This Pastor Is Sleeping Outside Until His Church Accepts LGBT People

From Michigan-

A Methodist minister has cast himself out into the cold to show his support LGBT people, vowing to sleep in a tent outside his Michigan home for 175 days to protest his church’s opposition to same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBT members.

Rev. Michael Tupper, pastor of Parchment United Methodist Church in Parchment, Michigan, first engaged with LGBT issues six years ago when his daughter Sarah came out to him as a lesbian. But his entry into outright pro-LGBT activism began last year, when Sarah asked him to officiate her wedding to another woman she met while attending Wheaton College, a hardline conservative evangelical Christian school.

Pastors are prohibited from officiating same-sex weddings in Tupper’s denomination, the United Methodist Church (UMC), and those that do are often put on trial within the church. But Tupper did it anyway, explaining to ThinkProgress that he simply couldn’t tell his daughter no.

More here-

http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2016/02/23/3752353/pastor-sleeps-outside-for-lgbt-inclusion/

Background link-

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2015/07/nine_michigan_pastors_face_dis.html

Why the St. Andrews Episcopal Church supports Ann Arbor's homeless community

From Michigan-

In November of 1982, the current rector of St. Andrews Episcopal Church, the Rev. Earl James Lewis, Jr., proposed setting up some sort of arrangement to shelter the homeless he saw in Ann Arbor through the winter months.

In January of 1983, with the support of the Church Vestry and with funds provided both by the Vestry and the state of Michigan, a home across the street from St Andrews was opened. It could provide shelter for up to seven people and was staffed by volunteers from the St. Andrews. This arrangement only lasted for a few years. However, the need and the desire to help with homelessness continued, leading in 1989 to the opening of the present Delonis Shelter under the direction of a former member of St Andrews.

More here-

http://www.mlive.com/opinion/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2014/11/st_andrews_episcopal_church_an.html

Decrying gay marriage, black pastors join legal fight

From USA Today-

 Declaring "the fight is on," a formidable coalition of conservative Christian groups filed legal briefs in federal appellate court Wednesday supporting Michigan's ban on gay marriage.

Representing potentially millions of worshippers in the state, the Michigan Catholic Conference, the Thomas More Law Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., and a national coalition of Baptists, Lutherans, Mormons and evangelicals led by Catholic bishops filed three separate briefs Wednesday in the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati. The briefs back Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette in his efforts to defend the state's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage, which was overturned earlier this year by a federal judge in Detroit.

More here-

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/05/14/michigan-same-sex-marriage-black-ministers/9094721/

Ruling's supporters react with celebration, opponents offer condemnation

From Michigan-

Many members and supporters of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community celebrated Friday a judge’s ruling overturning a constitutional amendment in Michigan that defined marriage as legal only if it is a union between a man and a woman.

“I’m really happy that Michigan has now decided to join the ranks of more progressive states,” said Cass Varner, spokeswoman for Affirmations in Ferndale. “It’s good for us, it’s good for the family.”

The Rev. Deon Johnson, rector at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Brighton, said he thought many in his denomination “will be overjoyed this day has come” and likened the ruling to the success of the civil rights movement, which also was supported by some religious groups.

“I think it moves us one step closer to realizing God’s dream, but another step closer to justice,” he said.

But others said despite the judge’s ruling they will continue to oppose same-sex marriage.

 http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140321/METRO06/303210117#ixzz2wh0YGVpv

Why is organized religion declining?

From Michigan-

Part of American religiosity is church attendance, which has declined for many denominations and many individual churches within those denominations. I will share some of my own observations about why this is happening.

(1) First of all, denominations such as my own, the Episcopal Church, have done a very poor job of recruiting talented young people to enter into the ministry. Moreover, seminarians usually come out of their training with tens of thousands of dollars in debt. With notoriously low salaries, newly minted clergy face the grim task of trying to pay off this debt. The Episcopal Church has the best-run pension plan among denominations in the United States (and perhaps the best pension plan per se). The pension fund has billions of dollars for a relatively small amount of people who tap into it, yet there is very little financial help for seminarians within the Episcopal Church.

More here-

http://www.grandhaventribune.com/opinion/community-columnist/631746

St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Kalamazoo celebrates 175 years of putting 'spirituality into action'

From Michigan-

Charles Large has sat through a lot of Sunday services in 79 years as a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church.

In 1933, at 10 years old, Large joined St. Luke's renowned boys choir, and this year, he and the rest of the congregation will celebrate the church's 175th anniversary.

The church plans to commemorate the milestone in September with a concert, a workshop and a celebration of the Holy Communion followed by a reception.

"We are celebrating spirituality and action," Pastor Randall Warren said. "It's about how St. Luke's has put its spirituality into action by caring for people in need."

More here-

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2012/09/st_lukes_episcopal_church_to_c.html

Parishioners at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Lansing celebrate Picnic in the Park

From Michigan-

One word best describes what has kept St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in South Lansing alive for nearly 150 years: tradition.

Parishioners celebrated that unique and rich tradition with the parish’s 9th annual Sunday Service and Picnic in the Park, Sunday at Lansing’s Hawk Island Park.

Roughly 100 individuals from all over the capitol region gathered under a pavilion to worship and then carry-out one of the oldest traditions the church has.

“This event is always so special because it brings us back to the simplicity of what we are trying to do,” Rev. Gordon Weller said. “We all can learn from one another. This is a opportunity to socialize outside of our normal church environment.”

Weller led the congregation before the gathering shared a lunch of hamburgers, hotdogs, potato salad and much more.

Debby Pierce, head of parish life at St. Paul’s said of all the events she coordinates throughout the year, the annual service and picnic in the park is by far the one she looks forward to the most.
“This is always a lot of fun,” Pierce said. “People really look forward to this for some reason. We’ve even considered doing it more than once a year, but we want to keep it as special as possible.”

More here-

http://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/index.ssf/2012/06/parishioners_at_st_pauls_episc.html

Saginaw woman gives encouragement, comfort through 'prayer shawls'

From Michigan-


Nine years ago, Sue Luxton joined Daughters of the King, a women's group at St. John's Episcopal Church.

The group had formed as a ministry group, making "prayer shawls," colorful knitted blankets which are knitted while praying for the recipient and eventually blessed by a priest, for ill members of the congregation. The group split up, but Luxton kept knitting.

She has knitted 62 shawls since then and keeps a record of every one. In a black three-ring binder, she keeps a numbered list of the shawls, their colors and the meaning behind the color choice, the recipients' names and the reason they needed the shawl. On other pages, she has taped pieces of yarn, labeling them with the meanings assigned to each color.

Some symbolize hope, some encouragement, others peace or strength.

More here-

http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/06/saginaw_woman_gives_encouragem.html

St. Paul's Episcopal Church has plans to grow in Brighton

From Michigan-

St. Paul's Episcopal Church, one of downtown Brighton's most historically significant buildings, is planning a major expansion to accommodate growth and to better serve the community.

The Rev. Deon Johnson said the church has launched a $3 million campaign for the expansion and renovation, which would create a new worship area, community room and youth room.

"It's exciting and scary," he said. "It's a huge undertaking."

The plans are conceptual, and the church hasn't submitted them to the city yet. However, Johnson has been meeting with city officials to discuss the project in order to create a facility that fits into the downtown landscape. The church sits above the Mill Pond gazebo area, where numerous concerts are held during the summer.

If rain threatened to cancel an outdoor concert, he said, the church's new worship area, with a capacity for 300 people, could be used as an alternative concert site.

More here-

http://www.livingstondaily.com/article/20120402/NEWS01/204020314

No phones allowed: Muskegon church opens for 'quiet day' Saturday

From Michigan-

Since average smart phone users check their devices 34 times per day, a few hours without technology might seem like a recipe for anxiety.

But Linda Reynolds thinks a little silence is just what many people need to renew their spirits.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church will hold its first “Leave the World Behind” day for quiet reflection of the year from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Visitors can enter through the church’s courtyard at 1006 Third.

Reynolds, a St. Paul’s member who organized the previous five quiet days, said she started them because she felt a need for a space to reflect silently in her own life, without any electronic distractions.

“I thought if I need it, a lot of other people probably need it too,” she said. “I think about the days in the past when people could, if they felt the need, just walk into a church and pray. The churches today are locked up tighter than a drum.”

More here-

http://www.mlive.com/living/muskegon/index.ssf/2012/02/no_phones_allowed_muskegon_chu.html

Michigan team of Episcopal adults return from a Dominican Republic mission trip

From Michigan-

Three Episcopal dioceses from Michigan’s Lower Peninsula are partnering with the Diocese of the Dominican Republic to complete the building of a church and school in San Simon, located on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic.

The project is called D.R.E.A.M. (Dominican Republic and Episcopal Churches in all of Lower Michigan). Having established relationships with Bishop Julio Holguin of Santo Domingo and his staff, area teams have been formed combining ideals, talents, finances and dreams to work together over a four-year period to build a new church and school.

As described by Clarence Jordan’s Cotton Patch translation of Hebrews 11:1, “Faith is the turning of dreams into deeds, the betting of your life on unseen realities.”

Working together, the Episcopal missionaries are creating a new reality in San Simon.

Team No. 1, comprised of 11 Episcopalians from different locations within Lower Michigan, met in Detroit on Jan. 15 and flew to Puerto Plata, DR via Miami. Though the majority of the team had never met and some had never traveled outside the country, they quickly formed friendships that allowed the group to bond together. The group was met at the airport by a matching group of Dominicans lead by their pastor, Padre Bienvenido, who is currently assigned to four churches in the area.

More here-

http://www.ourmidland.com/news/article_3861e154-5732-11e1-8c00-001871e3ce6c.html

Holiday dinner feels like home to those in need

From Michigan-

Lori Martin, of Howell, picked up a new Christmas tradition Sunday.

Instead of exchanging gifts and eating a holiday feast, Martin, 55, and six family members pitched in at the All Saints Episcopal Church in Marysville to bring Christmas dinner to others.

"You can't give to the community like this every day of the year," Martin said, as she gestured to people around her preparing and serving food in the church's steamy kitchen. "... It's a really good feeling."

Pastor Tracie Loffhagen of All Saints Episcopal Church, 543 Michigan Ave. in Marysville, said Sunday marked the sixth year the church has put on the Christmas dinner. Volunteers cooked and served up steaming trays of turkey, baked beans, scalloped potatoes and ham. Diners also had a pick of coleslaw, rolls and an assortment of pies, cakes and cookies.

More here-

http://www.thetimesherald.com/article/20111226/NEWS01/112260308/Holiday-dinner-feels-like-home-those-need?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE

Trinity Church celebrates a history of mission

From Michigan-

Trinity Episcopal Church, a center of mission and outreach from the time of its founding until the present day, is planning a double anniversary this month, as well as appearing on the Historic Home Tour.

The historic church, located at 101 E. Mansion St., will mark its 175th anniversary as a parish and its 150th anniversary in its present building.

Festivities are planned Saturday, Sept. 17, with an open house for the community from 2 to 4 p.m., according to chairwoman Sue Lackey. Music will be provided by Brooks Grantier, organist-choirmaster; there will be photographic and memorabilia displays of the church's history and a video will be presented. Punch and cookies will be served.

More here-

http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20110830/NEIGHBORHOODS05/108300321

Former judge and her husband become ordained priests at Pleasant Lake church

From Michigan-

Susan Vandercook has had to scrap one of the skills she honed over many years — judging others.

As a newly ordained Episcopal priest, judging people is frowned upon. Even her Facebook attorney “friends” haven’t touched this one with the proverbial 10-foot pole.

“I’ve heard the jokes, and I’ve even preached a sermon on judging others,” said Vandercook, who retired in 2006 as a Jackson County probate judge.

She and her husband, Ross, a retired elementary school principal, were ordained as priests July 2 and are co-rectors at Christ Episcopal Church in Pleasant Lake.

They have presided at funerals and on Aug. 20 will officiate at their first wedding. But more important, the Vandercooks — some believe — might have saved their small church from closing.

More here-

http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2011/08/former_judge_and_her_husband_b.html

Local Church's labyrinth, stations of the cross allow for prayer in the open air

From Michigan-

Sometimes, whispering a prayer on bended knee in a sanctuary or chapel doesn’t cut it.

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Wyoming offers two open-air sacred places so the public can commune with the almighty immersed in God’s flora and fauna: a labyrinth and Stations of the Cross.

Patterned after the Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres in Chartres, France, Holy Trinity’s labyrinth is defined by borders of grass and wildflowers where deer occasionally can be seen foraging in the morning and a symphony of birds are heard chirping at night.

Fittingly, at the center of the labyrinth is a wooden cross, flanked by three benches for meditation.

More here-

http://www.mlive.com/living/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/07/local_churchs_labyrinth_statio.html

Betty Ford: A first lady's last farewell

From Michigan-

Former first lady Betty Ford was lauded Thursday as a loving, straight-talking and universally admired woman who battled alcoholism, helped her son overcome his alcoholism and helped thousands in their struggles with addictions and breast cancer.

"She was a great liberator," said presidential historian Richard Norton Smith, eulogizing Ford at the church where she and the late President Gerald Ford were married 58 years ago.

"She not only liberated women, she liberated us from the crippling limits of labels. Mrs. Ford was the feminist next door, a free spirit with a dress code. Above all, she was a wife and mother."

Ford's casket was carried to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, where she will be buried next to her husband. The afternoon of solemn dignity was broken by laughter a few times during eulogies delivered by Norton, family friend Lynne Cheney and son Steven Ford, who told of confronting his disbelieving mother 19 years ago with his own alcoholism.

More here-

http://www.freep.com/article/20110715/NEWS15/107150441/Betty-Ford-first-lady-s-last-farewell

Donated gowns support African employment

From Michigan (I think)

St. John's Episcopal Church in Howell sends a huge thank-you to each of you who donated a wedding gown to our project of Wedding Gowns for Malawi.

We thanked you individually when we had a name and address. Some gave one gown, some two, some included veils and shoes, and some gave cash or a check to help with transportation costs. Some left no name with their donation; so this letter is addressed especially to you.

These gowns will be the basis for a woman's microbusiness of readying the gowns for girls and women in a community in this small central African country. It has been found that when women are the entrepreneurs, they put profits back into their home and community providing funds for education, health care, food and transportation. Their business also provides much-needed employment for girls.

More here-

http://www.livingstondaily.com/article/20110706/OPINION03/107060314/Donated-gowns-support-African-employment?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFrontpage%7Cs

Church celebrates 100 years of growth

From Michigan-

Through the last 100 years, St. John's Episcopal Church in Plymouth has remained a constant in the community. The Rev. Dorian McGlannan, pastor, attributes the congregation's endurance to “listening and adapting to changes in culture and the church.”

What began in 1898 as a meeting of six women in the home of Mrs. Warren Mills has grown to 325 families.

The church had ups and downs along the way, including an eight-year hiatus due to dwindling attendance. It resumed services in 1911 in the Universalist Church on the corner of Dodge and Union and on Feb. 19, 1912 became a mission of the diocese. An Episcopalian congregation remains a mission until it is financially self-sustaining. Parish status was granted in 1944 and in 1955 a campaign began to build the church on Sheldon between Ann Arbor Road and Ann Arbor Trail. Ground was broken Sept. 6, 1959 and the first service held June 5, 1960.

More here-

http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20110605/LIFE/106050399/Church-celebrates-100-years-growth?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CLivonia%7Cp

Rev. Jay R. Lawlor found not guilty of assault in case involving parishioner at St. Luke's Episcopal Church

More from Kalamazoo-

It took a jury less than 45 minutes to find the Rev. Jay R. Lawlor not guilty of assault and battery in a case involving a 74-year-old parishioner who Lawlor allegedly shoved after a March 6 service at St. Luke's Episcopal Church.

"I'm very relieved," Lawlor, 41, said about the verdict, which came after a daylong trial in Kalamazoo County District Court. "I feel vindicated.

"That's especially important because, as a member of the clergy, public reputation is everything," Lawlor said, adding that a guilty verdict could have undermined his career in the ministry.

Lawlor resigned three days after the incident, in which he was accused of forcing shoving Marcia Morrison, 74, as he hurriedly walked away from an argument with another parishioner.

A half-dozen witnesses testified that Lawlor pushed Morrison out of his way. Witnesses said the push was forceful enough to throw her off balance and make her stumbled several feet. She was not injured.

More here-

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/05/rev_jay_r_lawlor_found_not_gui.html

Calendar 'belles' recall controversy

From The "You Can't Make This Stuff Up" Department. Michigan-

They were blasted publicly for being lewd, immoral and reckless, and on Sunday morning their church gave them a standing ovation.

In late 2004, women from the St. Mary's Circle at St. Thomas Episcopal Church decided a calendar was the best way to raise money after the church was damaged by lightning.

But there was a twist. The women, ages 56 to 82, would pose nude for the monthly calendar shots.

Their inspiration was a group of British women whose story became the movie "Calendar Girls." And although the photographs were strategically staged so as not to reveal too much, the Belles of St. Mary's, as they were called, created a local firestorm.

More here-

http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20110516/NEWS01/105160307/Calendar-belles-recall-controversy?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFrontpage