The Standing Committee and Diocesan Council of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana invite all Episcopalians in our diocese to gather for conversation about hopes and expectations for the next bishop of Northern Indiana and the future of our diocese. These conversations are important; they are about foundational aspects of polity, identity, and unity in our beloved church. Your presence, your thoughts, and your prayers, therefore, are vital to our discernment of the Holy Spirit’s work among us. This work, we believe, is best done face-to-face, so we are invoking the Baptismal promise to “do all in your power to support one another in our life in Christ” in a very tangible, very meaningful way by committing to attend and participate. All meetings are open to anyone from anywhere in the diocese.

Advance registration is NOT required. These five meetings are in-person only. (See below for an online option.) Questions? Send an email to Dean Brian Grantz, President of the Standing Committee.

You asked. We listened. For those in our diocese who are unable to attend an in-person What's Next? Gathering, we have added an online option on Wednesday, June 24 at 7 p.m. EDT / 6 p.m. CDT. To help foster an environment of trust and free exchange of experiences and ideas, we ask that online participants display their names and keep their cameras on throughout the meeting. And while there will be someone taking notes, we will not record the meeting. So, if you can't make it in person, please join us online. Register here. 

Who: Youth entering grades 3-9 in the 2026-2027 school year

When: June 14-20, 2026

Where: Camp Mack (Milford, Ind.)

There is still time to register for EDNIN's Youth Summer Camp 2026! Join us for a week of faith, friends, worship, games, and unforgettable summer memories. This year’s theme is H₂Oh! The Wonder of Water. From lakeside adventures to meaningful moments, we’ll explore the power, beauty, and wonder of water in our faith and our world.

Registration is OPEN!!!! We can’t wait to see you at camp!

Join us in celebrating the beauty, strength, and sacred worth of the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month As Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe wrote last year, we want to honor the lives, gifts, and witness of LGBTQ+ people in our church and beyond. Below is information on events we are planning during June as well as a web store where you can order tshirts and hats!

Deadline to Order is Today!

The Episcopal Church Pride Shield Tshirts and Hats

New this year! We have an online store where you can purchase tshirts and hats to wear at Pride or as an evangelism tool within your community! The tshirts are branded with The Episcopal Church Pride shield logo on the front and our diocesan logo on the right sleeve. Tshirts are available in nine different colors in sizes adult XS through 4XL and three different colors in 5XL.

Hats have The Episcopal Church Pride shield on the front and say "The Episcopal Church" on the back. They are available in four colors and are one-size fits most.

The online store closes today, May 31.

Once the store closes, the items will be made and shipped directly to individuals. Production takes two weeks after the store closes.

Volunteer at Pride in the Park (South Bend)

Date: June 20, 2026

Time: 12-6 p.m. (EDT)

Location: Potawatomi Park

For the fourth consecutive year, the diocese will have a booth at Pride in the Park in South Bend. Please volunteer to help us share God's love with the LGBTQ+ and Ally community in the South Bend region. We're excited to have a new The Episcopal Church Pride-branded tent to increase our visibility this year and a few new giveaways!

(Note: We realize this is also the last day of Youth Summer Camp which may keep some who wish to volunteer from participating. There may also be additional opportunities to participate in Pride celebrations in Fort Wayne and Marion. Information will be shared as it becomes available.)

Pride Eucharist

Date: June 27, 2026

Time: 2 p.m. (EDT)

Location: Cathedral of Saint James (South Bend)

For the first time, we will be hosting a special Pride Eucharist! Join us as we celebrate the beauty, strength, and sacred worth of the LGBTQ+ community. We hope to make this an annual event the last weekend of June coinciding with the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. All are welcome and encouraged to attend!

Sing in Pride Eucharist Choir

Date: June 27, 2026

Time: Rehearsal at 12:30 p.m. (EDT), Service at 2 p.m. (EDT)

Location: Cathedral of Saint James (South Bend)

Show your love and support for the LGBTQ+ community by lifting your voice at this year’s Pride Eucharist. We are forming a special community choir, and we want you to be a part of it!

No long-term commitment required—there is only ONE rehearsal! Just show up, learn the music, and sing. Whether you are a seasoned vocalist or just love to sing in the shower, all are welcome. Come make beautiful music and celebrate Pride with us!

Questions? Email Dr. Steven Wietstock. 

LGBTQ+ Resources from The Episcopal Church

For pride, show your faith community's support of the LGBTQ+ community by using The Episcopal Church's customizable videos, social media posts, and printable cards.

Who: Teens entering grade 10-graduating seniors

Date: July 12-18, 2026

Location: Bremen, GA

Cost: $350

We have been invited for our 2026 Senior High Mission Week to serve in Bremen, GA. District Line United Methodist Church has offered us housing for the week. The cost for the week is $350 per participant. If you are a teen entering grade 10 - graduating seniors you are invited to join us for Mission Week. The registration deadline is June 12, and space is limited, so early registration is encouraged.

Participants will be provided with air mattresses and are asked to pack lightly. Each person is limited to one duffel bag, one standard-sized pillow, a sheet, and a blanket. A detailed packing list will be provided after registration.

At the end of the registration process, you will find a link to complete the required medical information form. This form must be completed at the time of registration. Please have insurance information, tetanus vaccination dates, and any prescription medication details ready. The medical form only needs to be completed if you did not attend the Winter or Spring Retreat in 2026.

The payments for Sr. High Mission Week should be sent to:

The Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana

Attn: Canon Carol Bianchini

117 N. Lafayette Blvd.

South Bend, IN 46601

Please be sure to write the participants name and Mission Week on the memo line.

Each month, we are continuing to share thank you notes and photos we have received from faith communities that received Feeding Initiative Grants from the diocese. Below is a letter received from Trinity Episcopal Church in Fort Wayne.

A new three-session, video-based course about baptism, Eucharist, and the church’s sacramental rites is available for download or streaming with accompanying study guides. “Signs and Grace: An Introduction to the Sacraments” marks the first video collaboration between The Episcopal Church and Forward Movement in a partnership designed to provide free formation resources for dioceses and congregations.

The course—which includes 45- or 60-minute options, with facilitator and participant guides—is ideal for newcomer classes, adult forums, Sunday school, small groups, and those preparing for confirmation. The three 20-minute-long videos are in English with Spanish subtitles, as well as the study guides.

The partnership between The Episcopal Church and Forward Movement is an example of a new approach to churchwide formation that involves identifying, supporting, and collaborating in thoughtful work being done around the church.

“We’re trying to bring a winsome message, a transformational message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a world that desperately needs to hear it,” Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe saidat the 2025 Episcopal Parish Network conference. “Where the work is happening and the ministry is happening is on the ground in the parishes and institutions. …How do we scale up the things people are doing for the whole church?”

Information provided by The Episcopal Church Public Affairs.

When: Sept. 23-26, 2026

Where: Procter Center (London, OH)

Cost: Varies based on lodging options

The Episcopal Creation Care Gathering Network invites lay and clergy leaders and activists engaged in creation care to come together for conversation, learning, and practice. Participants will explore spirituality, justice, ecology, discipleship, and evangelism through workshops, plenaries, outdoor experiences, and intentional conversation.

The keynote presenter will be the Rt. Rev. Cathleen Chittenden Bascom, founder of the Episcopal Grasslands Network, a churchwide community that honors creation in native ecosystems, fosters connection in environmental vocation, and grows together in Jesus’ way of love.

The Episcopal Creation Care Gathering Network is a churchwide organization committed to Christian ministry focused on the care of creation. The conference is co-sponsored by Provinces IV and V of The Episcopal Church, the Procter Center, and the Diocese of Southern Ohio.

Save the Date: Nuevo Amanecer 2026

Sept. 28-Oct. 1: Kanuga Retreat Center, Hendersonville, North Carolina

Nov. 9-12: Camp Allen, Navasota, Texas

Mark your calendar for this biennial gathering that celebrates Latino ministries across The Episcopal Church. Nuevo Amanecer 2026 will feature two smaller and focused conferences, both offering the same workshops focused on visionary leadership and equipping churches, as well as on embracing dignity and diversity.

In addition to lay leaders, clergy, diocesan missioners, parish staff, and church planters, those interested in learning about Latino ministries are also encouraged to attend.

A registration link and additional information will follow.

Information provided by The Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs.

Vote Faithfully Networking Calls

When: Thursdays, June 4, July 2, Aug. 6, Sept. 3, Oct. 1, Nov. 5

Time: 1:30-1 p.m. (ET)

On the first Thursday of each month from June through November, The Episcopal Church's Public Policy and Witness team will host a series of “Vote Faithfully” calls to support voter engagement in ways consistent with Episcopal values.

During the calls, hosts will share resources and ideas to help congregations promote voting and civic participation while remaining nonpartisan (avoiding support for specific political parties, candidates, or platforms).

The first call, on June 4, will feature Kent Anker, chief legal officer of The Episcopal Church, speaking about compliance with IRS rules regarding election engagement by religious organizations.

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.

Provincial Youth Event

Date: July 30-August 1, 2026

Where: Kalamazoo, Mich.

Who: Youth who have completed 6th - 12th grades.

Mark your calendars! If you are involved in diocesan youth events, your diocesan staff person will be coordinating with Province V for this event.

Thursday, July 30, 1 p.m. - Gather together to begin!

Friday, July 31, 12 p.m. - Join in with the Big Provincial Gathering festivities

Saturday, August 1, 3 p.m. - Closing prayers and sending forth!

Big Provincial Gathering

Date: July 31-August 1, 2026

Where: St. Luke's Episcopal Church (Kalamazoo, Mich.)

The Big Provincial Gathering (BPG) is an opportunity to meet new people and connect with others who share your ministry passions. It is structured like a "ministry fair" so that people may host workshops and conversations to share program and resource ideas with others. Join in this amazing event to get resources for your local ministry context.