Episcopal eNews from Northern Indiana |
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Personal Update from Bishop Ed Little |
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Recently, Bishop Doug Sparks and Bishop Ed Little had a conversation regarding some exciting transitions happening in Bishop Ed's life. Watch the video below for Bishop Ed's personal update! |
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COVID-19 Vaccinations
Anyone age 12 and older may now schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment. Click here to register or call 211 (866-211-9966) if you do not have access to a computer or need assistance. Walk-in appointments are also accepted at most vaccination sites.
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Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation Prep. |
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The Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana began offering a preparation course for adult Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation at the beginning of 2021. This course, which runs year long, has a few different 'on-ramps,' meaning that even if you didn't start at the beginning of 2021, we've built in natural entries into the course. One of those 'on-ramps' is coming up on August 3. The course is taught by priests, scholars, and lay persons across the diocese, offering both a wide variety of perspectives as well as a depth of knowledge.
Alongside your parish priest’s spiritual direction and guidance, this preparation process is an offering for anyone interested in receiving the sacramental rites of Confirmation, Reception, or Reaffirmation. Through this course, participants will gain a better understanding of the responsibilities of Baptism and explore ways that their Christian commitment can be lived - all in the community and friendship of others within our Diocese.
If you are interested in receiving the sacramental rite of Confirmation, Reception, or Reaffirmation, please speak with clergy in your church and consider registering for this EDNIN offering which resumes on August 3, 2021. The course meets on the first three Tuesdays of each month from 6:30-7:45 pm on Zoom, while also including an in-person retreat and other opportunities for fellowship and service. Together, we will engage in a deeper understanding of our faith and explore how we can live faithfully as Christians in our world today.
Thank you to The Rev. Jen Fulton, The Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Warne, and Mr. Steven Slaubaugh for putting this curriculum together.
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St. Margaret's House
Kathryn A. Schneider Endowment Fund
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After 30 years of dedicated care and service to the guests and staff of St. Margaret’s House, Kathy Schneider recently announced her retirement, effective October 2021. During her tenure, Kathy has fully embodied St. Margaret’s House’s mission to provide loving hospitality to women and children in need, creating community and changing lives. Because of Kathy’s leadership, St. Margaret’s House is a shining light in the community of greater South Bend, allowing staff and volunteers to provide a place of respite; to supply women and children with food, clothing, laundry and showers; and to offer programming that helps women work toward their own success.
With gratitude for Kathy’s work, the staff and board of St. Margaret’s House have established the Kathryn A. Schneider Endowment Fund. The purpose of this fund is to provide ongoing staff enrichment opportunities, as well as to hire a summer intern annually. The endowment matches your gift dollar for dollar, resulting in a sustainable stream of income to ensure the mission of St. Margaret’s House will be fulfilled in the years to come. Contribution to this fund helps St. Margaret’s House to welcome the stranger, feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, tend the sick, and free the imprisoned from the bonds of poverty. (Matthew 25)
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Safeguarding God's Children Training
As you may know, Safeguarding God’s Children Training is a vital aid in the prevention of abuse in children. This training is mandatory for anyone working with children, for all paid staff, and for all vestry members. Sunday school will begin in most of our churches soon, so we want to provide everyone with the opportunity to complete this important training beforehand. Because the training will be offered on three different days, hopefully there will be a time and date that works for you. We will need to limit these trainings to 25 participants in order to make them more manageable. Of course, we also are happy to consult with any clergy in the Diocese who are interested in leading trainings on their own.
Reminder: If you have lay people in your congregations that have taken the in-person training within the last three years, they will only need to complete a refresher course online in order to stay current. The online refresher course is now available on a new website called Praesidium Academy. If you didn't receive an invitation to sign into this new site in mid-July, you will need to contact us for assistance.
The registration links for the different dates are below. Participants must register for these trainings no later than the day before each date. Please send this information on to anyone that may need the training.
Saturday, August 21, 3-6 p.m. (EDT)
Sunday, August 29, 3-6 p.m. (EDT)
Thursday, September 2, 7-10 p.m. (EDT)
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Recap: Sr. High Youth Mission Week 2021
On July 4-10, 2021 the Sr. High Youth from the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana gathered at Camp Mack for a week of mission. Each day following Morning Prayer, we broke into groups for our work projects for the day. Eight youth and six adult chaperones served our brothers and sisters at Camp Mack. We gave back to a community where we grew up going to camp and building our relationships with Jesus Christ and one another.
Our projects for the week included:
- Painting the outside of several cabins
- Weeding and clearing brush along some of the paths leading to water and boat front beaches
- Rebuilding and replacing a fence
- Prepping and stacking wood for campfires.
- Cleaned bathrooms and flipped the retreat centers to prepare them for the next group of guests and campers. We worked in the kitchen to help prepare meals and wash dishes after breakfast.
- Cleaned out a couple of storage rooms and helped to organize them for the future.
It was impressive to watch everyone work so hard. Following the work part of each day, we had a time had a time of fellowship for our evening activities. They included: archery, swimming, a game night, high ropes course and zip lining. We celebrated our last night together with Holy Eucharist in the Chapel. We are blessed in Northern Indiana to have some amazing youth that are being raised up. The highest compliment Camp Mack could pay was after the week of mission, I received a email that said they would be honored to have each and every youth participant apply to work for Camp Mack when they are 18. They were so appreciative of all of the work we did.
Youth present: Ethan Cash, Ani Fazzaro, Abby Gray, Heaven Riley, Jaclyn Shingler Skyler Weigel, Lucas Williamson and Riley Williamson.
Adult Chaperones: Fr. Tom Adamson, Fr. Michael Roeske, Carol Bianchini, Lisa Francis, and Megan Spice Frede.
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Fall Youth Retreat - Save the Date
Date: Friday, October 29 at 7 p.m. - Sunday, October 31 at 11 a.m. (EDT)
Where: Wawasee Episcopal Center (Syracuse)
Cost: $25 per person
All Jr./Sr. high students, are invited to attend a retreat at the Wawasee Episcopal Center. The Fall Youth Retreat will be a time to share how God is working in your life, as well as activities and time for fellowship.
Registration and Medical Forms will be live September 1.
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Recovery Ministries of The Episcopal Church |
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Have you, someone you love, or someone in your congregation been affected by alcohol or drug abuse? Do you need support with understanding what addiction looks like and how to help? Would you like to be part of the solution in offering the grace and love of Jesus Christ to these lost sheep?
Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Church is a nationwide network of laity and clergy, dioceses and parishes, schools and other institutions with a common commitment to address the use and misuse of alcohol and other drugs in relation to the church’s mission. In the words of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, “In connecting our brothers and sisters with spiritual resources, in welcoming members of 12-step programs into an Episcopal faith community, and in strengthening Episcopalians in recovery to proclaim the Gospel in the world, they are bearing witness to the God who, Scripture tells us, heals the afflicted again and again. In helping people facing addiction, Recovery Ministries allows those same people to carry their recovery into the Church and to raise awareness among clergy and leaders about the disease of addiction and the redemption and grace found in recovery.”
Are you interested in participating in this new and vital ministry? The Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana is forming a group of concerned clergy and laity who would like to be on a commission to begin the process of joining the national group and offering support and resources here in this diocese. All anonymity will be respected. Please contact Sister Debra Susannah Mary Rhodes (Sister Debbi) at sisterdebbi.abbeymmr@gmail.com to express your interest or to learn more .
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Book Study: Braiding Sweetgrass
Date: September 15, October 20, November 10
Time: 7-8:30/6-7:30 p.m. (EDT/CDT)
Where: Zoom
Facilitators: Tamisyn Grantz, Steven Slaubaugh, and The Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Warne
Please join us for three sessions as we read and discuss Robin Wall Kimmerer’s insights into our relationships with creation, our history with Indigenous peoples, and how we might begin to transform our relationships with both.
“Drawing on her life as an indigenous scientist, a mother, and a woman, Kimmerer shows how other living beings—asters and goldenrod, strawberries and squash, salamanders, algae, and sweetgrass—offer us gifts and lessons, even if we’ve forgotten how to hear their voices. In a rich braid of reflections that range from the creation of Turtle Island to the forces that threaten its flourishing today, she circles toward a central argument: that the awakening of a wider ecological consciousness requires the acknowledgment and celebration of our reciprocal relationship with the rest of the living world. For only when we can hear the languages of other beings will we be capable of understanding the generosity of the earth, and learn to give our own gifts in return.”
Reading Assignments (ideally to be read prior to each session):
September 15: sections 1 & 2 (Planting Sweetgrass & Tending Sweetgrass)
October 20: sections 3 & 4 (Picking Sweetgrass & Braiding Sweetgrass)
November 10: section 5, epilogue & introduction to new edition (Burning Sweetgrass)
Books should be purchased on your own from your favored (hopefully independent or used) bookseller. Available directly from Milkweed Publishing in paperback for $18 milkweed.org. If you prefer audiobooks, it is read by the author which is a real treat! If purchasing the book is a financial hardship, please email the diocesan office at info@ednin.org and they will contact facilitators.
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EDNIN Creation Care on Facebook
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Creation Care Network of
Provinces V & IV Monthly Gathering
Date: August 2
Time: 11/10 a.m. (EDT/CDT)
Where: Zoom
We will welcome Phoebe Chatfield, Associate for Creation Care and Justice for the Presiding Bishop's office. Phoebe will talk about planning for the upcoming Season of Creation, and together we will review resources and share ideas. Phoebe will also share information on the 2021 United Nations Conference on Climate Change and the opportunity to apply to join the delegation. We will also discuss upcoming Creation Care events in our provinces and the larger Episcopal Church.
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Attention Knitters, Crocheters, and Crafters |
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Would you like to have your crocheting or knitting projects help a mariner celebrate Christmas while away from their loved ones?
Join us to meet Joanne Bartosik, Senior Manager of Development and Christmas at Sea, who is giving an overview of the Christmas at Sea volunteer knitting/crocheting program on Wednesday, September 15, at 12:00 noon Eastern via Zoom, hosted by the Diocese of Northern Indiana. Everybody interested in learning more about Christmas at Sea, or making items for the program, is invited to join us. Register here.
The program is part of The Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI), affiliated with the Episcopal Church, which began in 1834 with concerned citizens—people who saw a need and worked to meet it. Fostering relationships between mariners, shipping companies, and international governments, SCI’s staff and volunteers effect change in our complex world. Through ministries of chaplaincy, education, advocacy, and its volunteer knitting/crocheting program, SCI supports seafarers with what they need to make a difference in their lives and the world.
Today, men and women of the maritime industry improve our lives with the sacrifices they make to deliver goods from around the world to our homes and workplaces. As they have for centuries, hazards and difficulties remain characteristic to the mariner’s unique work and way of life. We do not act alone. SCI relies on and deeply values the support of faith-based communities who make our mission possible.
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Episcopal Public Policy Network |
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Action Alerts
The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations (OGR) identifies opportunities for Episcopalians to participate in our democracy. If there is a topic below that you are passionate about, please click the link and send a message to your members of Congress.
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Make "Lift Every Voice and Sing" Our National Hymn - The Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America were the first predominantly white denominations to include this hymn in their official hymnals and helped introduce the hymn to other mostly white denominations and congregations. Lift Every Voice and Sing is also the name of one of The Episcopal Church’s hymnals. Now, The Episcopal Church has expressed support for Congressman Clyburn’s legislation: In June, Executive Council voted in support of a resolution introduced by Vice President of the House of Deputies Byron Rushing asking the Office of Government Relations to advocate for the passage of this legislation. Please join us in urging your members of Congress to support H.R. 301 to commemorate the song’s lasting ode to Black Americans and freedom.
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Give DACA Recipients a Pathway to Legal Status - Passing the bill aligns with The Episcopal Church’s longstanding commitment to protecting Dreamers. The Church has advocated for passing the Dream Act since 2012 when it called on Congress to pass “federal legislation that presents a pathway to citizenship for undocumented youth and young adults.” Polls also consistently show that Americans across the political spectrum support providing Dreamers like DACA recipients with a pathway to citizenship, showing that passing one of these bills would garner public support across the country. We call on our community to contact their members of Congress to rise to the urgency of the moment and protect individuals who have called this country their home their whole lives.
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Take Action on Antimicrobial Resistance: A Silent Pandemic - Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites mutate and no longer respond to certain antimicrobial medicines like antibiotics. This makes infections harder to treat and increases the potential for the spread of disease and for severe illness and death. The current rise in antimicrobial resistance is driven by the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials, particularly in agriculture. The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the shortfalls and inequalities in our healthcare system, and The Episcopal Church has condemned these racial, socioeconomic, and ethnic inequalities and calls on governments to recognize and enact legislation that will correct them. Addressing antimicrobial resistance is one key element of a global health strategy that will address global health inequities.
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Congress Weekly
Date: Thursdays
Time: 1-1:30 p.m. (ET)
Congress Weekly is a fast-paced, 30-minute conversation about the policies and legislation we are advocating for. They take place weekly on Thursdays from 1:00-1:30pm ET. Registration is required. If you already registered for one of the first six sessions, you MUST register again using this link.
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Increased demands and stress have marked the work of priest over the last 18 months. Clergy who completed “Contemplative Renewal” had resources and companions that helped them maintain resilience and health. Are you looking for ways to be renewed in your sense of call and more ready for the next set of challenges that the future holds? Would you benefit from time away to deepen your spirit?
The Ecumenical Center for Clergy Spiritual Renewal (ECCSR) hosts a two-year “Contemplative Renewal” experience for early and mid-career clergy. The cohort of 19 men and women will discover renewal through the rhythms of prayer, Benedictine spirituality and community at Holy Wisdom Monastery, an ecumenical monastery outside of Madison, Wisconsin.
If you are an ordained priest currently serving half-time or more in a congregational setting, you are invited to apply for the next cohort, to begin in July of 2022. Funded by a Thriving in Ministry Grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc., this unique experience is available at no cost. Online applications may be completed at www.holywisdommonastery.org/eccsr starting October 1, 2021.
Co-Directors Rev. Jerry Buss and Rev. Nancy Enderle are available to address any questions. Please call us at (608) 836-1631 or email:
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United Thank Offering (UTO)
2022 Annual Grants
Applications Due: February 4, 2022
The United Thank Offering (UTO) Board is pleased to announce the availability of their 2022 UTO Annual Grants, with an application deadline of Feb. 4, 2022. These grants are awarded for projects in The Episcopal Church and throughout the Anglican Communion, each year with a different focus.
For 2022, the focus is Care of Creation: Turning love into action by caring for God’s creation to protect the most vulnerable — who will bear the largest burden of pollution and climate change — through justice, advocacy, environmental reparations, and the development of formational materials.
The United Thank Offering was founded to support innovative mission and ministry in The Episcopal Church and to promote thankfulness and mission in the whole church. One hundred percent of UTO thank offerings are granted the following year. These awards have supported everything from staff positions to conferences, creation of educational resources, and building projects.
Application information and forms are available here. Please note: The application deadline is earlier this year due to General Convention and Executive Council schedules.
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Commission on Ministry Continuing Education Grants
The following individuals have been awarded Continuing Education Grants through the Commission on Ministry.
- The Rev. Matthew Cowden - Doctor of Ministry in Preaching ($1,000)
- The Rev. Jen Fulton - Gathering of Leaders, Sewanee, sabbatical ($850)
- The Rev. Bernie Hartsough - Conversational Spanish lessons ($700)
- Marie Gambetta - Dove Faith Café Storyteller Training ($300)
- Steven Slaubaugh - Forma Conference & Bexley Seabury class ($350)
Here's an additional bit of great news - There are still monies left in the Continuing Education grant fund so if you discover an educational opportunity for which you would like financial support, please fill out the application and forward it to Missioner Michelle at info@ednin.org. The remaining monies are first come, first serve until they are gone.
Applications are open to clergy or parishioners at least 18 years of age who regularly attend a faith community within the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana. Grant awards are a maximum of $1,000 and may be used for continuing education to enhance your ministry.
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If you have not previously visited EDNIN Virtual Worship on Facebook, please do so and join us live throughout the day as you are available or go back when you have free time to watch the recorded videos. |
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News and Events from Around Province V |
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Chicago Bishop-elect Paula Clark's consecration...
Chicago Bishop-elect Paula Clark's consecration postponed, assisting bishop to be appointed [Diocese of Chicago] The ordination and consecration of Bishop-elect Paula Clark has been postponed from Aug. 28 to a date to be determined in...
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www.episcopalnewsservice.org
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Arab- and English-speaking Episcopalians form unique...
Two Episcopal congregations in Dearborn, Michigan - one Arabic-speaking, the other English-speaking - have been sharing worship space, liturgy, Bible study, conversation and food, and are partnering to create beloved...
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www.episcopalnewsservice.org
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Diocese of Southern Ohio elects George Wayne Smith...
Diocese of Southern Ohio elects George Wayne Smith provisional bishop. The Rt. Rev. George Wayne Smith, former bishop of Missouri, was elected provisional bishop of the Diocese of Southern Ohio during a special virtual...
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www.episcopalnewsservice.org
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Save the Date! Big Provincial Gathering
Date: April 29-30, 2022
Location: South Bend, Ind.
Friday, April 29, 10 a.m.
Opening Eucharist
Afternoon workshops hosted by networks
Evening free for affinity group meetings or exploring the city
Saturday, April 30, 9 a.m.
Keynote Address
Network reports
Leadership Coaching Project update
Synod meeting
Watch for more details here.
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News from Across The Episcopal Church |
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Q&A: Sandra Montes on 'Becoming REAL'
Earlier this year, Sandra Montes began a new role: dean of chapel at Union Theological Seminary. She first served there as an artist-in-residence for a week in 2019 and then became interim director of worship that August...
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www.episcopalnewsservice.org
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With more than a million children orphaned by COVID-19,...
More than a million children around the world may have been orphaned by COVID-19, losing one or both parents to the disease or related causes. Another estimated 500,000 lost a grandparent or another relative who cared for...
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www.episcopalnewsservice.org
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Online prayer service marks one year to 80th General...
The Episcopal Church's presiding officers welcomed other clergy and lay leaders and Episcopalians from across the church for an online prayer service on July 17 in what was to have been the month of the 80th General...
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www.episcopalnewsservice.org
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UPDATED: Online election concludes for committee to...
UPDATED: Online election concludes for committee to nominate presiding bishop candidates Editor's note: This story has been updated with the results of the sixth ballot.
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www.episcopalnewsservice.org
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Episcopal camps and conference centers reopen with new...
This summer, Episcopal camps and conference centers across the United States are reopening in-person programs for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic - for the most part.
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www.episcopalnewsservice.org
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At Union of Black Episcopalians conference, leaders call ...
The Episcopal Church is at a crossroads, church leaders said this week during the annual Union of Black Episcopalians conference and revival; if it is to flourish and maintain integrity, it must embrace a revolution in...
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www.episcopalnewsservice.org
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Q&A: Westina Matthews, on authoring 'This Band of...
The unique blessings, joys, frustrations, challenges and realities faced by the first five African American women diocesan bishops in The Episcopal Church are explored in candid conversations in " This Band of Sisterhood:...
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www.episcopalnewsservice.org
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In Haiti, Episcopalians stand at intersection of...
Despite the uptick in COVID-19 cases in the country and the ever-increasing violence in the nine days since Haitians awoke to the news that President Jovenel Moïse had been assassinated, Episcopalians there are trying to...
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www.episcopalnewsservice.org
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Episcopal Church voices support for Cubans taking to the ...
Earlier this week in response to rare anti-government street protests across Cuba, the Rt. Rev. Griselda Delgado del Carpio called Cubans to "Paz y Vida," or "Peace and Life." "Expressing concern and frustration is the...
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www.episcopalnewsservice.org
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'This is our Selma moment,' clergy leaders announce on...
Fifty-six years ago, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. led thousands of clergy and laypeople on a 54-mile voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery, the state capital of Alabama. On July 28, the Rev. William J.
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www.episcopalnewsservice.org
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Co-chair of Poor People's Campaign among nearly 100...
Nearly 100 protesters were arrested July 19 at a women's march in Washington, D.C., while advocating for legislation to protect voting rights and demanding relief for marginalized and impoverished Americans. The Women's...
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www.episcopalnewsservice.org
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Uncovering Indigenous boarding school history makes for...
They sat inside a dust-covered box that had been stashed away, untouched, for years: black-and-white photographs of Apache students who were among the first sent to a New Mexico boarding school bankrolled by East Coast...
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www.episcopalnewsservice.org
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Pastoral word from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry to the ...
To Bishop Griselda Delgado Del Carpio, to my brothers and sisters in the Episcopal Diocese of Cuba, and to all of God's children in your country, I greet you with the ancient words of the Apostles, "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and...
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www.episcopalnewsservice.org
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Presiding Bishop, House of Deputies President issue...
Presiding Bishop, House of Deputies President issue statement on Indigenous boarding schools. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and President of the House of Deputies the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings issued the following statement ...
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www.episcopalnewsservice.org
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Please email any events, articles, or notifications to be included in the next monthly enewsletter to Canon Christopher Hillak, Missioner for Digital Communications
by August 25. Thank you!
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The Episcopal Diocese
of Northern Indiana
117 N. Lafayette Blvd.
South Bend, IN 46601
(574) 233-6489
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