Bishop Doug Sparks

Pastoral Letter, Post Charlottesville - 15 August 2017

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Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Grace and peace be with you in Jesus, the Light for all people in the midst of the world’s darkness!

Like many of you, the events in Charlottesville this past Saturday have been shocking and disturbing for me.  It is troubling to imagine in 2017, that voices calling for the supremacy of the White race would be acknowledged much less supported.  In the Hebrew Scriptures, in the Book of Genesis, we affirm that every human person is made in the image and likeness of God.  In the Christian Scriptures, in the Gospel of John, we affirm that because God took on our flesh in Jesus, every human person is a beloved child of God.  As followers of Jesus, we are called to respect the dignity of every human being while at the same time striving for justice and peace among all people.  This striving calls us, in fact compels us, to name these actions of White Supremacy as sinful and to take action by standing in the midst of violence and hatred as witnesses for peace and reconciliation.

I have invited us, as Episcopalians in Northern Indiana, to adopt the Five Marks of Mission.  While each mark is important, I would invite you to reflect on the Fourth Mark of Mission at this time:  to seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation.  We are called as Disciples of the Risen Christ to engage in the difficult and risky work of advocating for transformation.  We are called to work for racial reconciliation and justice.  We are called to pursue peace.

Sisters and brothers, I invite you to pray for each other, especially for those who feel fearful, threatened or hopeless. As a visible sign, I also invite you to pray this prayer from the Book of Common Prayer 1979 for Social Justice with me: 

Almighty God, who created us in your image: Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 

I also invite you to act.  I invite you to look for opportunities within your families and households, in your neighborhoods and communities to engage in respectful conversations about race and racial reconciliation.

Let us strive to be ambassadors of God’s abiding love made known in Jesus and sustained and ever present in our world by the power of the Holy Spirit!

Every blessing,

Bishop Doug

EDNIN Ends Relationship with Howe Military Academy

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8 May 2017

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Grace and peace be with you in Jesus, the Risen Christ!

On Friday, 5 May 2017, at the Annual Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Howe Military Academy (HMA), I resigned as Chairperson and disassociated the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana from any ongoing relationship with the academy.  This action comes as a result of extensive conversations with both of my predecessors, Bishop Little and Bishop Gray, members of the Standing Committee and Diocesan Council and the Chancellor, Mr. Daniel Pfeifer.  (My letter is attached to this communication.)

The Episcopal Church and Howe Military Academy have been woven together since the academy was founded in 1884.  For most of those years, the Bishop served as President of the Board and exercised a much greater role in the day to day operation of the school, which included the appointment of a priest to serve as Chaplain.  As you can appreciate, the landscape of Military Schools has changed dramatically over the last 40 years.  Howe, like many other schools, has faced challenges of recruitment as well as those of aging facilities and a smaller pool of benefactors to support this manner of formation and education.  During the latter years of Bishop Little’s ministry, the Howe Bylaws were changed to make the Bishop Chairman of the Board, responsible for chairing Board meetings with voice but without vote except when there is a tie.  At the same time, these Bylaws added the roles of President and Vice-President, elected from among the Board members.  Bishop Little devoted an enormous amount of his time annually in support of the academy, and most importantly, in the pastoral care of the cadets.

During the last 3 – 4 years, the academy has struggled financially, to the point of facing the possibility of closing.  One of the many consequences of the school’s financial peril was the Alumni Association establishing itself as a separate 501.3c in order to continue to operate in the case of the academy’s closure.  A state of mistrust, suspicion and enmity manifested itself among some members of the Board, officers of the Alumni Association and the Administration at Howe.  Adding to the complexity, the Board of Trustees began a Search Process for the Head of School.  Bishop Little and members of the Standing Committee expressed specific concerns, in writing, regarding one of the candidates.  These concerns were ignored.

I arrived on 16 May 2016, and within a few days, I began dealing with various concerns at Howe.  I did so, in consultation with Bishop Little, with then Head of School, Colonel Douglass and with members of the Executive Committee.  While not yet ordained and consecrated, I participated at the commencement on 4 June 2016 because of our longstanding relationship with the academy.  In June and through August, I began working to find a chaplain. This involved working with the new Head of School, Colonel Osenbaugh.

My first Board of Trustees meeting in late August, included the election of a new President as well as a Parliamentarian.  My second Board meeting was in mid-October.  At that meeting, a conversation was convened among the Board Liaisons from the Alumni Association, the Head of School, the President and myself to see if there were a way forward toward reconciliation.  Members of the Alumni Association reached out to me and asked for my help in convening a future conversation.  During the week of 16 – 22 October, I spent a significant amount of time working toward reconciliation.  On Saturday, I was asked to chair the HMA Alumni Association’s Board Meeting, which included for the first time in some time, the Head of School and President.  As with most experiences of reconciliation, it was clear that it was going to take time for trust to be rebuilt but at the end of the teleconference, we had come to agreement on next steps forward for the Alumni Association and Administration.

In late November, an email was sent to the school from the Alumni Association indicating their desire to work collaboratively, as had been agreed to in October, with the Administration in planning the 2017 Alumni Weekend.  In early December, the Development Officer, with the support of the Head of School, replied to the Alumni Association representative that the Administration would be taking control of all the planning for Alumni Weekend.  I called to speak with Colonel Osenbaugh about these developments, and as our conversation unfolded, it became clear to me that the depth of mistrust and enmity between his administration and the Alumni Association was such that any hope of reconciliation was gone.

There were several other incidents at the school, that, as Chairperson of the Board, I should have known about which resulted in me calling the Head of School for clarity or update.  Dates were set for the Board Meetings before I began serving as Bishop and Chairperson.  Out of my desire to serve the academy and most importantly, the cadets, I asked if the January and March Board meeting dates could be rescheduled so that I could attend as Chairperson.  My request was not even referred to the Executive Committee for consideration.

It became clear to me that the Head of School and some members of the Board of Trustees no longer desired or valued the longstanding relationship with the Episcopal Church in Northern Indiana.  Therefore, I decided, after prayerful consultation and discernment, and with some sadness, to resign as Chairperson and disassociate the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana and my successors from any relationship with Howe Military Academy.

I honor the long history we have had with Howe.  I am profoundly aware of the affection its alumni, especially its Episcopal alumni, have for our diocese and the ministry of so many bishops and priests and lay persons from our diocese who have served there.

As some of you know, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church has used the Chapel of St. James as its place of worship for many years.  The way forward for St. Mark’s will need to be discerned in conversation with Howe, its Board and Administration.  Please uphold in your prayer all those engaged in these conversations…pray for the gift of a generosity of spirit.

Pray for all those whose lives are woven together at Howe, especially for the cadets and their families who entrust their sons and daughters to the care of the Howe Administration, Faculty and Staff.

Every blessing,

Doug

5 May 2017 Disassociation Letter

Thoughts from March House of Bishops ...

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16 March 2017

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Grace and peace be with you in the Crucified and Risen Christ!
My hope is that during this Lenten Journey, you are being invited to deepen your life in prayer, in the reflection and study of God's Word and in works of charity. I have just returned from the annual March House of Bishops Meeting, which was held at the Kanuga Conference Center near Ashville, North Carolina.

The theme of our gathering was Reconciling Leaders: Bishops in the Jesus Movement. We are committed to following Jesus into loving, liberating and life-giving relationships with God, with each other and with this fragile earth, our island home. In that context, we worked for three days in table conversations, listening to one another and learning skills to assist ourselves and the people in the dioceses we serve in our work of racial justice and reconciliation. This was intense and profound work, grounded in scripture study and common prayer. The Presiding Bishop's Canon for Evangelism, Racial Justice and Reconciliation and Creation Care, the Rev. Stephanie Spellers along with the Missioner for Racial Reconciliation, Heidi Kim, helped to frame our work within the Episcopal Church's vision recently adopted by the Executive Council. I have invited Missioner Heidi Kim to be our Convention Speaker in October. She is also going to begin working with our Racial Reconciliation Working Group.

At the end of each day, we gathered to celebrate the Eucharist. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry presided on the first day of our meeting and preached on the last day of our meeting. Other Bishops presided and preached each day and I was inspired by each of them. We had the opportunity as well for the Laying on of Hands and Anointing, for which I was most grateful.

It is the custom of the House of Bishops to assign each bishop to a class based on the year one is elected. On Saturday evening, our class went out to dinner. Many of our colleagues commented on how diverse a group the nine of us are: four men of color, three women (one of color) and two white men. I am thankful to be called to serve with these wonderful people in Episcopal ministry.

We had the opportunity to listen to our sister and brother Bishops who participated in the Standing as Stone Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral and March in Washington, D.C. on 10 March. We also received a presentation by the Rev. Mark Stevenson, the Director of Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM), on the current status of our work. EMM is one of only nine agencies that work with the Federal Government in resettling persons who are identified as refugees by the United Nations and Geneva Convention. I am so proud of the work of our church in this urgent ministry.

On Tuesday, we received updates on the preparations for the General Convention 2018 planned for Austin, Texas along with updates on various committees engaged in the various work between convention.

I so appreciate that the day to day life of so many of you is connected to the immediate context of your neighborhoods and communities, which is where your energies and efforts to engage God's mission should be. I'd also like you to know that we have brothers and sisters throughout the church who care about the ways WE are engaged in God's mission in the Episcopal Church in Northern Indiana.

This comes with a brother's love and blessing!
Doug

I Was a Stranger and You Didn't Welcome Me ...

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“I was hungry and you didn’t give me food to eat. I was thirsty and you didn’t give me anything to drink. I was a stranger and you didn’t welcome me. I was naked and you didn’t give me clothes to wear. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me. Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and didn’t do anything to help you?’ Then he will answer, ‘I assure you that when you haven’t done it for one of the least of these, you haven’t done it for me.”  Matthew 25:42-45

 Dear Sisters and Brothers,

 Grace and peace be with you in Jesus, the unwelcomed stranger!

 I am writing to remind us of our moral responsibility, as Disciples of Jesus, to welcome the stranger. In light of the recent Executive Action taken by President Trump, it is especially important to remember that our sisters and brothers seeking asylum from violence and persecution, not of their making, look to us for protection and safety. The crisis in Syria and the surrounding region is horrific and complicated.

 However, in the midst of this legal and global complexity, our responsibility to care for the innocent, especially the most vulnerable children, abides! 

 This is an invitation to take some kind of intentional action on behalf of these refugees and the scores of others who are affected by our country’s action. Gather with others in your town or city during a time of public witness. Reach out to a neighbor you don’t know and engage in a respectful conversation. Visit a mosque or Islamic Center near you. Write or call your representative or senator. Talk with the children and be a good witness. They are watching.

 In concluding, I ask you to intercede with unceasing prayer.

 - Pray for any unwelcomed stranger.

-  Pray for those in authority in our nation: the President, the U.S. Congress and Supreme Court, as well as all state and local leaders whom we put our trust in to make fair and equitable decisions for the good of our nation and the world.

-  Pray for those individuals in nations deemed a threat to us.

- Pray for every citizen in our nation during these troubled times.

When you pray, remember the last two questions in the Baptismal Covenant. Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?

Be assured of my prayer for each of you,

Doug

Serving as 8th Bishop of Northern Indiana

Evangelism Resources from December Enews 16 Dec 2016

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Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Grace and peace be with you in the Christ whose coming we await!

As promised, I've had Vestry Conversations with 28 of our 36 Faith Communities since June.   I've listened to you share what God is up to in your neighborhoods. You've shared your gifts, challenges, and possibilities.  You've provided me a glimpse into your lives as Disciples of Jesus, the Risen Christ.

One of the common themes that has surfaced in our conversations is summarized by the following question (or some variation of) "How do we get more members?"  At our Annual Diocesan Convention, you were invited to adopt the Five Marks of Mission as a framework to engage God's mission.

The Five Marks of Mission are:

  1. To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom

  2. To teach, baptize, and nurture new believers

  3. To respond to human need by loving service

  4. To transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation

  5. To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth

In my commitment to find resources that assist in implementing and living into each one of these Marks of Mission, I'd like to share the following. Let's start with resources for Mark 1...to proclaim the Good News of God's Kingdom. This is the work of evangelism, sharing one's faith story in such a way that it is received by another as a gift, an invitation.  Please consider and review the following two resources.

EVANGELISM MATTERS
In November, the Episcopal Church sponsored a gathering in Texas entitled EVANGELISM

MATTERS. On the website are videos of several keynote presentations, including one from

our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, along with all the panel discussions and workshops.  The URL link is www.evangelismmatters.org.  It is a valuable resource for your use in ongoing formation and commitment to Evangelism.

INVITE / WELCOME / CONNECT
Recently Bishop Duncan Gray, who has agreed to serve as my coach for my first three years in ministry as your bishop, introduced me to another resource.  It is called INVITE / WELCOME / CONNECT.  I've spent several days reviewing the resources on their website. The URL link is www.invitewelcomeconnect.com.  It is a process of training and instruction to prepare each of us to be more intentional in the work of Evangelism.  If there is an interest, I would be happy to follow up with Mary Parmer, who developed this process, by inviting her to offer a series of workshops here in Northern Indiana.  

If any of you are aware of additional useful resources in the work of Evangelism, please forward them to me so they may be shared it with others.

Advent Blessings,
Doug

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Douglas Sparks

Serving as the 8th Bishop of Northern Indiana

Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath 9 Dec 2016

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9 December 2016

Grace and peace be with you these Advent days...

This Wednesday, 14 December, is the fourth anniversary of the Sandy Hook School Shooting.  On that day, 20 children, ages 6 and 7 years, along with 6 adult faculty and staff, were killed.  This event initiated millions of people to take action on behalf preventing gun violence by urging state and federal legislatures to pass sensible gun legislation.

Stephen Miller and his wife, Joellen, who are members of the Episcopal Church in Northern Indiana, are traveling to Washington, D.C. along with many other survivors, this coming week to participate in a Vigil at St. Mark's Episcopal Church from 14 - 18 December, during the Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath.  Please uphold them in your prayer.

I invite you into a time of prayer, reflection and action during these days of sabbath.  Please find more information on the Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath here and at www.decembersabbath.org.

Advent blessings,

Doug

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Douglas Sparks

Serving as the 8th Bishop of Northern Indiana

Advent 2016 Video on Marriages and Blessings (2 Dec 2016)

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Advent Video

1 December 2016 The First Week of Advent  
ON MARRIAGES AND BLESSINGS  

Dear Sisters and Brothers,  

Grace and peace be with you in Jesus, whose coming we await!  

After prayerful and respectful conversations with our clergy, the members of the Standing Committee and Diocesan Council during the last six months, I have decided to allow same gender marriages and blessings to take place within our diocesan borders.  The actions taken by the General Convention 2015 in Salt Lake authorized same gender marriage and blessings beginning on the First Sunday of Advent, 2015 throughout the Episcopal Church and trial usage of marriage and blessing rites “under the direction and with the permission of” the Diocesan Bishop.  

During my first six months, I have been asked by ordained and lay leaders in some of our Faith Communities about the possibility of implementing a process which could lead to adopting a Marriage Policy (that would include both Same Gender as well as Opposite Gender Marriages) by the Rector, Wardens and Vestry.  It is in response to this pastoral concern for the people of our diocese, that I have made this decision.  

I would like to describe the process of implementation that I am asking all of us to adopt.  Let me share it by way of two scenarios.   

Scenario One

A priest in our diocese is asked by a gay or lesbian couple to witness their marriage. The couple have made plans to be married at the Century Center in South Bend and would like the priest to witness their marriage.  As the Church canons require prior to their marriage, the Member of the Clergy shall determine: a) that both parties have the right to marry according to the laws of the State and consent to do so freely, without fraud, coercion, mistake as to the identity of either, or mental reservation; and b) that at least one of the parties is baptized; and c) that both parties have been instructed in the nature, purpose, and meaning, as well as the rights, duties and responsibilities of marriage.  Furthermore, if one or both of members of the couple have been married before, an application for remarriage must be submitted to the Diocesan Bishop.  While it is not required by our canons, I have asked clergy who witness same gender marriages or blessings to let me know about it as a matter of courtesy, given the sensitive nature of this matter.   

Scenario Two

A gay or lesbian couple who are active members of one of our Faith Communities (Congregations) in the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana ask their priest to witness their marriage and to have their marriage take place in the church or chapel of the congregation.  Given the sensitive nature of this matter and because of my commitment to engaging in prayerful and respectful conversations around this topic, the priest will bring the couple’s request to the Wardens and Vestry.  The priest will facilitate a process of discernment and reflection, utilizing the material prepared by the Episcopal Church. This process may (or may not) lead to the adoption of Congregational Guidelines for Marriage.  This time of discernment and reflection should include conversations and forums in which all active members of the Faith Community (Congregation) are encouraged to participate.  I have encouraged our ordained and elected leaders in our Faith Communities (Congregations) to avoid having an up or down vote on the matter but rather to utilize a consensus process that I have found from experience to be most helpful.  This process of discernment and reflection will take time, but I believe it is time well spent in deeply listening to one another as God’s Holy Spirit guides and directs your conversation.  


If the Rector / Priest in Charge, Wardens and Vestry of that Faith Community (Congregation) adopt a Marriage Policy which includes witnessing the marriages of same and opposite gender couples, the same canonical requirements apply.  The Member of the Clergy shall determine: a) that both parties have the right to marry according to the laws of the State and consent to do so freely, without fraud, coercion, mistake as to the identity of either, or mental reservation; and b) that at least one of the parties is baptized; and c) that both parties have been instructed in the nature, purpose, and meaning, as well as the rights, duties and responsibilities of marriage.  Furthermore, if one or both of members of the couple have been married before, an application for remarriage must be submitted to the Diocesan Bishop.  Given the relational nature of our diocese, it is my expectation that I will be involved in conversations with the clergy and lay leaders of Faith Communities who want to be engaged in a process of discernment and reflection.  


I would like also to directly address the question of respecting theological diversity on this matter.  Quoting from the resolution, “that this convention honor the theological diversity of this Church in regard to matters of human sexuality; and that no bishop, priest, deacon or lay person should be coerced or penalized in any manner, nor suffer any canonical disabilities, as a result of his or her theological objection to or support for the 78th General Convention’s action in this resolution.”  From Canon 18.7, “it shall be within discretion of any Member of the Clergy of this Church to decline to solemnize or bless any marriage.”  It is a privilege and responsibility to serve as your bishop.  I take seriously our baptismal commitment to respect the dignity of every human being which includes honoring the theological diversity among us.  

Will there be challenging situations or circumstances for us?  Absolutely.  Is there a-one-size-fits-all pattern for these conversations?  No.  But together, we can demonstrate our reliance on God’s grace and manifest a generosity of spirit as we strive to live out the commitments of the Baptismal Covenant as members of the Episcopal Branch of the Jesus Movement!   

A WORD ABOUT BLESSINGS AND LIFELONG COVENANTS

There are often reasons why persons choose not to be married but have made a decision to establish a committed relationship with another person for the rest of their lives.  This is true for both opposite gender couples and for same gender couples.  Among the resources authorized for use in the Episcopal Church is a service entitled The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant.  This liturgical rite can be used, if requested, as a way of pastorally addressing the desire of a couple who are active members of one of our Faith Communities (Congregations) to have their relationship blessed by God in the midst of their Faith Community while not having a civil marriage.  The Member of the Clergy must obviously exercise great care and sensitivity in responding pastorally.  


The opportunity to bless a couple who have a civil marriage also continues and a revised liturgical rite has been provided by the Episcopal Church.  Resources for engaging in a process of discernment and reflection are available on the Diocesan website.  The Liturgical Resources approved by General Convention 2015 are already available on our website.  
Be assured of my ongoing prayer and support for you as you prayerfully consider how best to respond to the working of God’s Holy Spirit.  If I can be of any assistance to you, please call on me.  

Every blessing,  
Doug  
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Douglas Sparks, Serving as the 8th Bishop of Northern Indiana

Thanksgiving Blessings (23 Nov 2016)

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Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Grace and peace be with you in the Risen Christ whose coming we await!

As we gather around various tables the next few days, be assured of my prayer and support.  I am honored and humbled to serve as your bishop.

As many of you know, I have used prayers from various resources and would like to share two collects from a resource called Celebrating at Home by Payden and Loving copyright by United Church Press 1998.  One is for Thanksgiving and the other is a prayer for the end of the Church year.

I offer them as a gift of Thanksgiving while we also end one Church year and begin another...

Thanksgiving Prayer

Gracious Provider, it is from you that all good gifts come.  Hear our grateful praise to you this day.  Send your Spirit to join us in our feasting and celebration.  And when this day is done, remind us to be a daily reflection of your gracious compassion and steadfast love.  By our words and deeds we witness to your way and truly give you thanks.  In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray.  Amen.

Prayer for the Reign of Christ

Timekeeper of eternity, we come to the close of another church year.  It has be a year filled with joy and sadness, with possibilities and dashed hopes, with hope and despair.  As we have journeyed through this year, you have been our constant mark, our compass leading home.  Guide us again in the time before us.  Help us to keep the rhythm of the faith, day in and day out.  May we mark the seasons not by minutes, hours, days or weeks, but by words said and deeds done on behalf of Christ, our Sovereign and Savior.  Amen.

As you gather with your families and friends for various activities - such as serving at a local food pantry, with your Faith Community on Thanksgiving Eve/Day, OR on the First Sunday of Advent - would you please take some pictures and forward them to Missioner Michelle Walker at missioner.walker@ednin.org? We would love to assemble a collage of thankfulness images to share.

Every blessing,

Doug