Rev. Elizabeth J. Seelye Forest

To start at the beginning, I was the 2nd of twelve children (5 siblings, 4 foster brothers, and three cousins that were my parents' wards). We primarily lived on farms in the Thumb area of Michigan. I graduated from an all-girls' boarding school (high school) in Adrian, Michigan - St. Joseph's Academy. At the age of 18, I ran away to the big city of Lapeer where I took up a career as a waitress. In the years since, I have worn many hats from long-distance operator, dump truck operator, licensed mechanic, executive secretary, etc. I am presently employed as a Material Planner for a Division of Magna Corporation in Auburn Hills. I have a degree in Automotive Technology – Engineering, with a minor in Marketing. I graduated from Whitaker School of Theology in 1999 and was ordained a deacon in June of 2001.

 My immediate family consists of my husband Ray, his sister Ruth,  our children, Lisa, Rachel and David, and six lovely grandchildren (4 girls & 2 boys). Ray and I reside in Sterling Heights with his sister, Ruth, our dog Sunny and our cat, Sweetie Pie. We were married in May of 2001.  We enjoy many cultural/musical events in the Sterling Heights/Macomb County area.

 I became a part of the St. Stephen's family in August of 2001. I am very excited about the ministry possibilities that we have experienced and those opportunities that are still  before us. I am presently involved in several ministries including but not restricted to: Bound Together in Pontiac, an Epilepsy Support group in Macomb county, AIDS ministry, teaching classes through Whitaker School of  Theology,  Disaster Relief through the American Red Cross, and an Internet ministry (The People with Epilepsy and  Friends Network). I would be happy to explain these ministries to anyone who is interested in learning more. I have been very active in the South Oakland Shelter (SOS) in the past and look forward to our participation again this fall.

 In the last year we have done many types of ministry. Through the Outreach Discipleship Blitz, we collected 80 blankets to be given to the homeless in our Metropolitan area. This includes those in homeless shelters as well as those who have had a disaster (a home fire, tornado, or flood). We have also celebrated together in various different ways.  All these activities were journalized in the Witness but you only have to ask the members at fellowship hour some Sunday to find out how many activities we have yet to experience together.

You can email to Elizabeth at Deacon@ststephenstroy.org

This page last updated: 02/01/2008