Hi Friends!

It’s been a particularly frigid few weeks… we hope you’re staying safe and warm out there! At the AuSable Inclusion Center, we continue to gather for learning, fellowship, service, and support week in and week out.

Last month, we began holding our LGBTQ+ and Family and Friends Support Groups at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Grayling. If you’ve never joined us and are looking to connect with others Up North, these support groups are a great opportunity to do so. The Parents and Families of LGBTQ+ Support Group meets on Second Wednesdays at 5 PM, while the LGBTQ+ Adult Support Group meets on Third Wednesdays at 5 PM. We look forward to seeing you there!

This month, we’re throwing our first ever “Girls in STEM Day” event on February 28! We’ll have a panel of women in STEM careers who will chat about their work and their journeys in their various careers. We’ll also be holding a straw tower building contest… girls will compete to build the tallest load-bearing tower out of plastic straws in the allotted time… winner gets a free hobby quality telescope! This free, fun event requires sign-up in advance by February 20, 2026. https://tinyurl.com/Girls-in-STEM2026

Sign up is almost closed for our Online LGBTQ+ 101 for Friends, Families, and Neighbors workshop on February 13! This is a great opportunity to learn about the LGBTQ+ community and best practices for kind, respectful interactions. The sign up window closes this Friday, February 5th at end of day. Sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/online-101feb2026

When it’s cold and there’s a lot of ice, it’s important that we continue to gather in community and care for one another. Check out the many opportunities for community gathering and care throughout this newsletter. See you soon!

Cheers,
Deacon Beck Leclaire (he/him)
Ministry Developer
AuSable Inclusion Center

Mental Health Counseling Available on Site Every Thursday by Appointment.
Contact G.R.A.C.E. Center for full details and to schedule: 989-348-2544

Our February Book is The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Our March Book is Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin

The Hygiene Closet always needs donations to keep serving our neighbors in need! Full-size, unopened personal care, cleaning, and laundry supplies can be dropped off on-site (we have a donation box on our front porch and another box inside our entryway) or at Atlanta Family Hair Salon. Alternatively, you can order items directly from our Amazon wishlist to be sent to us: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1O1MPIS3D5X40?ref_=wl_share

The AuSable Inclusion Center is an emerging ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes and operates with generous funding from the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes, but our programs cannot be sustained without individual contributions. To donate to support our mission and ministry, visit this link.