On July 25, the Standing Committee hosted a Zoom meeting where they shared a report on what they learned from the seven What's Next? gatherings conducted around our diocese in May and June. Participants at each gathering were asked to respond to three questions:

• Where have we been?
• Where are we now?
• Where are we called to go?

Responses to these questions were analyzed and two reports were provided. Below is a link to the recording of the Zoom meeting, two reports, the raw data, and a reflection on the reunification discernment process.

Questions? Send an email to the Standing Committee. (Please note that Fr. Brian is on vacation until the end of August. Responses may be delayed.)

This past Sunday, St. James Sunday, the Cathedral of Saint James welcomed Mr. John Beatty and Mrs. Linda Buskirk, both members of Trinity Episcopal Church, Fort Wayne, for their official seating as Honorary Canons of the Cathedral of Saint James. Honorary Canons are nominated by the Bishop and the Dean and elected by the Cathedral Chapter in recognition of exceptional service and long-standing dedication to the life and ministry of the Church throughout our diocese. Canon Beatty's remarkable service as diocesan historian and archivist and Canon Buskirk's leadership in fostering stewardship, developing lay leadership, and guiding capital fundraising efforts exemplify the faithful and generous use of the gifts of the Holy Spirit for the building up of Christ's Church. We are honored to welcome Canon Beatty and Canon Buskirk to the Chapter of the Cathedral of Saint James and give thanks for their ministry among us.

Our Sr. High Mission Team traveled to Breman, Georgia July 12-19 for a week of "Faith, Hope & Love". Our week was full! Two days were spent organizing stock and filing grocery carts (in Georgia they call them buggies) with food, clothing, shoes, and household goods at a local pantry. Two different retirement homes invited us to sing songs and spend time visiting and sharing stories with the residents. We did a spring/summer cleaning of the church that hosted us and did some work in the cemetery that is on the grounds. My personal favorite was making pet toys to take to the Animal Welfare League and spending the afternoon playing with kitties and walking the dogs. The pastor from the church ended up adopting one of the dogs! On Wednesday, we hosted an ice cream social. On Thursday, we traveled to Six Flags for a day of rides and lots of sunshine. On Friday, the church family shared a "Friendsgiving Meal" with us by having a huge carry-in meal, followed by an invitation to join us for Holy Eucharist. In the evenings, we visited with members from the church that helped to provide our meals each day. One of my favorite parts of each day was our night time devotion. It began with a reading and words for thought. Those who wanted to share were welcome to share. Please, if you see one of the teens that attended the week, ask them about their experience! 

Submitted by Canon Carol Bianchini, Sr. High Youth Director

The EDNIN School for Faith and Ministry (ESFM) offers monthly classes to a blend of in-person and online students. Gathering in person one Saturday a month, mostly at the Wawasee Retreat Center in Syracuse, this semester of ESFM will offer courses on academic topics in in Hebrew Scriptures (in English Translation!), Applied Theology, Church History, and the History of the Prayer Book. The materials have been created by the Iona Collaborative at Seminary of the Southwest and classes will be led by local facilitators. Whether you are a lay person pursuing spiritual and intellectual enrichment, someone engaged in the process for ordination, or an ordained person seeking to continue your education, you are welcome to become a part of ESFM!

New this semester is Faithful Foundations for Buildings and Grounds. If you want to strengthen your ability to experience God’s loving presence in your work to maintain and repair the structure, mechanicals, furnishings and landscape of your church, this discussion group may be for you! We will address topics like Finding God in the (return to) Functioning, Refurbishment as an Act of Hospitality, Seeking and Serving Christ both in the One who Reports and the One who Repairs, Faithful Planning, and How to Keep your Head when Things Fall Apart. This class will meet on Zoom at a time that works for all enrolled.

ESFM dates for the Fall-Winter Semester will be: Oct 3, Nov 14, Dec 4, Jan 8, and Feb 6. The October and December - February sessions will be held in-person at the Wawasee Episcopal Center in Syracuse, IN and the November session at the Cathedral of St. James in South Bend, IN. Zoom participation is always an option whenever weather or illness or the impossibility of bi-location require it! There will be two classes running at the same time in each of three slots:

10 a.m.-12 p.m. (ET)

A—Hebrew Scriptures I: Exodus through Jeremiah ($250)

B—Applied Theology: God, Scripture, Creation, Sin, and Redemption ($250)

1-3 p.m. (ET)

A—Church History: Early Church through the Reformation ($250)

B—Prayer Book History and Practice ($250)

3:30-5:30 p.m. (ET)

A—Historical-Critical Theory and Practice – Hebrew Scriptures ($250)

B—Faithful Foundations for Buildings and Grounds* ($250)

*Online; After the first session, times will be decided upon by the class

For each session, participants will read assigned texts and watch video lectures beforehand. They then will come together at Wawasee (or the Cathedral or online) for facilitated discussion and other activities aimed at engaging the material more deeply. Afterwards, a written assignment will help learning take root and grow. Those completing the five sessions and their related assignments will receive a certificate of participation.

Register by September 20 so that you may receive log in credentials in time to prepare for the first class. Some financial assistance is available.

Fort Wayne Pride Recap

Thank you to Trinity Church (Fort Wayne) for hosting a booth at Fort Wayne Pride on Saturday, July 25! A special word of thanks to all who volunteered and to Brice Vinson-Schisler, chair of the Trinity Episcopal Pride committee.

Marion Pride

You have another opportunity to share God's love with the LGBTQ+ community. Join Gethsemane (Marion) at Marion Pride on Saturday, August 15. Email Evan Doyle or Mtr. Mindy Hancock with any questions.

Full and Equal: 50 Years in Pursuit of a Promise

Join us Sept. 3-5 for a gathering commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1976 General Convention resolution declaring that LGBTQ+ people have a full and equal claim to the pastoral care and support of The Episcopal Church. The event, “Full and Equal: 50 Years in Pursuit of a Promise,” will celebrate progress and acknowledge the work that remains.

This three-day gathering will take place at the Sheraton Downtown Minneapolis Convention Center. For travel planning purposes, the opening session will be at 9 a.m. on Sept. 3, and our final event will be a Eucharist at St. Mark's Cathedral concluding at 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 5. Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe will preside, and Bishop Gene Robinson will preach. Registration information and hotel blocks are available at iam.ec/fullandequal.

Information provided by The Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs

Learn more about the exciting work happening at St. James (Goshen) in this video recorded by Fr. Nolan McBride!

The Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana is offering two upcoming Safe Church training sessions for those who need to complete their initial certification.

Training Dates:

• Saturday, August 22 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern
• Sunday, August 30 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern

This training is required for anyone who has never completed Safe Church training and serves in a ministry that works with children, youth, or vulnerable adults, as well as others in designated ministry roles throughout the Diocese.

Those who have already completed an initial Safe Church training do not need to attend one of these live sessions. Instead, they should complete their assigned renewal courses through Praesidium Academy as they are notified.

If you are unsure whether you need to attend a live training session or complete online renewal courses, don't hesitate to get in touch with Cindy Spice, Missioner for Safe Church & Background Checks, at safeguarding@ednin.org, who will be happy to verify your training status and let you know what is required.

Together, we help ensure our churches remain safe, welcoming places where all can worship, learn, and serve.

Registration is required. Please register for the training date you plan to attend using the link below:

Safe Church Training

Saturday, August 22, 2026 @ 2:00 p.m. (Eastern)

Sunday, August 30, 2026 @ 2:00 p.m. (Eastern)

The Rev. Cn. Terri Bays Named Candidate for Bishop in The Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes

Last week, the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes announced that The Rev. Cn. Terri Bays is one of three candidates to be their first bishop. Please keep Canon Terri and the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes in your prayers as they journey through this discernment process together.

2026 Fall Clergy Retreat

When: October 12-14
Where: Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center (Donaldson, IN)

Cost: $75

Registration for the 2026 Fall Clergy Retreat is now open. Please register by September 24. The retreat is open to all EDNIN clergy--parochial, non-parochial, licensed, and retired. All parochial clergy are expected to attend. If you are unable to attend, please let us know using this Google Form.

Save the Date

2027 Spring Clergy Conference

When: May 10-12, 2027

Where: Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center (Donaldson, IN)

2027 Fall Clergy Retreat

When: October 11-13, 2027

Where: Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center (Donaldson, IN)

CBCP provides a model for congregations to increase vitality and serve mission by

making the most of their buildings as assets and by developing new and stronger

community partnerships. “Vitality” is a good descriptor for the impact of partnerships on

the people of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in downtown Indianapolis. Read more in

latest blog post HERE on the CBCP website.

Questions? Contact Cn. Linda Buskirk, CBCP Project Director, at info@cbcpindiana.org.

St. Paul's (La Porte) sent the card below thanking Diocesan Council for the Feeding Initiative Grant which helped support their community dinners.

Action Alerts

The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations (OGR) identifies opportunities for Episcopalians to participate in our democracy. Click this link to find an action alert that you are passionate about and send a message to your members of Congress.