John Beatty, our diocesan archivist and a honorary canon, has written a beautiful new book on the history of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana! Just released, The Citadel: The History of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana, 1989-2026 tells the story of how The Episcopal Church was planted in Indiana and how it changed over the centuries.

ISBN: 9781105735240
Publisher: Lulu
Binding: Hardcover
Pages: 397
Dimensions: US Letter (8.5"x11")
Interior Color: Deluxe Color
Cost: $93.53 plus tax and shipping

About the author: John D. Beatty, CG, FASG, is Certified Genealogist, a local historian, and a genealogy reference librarian with the Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He has served as the archivist/historiographer of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana since 1996. In 2025, Bishop Sparks made him an honorary canon of the Cathedral of Saint James in South Bend. He lives in Fort Wayne with his wife, Amy.

Note: The author is not deriving any profits from the book. It is his gift to the diocese, an act of stewardship, and not a profit making venture.

Vestry Resource Day

Date: Saturday, March 14
Time: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (ET)

Location: Cathedral of Saint James, South Bend
Register by noon on March 10.

Please join us for the 2026 Vestry Resource Day. Our plenary speaker will focus on Legal Issues facing our Congregations: What are your policies if ICE comes to your doors. Katie Elliott, Director of St. Margaret’s House, will share the challenges they face.

Workshop opportunities will focus on:

• Vestry Meeting: what is your agenda
• Property & Loan or Standing Committee: When should you call them?
• Financial Support & A Mission Centered Budget: Looking at things differently
• Safe Church Guidelines, Policies and Requirements: How and Why we set up training.

Safe Church Training

Date: Sunday, March 15
Time: 2-5 p.m. (EST)
Location: Zoom

Registration Link Please register before Monday, March 9.

New to vestry and you have not completed Safe Church training previously? Please RSVP for this mandatory training as we strive to protect people from abuse and neglect.

As a reminder, the following people need to be Safe Church certified.

• Clergy
• Staff
• Vestries
• Ministry Leaders
• Eucharistic Visitors
• Camp and Christian Education Staff
• Key-holders

With God's help, we can work together to offer our faith communities as places of safety and healing. Email Missioner Cindy Spice with any questions.

Save the Dates

Jr./Sr. High Spring Youth Retreat

Date: April 10-12, 2026

Episcopal Youth Camp

Date: June 14-20, 2026

Where: Camp Alexander Mack (Milford, Ind.)

Sr. High Mission Week

Date: July 12-18, 2026

Jr./Sr. High Fall Youth Retreat

Date: October 23-25, 2026

Prayer Vigil for Immigrant Community at Miami Correctional Facility

Date: March 23

Time: 2 p.m. (ET)

Where: Miami Correctional Facility

The next prayer vigil at the Miami Correctional Facility is March 23 at 2 p.m.

Bishop's Discretionary Fund - Immigration

Recent developments in the Federal Government’s approach to immigration, including the withdrawal of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from various countries, are affecting the lives of several members of our faith communities. In light of these developments, some of you have asked for us to create a fund through which you might contribute to the legal expenses incurred by those members as they file for different documentation in order to remain in compliance with the law. We have decided that the best way to do so is through the Bishop’s Discretionary Fund, to which anyone interested may contribute by sending a check to the Diocese with Bishop’s Discretionary Fund—Immigration in the memo line.

Deacon and Postulant Retreat

Date: March 27-28, 2026

Where: Wawasee Episcopal Center
Register by March 13.

The Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana cordially invites you to join our deacons and diaconal postulants for an overnight retreat at the Wawasee Episcopal Center in Syracuse, IN from the evening of Friday, March 27 to the afternoon of Saturday, March 28. Contact The Rev. Cn. Clay Berkley for additional information.

CPG Planning for Wellness

Who: Clergy who have Active status under the Clergy Pension Plan

Date: April 22, 8:30 a.m.-April 23, 1 p.m. (ET)

Where: Delta Hotels Indianapolis Airport

Cost: $75

Register by April 3.

The Church Pension Group’s Planning for Wellness Conference is designed to provide you with the knowledge and confidence to take charge of your finances, and the inspiration to live a healthier life. Join colleagues from across your region for this powerful, transformative learning experience.

Why You Don’t Want to Miss This Event:  

1. Assess: You'll have the opportunity to take a closer look at your current financial and health status. 
2. Align: This event helps you work towards aligning your financial and wellness goals for a more cohesive future.  
3. Refresh: You'll have the chance to revisit your plans, helping you make more informed decisions.  

You are encouraged to attend with your spouse or partner, as it allows both of you to assess your current situation together, align on future goals, and refresh your strategies with unified support.  

Hotel accommodations are covered, and meals will be provided.

Spring Clergy Conference

Date: May 11-13, 2026

Where: Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center

The 2026 Spring Clergy Conference takes place May 11-13 at Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center. More info to come.

Save the Date



Fall Clergy Retreat

Date: October 12-14, 2026

Where: Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center

Your church building is a powerful tool for ministry. This strategic value inspired St.

Paul’s Indianapolis to reach out, extend generous hospitality, practice inclusion, and to invest in building stewardship needs that make more partnerships possible. Learn more in a new blog post at CBCP’s website.

 Information provided by Linda Buskirk, CBCP Project Director.  

Sisters Building Bridges: Creating connections between the church & Latina-led nonprofit organizations

Date: Saturday, March 14
Time: 12-2:30 p.m. (ET)
Location: St. Paul's Episcopal Church (Indianapolis)
RVSP by March 9.

In Scripture, some of the most courageous and consequential stories for the people of God are those of women who, even amid adversity, remain faithful, righteous, and courageous. Inspired by the spirit of courageous women in the Bible, the IndyDio Episcopal Women’s Ministries (EWM) invites women to spend a year building connections with our Latina neighbors, women who are doing courageous work, even while facing adversity. We hope to get to know each other better and build friendships; we want to share meals and stories, learn how our lives are similar and different, and name ways we can support each other’s work.

We will kick off this year of connection and discernment with a luncheon on Saturday, March 14, at St. Paul’s Indy. Dr. Nicole Martinez-LeGrand, from the Indiana Historical Society, will share the story of her ancestors, who were among the first Latino families to arrive in Indiana, and how their relationship with the local church became a beacon of light for the community in Northern Indiana. We will also learn from Latina social entrepreneurs who are providing the Indianapolis community with a wealth of wellness, education, support, and tools to help others. Conversations will be facilitated by Rev. Yuri Rodriguez, who is coaching the EWM in this work.

This is an event for all in the Diocese of Indianapolis and the Diocese of Northern Indiana. We especially invite faith leaders who are open to learning from Latina leaders who are also social entrepreneurs and to exploring how your churches can support their work.

Information provided by The IndyDio Episcopal Women's Ministries.

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.

Episcopalians are invited to complete a 15- to 20-minute survey offered by the Task Force on LGBTQ+ Inclusion to help the church better understand how it honors the dignity of all people and where work remains to be done.

The 80th General Convention established the task force in 2022, charging it with conducting an audit of how The Episcopal Church has lived into its public commitments affirming the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people. A survey report will be shared with the 82nd General Convention in 2027.

Members across the church—those who are LGBTQ+ and those who are not—are encouraged to share about their experiences with pastoral care, sacramental access, representation in leadership, and institutional accountability.

Learn more and complete the survey, offered in English, French, and Spanish, by March 15.

Information provided by The Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs.

Just eight weeks after unauthorized military action in Venezuela, the Trump administration has again used military force to issue a first strike on a sovereign state without seeking congressional authorization to go to war or generating support of the international community.

The United States military strikes on Iran represent a continued disregard for national and international law. We lament once again the reckless use of military force rather than investment in negotiations and multilateralism. Now, U.S. actions are dangerously escalating violence in the region, putting the lives and well-being of millions at risk, as well as causing profound impacts globally.

We pray for the people of Iran, Israel, Palestine, all nearby in the Middle East and in diaspora communities, and for the personnel of the U.S. armed forces who have been put in harm’s way.

The Most Rev. Hosam E. Naoum wrote to the church this morning and said: “We must remain ’Bridge Builders.’ Even as diplomatic windows seem to slam shut, the Church must keep the doors of reconciliation open. We refuse to see our neighbors as enemies, whether they be in Tehran, Tel Aviv, or the military bases of the Gulf. I extend an urgent invitation to the wider Anglican Communion and all people of goodwill: Intercede for us now. The hour is late, and the danger is great.”

Please tell your members of Congress to reclaim war powers and do all they can to stop escalating violence.

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.