In place of my usual article please read the following report from our Diocesan Convention. 

 

 Your Convention Representatives were:  Jennifer Cronkite

 Gail Donovan

 Barbara Van Dyke and myself.  

 

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask any of us.

God's blessings, Fr. David

 

139 Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan

Recap 20 April 2012

 

WMU Conference Center, Grand Rapids, Michigan

1.  Opened with Bible Study on John 15: 1 - 11

 

2.  Holy Eucharist with The Rt. Rev. Robert R. Gepert, Presiding

    and Pastor Margaret Marcuson Preaching.

 

3.  Opening Business Session:  Elections and Appointments

      A.  Standing Committee: The Rev. Canon Robert Schiesler and Mr. Brian Tillman both of Grand Rpaids

      B.  Commission on Ministry Ordained:  The Rev. Anne 

           Schnaare, Marshall; Ms. Mary Simpson, Grand Rapids; Ms. 

           Jane Stigo, Greenville; Ms. Jackie Taylor, Grand Rapids; 

           The Rev. Aaron Evans, Grand Ledge.

      C.  Disciplinary Board:  The Rev. William Whiting, St Joseph; 

           The Rev. Darlene Kuhn, Albion; Ms. Joyce Henry, Grand  

           Rapids.

      D.  General Convention 2015:  Clergy:  The Reverends William 

            Spaid, Kalamazoo; Jennifer Adams, Holland;  Cindy 

            Nowrocki, Grand Rapids; Gregory Brown, Petoskey.  Lay 

            Deputies: Mr. William Fleener, Lansing;  Musette Bell el-

            Mohammed, Kalamazoo; Mr. Tom Perrin, Kalamazoo;  Ms.

            Pam Chapman, Grand Rapids Alternative Clergy

            Deputies: The Reverends Brian Coleman, Battle Creek; 

            Nurya Love Parish, Grand Rapids; Jared Cramer, Grand 

            Haven; Mary Perrin, Kalamazoo.  Alternative Lay Deputies:             Ms. Genia Brown;  Anne Pinkerton Davidson; Susan Lund

            -Coye, Manistee, Jane Puvogel, Kalamazoo.

 

4.  Bishop Gepert's Final Address to the Convention:  He focused on Opportunities, Gratitude and Formation.  Time for a new song.  Most proud of our Missionary relationship with the Dominican Republic and Domestic Mission Trips.  His beginning was a baptism with fire and he has not been bored since.  He is often formed by adversity and he has been more formed here than any other time in his life.  We are now getting a new dance partner with new opportunities.

In retirement in Pennsylvania he plans on writing, teaching and coaching.  He plans on finishing his book, To Hell With Jesus - We're Here For The Music.  He hopes to teach part time at Lancaster Seminary and to coach new clergy in how to do ministry.

 

5.  Lunch

 

6.  Second Business Meeting:  Passed a second reading of Amendments to our Diocesan Constitution. Approved Canon 3 - Selection of Delegates to Diocesan Convention.  Received Resolutions Referred to Diocese from the 77th General Convention.  Accepted a Diocesan Budget of $ 1,005,960.20 of which our Apportionment is $ 24,398.00 for 2013. Giving to the Diocese is up 27%.  Giving to parishes is up 6%.  Membership is down 20% and attendance is down 20% nationwide.  Diocesan Outreach and Mission giving is up 50% and larger world ministry is up 13%.zz  Our giving to the National Church is up 27% and we have been paying our assessment in full since 2008. It was reported that Church Camp Attendance has tripled  since 2002.

 

7.  The Keynote Speaker was Pastor Margaret Marcuson, Pastor of a Baptist Church in Portland, Oregon.  Her talk was based on leaders (1) Knowing self; (2) Knowing your purpose; and (3) Knowing your people.  After each part we answered questions on 3 x 5 cards and discussed with others what we wrote and heard.

8.  Final Business Meeting:  Announcements:  Reading Camp at St. Andrew's in Grand Rapids July 22 - 26, 2013.  Courtesy Resolutions:  

 

Thanks to St. Mark's Grand Rapids, the people of Grand Rapids, The  Grand Valley Deanery, for all their work in this convention.  Thanks to Bishop Gepert and Pastor Marcuson for being with us and leading us.  Resolutions of Greetings to:  The Rt. Rev and Mrs. Edward L. Lee;  Mrs, Marjorie Bennison; Bishops, Ousley, Gibbs, Ray, and the Bishop of the Dominican Republic.   Letter of Condolence to Mrs. Dan Mussar on the death of R. D. Musser.

 

B  Report from the Search and Transition Committee.  111 names were submitted for consideration as Bishop.  45 agreed to continue in the process.  That was reduced to 18 then 11 and then 6.  Those six were invited to Western Michigan for in person consideration.  The Search Committee put forth three names:  The Rev. Jennifer Adams of Holland, Michigan:  The Rev. Canon Angela Shepherd, Diocese of Maryland; and The Rev. Whayne (yes it is spelled with an "H" and is a family name) Hougland of Salisbury, North Carolina.  The Rev. Canon William Spaid, of the Diocese of Western Michigan was added by petition.  The Standing Committee has put forth these four names as nominees for our next Bishop.  On Friday, May 3rd from 7 - 9 pm at St. Luke's Kalamazoo; Saturday,  May 4th from 2 - 4 pm at Grace Traverse City; and Sunday, May 5th from 3 - 5 pm at St. Mark's in Grand Rapids anyone will be able to meet and listen to each of the candidates at the Diocesan Walkabouts.  Call the Parish office and let Fr. David know that you are planning to attend  The Electing Convention will be held on May 18, 2013 at Grace Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids.  Everyone is welcomed to attend but must call the office and let Fr. David know how many to plan on attending.  The Consecration of our new bishop will take place on Saturday, September 28, 2013 at the Van Nord Arena on the Campus of Calvin College in Grand Rapids.  Everyone is welcomed to attend.

  

Prayer of the members of the Diocese of Western Michigan

 

Gracious God, Great Shepherd of your people, may we seek your wisdom as we listen for your voice among many voices. May we imagine boldly, pray unceasingly and act to be the community that you would have us be. May we be strengthened by our companionship with one another and by your presence in our deliberations and decision-making. May you bless the labors of those who seek our next bishop who will lead us with vigor and vision; and in this discernment may we all be encouraged in discipleship in Christ for the good of your people throughout Western Michigan. Amen  

St. David's will be hosting the National Cursillo Board meeting June 18 - 23. One of the duties of the host church is to provide housing for them during their stay.

 

We are expecting approximately 20 people and are seeking members willing to invite them into your home for these five nights.

 

No meal preparation is necessary since they will be eating as a group at the church.

 

Contact Fr. David with questions or if you can take in a guest.

  

• My name is David Robert Pike
• My significant other's name is Nancy L. Pike
• We met at Grand Valley State College at an Intervarsity Christian Fellowship Mtg.
• and have been together since May 27, 1976
• My children's names are Jennifer and Andrew
• I am originally from Port Sulpher, Louisiana
• I attended Grand Valley State College
• and graduated with a degree in German and one in English Literature
• I earn a living by being a Rector of St. David's
• I first came to St. David's in Feb. 15, 1993 and have been a member since.
• Before attending St. David's, I attended St. James Episcopal, Albion, MI
• I have held the following positions/responsibilities at St. David's: Rector
• My favorite scripture/psalm/hymns are: Ps. 139:1-17, Is. 2:4, Rev. 7:9-17, Luke 2:1-20; Hymns are: 56, 488, 9, and 620
• A time when I really feel the presence of God in my life is when I am sitting quietly in my chair in the church.
• Other relatives that attend St. David's are daughter Jennifer and her family Neal and Ian, and my wife Nancy.
• I really love to be with my family and friends and doing my genealogy.
• My favorite time of year is Autumn -I love the colors, smells, and sounds.
• My favorite food is chocolate, Bracks Jelly Beans, and pasta.
• If I could relive one day in my life it would be my wedding and birth of the children.
• If I could relive a year of my life it would be any number of them.
• If I had to describe myself in one word, it would be: blessed.
• I have always wanted to travel to Isreal, Venice, Greece and Ireland.
• I think people would be surprised to know that I am afraid of ladders.
• On T.V., I never miss Once Upon A Time, Today/GMA morning TV

  

  

4/14 - Loretta Kappler in memory of family members.

 

4/21 - Sam Bucio and Marissa Reys in honor of their birthdays.

 

 

Special Thanks

  

I thank all of you for your prayers, concern and help over the years.  I can't tell you how much it has meant to me.

 

I am so much better now and I know I am blessed - Our Father and your prayers have brought me to where I am. I am looking forward to being more active at St. David's again.  I have missed working along side of you.

 

You are in my prayers, 

 

 

Address Change

 

Matt & Sarah Koss

1221 South Geneva Drive
DeWitt, MI  48820

Phone number remains the same.

 

Newsletter Deadline

June newsletter deadline is May 20, 2013. Please send articles va the website connection or email them to: st.ds.news@gmail.com. You can also leave a note in mailbox 111.

Debra and Mike Benoit beamed at the wedding of their daughter Mary to David Searles which took place here at St. David's.  It was a beautiful event.
 

Continue to keep Anne and Ted Cannell in your prayers as Anne lives with health issues.
 

Larry Carey had water in his basement with all the rains this past week.  He has been busy cleaning it up.
 

John and Sarah Chapman are home from visiting family and reported that their time away has been wonderful.
 

Keep Jimy and Julie Combs in your prayers as Jimy's Mother, Fay died last week.
 

Gail Donovan is home after a weeks vacation in Florida.
 

Jean Dooley needs your prayers for health issues.
 

Keep Jeanne Fraas in your prayers after the death of her husband Ed.  They were married 64 years!
 

Jason Gentry had minor surgery and is doing well.  Keep him in your prayers as he waits for a kidney transplant.
 

Keep Tom and Nancy George's niece, Megan in your prayers.  She has just had a bone marrow transplant and while doing very well, has a long way to go!
 

Dick and Lorayne Otto are home from Lake Havasu City.  It is great seeing them back in their pew!
 

Keep Aaron and Sharon Phipps in your prayers as they lost their beloved Milly, a cute little dog who was always nice to me.
 

John Post had a great trip to the Mid Atlantic States.  I think he was with family.
 

Carol Schmidt reports that her grandson, Dave Wils recently announced his engagement to Amanda Mitchell.
 

Keep Barbara Schwarz in your prayers as she deals with continuing health problems.
 

Rev Carol and Dave Spangenberg are home after a trip up north to be with their son Dave and his wife LeeAnn.  Continue to keep the family in your prayers.
 

It was great seeing the Spitzley family back in church after being away for vacation and business.

 

Love the daffodils out in the parking lot flower beds.  You can find me sleeping in the sun in Fr. David's office.  I like my new perch because I can see the birds in the trees much better.  Now if I could only get out an catch one of those fat robins!

 

Meow!

  

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