The Right Reverend Wendell N. Gibbs, Bishop of Michigan

The Most Reverend Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop

The Most Reverend Dr. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury

Relationships

Relationships are an important part of Christian life and faith. Just as we define ourselves in relationship to the God who created us and continues to sustain us, so are we also in relationship with other faith communities.

The Diocese of Michigan

All Saints' is a part of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan, which is comprised of over 90 congregations, schools and institutions in southeastern and south central lower Michigan. The Diocese of Michigan is led by The Rt. Rev. Wendell N. Gibbs, Jr., who is the tenth bishop of the diocese.

The Episcopal Church

The Episcopal Church is the branch of the Church of England in the United States, which is why we are also called Anglican. "Episcopal" means "bishop" in Greek, and we are governed by the decisions made by both our bishops and lay deputies at a triannual gathering called General Convention. The Episcopal Church strives to live in faithfulness to Christian teaching by balancing the words of Scripture with the traditions of the Church and human reason.  Walking a middle way between Roman Catholicism and Protestant traditions, we consider ourselves both catholic and reformed. We are a sacramental and worship-oriented church that promotes thoughtful debate about what God is calling us to do and be as followers of Christ. Our Presiding Bishop is The Most Reverend Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori, who was elected in 2006. She is the former bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada.

The Anglican Communion

During the Reformation in the 16th Century, Henry VIII declared the Church of England independent of the Roman Catholic Church with himself as its head. It was the result of many factors, some political and some theological, but it has given rise to a distinct form of Christianity known as Anglicanism. The Episcopal Church is a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and is one of a family of churches around the world that trace their roots to the Church of England. The member churches of the Anglican Communion are joined together by choice in love, and have no direct authority over one another. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the head of the Church of England, is acknowledged as the spiritual head of the Anglican Communion, but while respected, the Archbishop does not have direct authority over any Anglican Church outside of England. The current Archbishop of Canterbury is the Most Reverend Dr. Rowan Williams.