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“Dream Even Bigger”: Diocesan Convention Delegates Urged to Rest, Reach Out

Since Bishop Jennifer took office in 2017, diocesan convention-goers have grown accustomed to hearing about new initiatives, reorganizations and commitments. But this year, as convention met entirely in-person for the first time since 2019, the bishop told delegates and clergy that the top priority for 2023 will be rest.

“2024 is coming, and it is going to be quite a ride here in Indiana. As we approach another presidential election, our state and our country continue to experience record rates of child poverty and infant mortality; decreasing life expectancy, and ever-widening income and health disparities between the super-wealthy and everyone else,” Bishop Jennifer said. Read more.

photo credit: Adam Frieberg Imaging.

Diocesan Youth Ministry Renovation Underway

Six youth ministry stakeholders have accepted the call to serve on the newly formed Diocesan Youth Ministry Renovation Team. On November 14-15, Ministry Architects consultants met with them to orient them to the renovation process and begin work on named pressure points from the Diocesan Youth Ministry Assessment Report. Monthly meetings will provide ongoing momentum and accountability throughout the process. The Renovation Team includes (from left to right): Barbie Russell, Mizraim Lorenzo-Aguilar, Kelly Nickson, Tyler Regnier, the Rev. Sam Vaught, and the Rev. Dr. Joél Muñoz.

A Celebration of Women Clergy

On Saturday, November 12, St. Timothy's, Indianapolis, 

IndyDio Episcopal Women's Ministries, and the Chaplains to Retired Clergy hosted A Celebration of Women Clergy in honor of the 45th anniversary of the ordination of the Rev. Jackie Means and the beginning of the ordination of women in the Episcopal Church. Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows presided, Bishop Cate Waynick preached, and members of the Episcopal Women's Ministries and Chaplains to Retired Clergy presented the Rev. Jackie Means, the first woman regularly ordained in the Episcopal Church, with a stole made by the Rev. Tom Honderich.

photo credit: the Rev. Jim Said

Events

Join Justin Samson, youth and college minister at St. Paul’s, Evansville, on Zoom, December 1 at 4 p.m. Eastern/3 p.m. Central time for information about the diocesan high school mission trip to New Orleans, June 3-11, 2023. Participants will learn what to expect on the trip and will have opportunities for questions and discussion. Click here for the Zoom link. The call will be recorded and made available for those who are not able to take part.

The cost of the trip is $795 per youth participant and may be paid in installments. Scholarship funds are available. Contact Justin Samson with questions about the mission trip or information session. Contact Canon Kristin White for information about financial support.

Register online for the mission trip.

Ordination on December 3

Christ Church Cathedral

God willing and the people consenting, Bishop Jennifer will ordain Yuriria Rodriguez-Laureani as a transitional deacon on Saturday, December 3 at 11 a.m. Eastern/10 a.m. Central at Christ Church Cathedral. The service will be livestreamed on the cathedral's website.

Clergy are invited to vest and process. The festival color is red.

Messiah and Magnificat Concert December 11

St. Paul's, Indianapolis

St. Paul’s Choir, joined by a festival orchestra, will sing excerpts from Part One of Handel’s Messiah, along with J.S. Bach’s exuberant Magnificat in D Major. Soloists are drawn from the staff singers in the choir to provide a concert perfect for the season.

Sunday, December 11 at 4 p.m. Eastern at St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

Tickets are $15 for cash/check payments and $15.75 for credit card payments. Contact Meegan Kriner with questions or call 317.253.1277.

Purchase tickets online.

Fall Creek Abbey Advent Retreats

December 19-23

Prepare your heart for the Advent of Christ by registering for a half-day retreat at Fall Creek Abbey December 19-23, or anytime during Advent. Participants may choose a morning or afternoon retreat. The cost is $30, which includes a private room, written guide, and delicious lunch served from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Eastern for all retreatants.

Read more and register.

Preaching Among Friends, a six-week online workshop for lay preachers, is being offered by Backstory Preaching beginning in January. Suitable for both beginners and experienced preachers, this course addresses the needs and perspectives of lay preachers.

The course will meet weekly for the first five weeks. In the sixth week it will meet nightly as preachers draft their sermons in real time.



The diocese will cover most of the costs for the course. Participants are asked to contribute $50 toward tuition. An early-bird discount of $30 will be offered through November 30. Scholarships are available. Registration closes December 31.

Please contact Brendan O'Sullivan-Hale for additional details. 

Register online.

College for Congregational Development 

July 16-22

The College for Congregational Development (CCD), a week-long intensive training designed for teams of lay and clergy leaders, can help churches of every size, location, and circumstance become more faithful, healthy, and effective in their unique calling as the Body of Christ.

Registration for the next session, scheduled for July 16 to 22, 2023, at Waycross Camp and Conference Center, is now open.

Learn more about participants' experiences in the 2022 College for Congregational Development. Contact Canon Kristin White with questions.

There are currently 32 people registered for CCD 2023, with capacity for a total of 45. Register online.

photo credit: Adam Frieberg Imaging.

Diocesan Communications Coordinator

Bishop's Staff

The Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis seeks an experienced communication professional to manage diocesan communications helping to connect people within and beyond our 47 congregations with God, with one another, and with our diocesan mission. To apply, email a letter of interest and resume to Patrick McKenna at [email protected].

All Saints, Indianapolis seeks a part time parish administrator to work three days each week in the office. Responsibilities include weekly bulletin, weekly email news letter, financial reporting and reconciliation. Email resume and contact information to [email protected].

Pipe Organist/Choir Director

St. David's, Bean Blossom

St. David's, Bean Blossom seeks a pipe organist/choir director. Experience as a church organist/choir director and familiarity with liturgical worship is desired but not required. Contact St. David's by email or by calling 812-988-1038 to learn more and apply.

Organist/Choirmaster

St. Matthew's, Indianapolis

St. Matthew's seeks a qualified Organist/Choirmaster for an immediate opening. The organist/choirmaster has responsibility for coordinating music for the 10:00am Rite II Holy Eucharist service and directing a small choir. To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and links to video performances to the Reverend Frank S. Impicciche or call 317-437-2734.

Digital Intern

St. Timothy's, Indianapolis

St. Timothy's, Indianapolis seeks a digital media intern for content creation & digital analytics. This is an unpaid internship, though it will be supervised and St. Timothy's will cooperate with student institution for internship credit. If interested, email Steve Polston. Learn more and apply.

Bishop's Office Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday

The bishop's office will be closed Wednesday, November 23 through Friday, November 25 in recognition of the Thanksgiving holiday. Staff will return to work on Monday, November 28.

The apportionment guidelines for 2023 are now available. The guidelines, which specify the amount that each congregation will contribute to the diocesan budget, are developed annually in keeping with Diocesan Canon 7.4(a), which directs Executive Council to "determine annually a percentage factor to be paid from Net Operating Income of all congregations for support of Diocesan Mission and Ministry."

The apportionment, as specified by canon, is to be a percentage of the average of the previous three reported years' Normal Operating Income. This year's percentage is 13.5 percent, a reduction from the 14 percent assessment of recent years. PPP loan proceeds are exempt from apportionment. Apportionment amounts become final upon approval of the budget by Diocesan Convention.

The 2023 budget was approved by Executive Council at its September meeting and affirmed by Diocesan Convention with its vote to adopt the budget. Email Canon Brendan O'Sullivan-Hale with questions.

Change to Indiana Non-Profit Filing Requirements

Under Indiana law, to remain in good standing with the state and retain tax-exempt status, non-profit organizations have been required to file form NP-20 with the state annually. Beginning in 2023 the filing frequency will change to every five years. Churches must file their NP-20 for the 2021 tax year in calendar 2022 to be eligible for the new filing frequency.

The five-year frequency for filing the new form NP-20R will be staggered based on the last two digits of each church’s federal employer identification number (FEIN). Form NP-20R will be due on:

•     May 15, 2024, if your FEIN ends in 00 through 24.

•     May 15, 2025, if your FEIN ends in 25 through 49.

•     May 15, 2026, if your FEIN ends in 50 through 74.

•     May 15, 2027, if your FEIN ends in 75 through 99.

After the date shown above, each church must file Form NP-20R by May 15 every fifth year.

Form NP-20 and NP-20R can be filed online through the Indiana Department of Revenue’s INTIME portal. For assistance, please contact Canon Brendan O'Sullivan-Hale.

November 20: Grace Church, Muncie | The Rev. Dr. Paul Jacobson

November 27: St. Timothy’s, Indianapolis | The Rev. Rebecca Nickel

In November, pray for the neighborhoods of the diocese, diocesan convention delegates, and all those involved in diocesan convention

See the Cycle of Prayer.

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If you would like to have something published in the newsletters, or want to send suggestions or questions about diocesan communications, please email [email protected]. The deadline for each week's issue is Monday at 5 p.m. Eastern/4 p.m. Central.

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