Thursday, July 30, 1 pm ET - Pre-Event Trainings and Provincial Youth Event begin
Friday, July 31, 12 noon ET - Big Provincial Gathering begins
Saturday, August 1, after lunch - BPG ends (see detailed schedule for Saturday afternoon activities)
Kalamazoo, Michigan - Is in the Eastern Time Zone
Host: St. Luke's, Kalamazoo
Workshops: City Centre
PYE and Pre-event Trainings: First Congregational Church
Plenary Leader (aka "Keynote Speaker"): The Rev. Canon Lorenzo Lebrija, DMin, MBA
YOU ARE INVITED!
The Big Provincial Gathering (BPG) is an opportunity to meet new people and connect with others who share your ministry passions. It is structured like a "ministry fair" so that people may host workshops and conversations to share program and resource ideas with others. Join in this amazing event to get resources for your local ministry context.
Friday, July 31, 12 noon ET - Big Provincial Gathering begins
Saturday, August 1, after lunch - BPG ends (see detailed schedule for Saturday afternoon activities)
Kalamazoo, Michigan - Is in the Eastern Time Zone
Host: St. Luke's, Kalamazoo
Workshops: City Centre
PYE and Pre-event Trainings: First Congregational Church
Plenary Leader (aka "Keynote Speaker"): The Rev. Canon Lorenzo Lebrija, DMin, MBA
YOU ARE INVITED!
The Big Provincial Gathering (BPG) is an opportunity to meet new people and connect with others who share your ministry passions. It is structured like a "ministry fair" so that people may host workshops and conversations to share program and resource ideas with others. Join in this amazing event to get resources for your local ministry context.
Information Menu
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Registration Links
Register for the Big Provincial Gathering (BPG) $50 registration fee! Scholarships are available. Register for the Provincial Youth Event (PYE) This event has no cost. Location information Start at St. Luke's and we'll direct you from there! Location information for your navigation. Accessibility: All buildings are accessible for mobility and will have non-gendered bathrooms available. Discover Kalamazoo - for local restaurants and amenities Lodging Lodging information includes both hotel options and local hosts offering their homes. Schedule Full weekend schedule Pre-event Trainings Pre-event trainings will begin on Thursday, July 30 at 1 pm ET and will continue on Friday morning. Traveling Exhibit! Native Board School Survivor Stories of Michigan Thursday, July 30, 6-7:30 pm St. Luke's Flyer with details and to share Workshops Workshops are organized in this chart. You can click on each title to see the description and join the conversation on the blog. Child-Care and Children's Programming Nursery child care and Children's Programming is available for elementary-aged children at no cost. Please include information about your children in your registration. Provincial Youth Event Register for the Provincial Youth Event (PYE) |
Volunteer Sign-Up
Volunteers are needed throughout the weekend. Sign up for a shift to assist or offer to share your home with overnight guests. Exhibit Hall There will be an exhibit hall located in the parish hall at St. Luke's. (This will also be where to find snacks and beverages.) If you would like to have a table in the exhibit, fill out this form. Swag Send Physical or Digital Swag for this event! Fill out this form so we can be in touch with details. (due early July) Resource Tables Book Store - visit Kazoo Books at the BPG! Resource Trading Table - bring books and materials to share with others. Pick up what is useful to you! Sacristy Swap - share your excess with others! Church Pension Group Reception Special Event for General Convention Deputies Friday, July 31, 6:30-7:30 pm Sponsorships Sponsorship opportunities Thanks to our sponsors! Staff for BPG Lorenzo Lebrija - Plenary Leader Westley Art Hodges - Musician Steve Welch - Technology Carissa Riedesel - Food Coordinator Event Booklet When the event booklet is completed, it will be linked here. Digital Swag Review the slide show that plays during plenary sessions. LOTS of information to review - and links to all of the organizations and information. When the resource is completed, it will be linked here. |
Schedule
Thursday, July 30, 2026
12 noon ET - Check in at St. Luke's for Pre-Event Trainings and Provincial Youth Event
1 pm ET - Pre-Event Trainings and Provincial Youth Event begin
Thursday, 6 pm ET - Special Exhibit at St. Luke's -
Friday morning - Pre-Event Trainings and Provincial Youth Event continue
Friday - begin at St. Luke's
11 am - Registration opens, Exhibit Hall opens, Child care opens, Children's Program Opens
12 noon ET - Big Provincial Gathering begins!
12:45-2:15 pm - Workshop A
2:15-2:45 pm - Break, Snacks, and Exhibit Hall open
2:45 pm - Plenary
4:30-6 pm - Workshop B
6:15 pm - Evening Prayer
6:30 pm - General Convention Deputy Reception, hosted by Church Pension Group
Dinner on your own and hosted activities at St. Luke's
Saturday
7 am - Continental Breakfast and Exhibit Hall opens
7:45 - Gathering time for prayer, music
8 am - Prayers and Plenary
9:15 am - Workshop C
10:45 - Break, Exhibit Hall
11 am - Eucharist (Exhibit Hall closes)
12:30 - lunch
1 pm - Mission Opportunities (Workshop D)
2:45 pm - Closing Prayer and Farewell
3 pm - Dismissal
12 noon ET - Check in at St. Luke's for Pre-Event Trainings and Provincial Youth Event
1 pm ET - Pre-Event Trainings and Provincial Youth Event begin
Thursday, 6 pm ET - Special Exhibit at St. Luke's -
Friday morning - Pre-Event Trainings and Provincial Youth Event continue
Friday - begin at St. Luke's
11 am - Registration opens, Exhibit Hall opens, Child care opens, Children's Program Opens
12 noon ET - Big Provincial Gathering begins!
12:45-2:15 pm - Workshop A
2:15-2:45 pm - Break, Snacks, and Exhibit Hall open
2:45 pm - Plenary
4:30-6 pm - Workshop B
6:15 pm - Evening Prayer
6:30 pm - General Convention Deputy Reception, hosted by Church Pension Group
Dinner on your own and hosted activities at St. Luke's
Saturday
7 am - Continental Breakfast and Exhibit Hall opens
7:45 - Gathering time for prayer, music
8 am - Prayers and Plenary
9:15 am - Workshop C
10:45 - Break, Exhibit Hall
11 am - Eucharist (Exhibit Hall closes)
12:30 - lunch
1 pm - Mission Opportunities (Workshop D)
2:45 pm - Closing Prayer and Farewell
3 pm - Dismissal
Resource Tables
Book Store
Kazoo Books is the BPG Book Store. There will be a great mix of new and used books. If you would like to pre-order books to pick up at the event, fill out this form.
Resource Trading Table
If you have books or other resources looking for a new home, bring them with you! Tables will be available to drop available books. We will encourage everyone to look at books and take them home with them!
You will have the opportunity to leave the leftover books with us.
Sacristy Swap
Have liturgical items that need a new home? Bring them with you! We will have an area where others can look through items and take home new blessings. If you have questions about what might be best, contact Brian Wilbert, 440-935-2183.
Please mark each item with your name. You will need to take leftovers home with you.
Kazoo Books is the BPG Book Store. There will be a great mix of new and used books. If you would like to pre-order books to pick up at the event, fill out this form.
Resource Trading Table
If you have books or other resources looking for a new home, bring them with you! Tables will be available to drop available books. We will encourage everyone to look at books and take them home with them!
You will have the opportunity to leave the leftover books with us.
Sacristy Swap
Have liturgical items that need a new home? Bring them with you! We will have an area where others can look through items and take home new blessings. If you have questions about what might be best, contact Brian Wilbert, 440-935-2183.
Please mark each item with your name. You will need to take leftovers home with you.
Church Pension Group Reception
Friday, July 31, 6:30-7:30 pm
St. Luke's
The Church Pension Group is inviting General Convention Deputies to a reception on Friday evening. This will begin right after Evening Prayer ends and will include appetizers and beverages.
St. Luke's
The Church Pension Group is inviting General Convention Deputies to a reception on Friday evening. This will begin right after Evening Prayer ends and will include appetizers and beverages.
Meet Our Plenary Leader!
The Rev. Canon Lorenzo Lebrija, DMin, MBA
Internationally noted as an expert in the innovation field, Fr. Lorenzo Lebrija is the chief innovation officer of Virginia Theological Seminary and the executive director of TryTank Research Institute, which focuses on advancing theological research to meet the evolving needs of the church in the modern world. |
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Before launching TryTank, Fr. Lorenzo was the Chief Development Officer for the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. He also served as the Pastor on behalf of the Bishop at St. John's Episcopal Church in San Bernardino, CA, and as priest associate at St. Athanasius Episcopal Church at the Cathedral Center of St. Paul in Los Angeles. He studied at the General Theological Seminary in New York City and earned his Master of Divinity degree. He also earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Virginia Theological Seminary.
Before entering seminary, Fr. Lorenzo was president and CEO of Seraphic Fire & Firebird Chamber Orchestra, Miami's professional choral and orchestral ensemble. He was also the Miami Program Director for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation responsible for a substantial grant portfolio and the launch of the Knight Arts Challenge. Having been General Manager for RadioActiva Hispanic Radio and Editor/Director of Operations for Miami's Community Newspapers, Fr. Lorenzo has vast media and marketing experience.
Beyond the DMin and MDiv degrees, he also has an MBA and a B.A. from Florida International University, has completed the full training at the Fundraising School at Indiana University, is a Certified Foresight Practitioner from the Institute for the Future in Palo Alto, CA, has a certificate in Design Thinking from IDEO in Palo Alto, CA, and is an ICF trained coach.
Before entering seminary, Fr. Lorenzo was president and CEO of Seraphic Fire & Firebird Chamber Orchestra, Miami's professional choral and orchestral ensemble. He was also the Miami Program Director for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation responsible for a substantial grant portfolio and the launch of the Knight Arts Challenge. Having been General Manager for RadioActiva Hispanic Radio and Editor/Director of Operations for Miami's Community Newspapers, Fr. Lorenzo has vast media and marketing experience.
Beyond the DMin and MDiv degrees, he also has an MBA and a B.A. from Florida International University, has completed the full training at the Fundraising School at Indiana University, is a Certified Foresight Practitioner from the Institute for the Future in Palo Alto, CA, has a certificate in Design Thinking from IDEO in Palo Alto, CA, and is an ICF trained coach.
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Meet our Musician!Westley Art Hodges (he/they) is a native of New Orleans and has resided in Chicago, IL, since 2018. Westley has served as the Director of Music Ministries at St. Mark's Episcopal Church (www.stmarksevanston.org) in Evanston, IL, since 2019. Before being at St. Mark's, they served as Director of Music for The Annunciation of Our Lady Episcopal Church in Gurnee, IL, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Peoria, IL, St. Joseph's Episcopal Church, McDonough, GA, St. Aiden's Episcopal Church, Alpharetta GA, and St. Patrick's Episcopal Church, Long Beach, MS. Outside of church work, Westley performs as an accompanist and solo artist and teaches private music lessons to a studio of 24+ students.
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Westley earned an Associate of the Arts in Music Education at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Perkinston, MS, and studied Clarinet Performance at Delta State University, Cleveland, MS. They earned a Bachelor of the Arts in Liberal Studies with a Minor in Women and Gender Studies at the University of Illinois Springfield, where they also did graduate work in Women and Gender Studies.
Outside work, Westley enjoys spending time with their fabulous husband, Joseph, and their mischievous cat, Sidney “Sid”. Westley and Joseph are both members of Lakeside Pride ensembles (www.lakesidepride.org). In Lakeside Pride, Westley is the section leader of the clarinet section of the Symphonic Band and Director of the 30+ member clarinet choir. Westley is also the clarinetist in the Amethyst Wind (www.amethystwinds.org), a professional woodwind quintet in Chicago. At the end of the day, if you're looking for Westley and music isn't involved, you'll always be able to find them in the kitchen, perfecting savory and dessert recipes while enjoying time outdoors hiking and camping. For more information about Westley, please visit www.westleyhodges.com.
Outside work, Westley enjoys spending time with their fabulous husband, Joseph, and their mischievous cat, Sidney “Sid”. Westley and Joseph are both members of Lakeside Pride ensembles (www.lakesidepride.org). In Lakeside Pride, Westley is the section leader of the clarinet section of the Symphonic Band and Director of the 30+ member clarinet choir. Westley is also the clarinetist in the Amethyst Wind (www.amethystwinds.org), a professional woodwind quintet in Chicago. At the end of the day, if you're looking for Westley and music isn't involved, you'll always be able to find them in the kitchen, perfecting savory and dessert recipes while enjoying time outdoors hiking and camping. For more information about Westley, please visit www.westleyhodges.com.
Location Information
St. Luke's Episcopal Church
St. Luke's is our main host, and ALL BPG activities will be based out of this location. Plenary sessions, food, the Exhibit Hall, and some pre-event trainings are all at St. Luke's. All rooms are accessible in this facility. Attend plenary sessions to follow the group to your workshop rooms.
247 W. Lovell, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007
City Centre
Workshops! Most of the workshops will be held on an upper floor in this building. All rooms are accessible in this facility. Located a couple of blocks from St. Luke's, it is about an 8 minute walk and parking is available in the attached ramp, free up to 90 minutes. Attend plenary sessions to follow the group to your workshop rooms. Hosts will be available to help you navigate from the parking lot to the workshop rooms if you need to drive.
125 S Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Ladies' Library Association
Across the street from St. Luke's, the LLA will host a couple of the pre-event trainings.
First Congregational Church
A couple blocks from St. Luke's (on the other side of Bronson Park), this will be the location of the PYE on Thursday-Friday, and some pre-event trainings. All rooms are accessible in this facility.
345 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007
Hiltons near St. Luke's
The two Hilton properties near St. Luke's are the conference hotel. Use this link to make your reservation. If you encounter an error, contact Heather or the property. MAKE YOUR RESERVATION QUICKLY to ensure that you get a room. Other lodging options are available.
St. Luke's is our main host, and ALL BPG activities will be based out of this location. Plenary sessions, food, the Exhibit Hall, and some pre-event trainings are all at St. Luke's. All rooms are accessible in this facility. Attend plenary sessions to follow the group to your workshop rooms.
247 W. Lovell, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007
City Centre
Workshops! Most of the workshops will be held on an upper floor in this building. All rooms are accessible in this facility. Located a couple of blocks from St. Luke's, it is about an 8 minute walk and parking is available in the attached ramp, free up to 90 minutes. Attend plenary sessions to follow the group to your workshop rooms. Hosts will be available to help you navigate from the parking lot to the workshop rooms if you need to drive.
125 S Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Ladies' Library Association
Across the street from St. Luke's, the LLA will host a couple of the pre-event trainings.
First Congregational Church
A couple blocks from St. Luke's (on the other side of Bronson Park), this will be the location of the PYE on Thursday-Friday, and some pre-event trainings. All rooms are accessible in this facility.
345 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007
Hiltons near St. Luke's
The two Hilton properties near St. Luke's are the conference hotel. Use this link to make your reservation. If you encounter an error, contact Heather or the property. MAKE YOUR RESERVATION QUICKLY to ensure that you get a room. Other lodging options are available.
THANK YOU to our sponsors!
We can only provide this amazing opportunity because of sponsors. If you are interested in sponsoring the opportunity, please contact Heather.
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