*The Sermon file contains selections from the liturgy including the hosting rector of Grace, Bishop Hoagland's opening and collect, and the welcome to the table. You may skip ahead about three minutes and forty-five seconds to get straight to the sermon if you wish.
The 140th Diocese of Western Michigan Convention Eucharist
the Rt. Rev. Whayne Hoagland presiding
the Rev. Martin Smith preaching
It was a glorious day of Resurrection and Celebration at the 140th Convention Eucharist with the people of the diocese gathering at the table to hear the Word and Commune together in the Sacrament of New Life in Christ, then again at Table Communion with Barbeque under the Tent of Meeting.
The people of Grace Church, Traverse City, rolled out the hospitality that we proclaim with joy and thanksgiving. A special thanks goes to Mrs. Ann Hackett and Mrs. Erika Shenk-Tessin of the staff and to the many volunteers led by the Vestry and Wardens. The chefs of the congregation, Mickey Cannon, Darryl Collins, and Phil Murray all deserve special thanks from grateful mouths.
It was a fantastic weekend! Thank you to all who made it happen. What we proclaim in our mission statement you made real with your work!
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| the Rev. Martin Smith |
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ps. You can see Grace's photos HERE.
Keynote Speaker: The Rev. Martin Smith
Fr. Martin L. Smith is known throughout the Episcopal Church and beyond for his exploration of contemporary spirituality through his ministry as a teacher and leader of retreats and workshops, and for his widely-read books, including Reconciliation, a Guide to Confession in the Episcopal Church, A Season for the Spirit, The Word is Very Near You, Love Set Free, and Compass and Stars. His most recent book, written with the Rev. Julia Gatta, is Go in Peace: the Art of Hearing Confessions. He retired in 2012 from the position of Senior Associate Rector of St. Columba’s, Washington, to devote himself to his itinerant ministry of spiritual formation. His current focus is on the spirituality of preaching, and the spirituality of mission.
His topic for the convention will be “Spirituality and Mission.” It will address the losses incurred wherever spirituality is treated as a purely inward, even individualistic pursuit, and mission primarily viewed through the lens of institutional concerns. If the church brings intentional spiritual formation to the front and center of its life, coaching people in ways to experience what they already possess through baptism, the energy of mission is released as a sharing in God’s own ‘wanting-to-be” in all people, all things.
