Spreading the Message

by Bernie Fratto
September 2006
 

Although Rev. Karen Henry of Holy Cross Church on Ten Mile has only been a Novi resident since Oct. 2002, she is in a position to have positive impact on the lives of local families and their children for many years to come.

Originally from New York , she obtained her Masters Degree in Divinity at the Union Theological Seminary of New York City in 1985. She also spent two additional years studying at the General Theological Seminary, and institution that has the distinction of being the oldest Episcopal Seminary in the United States .

But, while attending a Clergy Leadership Project in Connecticut a few years ago, she was approached by Canon John Keydel, the Deployment Officer of the Diocese of Michigan.

During that meeting, which was attended by 50 priests from all over the U.S. , she was recruited to oversee strategic re-development for the Holy Cross Church in Novi .

After arriving in late 2002, she immediately went to work to re-develop the congregation, by actively recruiting members and ‘getting people to see a larger vision and goals.’

Currently Holy Cross is a ‘Mission Congregation’, but they are working hard to become a Parish, financially self-supported and incorporated. In Dec. of 2004 Rev. Henry was able to relocated the church to it’s current location, on Ten Mile just east of Meadowbrook.

The new location has given them additional space, parking, more classrooms, bigger office area, nicer restrooms and even air-conditioning.

Reverend Henry is working very hard to grow the church membership to 400, as Holy Cross presently has 200 members. Currently, services are on Sunday at 7:45 and 10:00 a.m., and they are adding a Saturday evening service. In addition, Holy Cross offers a Wednesday service at noon, which they bill as the ‘lunch with God.’

Holy Cross features an excellent youth program that is entitled, “Journey to Adulthood.” They tackle important issues such as sexuality, daily living, society, self, and spirituality. Most kids growing up need someone to protect them from themselves, and this offers a wholesome, loving, environment. Holy Cross Church specializes in dealing with current issues involving teen development, and under the direction of Rev. Karen Henry, the program is blossoming.

As we have just passed the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, it should be noted that Rev. Henry engaged in yeomans work, serving as Coordinator for Hurricane Relief for the Diocese of Michigan, helping to send aid and supplies to the damaged area, and still maintains contact should anyone care to become involved.

Welcome to Novi Rev. Henry… Although your tenure has been short, your efforts have been impactful and the future is bright.

Under the direction of the Reverend Karen Henry, the proper message of God is spread every day, for people of all ages to avail themselves at the Church of the Holy Cross.