SUMMARY OF ACTION
The 191st Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan, meeting in Novi, Michigan on October 24-25, 2025, took the following action:
Workshops were held, creating opportunities for greater learning and understanding:
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- Civil Rights Pilgrimage and Reparations by The Rev. Canon Sr. Vee
- A Taste of the College for Congregational Development by The Rev. Canon Ellen Ekevag
- Mission Budget Hearing by Chris Ventura, Chief Financial Officer
- Fierce Faith by The Rt. Rev. Dr. Bonnie A. Perry
Bishop Perry opened the first business session with an overview of our theme:
Courage – Fierce Faith, Fierce Hope, Fierce Love. Those words are not abstract virtues; they are real practices that our world desperately needs.
Fierce here does not mean strident or combative, but – real, honest, and deeply engaged. Fierce faith is a faith that dares to show up. Fierce hope is hope that holds fast even when evidence is thin. Fierce love is love that reaches wide enough to draw everyone in.
- We thanked the Rev. Andrew Morrow for her years of service as Dean of the Downriver Deanery, and commissioned the Very Rev. Paula Miller as Dean of the Downriver Deanery
- Enjoyed a multi-generational, Episco-Disco dance party
- Began Saturday with Eucharist and a sermon from the Rt. Rev. Dr. Bonnie A. Perry
- Elected members to diocesan committees: Cathedral Chapter in the Clergy Order-The Rev. Dr. W. Richard Hamlin; Commission on Ministry in the Lay Order-Jessica Reinstra; Commission on Ministry in the Clergy Order-The Very Rev. Barry Randolph; Deputies to the General Convention in the Lay Order-Cedric A. Flounory, Luke-Adrian Thompson, Stephen J. Ott and Jennifer Dukarski. Alternates to General Convention: Gwyneth Dugliss – Alternate 1, Laurent Chappuis – Alternate 2; Deputy to the General Convention in the Clergy Order-The Rev. Dr. Phil Dinwiddie, The Rev. Dr. Annie Lawson, The Rev. Gerardo Aponte-Safe, The Very Rev. Chris Fentress-Gannon; Disciplinary Board in the Lay Order-Leslie Hall; Disciplinary Board in the Clergy Order-The Rev. Melissa Congleton; Standing Committee in the Clergy Order-The Very Rev. Jeanne Hansknecht; Trustee of the Diocese in the Clergy Order-The Very Rev. Chris Yaw.
- Approved an amendment to Canon 2.3.3, Standing Committee, clarifying the terms of Standing Committee Members.
- Inspired by Fierce Hope as we learned about Immigration Ministry programs that Diocesan churches have placed in action
- Approved an amendment to Canon 3.4, Property of Congregations, regarding the purchase of property by congregations
- Approved a resolution to adopt an agreement for the Joint Administration of Title IV of the Canons of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church, between the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan, and the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes, acknowledging the changes created by the merger of the Diocese of Western Michigan and the Diocese of Eastern Michigan
- Approved an amendment to Canon VI of the diocesan canons to align with the approved resolution for the Joint Administration of Title IV
- Approved a resolution from the Committee on Reference, supporting the Episcopal Church in Palestine. Raised $3,091 at convention to support the Episcopal Church in Palestine. The full resolution can be found on the link below:
- Watched videos and discovered the meaningful impact people have made by remembering their congregations in their estate planning.
- Heard from The Rev. Chris Harris regarding the diocese’s Legacy Giving Pilot Program.
- Adopted with enthusiastic applause the Courtesy Resolutions as presented by the Rev. Anthony Estes, with an assist from Randy Gilchrist
- Networked our way through the exhibit hall to learn about other ministries, support fundraisers for those ministries, as well as purchase jewelry, hand carved items made from olive wood from Jerusalem, and many other handmade items from Bethlehem and Jerusalem.
- Approved the date and location of the 192nd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan as October 23 & 24, 2026 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan.
- Watched a video slideshow from photographs submitted by congregations, highlighting our amazing faith communities. Click below to watch the video: