Statement on Immigration Detention Centers in Indiana

in

Dear Sisters, Brothers, Sibling in The Episcopal Church in Northern Indiana.

Grace and peace be with you in Jesus, the Prince of Peace!

Greetings from Santiago de Compostela where I am serving as a Volunteer Chaplain at Casa Anglicana, greeting pilgrims who are beginning or have completed their walk on the camino and praying with those who make their way to the church for a time of prayer and worship.

As many of you know, plans were announced several weeks ago about the possibility of using a State Correctional Facility in Miami County, in our diocese, as a detention center. Several clergy asked if it might be possible to address this concern as The Episcopal Church in the State of Indiana. In the midst of exploring that possibility, by God's providence, Bishop Tracy Malone, Resident Bishop of the Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church offered a compelling reflection on the proposed action and how best we, as Christians, might respond. With her "wholehearted" permission, Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows and I are sharing Bishop Malone's Statement throughout both dioceses. I share it with you for your reflection and action.

Every blessing,
Doug (he, him, his)

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Douglas E. Sparks
VIII Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

This past week we received the concerning news regarding the proposed development of immigration detention centers within our state. Even more troubling is the language being used to describe these facilities—“Speedway Slammer”—words that demean the humanity of those affected and make a spectacle of their suffering. Such rhetoric is not only dehumanizing; it is antithetical to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

To equate the pain and displacement of our immigrant siblings with entertainment or speedway culture is to disregard their sacred worth. It is a mockery of the divine image in which every person is created. Many in our Conference have expressed deep concerns about what such facilities would mean for justice, compassion, and the God-given dignity of every person—especially those who are most vulnerable among us. As the body of Christ, we must not remain silent in the face of language or policy that diminishes human dignity.

We recognize the complexities of immigration systems and the responsibilities entrusted to civil authorities. We understand the tensions communities face in navigating safety, law, and compassion. Yet our call as disciples of Jesus Christ is unwavering: to affirm the dignity of every person, to stand with the vulnerable, and to speak truth in love. We remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:35: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”

Some of you have reached out asking how you might faithfully respond. I hear your concerns and offer the following guidance:

  1. Contact your elected officials: Urge them to pursue transparency, accountability, and policies rooted in compassion and justice. You can find guidance on how to contact your representatives on our Conference website’s immigration resource page.

  2. Pray without ceasing: Lift in prayer all immigrants, refugees, and those impacted by our nation’s immigration policies. Pray also for those in positions of authority—that they may lead with wisdom, empathy, and moral courage.

  3. Reject Dehumanizing Language: Speak out against rhetoric that strips people of their dignity. Language matters. Let ours be rooted in love, truth, and the affirmation of sacred worth.

  4. Educate and Equip Your Congregation: Engage with trusted resources, stories, and testimonies that illuminate the realities of detention and displacement. Let education lead to empathy, and empathy to action.

  5. Partner in Solidarity: Connect with ecumenical faith partners and advocacy organizations that walk alongside immigrants and refugees. Offer tangible support. Be a presence of hope and healing.

May we, as the Indiana Conference, rise to this moment with courage and conviction, welcoming the stranger as we would welcome Christ himself. Let us multiply love, cultivate joy, and inspire hope—bearing faithful witness to the gospel through our ministry of hospitality, justice, and mercy.

Bishop Tracy Smith Malone
Indiana Conference

Latino(a) Ministry in Elkhart County

Yesterday, Bishop Doug was at St. James (Goshen) where The Rev. Nolan McBride was installed as Curate-in-Charge and The Rev. Deacon Edith Varillas and The Rev. Jerry Acosta were received into The Episcopal Church. We're excited about this step towards developing an intentional Latino/Latina ministry in Elkhart County! Watch the video below to hear from each of them.

Deacon Edith Varillas was ordained in the Anglican Diocese of Peru. She has been serving with the Anglican Church of Peru for almost 18 years. She has served in a variety of ministries, including chaplain at San Mateo Anglican school, leading missions in underserved and marginalized communities, serving at the altar, providing pastoral support, and preparing and mentoring lay ministers in their spiritual and biblical formation. She is deeply committed to restoring the connection between the church and the community. 

Deacon Edith Varillas graduated from Gamaliel Biblical Seminary and St. Augustine Anglican Seminary. She is married to Rev. Jerry Acosta, and together they have three children. In her personal time, she enjoys singing, playing the guitar, gardening and hiking.

In March of 2024 she moved to the United States to be closer to family and prayed that she could find a church in Goshen, IN where she could keep serving the Lord and her new neighbors in this new season and the Lord responded by guiding her and Fr. Jerry Acosta into The Episcopal Church. She now looks forward with great expectation to what God has prepared in this country and is ready to keep serving the Lord in this new community. 

Rev. Jerry Acosta was ordained as presbyter in the Anglican Diocese of Peru. He has served in various roles including presbyter of the Church of the Ascension, national administrator of the diocese, bishop’s secretary, and member of the diocesan board, faithfully combining pastoral ministry with administrative leadership.

Rev. Jerry Acosta has received his theological education at Gamaliel Biblical Seminary, The Evangelical Seminary of Peru, GMI Seminary of Peru, and through AETAL/Moclam studies. He has also pursued studies in economics and pastoral administration. His calling has led him to strengthen the connection between the diocesan structure and local church communities. He believes the church must walk in order, transparency, and with pastoral sensitivity.

He is married to Deacon Edith Varillas, and together they have two daughters, Jherlly and Stefany, and one son, Steven. Since March 2024, Rev. Jerry Acosta has been residing in the United States, motivated by his desire to be closer to one of his daughters, Jherlly, who has lived in the US since 2015.

2025 Sr. High Mission Week Recap

Last month, a group of 20 of our teens and leaders gathered to give back to our community. As you can see by the photos, we had a great group of people. Our group was able to do a landscaping renovation at St. Barnabas in the Dunes (Gary). We pulled weeds, planted flowers, and washed pews. Our big project was clearing the brush and trees around the driveway and through the woods from the back of the church to the main street so that the church can be seen from the road. 

We served at the Sojourner Truth House in their food pantry, built cabinets, filled backpacks for school aged children, paced boxes of housewares for folks who are needing a fresh start, and moved inventory from delivery pallets to storage locations. Brother Bob Overland also shared about his ministry with our group.

At St. Timothy's, we did a lot of landscaping around the building and gave them a fresh update. A parishioner commented to us after removing overgrown plants that the three name plates that were unburied were where the ashes of her husband, son and nephew had been laid to rest. Following our yard work, we had the opportunity to fill boxes and bags with fresh produce and packaged items and carry them to cars as folks pulled through the line for the afternoon food pantry distribution.

In the evenings, we walked the Stations of the Cross in St. John, Indiana, played foot golf, spent an evening at Bruce and Sandy Boyer's home while enjoying Lake Michigan and spent Friday at Deep River Waterpark. Many thanks to Kim and Larry Frank for hosting this large group of teens and to the adult chaperone's for sharing this week with our teens. Thank you to The Rev. Joe Czolgosz and The Rev. Tom Adamson for your spiritual guidance during the week. Thank you to Cindy Spice, Lisa Francis, and Mickey Gambetta for your hard work and guidance in chaperoning our teens.

Keep in mind that if your church has projects that you need done that the Sr. High Mission Team can possibly help. We love to serve our parish families. Please feel free to contact Carol Bianchini.