Putting Ourselves Back Together:
A Sermon by Bishop Jennifer
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Bishop Jennifer preached at the clergy conference of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas on October 26. Excerpts from the sermon follow; read it all on the website.
Friends as we inch our way, two steps forward, one step back, out of this pandemic, we may have found much solace in the writings of the prophets and others who knew what it was to mourn the losses, count and grieve the deaths, tire of the isolation and separation. In the Diocese of Indianapolis we’ve been talking a lot about what it means to come back together. We’ve studied and discussed Priya Parker’s work so much—since early 2019, in the before times—that her name has become a verb. We’ve been Priya Parkering our meetings, gatherings, and conferences left and right.
I’ve encouraged our clergy and lay leaders to reimagine our return to our buildings, to regular worship, to whatever the new normal would be, knowing that we have been forever changed. How could we not be changed? Those of us blessed enough to see the other side of this Covid-19 pandemic. I’ve asked that we plan anew for what it will be like to re-enter buildings and rejoin our assemblies with all of the anticipated cautions and awkwardness and hopes for being together after such a time apart. Pre-pandemic, we took so much for granted. Now more than ever, we try to reimagine a welcome that gathers with intention and honors the gift of presence we offer one another. It is the minimum we can do for those are willing, able, and hungry to return.
But it can be hard to dream and reimagine regathering when you’re worried if our folks will be coming back. Not those who are unaffiliated, non-church goers, but those who were counted as steady and steadfast. If the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as all of the preexisting conditions that made for such a difficult 20 months for so many of us—systemic racism and white supremacy, the whittling away of social safety net structures, unlivable wages, and the ongoing threats to democracy—if our economy is being reshaped before our very eyes, if housing patterns, class and social mobility paths are being bulldozed, and public health supports are being deconstructed in front of us, how could we possibly imagine that the church would be unaffected?
image: Bishop Jennifer with author Priya Parker at the Diocese of Texas clergy conference earlier this week
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This Band of Sisterhood Webinar Tonight
A conversation with the first Black female diocesan bishops
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On October 27 at 7 p.m. Eastern/6 p.m. Central, Westina Matthews, editor of "This Band of Sisterhood," will host an online conversation with Bishop Jennifer and Bishops Carlye J. Hughes of Newark, Kimberly Lucas of Colorado, Shannon MacVean-Brown of Vermont and Phoebe A. Roaf of West Tennessee.
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Bishop Jennifer Receives Honorary Doctorate |
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The Most Rev. Thabo Makgoba, primate of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa and bishop of the Diocese of Cape Town, was the other honoree.
image (l-r): Greg Sterling, Dean of Yale Divinity School; the Bishop and family; Andrew McGowan, Dean of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale; and James Elrod, Chair of the Berkeley Board of Trustees
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Diocesan Convention is November 13
Registration Closes Friday
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The 184th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis will be held in a hybrid format on Saturday, November 13 at the Embassy Suites in Plainfield from 9 a.m. Eastern/8 a.m. Central to 4 p.m. Eastern/3 p.m. Central. Hotel accommodations are available for the night of November 12.
Clergy and delegates are welcome to join in person or via Zoom. To participate in person, attendees will need to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test taken within the previous 48 hours. All in-person participants will be required to wear masks at all times during convention. A Zoom option is available for those wishing to participate remotely.
Alternates and guests are invited to watch a livestream via YouTube.
Registration: Deadline October 29
Registration is now open. All delegates and clergy must register and indicate whether they will participate in person or via Zoom.
The fee for in-person or online participation is $75. Registration closes on October 29. No refunds will be given after November 5. Register here.
Hotel Reservations
Reserve a room for the night of November 12 at the Embassy Suites Plainfield using the code EDC. Reservations can also be made by calling: 1-800-EMBASSY (1-800-362-2779).
Pre-Convention Hearing on November 6
A pre-convention hearing will take place on November 6 at 10 a.m. Eastern/9 a.m. Central on Zoom.
Budget
The following documents will be reviewed and voted on at convention:
Constitution and Canons
Resolutions
View a resolution to be considered. Note this resolution was received after the deadline, and will need to be proposed from the floor during convention.
Nominations
Social Gatherings
The diocese will host two social gatherings at convention. Social distance will be observed and masks will be required when not eating or drinking.
- Heavy appetizers and beverages in the lobby and outdoor areas at 6 p.m. on Friday
- Snacks following the conclusion of convention on Saturday.
Banners
Participants are invited to bring parish banners, signs or flags for the opening and closing worship services. Please make sure to bring the banner stand. Parishes are also invited to provide a photo or two for a slide show. Photos may be emailed to Joanna Benskin.
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St. David's Blanket Drive |
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Fall Events at Holy Family, Fishers |
Trunk or Treat on October 29
Halloween Bloodmobile on October 31
Holy Family in Fishers will host its annual Halloween blood drive bloodmobile on Sunday, October 31 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Eastern/1 to 3:30 p.m. Central. Learn more and sign up. Email Jolene Johnston with questions.
Fall Bazaar on November 20
Holy Family will host a Fall Bazaar on Saturday, November 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern/9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Central. Interested vendors should register online before November 10. Please email the coordinators at [email protected] for more information.
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Illuminations of Love Art Exhibit |
The exhibit will be available during daylight hours throughout the fall as weather permits. Reflections on the exhibit are accessible on mobile device and QR codes at each station. Printed booklets are also available.
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Sign up for Campus Tours at St. Richard's |
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Individual tours, one family at a time, will be held in a one-way traffic pattern through the campus and will include an opportunity to talk with current parents, leadership, and the admissions team. Advance registration is required.
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Director of Communications |
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Trinity, Indianapolis is seeking a director of communications to develop, coordinate, and implement communication efforts in support of the mission and ministries of the parish.
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Trinity, Indianapolis is seeking a director of operations to oversee all matters pertaining to facilities, finances, human resources, information technology, office administration and support of ministries.
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Listen to Spade, Spoon, Soul Podcast on Podbean |
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The third episode of Bishop Jennifer's new podcast, "Spade, Spoon, Soul," is now available. The podcast focuses on the intersections of food and faith and is co-hosted by Good News Gardens Coordinator Brian Sellers-Petersen and Jerusalem Greer, the Episcopal Church's staff officer for evangelism.
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Welcoming Afghanistan Allies |
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Thousands of Afghans have now arrived at Camp Atterbury, located southeast of Indianapolis. To welcome them, please purchase items from this Amazon wish list and also this list of needed items. Please do not collect used clothing or other used items, which are not accepted for donation.
Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM), the refugee and migration ministry of the Episcopal Church, is one of nine national refugee resettlement agencies tasked with supporting Afghans who arrive with what the federal government calls parolee status. Visit the EMM website to learn about ways Episcopalians can help.
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CDC Guidelines, Regathering Guidance |
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As a reminder, Bishop Jennifer recommends that congregational regathering teams continue to meet regularly, monitor local conditions, and make changes when necessary. Read more.
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COVID-19 Vaccinations in Indiana |
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Anyone age 12 and older may schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment. In addition, the CDC now recommends booster shots for individuals over 18 who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Recipients of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines should receive a booster shot if they are over 65, have an underlying medical condition, or live or work in long-term care orhigh risk settings.
Learn more at ourshot.in.gov, or call 211 (866-211-9966.) Walk-in appointments are also accepted at most vaccination sites.
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Bishop's Office Will Process Online Gifts to Congregations at No Cost |
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While congregations are not meeting in person due to the coronavirus pandemic, the bishop's office will process online gifts on behalf of congregations, and will absorb all payment processing fees.
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October 31: All Saints, Indianapolis | The Rev. Sam Vaught
In October we pray for those affected by domestic violence (Domestic Violence Awareness Month)
November 7: The Bishop and staff of the Diocese of Indianapolis: The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows; Canon Brendan O’Sullivan-Hale; The Rev. Canon Kristin White; Ms. Janet Brinkworth; Ms. Kim Christopher; Ms. Jen Phelps; The Rev. Mary Taflinger; Ms. Erinna Vandever; The Rev. Fatima Yakubu-Madus
In November we pray for the Convention Delegates, the Neighborhoods of the Diocese, and all those involved in our Annual Convention.
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If you would like to have something published in the newsletters, or want to send suggestions or questions about diocesan communications, please email [email protected]. The deadline for each week's issue is Monday at 5 p.m. Eastern/4 p.m. Central.
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