Faithful Michigan United Methodists committed to Christian ministry and mission were honored with special awards during the 2026 Michigan Annual Conference.
Three special awards were presented at the 2026 Michigan Annual Conference to exemplify bold love through service.
Francis Asbury Award — Rev. Erica Thomas
The Michigan Conference Division of Higher Education and Campus Ministry is pleased to honor Rev. Erica Thomas with the Francis Asbury Award for her investment in and service to campus ministries. As the outgoing UMC campus minister at Northern Michigan University, Erica has helped connect the UMC presence to NMU’s campus with high energy, care, and creativity. She leans into ecumenical ministry partnerships to strengthen Sacred Space Campus Ministry, a collaboration among UMC, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and Episcopal churches that offers numerous ministry opportunities for students.
An ordained deacon, Erica empowers students by inviting them into the planning of ministry and programs, providing support so they can lead, resourcing them to try new things, and supporting them when things don’t work out. She deeply loves people, loves the students, and shows up in loving ways in ministry. In the words of Lisa Batten, Associate Director of Intercultural Resourcing, Leadership, and Fund Development for the Michigan Conference, “What I appreciate most about Erica is her openness to where God is leading. Whether that is moving into a new campus ministry model or ecumenical ministry, or taking young people to Iona for pilgrimage or on spring break trips for hurricane recovery, Erica has a deep faith that God has something for her in new places.”
John Buxton Award — Rev. Don Gotham
The John Buxton Award honors creative problem-solving within our annual conference. Years ago, many annual conferences faced significant unfunded liabilities for clergy pensions. Recognizing this challenge, John Buxton developed an innovative strategy to resolve these shortfalls, making our conference the first in The United Methodist Church to fully fund its liabilities. Each year, we celebrate his legacy by recognizing an individual who demonstrates exceptional leadership in overcoming difficult challenges within our annual conference.
This year, we are proud to present the John Buxton Award to Rev. Don Gotham. As the outgoing president of the Michigan Conference Council on Finance and Administration, Don provided steady leadership and discipline to the conference’s financial activities, including overseeing difficult budget reductions. While working to make necessary adjustments to the budget, Don helped the council remain focused on the ministry of the annual conference and our congregations.
During his years of active ministry, Don held many leadership positions within the Michigan Conference, including service on the Conference Leadership Council, the Vital Church Initiative faculty, the Board of Ordained Ministry, the Commission on Equitable Compensation, and the Board of Global Ministries. Mission work has been an important part of Don’s ministry.
Just prior to his retirement in 2025, Don served as the pastor of Utica UMC for 14 years. His previous appointments included St. Clair: First UMC, Sandusky: First UMC, Akron UMC, Bass: Bethel UMC, and Sutton-Sunshine UMC.
Don moved to Georgia in retirement to be closer to family. He enjoys spending time with his grandchildren. We are grateful for Don’s dedication, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to the church.
One Matters Award — Oscoda UMC/Oscoda: Indian Mission UMC
The Michigan Conference is pleased to present the 2026 One Matters Award to Oscoda UMC/Oscoda: Indian Mission UMC. This is in recognition of a community transformed by the deliberate weaving together of cultures, backgrounds, and life experiences to meet real needs in authentic and significant ways.
Three worship opportunities reflect the full diversity of those they serve: four ethnic representations, LGBTQIA+ persons, people with mental health challenges, those affected by homelessness, and economically diverse individuals, all welcomed and participating. Native American worship elements are incorporated throughout the year, and worshippers are sent home with hands-on prayer tools such as pumpkin seed Bible verses, bead strings, prayer squares, and Native medicine wheel prayer circles to encourage faith in daily life.
Over four years, 25 students have been confirmed, each paired with a dedicated mentor. This means 25 adults have experienced their own renewal of faith through a lasting intergenerational connection.
Ministry Shares are paid at more than 100%, and last year, Oscoda UMC also contributed funds to help a neighboring church meet its obligation.
Oscoda UMC/Oscoda: Indian Mission UMC’s food giveaways, food pantry, on-site showers for unsheltered people, and household assistance reflect the breadth of its community ministry. Most boldly, Huron Housing Hope, a community-wide nonprofit, was formed to house and support people experiencing homelessness, and three acres have already been purchased for a future micro-home community.
Together, these efforts create an extraordinary witness to the love of Christ in northern Michigan. Congratulations, Oscoda UMC and Oscoda: Indian Mission UMC!
The publication of this article was made possible thanks to generous financial gifts from local United Methodist churches in Michigan through Ministry Shares. Thank you! Learn about the impact of Ministry Shares on mission and ministry in Michigan and around the world.
Last Updated on June 16, 2026