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Dear Ones,

Our Diocese is made up of people of different political views, but I pray that we will remain united in our faith in Jesus Christ and live in such a way that we proclaim and ACT on the belief that God loves you—all of you—no exceptions. We are living in days that we have anticipated with simultaneous, mixed realities where some are safe and secure, and others are extremely vulnerable. These securities and vulnerabilities are real.

Many of you have heard me express that our priorities ought to be God, Family, Church. It is because our priorities are aligned in this way that we remember the abiding love and care of God in Christ and the divine promise that God will be with us always.

We remember our families—our families of blood and/or friendship. Our families include migrants, undocumented immigrants, trans kids and adults, and LGBTQIA siblings. Those who are threatened by the recent executive orders are not ‘other’—they are us. And we remember our churches—sacred places of worship, care, and service that will not be co-opted for ends that are counter to Christ’s gospel of love.

I invite all of us to be engaged in this work we share. Please read the recent statement by the Presiding Bishop about our commitments and values as the Episcopal Church to protect the vulnerable. And if you haven’t viewed Bishop Mariann Budde’s sermon at the National Prayer Service, please watch it at this link and hear her speak to our diocesan missional pillar to stand with the vulnerable and marginalized. I look forward to being with the clergy of the diocese for a pastoral check-in by Zoom tomorrow (Thursday, January 22nd at 4:00 pm Eastern/ 3pm Central).

May God continue to bless, protect, and keep you.

Faithfully,

Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows

WHY Potential Reunification:

• for the sake of Shared Mission
• to grow through Collaboration
• because of Our Differences
• because The Data is telling us something
• to be Better Stewards
• for the Episcopal Church Tomorrow  

As we continue through this discernment, we need YOU to engage the process too. Please read information the Committee has shared along the way including the Convention reports from 2023 and 2024, the recently updated FAQ, several videos from our Bishops, and more, all of which can be found on the discernment website. 

Be sure to participate in the Parish Engagement Kit included there too. We need you to offer your input, remain informed, participate in feedback opportunities, and help to build relationships within and between our dioceses. And most of all, we need you to pray for this process, for the Spirit to guide us all as we go.

The Reunification Discernment Committee will host opportunities for feedback on models for a reunified diocese this Spring. Watch for other opportunities too and remember that anyone can submit thoughts at any time through the reunification discernment website.

Click here to read more about each of the WHYs.

The Rev. Frank Impicciche

accepted a call to serve as Priest-In-Charge at Holy Family Episcopal Church, Fishers.

His last Sunday at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Indianapolis is February 16 and will begin at Holy Family on March 2.

The annual parochial report is a summary of the life of a congregation, collecting data about a church's ministries, finances, and membership. While no one document can express the whole of a congregation's story, the parochial report records data over time, allowing congregational and diocesan leaders, and future historians, to identify trends and inflection points.

The 2024 parochial report is significantly revised from prior years in an effort to make it easier to complete. The revisions have removed reporting of some data diocesan leadership bodies require for budgeting. After filing your parochial report, please submit your congregation's income statement and balance sheet using this form.

Congregations are required to file their 2024 parochial reports by March 14, 2025. The parochial report is filed online at this link; detailed instructions can be found here. For help logging in, please contact Canon Brendan O'Sullivan-Hale.

Faith in Action (FIA), a ministry of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Indianapolis, is now accepting grant applications. With mission priorities focused on racial justice, housing, education, and anti-violence (including violence reduction and criminal and restorative justice), FIA seeks to support initiatives that align with its vision and values.

Click here for details.

We would love for you to join the Diocese in preparing for the Indianapolis Pride Parade and Festival! We have two options: the Pride Parade Team (we still are in need of a leader) or the Pride Festival Team (led by Meghan McConnell). 

Click here to let us know you are interested in helping!

• January 23 - CCD Virtual Check-in
• January 24-25 - Deacon Retreat
• January 27-31 - 2025 Forma Conference at Waycross
• February 1 - Executive Council Meeting
• February 18 - Monthly Youth Leaders Virtual Meetup

Please click here to see upcoming IndyDio events.

As we move into our next year of ministry together, there are several dates that we hope you will hold on your calendar in the year ahead. Please click here to see all important upcoming IndyDio dates.

Join us for Vestry & Leadership day on Saturday March 1, 2025 at Waycross Camp & Conference Center 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET/9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. CT. Back for the first time since February 2020, the Vestry & Leadership Resource Day offers newly elected and experienced congregational leaders workshops and training to help you execute your ministry well. Stay tuned for registration details.

Enjoy the peace and quiet of Waycross as you hone your craft among other lay preachers. Bring along an upcoming set of lectionary readings for a sermon you’d like to work on.

Amid generous unstructured time to read, relax, research, and write, we’ll gather as a group to reverse-engineer sermons we admire and generate ideas for one another’s work. At the end of the retreat, you’ll have the option to deliver a 3-5 minute version of your sermon for feedback.

Click here to register.

All 7th-12th graders are invited on our annual Diocesan Youth Mission Trip to St. Louis, MO July 6th-11th, 2025. Participants will work with service partners connected to local Episcopal churches. Service activities will be a mix of social and physical, with opportunities to experience the rich culture of St. Louis.

The trip costs just $500 for youth and is free for adult leaders. Spots are limited and closes May 1st.  If you are in need of financial assistance, please first reach out to your youth leader or priest in your congregation for a scholarship. If additional resources are needed, we will work with your family to make sure that you can go!

Registration and information on how church leaders can advertise is available at indydio.org/youth

Waycross Summer Camp Registration is open! There's something for everyone, with a variety of sessions to choose from:

• Adventure Camp
• Canoe & Kayak Camp
• Creative Arts Camp
• Ready, Set, Camp!
• LIT I - Leaders in the Community
• LIT II - Leaders at Camp

Click here to find out more information.

Diocesan medical insurance plan participants need to set up a new online account at Quantum Health.

Diocesan medical insurance plan participants have new cards and new member IDs! You can obtain yours even if you didn't receive one in the mail. Simply go to myquantumcare.org, click the "Register" link and follow the prompts. Please provide your new insurance ID information to your healthcare providers.

Between now and February 3, the Reunification Discernment Committee is requesting that every congregation of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis and The Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana convene a conversation in their local contexts, gather data from these conversations, and complete an input form that will be returned to the committee.

The "Reflecting on Reunification Parish Engagement Packet" provides the necessary information for congregational leaders to plan and implement this process.

The submission date has been extended to February 3, 2025!

January 26: Peace Church, Rockport

February 2: St. Paul’s, Columbus | The Rev. Ælred Dean

In January please pray for the Executive Council of the Diocese and in February please pray for Creation Care agencies and their efforts.

See the Cycle of Prayer

Your Church's Prayers are Requested as the Work of the Reunification Discernment Continues

The Reunification Discernment Committee requests your prayers as it continues its work. Click here for options from which to choose.

Christ Church Cathedral is seeking a Sabbatical Guest Priest to become part of our community from April 27 to August 3, 2025. Our colleague will provide pastoral care and dynamic leadership to our Ministerio Latino, a cornerstone of our congregational community that celebrates the culture and traditions of over 12 Latin American countries. As the primary pastor of our 1 p.m. congregation during this time, you’ll preside at worship services in both Spanish and English, collaborate with talented lay leaders and musicians (including our fantastic Coro Latinoamericano), and guide spiritual formation programs. You’ll also have the opportunity to foster meaningful cross-cultural connections through parish life events and serve in a supportive, collegial environment.

Fluency in Spanish language required. A perfect position for a retired priest or bishop!



To apply, send a letter of interest, along with a resume, to Jen Phelps

Click here to find employment opportunities in the Diocese of Indianapolis.

Please feel free to forward this e-mail to friends, and encourage members of your congregation to subscribe.

To share information & congregational stories through diocesan communications, please use this link to be considered.

indydio.org