TODAY is the Deadline

Today is the deadline for the following items.

• Written reports due
  If you are the chair of a diocesan committee or ministry, we are requesting that your yearly written committee report be emailed to Missioner Bianchini by October 1. If you would also like to make a three to five minute in-person presentation at convention, contact Missioner Bianchini. Slide decks/videos for in-person presentations are due October 15.
  
• Nominations due
  Please consider nominating yourself or someone else (with their permission) to run for election to one or more of the following diocesan leadership positions. Elections will be held at our 128th Diocesan Convention on November 7. If making more than one nomination, please submit one form for each nomination. Nominations are due by October 1. In addition to the elections above, deaneries will each elect one lay person to represent them at Diocesan Council.
• Diocesan Council At Large (1 person, lay or clergy)
• Province V Delegates (1 clergy, 2 lay)
• Province V Executive Board (1 person lay or clergy)
• Standing Committee (1 presbyter, 1 lay)

• Resolutions due
  Email missioner.bianchini@ednin.org.



Visit the convention webpage for additional information.

Pre-Convention Deanery Meetings

All deputies to the 128th Diocesan Convention should plan to attend a pre-convention deanery meeting. This is your opportunity to:

• Review and discuss the 2027 Financial Statement of Mission
• Review and discuss diocesan leadership nominations
• Review and discuss proposed resolutions
• Elect one lay person to a two-year term on Diocesan Council
• Eastern Deanery only - Elect new Deanery Dean to three-year term

Western Deanery

• When: October 11, 2 p.m. (CDT)
• Where: Hybrid; In-person at St. Andrew’s Valparaiso and via Google Meet
• Faith Communities: St. Francis (Chesterton), St. Christopher (Crown Point), St. Augustine (Gary), St. Barnabas (Gary), St. Timothy (Griffith), St. Stephen (Hobart), St. Paul (LaPorte), Trinity (Michigan City), St. Paul (Munster), St. Andrew (Valparaiso)
• Email the Rev. Cathy Carpenter with questions.

Central Deanery

• When: October 11, 4 p.m. (EDT)
• Where: Zoom
• Faith Communities: St. John of the Cross (Bristol), St. Elizabeth (Culver), St. John the Evangelist (Elkhart), St. James (Goshen), St. Mark (Howe), St. Paul (Mishawaka), St. Thomas (Elkhart), St. Michael and All Angels (South Bend), Cathedral of Saint James (South Bend)
• Email the Rev. Jen Fulton with questions.

Eastern Deanery

• When: October 10, 11 a.m. (EDT)
• Where: Zoom
• Faith Communities: Holy Family (Angola), Trinity (Logansport), Grace (Fort Wayne), St. Alban (Fort Wayne), Trinity (Fort Wayne), St. Andrew (Kokomo), Christ the King (Huntington), Gethsemane (Marion), All Saints (Syracuse), St. Anne (Warsaw)
• Email the Rev. Tom Adamson with questions.

Dove Faith Cafe: Stories of Resilience

When: Friday, November 6, 7 p.m. (EST)
Where: Trinity Episcopal Church (Fort Wayne)

Join us for a night of stories of resilience. Tell about a time when your parish has shown resilience. Tell about a time when God has done something amazing in your parish. Have you “seen” God in your parish? Have you witnessed God doing something through your parish? Tell us about it!

If you have stories to share, let us know by October 15, 2026. Or just come to listen to others share their stories and be inspired. No RSVP is necessary unless you’re planning to share a story.

Opening Eucharist of the
128th Diocesan Convention

When: Saturday, November 7, 10 a.m. (EST)
Where: Trinity Episcopal Church (Fort Wayne)

The Opening Eucharist of the 128th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana will be held on Saturday, November 7 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Fort Wayne. The Rt. Rev. Douglas E. Sparks, VIII bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana, will preside. The Rt. Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, the 27th presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church, will preach. All are welcome to attend.

Business Meeting of the 128th Diocesan Convention

When: Saturday, November 7, 11:30 a.m. (EST)
Where: Trinity Episcopal Church (Fort Wayne)

Registration: Registration begins at 9 a.m. (EST)

• Exhibitor sign-up
• Sign-up for Guests, Presenters, Retired Clergy, NonParochial Clergy

Parking: Parking is available in Trinity’s lot on the south side of the church off of Wayne St. (also accessible via alley off of Fulton St. and Broadway). Additionally, street parking is available on Berry St., Fulton St. and Wayne St. Street parking is free on weekdays after 5p.m. and all day on weekends.

Voting: During Diocesan Convention, simple votes will be taken by voice. If a voice vote is not clear or requires ranking or a 2/3rd majority, it will be taken electronically. This will be done using your email address, which you will need to be able to access on a device (smartphone, tablet, etc.) that you bring with you to convention. There is no website or application, the only thing necessary is access to your email.

Visit the convention webpage for additional information.

Diocesan Convention Hotel Block

A small block of hotel rooms has been reserved for the night before diocesan convention. The Courtyard by Marriott is located a few short blocks from Trinity Fort Wayne.

Courtyard by Marriott Fort Wayne Downtown at Grand Wayne Convention Center

1150 South Harrison Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802

p: 260-490-3629

Check-in: Friday, November 6

Check-out: Saturday, November 7

1 King Bed, Sofa Bed - $159.00 (plus taxes/fees)

2 Queen Beds - $159.00 (plus taxes/fees)

Jr./Sr. High Fall Youth Retreat

When: October 23, 7 p.m. - October 25, 11 a.m. (EDT)
Where: Wawasee Episcopal Center (Syracuse)

Cost: $25

The Fall Retreat for the Diocese of Northern Indiana is for all youth in the diocese in sixth through twelfth grade. This two-night retreat will focus on faith, friendship, and fellowship. If you have any questions, please call or text Carol Bianchini 574-551-3087.

You will need:

• Comfortable clothing
• Modest pajamas
• Sweatshirt in case we plan to do outdoor activities
• Clothing for church on Sunday morning
• Toiletries and bath towel
• Sleeping bag and pillow
• Snack to share

Please register using the link below. Don’t forget to fill out the Medical Release Forms and Prescription Forms. We must have your completed medical forms in order for you to participate in the retreat.

2027 Clergy Compensation Minimum Guidelines

Updated Clergy Compensation Minimum Guidelines, reflecting a three percent increase, were approved by Diocesan Council at their September meeting. Please review these guidelines as you prepare your 2027 budget. If you have any question, email Canon Carol Bianchini.

Learn about all open positions at https://www.ednin.org/employment.

2026 Fall Clergy Retreat

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

Cost: $75

Strength for the Journey is the theme for the 2026 Fall Clergy Retreat. Led by The Rev. E. Suzanne Willie, rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Chicago, we’ll discuss:

• Authority - Claim and Inhabit Your Authority
• Humility - Willing to Say I’m Sorry
• Beauty - How are you Fed…Immerse Yourself in God’s Beauty

Registration is now closed.

The Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes Bishop Election

The Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes will elect their first diocesan bishop during their diocesan convention held October 23-24. Please continue to keep Canon Terri Bays and the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes in your prayers as they journey through this discernment process together.

Save the Date

2027 Spring Clergy Conference

When: May 10-12, 2027

Where: Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center (Donaldson)

2027 Fall Clergy Retreat

When: October 11-13, 2027

Where: Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center (Donaldson)

Thanks to CBCP, amazing ministry is happening through space sharing and community partnerships at Indiana Episcopal churches. This is the final year for CBCP. We hope you will continue to discover hope and vitality through fruitful property stewardship into the future. Click HERE to find four ways to do just that.

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

Photo: New window installation at Trinity Episcopal Church in Fort Wayne.

Advocacy Training Workshops

When: October 17, 11 a.m. (CDT)
Where: St. Augustine's (Gary)

Cost: $10 suggested donation

Indiana Faith Voices for Justice, a statewide interfaith organization, is bringing an advocacy training workshop to St. Augustine's (Gary) on Saturday, October 17. Registration opens at 10:30 am, the plenary begins at 11:00 am, and the day ends at 3:00 pm.

The workshop covers how the Indiana General Assembly actually works: how a bill moves, where the real decision points are, who to talk to and when, and how a personal story can shift a legislator's thinking. Two concurrent tracks are offered, one for those new to advocacy and one for those already engaged. A free-will offering of $10 is suggested, and no one will be turned away for an inability to give.

Indiana Faith Voices for Justice will also be hosting an event in Fort Wayne on November 21. Learn more.

Hunger Hike Fund for St. Timothy Food Pantry

The Hunger Hike Fund raising for the Food Pantry is now in the final stretch. The deadline for donations is at the end of October 2026. (this has been extended)

This Hunger Hike Fund raising allows us to supply the St Timothy Food Pantry for all of 2027. Thank you to all who help with this ministry. Every donation, no matter the size, helps goes directly toward food purchased from the Food Bank of NW Indiana. Items purchased from the Food Bank are drastically discounted so we get a lot for your donated dollars.

CEMP Faith Communities: Checks should be made out to The Food Bank of NW Indiana and given to your Senior Warden and they will get them to the St. Timothy Food Pantry and insure they are deposited into our account at the Food Bank 

Non-CEMP Faith Communities: You can donate by going to the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana web site and the Hunger Hike section. Please be sure you donate to TEAM St Timothy CEMP. This will insure we get credit. Or you can mail your check to Bob Schrum, Food Pantry Director, at 501 Cardinal Dr., Crown Point, IN 46307.

Make all checks payable to The Food Bank of Northwest IN and write "Team St. Timothy CEMP" in the memo line. 

If you have any questions or comments please email Bob Schrum. 

Murder at Camp

When: October 23, 5:30 p.m. (CDT)
Where: St. Andrew's (Valparaiso)

Cost: $15 per person/$25 per family

You're invited to St. Andrew's 4th annual murder mystery dinner; a fundraiser for new folding chairs for their Gathering Space. This year will be unique. You will be going to camp! Your camp counselors will either be Hippies, Preppies, Nerds, or Greasers. Tickets are $15.00 per person or $25.00 per family. If you decide to attend, you will need to choose between a hamburger, a hot dog, or both. For questions, please get in touch with the office at 219-462-4946 or email office@standrewsvalpo.org.

Download the 2026/27 Annual Campaign Materials and prepare for a successful Pledge Campaign!

In God’s house there is always room for more: more ideas, more people, more ways to share, more stories to tell. And in the world that God created, there is more needed: more love, more connection, more peace, more creativity. Plenty Good Roomreminds us that there is always room in God’s house; we just need to make ourselves at home and invite others to join us. The ways we steward our relationships, resources, and responses to grow ministry and serve our neighbors are the ways we connect our gratitude to our generosity. There’s Plenty Good Room in God’s House; pull up a chair and sit down. Want to know the inspiration behind this year's theme? Here's the talented Lynda Randle singing the spiritual Plenty Good Room.

Our theme for the annual campaign this year focuses on our hospitality and how, if we ask members to be generous, we can always find a way to increase our work in God's kingdom.

Our 2026/27 campaign materials are ready for download now. As always, we offer our campaign materials in English and Spanish. This year's package includes:

• Seasonal Reflections and Questions - Advent through Christ the King
• Sample letters from clergy, wardens, and committee members
• Sample thank-you letter
• Logos and artwork for the Plenty Good Room / Invitados a la Mesa campaign
• Liturgical resources - Prayers of the People and Offertory blessings
• Pledge cards in Word and .pdf
• Campaign timeline for ideal implementation

The Episcopal Church’s Sacred Ground program on race and faith—completed by more than 30,000 participants since 2019—is introducing a significant curriculum revision with updated and contextualized materials.

Those who are planning to facilitate Sacred Ground circles when the program year begins in September are encouraged to spend time with the new materials, which can be found online here.

Primarily designed to help White Episcopalians learn more about and grapple with the history of race and racism in the United States, Sacred Ground has grown to include interracial groups and circles hosted by other denominations and faith-based organizations.

The 11-session dialogue series is built around an online curriculum of readings and documentaries and weaves in family stories, economic class, and political and regional identity.

The curriculum update includes freshened materials and an adjusted framework to better guide lay leaders as they ground the sessions in a call to faith, hope, and love.

The new materials invite participants to contextualize what they are learning by identifying local issues of racial inequity or historical harms; connecting with local groups working to repair harm—and to consider how they and their congregation might engage with efforts to address racial injustice.

“Nearly a decade into its life, Sacred Ground continues to be a transformational experience for thousands of people every year,” said Andrea Lauerman, Sacred Ground coordinator. “With that in mind, the job of the curriculum review team was to make sure that the program meets the needs of today’s community while maintaining what has made it so impactful. We remain open to feedback and plan to make updates on an ongoing basis.”

Content provided by The Episcopal Church Office of Pubic Affairs.

Are You Ready for Election Day?

Election Day is approaching, and now is the time to make sure you and your neighbors are ready to participate. Voter registration deadlines vary by state, and some are only weeks away. 

As Episcopalians, we are called to engage faithfully in our common life. Our baptismal covenant calls us to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves; to strive for justice and peace among all people; and to respect the dignity of every human being. 

Participating in our elections, helping our neighbors participate, and making space for every eligible voter to be heard are ways we can put those promises into practice. Voting is a commitment to our communities and to seeking the common good. 

Now is the time to prepare. Use the resources below to ensure you’re ready for Election Day: 

• State voter registration deadlines are approaching – check the deadline in your state. 
• Are you registered? Check your registration or register today. 
• Help your neighbors do the same by sharing these links with them. 
• Then, make a plan to vote. Different states have different rules about voting by mail, voting early, and tracking your ballot. In-person excused or no-excuse early voting may also be available in your state. Check your options, and make a plan.
• Finally – If you are not already part of our monthly Vote Faithfully networking calls, we would love to have you join us. Register here. The next one is on Oct. 1. Kent Anker, The Episcopal Church’s chief legal officer, will be joining to discuss election-related questions and concerns. 

We encourage you to bookmark The Episcopal Church's election engagement webpage and share it with others in your congregation, diocese, and community. 

Content provided by The Episcopal Public Policy Network.

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.