Religion briefs

Diocese begins steps to incorporate region’s Catholic parishes

GAYLORD — Bishop Walter A. Hurley, apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Gaylord, has announced that the process of parish incorporation is underway.

This process will incorporate every parish in the diocese — which has a geographic territory covering 21 Northern Michigan counties — as a Michigan nonprofit corporation.

The incorporation of diocesan parishes aligns the civil law structure with the ecclesiastical or church structures.

According to church law and theology, each parish and diocese has its own unique set of rights and responsibilities, including the obligation to administer church property. The separate incorporation of parishes is the civil law structure that most accurately reflects ecclesiastical law and theology. In a recent press release, the diocese said creating nonprofit parish corporations is the simplest and most effective way of ensuring that the rights of parishes regarding church property are respected, not only in church law, but in civil law.

Since 1911, the Holy See has requested that dioceses pursue parish incorporation, and many parishes in dioceses in the United States have long been incorporated. The Diocese of Gaylord has shared information about this process of parish incorporation on its website at www.dioceseofgaylord.org/parish-incorporation-1268/, both to inform about the process and to answer common questions.

Community Reformed Church continues with outdoor, online worship options

CHARLEVOIX — Community Reformed Church of Charlevoix plans to host two worship services on Sunday, Sept. 20.

The church continues to offer an online service at 9 a.m. Sunday for those who prefer to remain at home. Also planned is an outdoor service, which will begin (weather permitting) at 10 a.m. Sunday at the church, 100 Oak St., Charlevoix. Attendees can bring lawn chairs and coffee.

Sunday’s message, “Love for ALL Others,” will be based on James 1:19-27.

The community is invited to join the church on Facebook by searching for “Community Reformed Church of Charlevoix” and liking the page or going directly to the church’s website (www.communityreformed.net) and clicking on the Facebook link for the online worship service.

For more information, call (231) 547-9482 or visit www.communityreformed.net.