The Reunification Discernment Committee held an in-person meeting on 28 July, 2023 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Kokomo, IN. In attendance were the twelve members of the committee which consist of both clergy and laity along with Bishop Doug Sparks of the Diocese of Northern Indiana and Canon Brendan O’Sullivan-Hale who represented the Diocese of Indianapolis as Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows is currently on sabbatical. The meeting was facilitated by the Reverend Jennifer Adams who is serving as consultant for our process.

Bishop Sparks offered an opening prayer and reflection. The committee then spent some time reconnecting through conversation around what each member has enjoyed most and what has been most surprising in their work to this point. They reviewed their charge and the discernment process and next steps before breaking out into their four working teams (Programmatic; Organizational; Episcopate; Other Dioceses & Our History). 

Episcopal teens ages 16 to 19 are invited to apply to become part of the 81st General Convention’s Official Youth Presence, a group whose members have seat and voice in the House of Deputies and can testify at hearings before and during the summer 2024 convention. The deadline to apply is Nov. 17.

Up to two youth from each of the church’s nine provinces will be selected to participate in the Official Youth Presence from June 20-28, 2024, in Louisville, Kentucky. Youth who are selected must also attend orientation and training in Louisville from Feb. 16-19. The Episcopal Church budget covers travel, lodging, and meals for those attending orientation and General Convention.

Applications and nomination forms—in English and Spanish—can be found online, as well as additional criteria and information for potential applicants. Nominators must not be related to the applicant.

"I am delighted to invite young Episcopalians to apply for the Official Youth Presence,” said House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris. “The voices, experiences, and viewpoints of our young people are invaluable as we seek to discern God's calling for our church. Through the Official Youth Presence, we create opportunities for our youth to engage actively with legislative committees, learn about the governance and polity of The Episcopal Church, and build relationships across the church.”

Prior to diocesan convention there are several business items to gather/organize including:

• Submission of proposed resolutions for review by the Constitution and Canons Committee (Due to Missioner Michelle by 9/20/23);
• Nomination of potential Diocesan leadership for the positions of:
• Diocesan Council At-Large (one person; either clergy or lay)
• Province V Synod Deputies (three people; one clergy and two lay)
• Standing Committee (two people; one clergy & one lay). (Due to Missioner Michelle by 9/20/23); and
• Pre-convention Deanery meetings, which will each elect one clergy person to Diocesan Council. (Meeting dates to be announced by 9/30.)

Pre-filed resolutions can be submitted via email to Missioner Michelle any time through end of day 9/20. Suggestions on how to write a resolution are available at this link (How to write a resolution).

Nominations for Diocesan leadership can be filled out by either the person being nominated, or the nominator. If you chose to nominate someone for an office, please be sure they are willing to serve in that capacity. Nominations can be submitted via email to Missioner Michelle any time through end of day 9/20. Please use this form.

More information, including timelines and more, is available on our Diocesan website at ednin.org/conv.

Postulants and Candidates Retreat

Date: September 8-10

Where: Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center

2023 Fall Clergy Retreat

Date: October 9, 1 p.m.-October 11, 1 p.m.

Where: Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center

We are thrilled to share with you that our Clergy Retreat for October 9-11, 2023 will be entitled "Icons of Christ" and will be an icon writing retreat led by Pastor Kris Graunke, formerly of the Calumet Episcopal Ministry Partnership. Pastor Kris recently moved to Tennessee but is happy to return to lead our iconography retreat. With the help of two other iconographers/artists, she will open for us the beautiful world of writing icons. Regardless of whether you are an experienced or first-time iconographer, the retreat will be a blessed and holy time for you.

Save the Dates

2024 Spring Clergy Retreat

Date: May 13-15, 2024

Where: Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center

2024 Fall Clergy Retreat

Date: October 14-16, 2024

Where: Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center

Assessment calculations for 2024 are complete and available at the link below. In 2023, the Finance Committee recommended and Diocesan Council supported the reduction of each parish's assessment percentage by 1%, down to 14% (as calculated against the average of 3 years' worth of Operating Income). This is due in part to the sale of property and the reception of unexpected bequests. We are grateful for these blessings and are glad to be sharing them across the diocese, with each parish.

2024 Parish Assessments

Should you decide to request an assessment reduction, please review the links, timelines, and processes noted below. 

Please send your completed forms to Missioner Michelle

by Monday, September 11th.  

Assessment amounts and reduction request forms can be found at https://ednin.org/docs, under Assessments (Diocesan). Please note there are TWO forms to complete for a reduction request: 

• Application for Aid Through Assessment Reduction and a
• Financial History Form.

As always, if you have questions don't hesitate to reach out to Missioner Michelle.

UBE Sunday

Date: September 10

Sunday, September 10 is the Feast Day for the Rev. Alexander Crummell, a priest of the church who was the personification of the will to overcome racism during the 19th century, successfully confronting and prevailing over barriers erected because of his race. His work included founding an organization that opposed the creation of a separate missionary district for Black congregations. An outgrowth of his advocacy, the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) marks this day as UBE Sunday, a celebration for the whole church. 

Help bring awareness to an important saint of the Church and the work of UBE by observing Sunday, September 10 liturgically. Resources available for your use are bulletin inserts (half page or full page), a prayer litany, and a collect and alternate lectionary readings. Because this is a Sunday in “ordinary time,” you may use the alternate readings without permission of the Bishop (BCP, p. 16).

Season of Creation 2023

Date: September 1-October 4

Prophet Amos cries out: “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5: 24) and so we are called to join the river of justice and peace, to take up climate and ecological justice, and to speak out with and for communities most impacted by climate injustice and the loss of biodiversity. 

As the people of God, we must work together on behalf of all Creation, as part of that mighty river of peace and justice.

The Season Of Creation website has more information on the 2023 theme and a Season of Creation 2023 Celebration Guide with prayers and ideas to consider including an outdoor prayer service, creation walk or pilgrimage, sustainability event, or preaching about creation throughout the Season. Sign up for updates, and keep an eye out for an event calendar for virtual and in-person events around the world, and information on how to register your Season of Creation activities.

God Outside: Northern Indiana 

Date: Saturday, September 9

Time: 10/9 a.m. (ET/CT)

Where: Oubache State Park (Bluffton)

Date: October 7

Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (ET)

Food, fellowship, and fun for the whole family. Enjoy a wide range of entertainment, demonstrations, crafts, food, and other activities. Shop the auction for artisan crafts and unique experiences. Handicap parking and transportation are available.

• Free admission and parking!
• Festival proceeds support the mission of Camp Mack.
• Join us from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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.

Click here to read Province V's September newsletter.

Welcoming Refugees: A Small Episcopal Church Takes on a Big Challenge

Date: September 19

Time: 8-9 p.m. (ET)

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81246380265 (password: 5)

Our baptismal covenant asks, “Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?” And in the Bible we read and hear the call to welcome the stranger. As people of faith, we are asked to do these things, but in the case of the desperate needs of refugees and asylum seekers the needs can be overwhelming, especially if your parish isn’t large or wealthy, or if you just have no idea where to start.

One small church, St. John’s in Plymouth, Michigan, is now on the verge of opening “St John’s House for New Americans,” which will soon provide a comfortable home and needed social support for a large refugee family while they learn about their new environment and gain the ability to live in the US independently.

How is St. John’s, a small church made up of fewer than eighty families, able to do this? To find out, join us for this one-hour webinar on the evening of September 19.

Betsy Sole, the St. John’s parishioner who initially conceived of this two-year long project will share the story of how St. John’s, the Episcopal Diocese of SE Michigan, other churches, community organizations, businesses, neighbors, and Samaritas (the Lutheran Immigrant and Refugee Service's resettlement agency) have come together in a way that would have been impossible without the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit. They will be ready to welcome their first refugee family within a few weeks.

Are you near a higher education campus?

Would you like to reach out but don't know how?

Is your parish near an institution of higher learning? (this might be: community college, trade school, specialty training schools - anything that provides post-high school education)

We want to hear from you!

Province V is currently discerning if they should hire a person to be a "Campus Ministry Consultant." This person would work with parish leaders to help them build relationships with the faculty, staff, and/or students of nearby post-high school educational institutions.

If you would like to share your thoughts, questions, or ideas, please contact Heather at 989-413-3229 or [email protected].

More details about this discernment will be coming soon!