Hi Friends!

Last month, we marked a full year of our Hygiene Closet being open. Over the course of the first twelve months of this ministry, we distributed over 4,450 items from our on-site Hygiene Closet and over 3,201 items through our Pop-Up Hygiene Closets. Through our partnerships with faith communities, nonprofits, and locally owned businesses, we’ve been able to serve six up-north counties with this program. Crucially, we wouldn’t be able to accomplish this without the generous support of statewide and nationwide partners who order from our Amazon wishlist and contribute financially. As costs continue to rise and other parts of the social safety net break down, we anticipate that the need for this ministry will only increase. Thank you for your ongoing support and prayers.

This month, we’re offering multiple opportunities for online learning that I hope you will join us for. On Tuesday, March 17th at 12 PM, we’re offering an AuSable Lunch and Learn on LGBTQ+ Mental Health for Clergy. This hour-long lunch and learn webinar will discuss LGBTQ+ mental health through the lens of pastoral care in faith communities. On Friday, March 27th at 1 PM, we’re offering our “What’s the T?” webinar discussing transgender identities and issues, in advance of International Trans Day of Visibility on March 31st.

International Trans Day of Visibility was founded in 2009 by Transgender Michigander Rachel Crandall Crocker, who also founded Transgender Michigan. Rachel was frustrated that the most prominent day for transgender people among the many LGBTQ+ observances was Trans Day of Remembrance, when transgender people who have died in the last year, mostly those who died violently, are memorialized. She wanted to celebrate the many joys and beautiful lives transgender people live, so she established this day as an opportunity to do so. While it is important to bear witness to the pain of anti-trans violence, especially at a time when the government in many places is actively working to make living publicly as transgender more difficult or illegal, celebrating trans folks and the myriad good things that come with transition is also absolutely necessary. The twin observances of Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 20) and Transgender Day of Visibility (March 31) point to the reality that there is both joy and pain that comes with transformation, growth, and seeking wholeness in a broken world.

Wherever you are, I hope that you are well, and I hope to see you soon on-site or online.

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

This month’s meeting: Wednesday, March 4th at 6:00 PM
This month’s book: Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin
Next month’s book: On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

Sign up any month: https://tinyurl.com/ausable-queer-book-club

Learn more about the Hygiene Closet and how you can support it here.

This month’s meeting: Wednesday, March 11th at 5 PM
Next month’s meeting: Wednesday, April 8th at 5 PM

As our faith communities make efforts to grow into being LGBTQ+ affirming spaces, clergy often find that providing pastoral care for members of the LGBTQ+ community brings unique challenges. A particular challenge is the way that members of the LGBTQ+ community have distinct mental health concerns and triggers compared to straight and cisgender community members.

Join the Rev. Deacon Beck Leclaire (he/him) and Mr. Evan Knill MA, LLPC (he/him), for an hour-long lunch and learn webinar discussing LGBTQ+ mental health through the lens of pastoral care in faith communities. Through participating in this webinar, clergy will have a deeper base of knowledge about some of the particular mental health concerns and triggers for the LGBTQ+ community that may require pastoral support and will know some next-line resources for more education and support, both for clergy and parishioners. Time will be allotted for questions and discussion.

Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Time: 12 PM to 1 PM

Sign up by March 16: https://tinyurl.com/ALL2026-03

This month’s meeting: Wednesday, March 18th at 5 PM
Next month’s meeting: Wednesday, April 15th at 5 PM

Livestreamed on Facebook, Youtube, and Twitch

Bring your project! Bring a friend, or make some! Downsizing your stash? Bring it by for the stash exchange table!

Come enjoy some free pizza and fun games with friends new and old!

Join Deacon Beck Leclaire (he/him) for a friendly online introduction to transgender identities! We'll cover essential terminology, a simple overview of the transition process, and some helpful tips for engaging with transgender and gender-expansive folks in a kind and respectful way. Plus, there’ll be time to ask questions and chat. Hope to see you there!

This Workshop is provided via Zoom.

All are welcome to participate in good faith.

Please register by March 23: https://tinyurl.com/ExplainTrans2603

That’s all for now! <3

How to support our ministry: