SUMMARY – Diocesan Convention, Diocese of Michigan, October 2011
D. Gollnitz, Lay Delegate
On Friday, October 28 and Saturday, October 29, the 177th Convention of the Diocese of Michigan convened in Lansing.
Christ Church Cranbrook was represented by all of our clergy, Reverends Jonathan Sams, Beth Taylor, Joyce Matthews, and our Rector Gary Hall. Lay delegates included Vestry member Scott Donegan, Senior Warden Tom Post, and me, Deb Gollnitz.
On Friday afternoon, Joyce Matthews facilitated a workshop titled “Words Matter,” which was well attended as a pre-conference session.
Following the opening Business Session late Friday afternoon, we participated in the Convention Banquet and Worship where all in attendance shared the Eucharist, enjoyed the worship praises of the students from Canterbury House at U of M, Ann Arbor, and, from my own perspective, centered ourselves around the work of the coming day. Of course, before the work we all had to run off to watch Game 7!
The Business Session on Saturday morning was one, that as a first-time delegate to convention, I was somewhat dreading. However, to my delight and surprise, I was greatly encouraged by the work of our diocesan treasurer, and Christ Church Cranbrook’s own, Mark Miliotti. Clearly the work of the budget committee was thoughtful, thorough, and anticipatory – or perhaps I should say hedge-like. In presenting the budget for 2012, Mark articulated the basis of a budget that was not developed around a formula of church giving, but that was created on 100 percent of the churches’ commitments to the diocese. Please remember, I’ve never been to convention before – sooo, I expected to hear a long, drawn out, hammering, line item by line item, for some accountability for the use of church funds that are pledged to the diocese. To my surprise, there was not one single comment or question. The budget was unanimously accepted. Thank you Mark!!!
Eric Travis, our diocesan youth guru, outlined wonderful opportunities for young people to be involved in the greater church. These events provide pathways to greater commitment beyond the walls of our own individual churches and invite young adults to carry with them a life-time of skills and a passion for outreach. Christ Church Cranbrook, for those who do not know, has been working on this shift in our ministries and programs for children and youth.
The Bishop’s address was a Bible-based message centered on the theme of the convention: Investing in God’s Future. Bishop Gibbs highlighted the sign posts that God places in front of us and the diocesan goals that align so well with those sign posts. He encouraged us to seek God’s mission and not our own, to move out of the past and the “good old days” of the church’s past that did have inherent negative aspects that time has erased from our memories. We were challenged to think of ways that we can become a part of the greater church, not just the national church. In listening to his message, I was able to identify many things that Christ Church Cranbrook does so well and that align with this challenge. I left energized about the possibilities for becoming more involved as a church community in “the greater church.” Bishop Gibbs’ address will be on the diocesan website next week, and I encourage you to listen to it.
We also learned a great deal about the workings of General Convention, a triennial event scheduled this July in Indianapolis. There were a few mumbles about a bus trip for anyone who might be interested.
The voting process was a bit unusual, but eventually all things were sorted out to a positive outcome.
Tom Post was elected as a Trustee of the Diocese of Michigan, and Beth Taylor was appointed by the bishop to serve on the Commission on Ministry. Congratulations to both of them.
Overall, the convention was a wonderful learning experience. I encourage all of you who have any interest at all in being a part of this event, to do so in the future.
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