Statement from the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana and Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis Reunification Discernment Committee

April 12, 2023

On March 17-18, the Reunification Discernment Committee held its initial meeting in Kokomo, Ind. In attendance were the 12 appointed members of the committee (six from each diocese), Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis, Bishop Doug Sparks of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana, and the Reverend Jennifer Adams who is serving as facilitator of our process. In addition to these members, the bishops will each be appointing a chaplain to prayerfully support us in this work.

The initial meeting was introductory and organizational in nature while emphasizing both the technical and spiritual nature of this discernment. The first phase of work involves gathering data and stories from programmatic and organizational areas of diocesan life as well as exploring our own histories and entering into conversation with other dioceses who are themselves in similar discernment processes.

Over the course of this entire process we will be prayerfully exploring the possibilities and ramifications of a potential reunification, and submitting reports and recommendations to the appropriate legislative and leadership bodies. We will also want and need to hear from you, as we invite input and feedback at various steps along the way.

The committee itself has no legislative authority. Our work involves discerning and recommending faithful ways forward for our dioceses as we consider reunification. This process is in its earliest stages and we will be developing a timeline as we move. The committee will meet on an approximately monthly basis and will release updates along the way.

For now, we ask for your prayers and your patience as we begin a process to benefit our faithful now and for years to come,

Faithfully,

The Rev. Clay Berkley, At-Large Ms. Joan Amati, At-Large
Mr. Evan Doyle, Council                                        The Rev. Canon Jodi Baron, At-Large
Mr. Paul Kincaid, Standing Committee                  Mr. George Eastman, Standing Committee
The Rev. Canon Ted Neidlinger, Council               Mr. Greg Seamon, Executive Council
Ms. Brenda Rigdon, Council                                  The Rev. Allen Rutherford, Standing Committee
Ms. Stephanie Pawlowski, At-Large                       Ms. Katherine Tyler Scott, At-Large
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Douglas Sparks, Bishop               The Rt Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, Bishop