pastors and other religious leaders in the U.S. and Canada seeking time for study, reflection, retreat, and rest for the renewal of their vocations. The program will award up to sixty grants for eight-week ($10,000) and twelve-week ($15,000) sabbaticals. Recipients must be released from all pastoral duties during the entire grant period. The program is open to Protestant and Roman Catholic clergy, church staff members, denominational and diocesan staff, and others employed full-time in recognized positions of pastoral leadership, ordained and lay. Visit the web site for more information. http://www.louisville-institute.org/secondary/SGPLdetail.asp
  
  
• 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: "KEEPING YOUTH SAFE ON THE INTERNET"
  2pm to 4pm - Peace Lutheran Church (ELCA), 830 N. Cochran, Charlotte, Michigan 48813
  CLICK HERE FOR A MAP TO THIS LOCATION
  This workshop is geared towards providing parents with information and guidelines on how to make the internet a safer place for youth. Developed and presented by Steve Stofflet (Assistant to the Bishop for Communication & Technology), it will cover four primary areas: Internet usage among youth (how many are online, how much time they spend online); Dangers of sexual predators (how they locate and 'groom' their potential victims); Understanding the Language of the internet (do you know what P911 or POS stands for?); Steps parents can take to help create a safer online experience for their children. Materials presented at this workshop will be followed up with online educational support. To register, visit the edwm.org website - or contact Steve Stofflet at the Episcopal Center at 269-381-2710, x11. This workshop is also available for presentation at any parish in the diocese.
  
• 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.
  
• 9/24/2006: BISHOP'S VISITATION - St. John's - Mount Plesant
  
• 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.
  
• 9/30/2006: THE REV. MARK CURTIS - "Canada's Singing Priest" - St. Timothy's in Richland
  7:30pm. Tickets: $12 in advance, $15 at the door. 9800 East BC Avenue, Richland, MI.
  CLICK HERE for a map to this location.
  Considered one of the leading Christian Evangelists in the country today, Curtis is an Anglican priest of the Diocese of Niagara, Ontario. Known for his powerful and inspirational music and speaking ministries on life's experiences and spiritual matters, he travels throughout Canada and the United States sharing his strong tenor voice, captivating on-stage presence and marvelous sense of humor. Music critics have described his musical talents as 'one of Canada's leading national treasures.'
  

OCTOBER:

• 10/1/2006: THE REV. MARK CURTIS - "Canada's Singing Priest" - St. Timothy's in Richland
  2:00pm. Tickets: $12 in advance, $15 at the door. 9800 East BC Avenue, Richland, MI.
  CLICK HERE for a map to this location.
  Considered one of the leading Christian Evangelists in the country today, Curtis is an Anglican priest of the Diocese of Niagara, Ontario. Known for his powerful and inspirational music and speaking ministries on life's experiences and spiritual matters, he travels throughout Canada and the United States sharing his strong tenor voice, captivating on-stage presence and marvelous sense of humor. Music critics have described his musical talents as 'one of Canada's leading national treasures.'
  
• 10/6/2006: SPIRITUALITY OF CARING: The Rewards and Risks
  A workshop for professional caregivers at Transformations Spirituality Center, 3427 Gull Road, Nazareth, MI 49074 (near Kalamazoo).
  For nurses, physicians, clergy, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, managers, teachers and anyone who is committed to caring for others.
  Workshop fee: $50 before 9/1/2006 - $65 thereafter (lunch included). Registration begins at 8am - Closing remarks will be at 4:15pm.
  A day-long workshop facilitated by Dominic O. Vachon, M.Div, Ph.D - a psychologist who is the Director of Behaviorial Medicine and Caring Science Training at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in South Bend, IN. For more information, contact Transformations at 269-381-6290, x310 or visit their website at www.transfomrationscenter.org
  
• 10/7/2006: Anti-Racism Training - Grand Valley Deanery - 9a-4p
  Location to be announced.
  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
  
• 10/21/2006: Diocesan Convention
  Hosted by the St. Joseph Deanery - location unavailable at this time.
  -
• 10/30-31/2006: FAITHFUL CONVERSIONS: Christians and the Middle East
  Registration begins at 8:30am. Conference 9am-9pm Monday / 8:30a-11:30a Tuesday
  Sponsored by Western Theological Seminary. Registration available online at: http://www.westernsem.edu/journey/ - or call 616-392-8555, x167. Early registration $65.00 before 9/30/2006 - $75.00 thereafter.

NOVEMBER:

• 11/11-12/2006: NIGHTWATCH MIDWEST (Adult)
  Contact: the Rev. Chris Yaw for additional information.

• 11/17-19/2006: VOCARE Weekend - St. David's, Lansing.
  Click here to download informational materials for the weekend.

• 11/12-15/2006: "WE DO NOT LOSE HEART" - YOUTH WORKERS SUMMIT
  at Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista. http://www.youthworkersummit .org

DECEMBER:

• 12/25/2006: CHRISTMAS (MONDAY) DIOCESAN OFFICES CLOSED