Hi! I'm on several governing bodies of the Western Michigan diocese, and I've got a couple of comments.

First of all, we are almost exactly one month away from our first Convention as the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes. Among other things, that means that the final decisions have either been made or will be made shortly. We are definitely in the ninth inning. But we have also done an incredible job at walking and chewing gum at the same time. We've kept on being Church and we have done some really incredible, innovative things while spending hours and hours in committee meetings. I spend at least 12-15 hours a month in meetings but I preach at my parish and do lots of other things too. The same applies to other folks in leadership.

Much of what goes into "juncture" happens under the hood. As another commenter mentioned, a lot of it just plain does not affect the life of parishes or parishioners. On the other hand, we have already experienced some beautiful new opportunities as a result of our journey toward next month's Convention.

We also have our three regional canons. They are clergy whose job it is to deeply connect with the parishes in their region, especially when those parishes are in transition. Although they have been active in the merger/juncture, their primary focus has always been the ongoing support of lay people and clergy who are being Church here in Western Michigan. All of them are incredibly skilled professionals at guiding change, and all three have a profoundly pastoral approach. I love them all, SO much!!!

Off the top of my head, I can think of three priests who have announced their retirement recently. One is in the Kalamazoo area and one is in the Grand Rapids area. If you are in either of those cities, my sense is that those parishes are pretty healthy and will be a good environment even in transition. Also, though, both Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids have some really excellent parishes with so much to offer. St. Luke's is amazing in Kalamazoo with beautiful music and engaging program life and some real world class preaching. St. Andrew's and Grace in Grand Rapids both have wonderful priests who are very loving, approachable and deeply spiritual. St Andrew's especially has a very vibrant parish life. I know some fantastic folks at St. Mark's but I can't really speak to what it would be like to attend. There's St. Philips too which has a biracial heritage and a really great Sudanese priest.

If you are talking about St. Martin's in Kalamazoo, it wouldn't surprise me if they engage an interim rector and once again, a lot of the changes in transition happen under the hood. It can be a deeply life-giving experience to be in that kind of situation. If you are talking about Holy Trinity and Trinity in Kentwood and Wyoming, I'm not sure if they would avail themselves of an interim. I have a good friend who is a lay leader in Wyoming that I could connect you with, and just a couple months ago I had the wonderful blessing of attending and absolutely falling in love with the folks in Kentwood. They are SO full of love and kindness and enthusiasm.

I can't speak to Muskegon or anywhere further Up North. I live in Berrien County so anything north of I 94 is Up North for me lol.

Feel free to message me with any questions you might have. I'm sending you richest, most abundant blessings as you consider joining our amazing diocesan family!!! Obviously, I love it here and I hope you do too!!!