It’s wild to say, but we’re already in our third week of 2025! How did that happen so fast?!

As folks who follow our social media may know, we had a bit of a setback in December… I picked up a particularly gnarly respiratory virus and ended up getting knocked out of commission for basically the whole month. This meant nearly all programming, both on-site and online, ended up getting cancelled or postponed. It also means some of our plans for the first quarter of this year had to get adjusted too. What a bummer! I’ve been been back to work for a little over a week now, and our routine programs have resumed. Thanks to everyone who sent “get well soon” wishes and prayers!

As we embark on 2025, we continue to roll out new programs and are adjusting existing programs in response to feedback from our community. From opening our new Hygiene Closet to developing online trainings and support groups, we’re always interested in hearing what our community wants and needs! To that end, we are currently running a survey to help us get a better idea of who is accessing our programs (or not!) and what kinds of programs folks are interested in.

You can fill out that survey HERE: https://tinyurl.com/AuSableSurvey2025

Want to help out around the Center? There’s always something we could use a hand with! Sign-up here: https://forms.gle/5RU6jfjc9LfFh6cb7

As always, thanks for your interest and support! Here’s to a great 2025!

Cheers,

Deacon Beck Leclaire (he/him)

Ministry Developer, AuSable Inclusion Center

Hygiene Closet Now Open!

The AuSable Inclusion Center Hygiene Closet is now open, with a wide variety of hair care, skin care, dental, diapering, menstrual health, sexual health, and medication management products available. On the first Friday of every month from roughly noon until seven o’clock in the evening, the Hygiene Closet will be available for drop-in access. If you or somebody you know would like to arrange to access the closet at a more convenient time, call the office at 989-346-0155. Donations are always being accepted! There’s a basket in the entryway for donations, and larger drop-offs can be coordinated by calling the office.

Online Group Discussion Facilitator Trainings

The AuSable Inclusion Center, the Coppage-Gordon School for Ministry, and the Diocese of the Great Lakes' Dismantling Racism Task Force are delighted to invite you to attend one of four online Group Discussion Facilitator Trainings.

This training, led by Dr. Eric Carlson (he/him), Professor of History, emeritus at Gustavus Adolphus College, Adjunct Professor in the Department of History at Central Michigan University, and Co-Warden at St. John's Episcopal Church, Midland, will cover topics including how to establish an atmosphere conducive to good discussion/participation, setting ground rules for good conversation, how the facilitator should and should not participate during the discussion (i.e., what exactly the facilitator's role is).

With Lenten group book studies on the horizon and ever-increasing focus on the need for civil discourse, this training will equip and empower participants to become leaders in their communities.

Trainings will be offered over Zoom and last approximately 90 minutes.

The following sessions are available:

• Friday, January 24, 10:30 AM-12:00 PM

• Friday, January 24, 1:00 PM-2:30 PM

• Thursday, February 20, 4:00 PM-5:30 PM

• Thursday, February 20, 6:30 PM-8:00 PM

Sign up here: www.tinyurl.com/DiscFacilitatorTraining2025

Online Support Group Starting in February!

You asked, and we listened! Starting in February, an online peer support group for LGBTQ+ people living up north will be gathering via Zoom on the THIRD TUESDAY of each month at 6:00 PM. This group is open to LGBTQ+ adults only.

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/g78cgsaBrDFfiwnY9

For more information, contact Deacon Beck Leclaire (he/him) at 989-346-0155

Game Night Rescheduled!

The Game Night in December that had to be postponed has been rescheduled for Friday, February 14th from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Yes, that’s right! Valentine’s Day! Whether you bring a sweetheart or not, come play some games and enjoy free snacks and soft drinks! If you play a trading card game like Magic the Gathering, Pokemon, or Lorcana, bring a deck or two!

That’s all for now…Take Care Out There!