The Dioceses of Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan have announced a shared appointment of Katie Forsyth as Canon for Evangelism and Networking. Forsyth’s work begins March 1 and she will be based in Grand Rapids.
The Rt. Rev. Whayne M. Hougland Jr., Bishop of Western Michigan, and the Rt. Rev. Cate Waynick, Bishop Provisional of Eastern Michigan, write in a joint letter:
Katie has served as Director of Communications and Public Engagement in the Diocese of Eastern Michigan since 2013. She is a graduate of Grand Valley State University where she received a Bachelors of Science in Public and Nonprofit Administration and Political Science. In addition to her work within the dioceses, she serves as the Eastern Michigan representative to the Board of the Dominican Development Group and the Executive Board of Province V of the Episcopal Church.
In her new role, Katie will continue to build up the voice and identity of the Episcopal Church within the dioceses and in the communities in which we serve with a special focus on equipping our churches and our leaders for their call to be evangelists of the Gospel and leaders in justice and reconciliation.
As a staff member in both bishops’ offices, the Canon for Evangelism and Networking is an example of what can be possible with some imagination and a will to collaborate. We feel it’s important to note — this is not two half-time positions! Using an intention of “separate and together,” we will discover what modes of communication can be shared and what will remain apart through joint discernment and conversation.
Matthew Townsend is a Halifax-based freelance journalist and volunteer advocate for survivors of sexual misconduct in Anglican settings. He served as editor of the Anglican Journal from 2019 to 2021 and communications missioner for the Anglican Diocese of Quebec from 2019 to 2022. He and his wife recently entered catechism class in the Orthodox Church in America.
