Letter from Bishop Jennifer on the Statement Regarding the Accountability of Bishops | |
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Dear Ones,
As you may know, the House of Bishops met this month on Zoom and among the many important conversations we had was the one on the church’s process of discipline particularly the discipline of bishops (known as Title IV in the church-wide canons). The House of Bishops issued a statement of accountability as we continue to attend to this work. Over the last 14 years I’ve served on and off on the various iterations of the Standing Commission on Structure, Governance, Constitution and Canons. In this current moment we are continuing to look at the disciplinary canons as prompted by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and President of the House of Deputies, Ms. Julia Ayala-Harris. I invite your prayers for all those working on these critical part of our common life. Please click here to read the statement.
Faithfully,
Bishop Jennifer
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Spirituality of Howard Thurman: The Necessity of Prayer as the Foundation for Justice Work | |
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On September 16, more than 60 lay, clergy, and community leaders attended a retreat hosted by the Racial Justice and Education Team (RJET) at St. Philip's, Indianapolis, entitled the Spirituality of Howard Thurman: The Necessity of Prayer as the Foundation for Justice Work.
Two workshops offered a rich, expansive reflection on the wideness of God’s activity. The Rev. Andrea Arsene of The Episcopal Church of All Saints, Indianapolis spoke on Womanist theology as a spring from which the Waters of Justice flow forth. Ms. Cassidy Hall, MDiv. shared insights from the contemplative life of Thomas Merton in Queering Contemplation: Examining the union of contemplation and activism through a Queer lens.
Afterward, participants viewed the documentary Backs Against the Wall: The Howard Thurman Story created by noted filmmaker Martin Doblmeier, who also lectured on the Thurman's spiritual practices as he pastored the spiritual heart of the Freedom Movement from behind the scenes. Thurman believed social action to be as sacramental as worship in churches on Sunday, and that the most absolute expression of God was unity: the starting and ending place for every person we encounter is that we are loved and honored by the Creator of all things.
The day concluded with Eucharist, with the homily preached by Mr. Demarius Walker of Trinity, Indianapolis. Please click here to read more and see additional pictures.
| Annual Benefits Enrollment 2024 – New Dental Plans Available | |
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Annual enrollment for individuals eligible to participate in diocesan employee benefits plans begins on October 25 and concludes on November 15. This is your opportunity to change insurance plans, add beneficiaries, or participate in benefits plans for the first time, without having to demonstrate a qualifying event. For most employees, the process will be online. Instructions will be mailed to you by the Episcopal Church Medical Trust approximately one week before enrollment begins, in a pale green envelope.
Current participants in the Cigna dental offerings must participate in annual enrollment to maintain dental coverage. That’s because the Episcopal Church Medical Trust has replaced the Cigna plans with plans from Delta Dental. These plans provide greater levels of coverage at the same cost as the current plans. Participants must choose one of those plans to maintain coverage. Please click here to read more about the plan changes.
If you are not currently covered by diocesan plans, or if your employment date was on or after August 1, 2023, online annual enrollment will not be available to you. Please contact Kim Christopher for assistance. More information can be found on the Compensation & Benefits page of the diocesan website. There will be a live video presentation on Wednesday, October 18 at 5:30 p.m. Eastern / 4:30 p.m. Central. The presentation will be recorded.
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St. Alban's, Indianapolis to Conclude Their Ministry | |
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After months of discernment, prayer, and consultation with their transition consultant and diocesan leadership, St. Alban's Vestry has voted to conclude the ministry of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church. As the vestry noted in their letter to the St. Alban's community, "The decision was difficult to make as we love our parish family, our history as a congregation, and the ministries in which we have been and are currently engaged." The entire message to the St. Alban's community can be read here.
As resurrection people, we know that out of loss, there is life. In their letter, the vestry reaffirmed this belief and their trust that each person is guided by the hope of resurrection as they discern what this closure means to them. St. Alban's invites all members of the diocesan and wider-church community to gather to celebrate their ministry and collectively bring it to a close. Their last service will be on the afternoon of December 3, 2023. Detailed service information is forthcoming.
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The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS):
Rooted in Abundance - New Password
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The theme for the TENS 2023 Stewardship Campaign Resources is Rooted in Abundance.
The new password to access these resources for 2023 is Jeremiah17:8
(Note that the password is case-sensitive and there are no spaces.)
You may download all the seasonal reflections and the campaign timeline in English and in Spanish on our website.
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2023 Diocesan Convention
Early Bird Deadline: October 8
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The 186th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Indianapolis on November 10-11, 2023.
If you are only interested in attending Cole Arthur Riley’s workshop at 1:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, you can register for free by selecting the ‘Speaker Cole Arthur Riley Only’ registration option. This will not include any meals, workshops, or programming, though participation in the book signing earlier that day is welcome.
Read more on our Diocesan Convention Webpage.
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If you receive an error during registration please make sure that you are not logged into realm with your churches realm or if you do not receive a confirmation email (even if your screen says you have registered) please reach out to Erinna VanDever. | |
Province V 2023 Campus Minister Fall Retreat
October 17-19, 2023
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Holy Wisdom Monastery, Madison, WI
Cost: $50 covers registration and housing at the monastery
This annual retreat is held to support professional Campus Ministers. If you minister to campuses, either through a stand-alone campus ministry or a parish, you are invited to this event. It is a great opportunity to network and build relationships with others working in campus ministries.
Please click here for more information and to register.
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Daughters of the King Annual Assembly
October 21, 2023
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Join the Daughters of the King for their Annual Assembly on October 21 from 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at St James, New Castle, IN. This year's theme is Ponder Anew what the Almighty can do.
This year's speaker is Dr. Janet Irvine, Vice President of Daughters for Province V The cost is $15.00 (includes coffee, Breakfast snacks, and lunch) Send your check to Ann Durkos, Treasurer, 8104 Crest Hill Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46256-2022, by October 11. Registrations will be accepted at the door.
Zoom attendance is possible if you cannot be there in person. Please send requests to Karen D. Sullivan, Diocesan President.
All Daughters of the King and their guests are welcome.
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Save the Date - Making Room at the Table: The Story of the Philadelphia Eleven
November 3
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Watch The Philadelphia Eleven, a compelling new documentary film about the first women to become Episcopal priests. Join a panel discussion with the filmmaker, two of the Eleven, and some of Indy’s trailblazing female religious leaders. Sponsored by Trinity, Indy; St Paul's, Richmond; and the Diocese of Indianapolis. This event is part of the Spirit & Place Festival and will be held at The Toby at Newfields. | |
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We have created blurbs for upcoming youth events that you can easily put in your bulletin or newsletter to help spread the word to your youth.
Diocesan Youth Ministry Vision Summit | October 27, 4-8 p.m. EST | St. Christopher's Carmel | We are relaunching Diocesan Youth Ministry for the first time since 2019, and we'd love your voice as we build it! Diocesan Youth Ministry has traditionally consisted of diocesan youth retreats, youth leadership programs, and parish support. We are eager to build a youth ministry program designed by teenagers for teenagers. To sign up, go to https://indydio.org/youth/ or email Heather Kenison, Diocesan Youth Director [email protected]
Diocesan Youth Gathering | November 11, 9-5 p.m. EST | St. Paul's Indianapolis | We are holding a gathering for youth at Diocesan Convention, open to grades 6-12 throughout the diocese. This free gathering will have activities that include fun games, activities, a mental health first aid workshop, and puppy play. This is one of the first opportunities youth have to connect with other youth throughout the diocese as we relaunch Diocesan Youth Ministry. Parents do not need to attend Convention for youth to participate. To sign up, go to https://indydio.org/diocesan-convention/ or email Heather Kenison, Diocesan Youth Director [email protected]
You can also click on each event name to download flyers:
Diocesan Youth Ministry Vision Summit and Diocesan Youth Gathering.
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2023 Diocesan Convention Submission Links | Click below to make submissions for: | |
- October 8: Last day for early bird $75 registration rate
- October 9-31: Online registration available for $100
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October 27: Hotel room block closes
- October 31: Last day for online registration (Onsite registration available after this date for $25)
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October 31: Nominations, Reports to Convention due
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November 1: Delegation changes due to Erinna VanDever
- November 4 at 10:00 a.m. EDT: Hearings (held on Zoom)
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October 1: St. Francis-in-the-Fields, Zionsville | The Rev. C. Davies Reed, The Rev. Joél Muñoz
October 8: St. Luke’s, Shelbyville | Ms. Sherrie Wood, Senior Warden
In October pray for our Vestries and Bishop Committees
See the Cycle of Prayer.
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Please feel free to forward this e-mail to friends, and encourage members of your congregation to subscribe.
To share information through diocesan communications, please use this link to be considered. The deadline for each week's newsletter is Monday at 5 p.m. Eastern/4 p.m. Central. Space is limited in our newsletter, so we may choose to share your submission on social media and we will be happy to discuss the best way to communicate your event. If your submission is selected it will run in the newsletter for 3 weeks. Content will be edited as needed. To help us illustrate your offering, please include photos with people! If you have an idea for a feature story, please email [email protected].
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