​Province V “Big Provincial Gathering” report

by Chris Eggert-Rosenthal, Senior Warden

On April 28-30, the second-ever Province V “Big Provincial Gathering” (BPG) took place in South Bend, Indiana. Cheryl Dobrzynski, Mother Merdyth Albright, and I (Chris Eggert-Rosenthal) attended this exciting and educational event.

Our Big Provincial Gathering, which takes place every two years, brings together Episcopalians from throughout our region for fellowship, worship, and collaboration on projects across diocesan boundaries. Province V is comprised of the Midwestern dioceses of the Episcopal Church (Chicago, Eastern Michigan, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Indianapolis, Michigan, Milwaukee, Missouri, Northern Indiana, Northern Michigan, Ohio, Southern Ohio, Springfield, and Western Michigan).

Thursday, April 28 was devoted to different, day-long training sessions on these topics: Civil Discourse & Advocacy, Intergenerational Efforts in our Churches, Addressing Suicide in our Ministries, and Teaching Children about Anti-Racism and Messy Church. On Friday morning and all day Saturday, there were numerous shorter workshops on topics too numerous to mention here, but they included Dismantling Racism, Creating Historical Archives within Congregations, Creation Care, Lay-Led Congregations, and Campus Ministries. There were also meals together (breakfast, lunch & dinner), an energizing Eucharist, and even a dance party on Friday evening!

There will be another Big Provincial Gathering two years from now, in 2024, so give thought to attending the next one.

And in the meantime, you can participate in the ongoing work of Province V by joining one or more of our Provincial Networks, which meet monthly over Zoom and which address some of the same subjects that were covered in the BPG workshops.  All are welcome. Becoming Beloved community is an action item and there are opportunities. Also consider your own current local activities to Love One Another.

I’m including a list of Province V Networks, and more information is available online www.provincev.org . There is also a Province V Facebook page for additional information. You can also talk to me, Senior Warden Chris Eggert-Rosenthal, in person, on the phone, or by email (cnor1101@yahoo.com). I represent the Diocese of Fond du Lac on the Province V Executive Board.

PROVINCE V Networks
Anti-Human Trafficking
convener:  Cheryl Gray, Ohio
board liaison:  Edie Wakevainen, Michigan
​
Archivists
convener:  Newland Smith, Chicago
board liaison:  TBD

Clergy Spouses
convener:  Charles Zaucha, Chicago
board liaison:  Laura Jackson, Chicago

Creation Care
convener:  Catherine Duffy, Southern Ohio
board liaison:  Rick Stanitis, Northern Michigan

Dismantling Racism
convener:  Susie Shaefer, Michigan;
board liaison:  

Intergenerational / All-Ages Worship
Convener:  Miranda Hassett, Milwaukee
board liaison:  TBD

Lay-Led Congregations 
convener:  Tammy Prather, Milwaukee
board liaison:  Matthew Buterbaugh, Milwaukee and Jan Goossens, Springfield

Migration Ministries
conveners:  Silvia Huth, Michigan and Jack Lloyd, Chicago
​board representative:  Lesley MacKellar, Indianapolis

Ministry in Resort Communities
convener:  Dave Penniman, Western Michigan
board liaison:  Katie Forsyth, Eastern Michigan

Prison / Jail Ministry
convener:  TBD
board liaison:  

Public Theology
conveners:  Marcia Ledford, Michigan and Jim Warnock, (Northern Indiana)
bishop:  Doug Sparks, Northern Indiana
board liaison:  Christopher Hillak, Northern Indiana 

Recovery Ministries
convener:  Debbi Rhodes
board liaison:  

Suicide Prevention
convener:  Kathy Mank, Southern Ohio
board liaison:  Betty Bowersox, Missouri

Youth
coordinator:  McKenzie Knill, Eastern and Western Michigan
board liaison:  Joel Turmo, Western Michigan

Young Adult / Campus Ministry
interim coordinator:  Stacy Alan, Chicago
board liaison:  Rick Stanitis, Northern Michigan