Dear Friends,
Six months ago, this past weekend, I was consecrated Bishop of Michigan and seated in our Cathedral. Suffice to say these past six months have been more than I ever could have imagined. And I am so honored and enlivened to be serving and leading here with all of you.
We have created vital, virtual communities, building on the strength of our physical communities. We have found new ways to connect, even when we have been unable to be in close proximity with one another. We have raised more than $200,000 to alleviate hunger across our diocese. We have begun, again, to wrestle with all matters of race, justice, hunger, poverty and white privilege. More than anything, we have been the Body of Christ, even when we were unable physically to receive the Body of Christ. I am in awe of all we have done these past six months! I can hardly wait to see all that God is calling us to do in the next six months!
Tomorrow I leave for vacation. Susan and I plan to get some chores done around our home in Detroit and then depart for the Keweenaw Peninsula in the Upper Peninsula. Susan will be visiting friends (socially distanced) and I’ll be paddling my sea kayak and backcountry camping all along the western coast of the peninsula. Depending upon weather and water conditions, I might even continue on around to the east side. My soul, spirit and body are renewed by physical activity in beautiful places, add water and I’m at my happiest.
Following my paddling adventures, Susan and I will be car camping with dear friends (socially distanced) in the Maple City area of the Lower Peninsula. Hiking, playing with our dogs, tree climbing, canoeing, reading, sleeping and praying will be our primary activities!
We’ll return from our paddling and camping adventures the week after Labor Day. When I return I anticipate us boldly creating and steadfastly implementing bit by bit, morning by morning, Christ’s call to move our world (pandemics and all) closer to God’s Holy reign. We have so much to do and so many many gifts to make use of, I can hardly wait.
I am thankful for our staff who will handle all things related to our diocesan operations while I am away. If you need to make appointments to get on my schedule please contact Ms. Beth Rowley. If you have questions about Diocesan operations please contact Canon Jo Ann Hardy. If you have finance questions please contact Mr. Mark Miliotto Questions regarding our congregations please contact Canon Jim Gettel. Youth and Young Adult questions please reach out to Mr. Eric Travis. Questions regarding formation and Safe Church training please contact The Rev. Vicki Hesse. Questions regarding our communications should go to Ms. Anna Stania.
Although I’ll be away, please know that I’ll be thinking of you and praying for all of us. In particular, I’ll be listening to God and dreaming of all the amazing “Good trouble” we might get into together in these next six months.
All my best,
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Bonnie A. Perry
11th Bishop of the Diocese of Michigan