Bishop Doug Sparks

Lambeth Conference 2022 - Day Two

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On day two of The Lambeth Conference, Bishop Doug Sparks has a conversation with Bishop Charlie Murry, Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Newcastle, Australia, and Bishop Matthew Cowden, Bishop Coadjutor in the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia and former rector of Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in South Bend. Watch the video below.

Indiana Bishops Oppose Permitless Carry

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Last night, Governor Holcomb signed into law House Bill 1296, which eliminates the need for citizens of Indiana to obtain a license in order to carry a handgun. Last week, Bishop Jennifer and Bishop Doug Sparks of Northern Indiana sent a letter to Governor Holcomb asking him to veto the measure.

Dear Governor Holcomb:

House Bill 1296, which would eliminate the need for citizens of our state to obtain a license in order to carry a handgun, has made its way to your desk. This is an ill-considered piece of legislation that will make our state a more dangerous place to live, and we urge you to veto it.

Evidence from across our country confirms that states with stricter gun laws experience fewer gun deaths. Yet this legislation would mean that it would be even more difficult to keep guns out of the hands of people who should not have them, even as gun violence in our state is on the rise. This is, no doubt, why it is opposed by the Indiana State Police and law enforcement officials across the state.

Indiana’s rate of gun deaths increased 30 percent from 2010 to 2019, compared to a 17 percent increase nationwide, according to data gathered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The rate of gun suicides increased 19 percent during that same period, compared to a 13 percent increase nationwide, and the rate of gun homicides increased by an alarming 57 percent compared to a 26 percent increase nationwide. During the COVID-19 pandemic, gun violence continued surging: 2021 was Indianapolis’s deadliest year yet.

This escalating violence takes a particular toll on our most vulnerable communities. Gun violence is the leading cause of death among children and teens in our state. It wreaks vastly disproportionate devastation on communities of color, and during the pandemic, it posed a singular danger to domestic violence victims who were not able to flee their gun-owning abusers, and to people struggling with mental health issues.

We Hoosiers are hardy people, and we do not expect our elected officials to solve all of our problems for us. But we should be able to rely on the state legislature not to make our state more violent and not to place its people at greater risk.

We are participants in Bishops United Against Gun Violence, a network of more than 100 Episcopal bishops working to curtail the epidemic of gun violence in the United States. We acknowledge the importance of Second Amendment rights, but we object when those rights are understood so broadly that vulnerable people are put at risk. The current handgun licensing law does not present an undue burden on gun ownership, and our state will be safer if we keep it on the books.

We strongly urge you to oppose this legislation.

Faithfully,

The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows       The Rt. Rev. Dr. Douglas E. Sparks
Bishop of Indianapolis                                        Bishop of Northern Indiana

Pastoral Letter Regarding Updated COVID-19 Guidelines

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December 29, 2021

Dear Siblings in the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana,

Grace and peace be with you in Jesus, the Light for all people!

As we face a rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalization rates in our area and the arrival of the new Omicron variant to Indiana, it is important that we revisit our diocesan COVID-19 guiding principles. As you may know, the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana is spread across 31 counties. The Indiana COVID-19 Dashboard and Map advisory level graphic was updated this afternoon. It currently reports that 19 of the 31 counties within our diocese are currently in the red advisory level. Those counties are Lake, Newton, Porter, Jasper, LaPorte, Starke, Marshall, Elkhart, Kosciusko, Wabash, Whitley, Noble, LaGrange, Steuben, DeKalb, Carroll, Howard, Grant, and Jay. The remaining 12 counties are currently in the orange advisory level. 

You may recall that in May 2020, nearly two months after closing all our physical spaces due to the outbreak of COVID-19, I released a pastoral plan, in collaboration with clergy and lay leaders from across the diocese, for how we could begin to regather in-person for worship. Together, we lived into those guidelines for several months. As we have learned more about COVID-19 and vaccines became widely available, we revised and updated our diocesan guidelines. In May 2021, we released guiding principles for each faith community to consider given their particular context. Each faith community has chosen to implement these guidelines differently based on what their clergy and lay leadership felt was right for their situation. 

The missioners and I met last week and discussed any revisions that may need to be made to our plan given our current situation. Therefore,effective January 1, I am requiring that proper masks be worn inside the buildings of our faith communities if the county in which your building is located and/or the county(s) where a significant number of parishioners live are in the red advisory level as shown by advisory level graphic on the Indiana COVID-19 Dashboard and Map. Clergy, readers, and choirs, can continue to remove their mask while speaking or singing if they are fully vaccinated, including having received a booster shot, and are speaking or singing in a location significantly distanced from the congregation as we know being able to read lips helps those with hearing difficulties. In addition, I strongly encourage each faith community to review their current operating procedures and to tighten up their COVID guidelines where they may have gotten a bit lax. Examples could include returning to tracking who is attending each service, reinforcing physical distancing in pews and during hospitality, and ensuring access to hand sanitizer and masks. Please also continue to provide services and formation opportunities in a hybrid format whenever possible.

Lastly, I want to reiterate the importance of getting vaccinated and receiving the booster shot. Doing this lessens your chances of getting sick with COVID-19 and requiring hospitalization. In addition, getting vaccinated and boosted helps to protect those around you who may not be able to receive the vaccine due to their age or other health concerns. Please consult with your doctor and do this at your earliest opportunity. 

As of the 28th of December 2021, 54,144,941 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the United States and 841,984 persons have died. Let’s continue praying for the healing of those who are infected with COVID. Pray for the health care professionals who are taking care of those infected. And pray for all who mourn those who have died. May those who have died, rest in Christ’s peace and rise in Christ’s glory.

Doug (he/him/his)

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

Photo credit: Indiana COVID-19 Dashboard and Map website

Indiana Bishops Oppose Elimination of Gun Licenses

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On March 9, Bishop Doug Sparks and Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows sent the following letter to Governor Eric Holcomb urging the opposition of House Bill 1369. A copy of the letter was sent to all members of the Indiana Senate.

Dear Governor Holcomb:

The Indiana House recently passed House Bill 1369, which would eliminate the need for citizens of our state to obtain a license in order to carry a handgun. This is an ill-considered piece of legislation that will make our state a more dangerous place to live, and we urge you and the members of the Indiana Senate to oppose it.

Evidence from across our country confirms that states with stricter gun laws experience fewer gun deaths. Yet the House is proposing to get rid of a law that helps to keep guns out of the hands of people who should not have them, even as gun violence in our state is on the rise.

Indiana’s rate of gun deaths increased 30 percent from 2010 to 2019, compared to a 17 percent increase nationwide, according to data gathered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The rate of gun suicides increased 19 percent during that same period, compared to a 13 percent increase nationwide, and the rate of gun homicides increased by an alarming 57 percent compared to a 26 percent increase nationwide.

These are alarming statistics, but they don’t tell the whole story. This escalating violence takes a particular toll on our most vulnerable communities. Gun violence is the leading cause of death among children and teens in our state. It wreaks vastly disproportionate devastation on communities of color, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, it poses a singular danger to domestic violence victims who may not be able to flee their gun-owning abusers, and to people struggling with mental health issues.

If passed, House Bill 1369 would also intensify the danger faced by law enforcement officers across our state. And that, no doubt, is why it is strongly opposed by the Indiana State Police.

We Hoosiers are hardy people, and we do not expect our elected officials to solve all of our problems for us. But we should be able to rely on the state legislature not to make our state more violent and not to place its people at greater risk.

We are participants in Bishops United Against Gun Violence, a network of more than 100 Episcopal bishops working to curtail the epidemic of gun violence in the United States. We acknowledge the importance of Second Amendment rights, but we object when those rights are understood so broadly that vulnerable people are put at risk. The current handgun licensing law does not present an undue burden on gun ownership, and our state will be safer if we keep it on the books.

We strongly urge you to oppose this legislation.

Faithfully,

The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows
Bishop of Indianapolis

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

Cc: Members of the Indiana State Senate

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

View a PDF of the letter here.

We Acknowledge...We Lament...We Repent of the Sin of Racism!

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A Joint Statement from the Bishops of Indianapolis and Northern Indiana Regarding a Phased-in Approach to Regathering

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May 1, 2020

Dear People of God in the State of Indiana,

The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows XI Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis

The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows
XI Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis

As you may have heard, Governor Holcomb this afternoon sketched out a five-phase roadmap that he hopes will return our state to pre-pandemic levels of openness and activity by July 4. Under this plan, communities of faith can return to worship in their buildings beginning on May 8.

In granting this permission, however, the governor made it clear that he would prefer that churches continue to worship online, or outdoors, rather than in person, and he expressly asked Hoosiers over 65 remain at home. We appreciate both the governor’s commitment to freedom of religious expression and his candid admission that gathering to worship in person still poses risks to people of faith and those with whom they come in contact.

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

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

We remain committed to doing everything we can to slow the spread of the pandemic. For that reason, we will not be reopening our church buildings for in-person worship this month. The restrictions that Bishop Baskerville-Burrows announced on March 24 and that Bishop Sparks announced on March 26 remain in effect, and we urge that you continue to observe them.

Like so many of you, we are eager to return safely to our church buildings and look forward to celebrating the Eucharist with the people of our diocese. But we must do so with the utmost care, or else we put the lives of vulnerable people at risk. To help guide us in this endeavor, we will release a detailed plan next week explaining the conditions and sketching out a possible timeline for a return to our church buildings. The plan will require some serious thinking on the part of each congregation about the ways a return to in-person worship might best be achieved, and we urge you to begin giving this some thought immediately.

In his recent Word to the Church, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry wrote: “As our seasons of life in the COVID-19 world continue to turn, we are called to continue to be creative, to risk, to love. We are called to ask, What would unselfish, sacrificial love do?”

We believe unselfish, sacrificial love requires abstaining a while longer from worshipping in person. We invite you to embrace this discipline as a way to express your care for the most vulnerable among us. You are in our prayers, and we will be in touch again soon.

Faithfully,

The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrow
XI Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis

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

Pastoral Letter: COVID-19

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13 March 2020

Dear Sisters, Brothers, Siblings,

Grace and peace be with you in Jesus, our Crucified and Risen Savior!

As I am sure you are aware, the guidance from public health authorities about how to slow the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, is changing by the hour. There are many unknowns about this public health crisis, but this much is clear -- social distancing is an essential part of our collective response.  As People of God, it is our moral, civic, and spiritual obligation to care for one another by taking the necessary steps to slow the spread of this virus while continuing to serve our communities with generosity, hope, and joy.

Throughout the week, I have received council and advice from our Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry and my Bishop Colleagues in Michigan, Chicago and Indianapolis, Episcopal Relief and Development and the Office of Government Relations of the Episcopal Church.  I also consulted with Clergy and Lay Leaders of our Faith Communities via a ZOOM Conference Call earlier today.  During our conference call, we arrived at a consensus that all in person public worship will be suspended until the end of March.  This includes Mid-Week Services, Bible Study and Vestry Meetings for example. We will revisit this decision and may need to extend this suspension for a longer time.

This hiatus, which a colleague of mine called a Lenten fast from public worship, offers an opportunity for us to explore alternative expressions of worship. Beginning this Sunday, 15 March, I will offer online worship via a link.  For those unable to connect online, I encourage you to pray using the Book of Common Prayer, especially the Services of Morning Prayer, Noon Day Prayer, Evening Prayer and Compline.  As part of your prayers, please remember those who are ill with the virus…for their healing and recovery; for all health care professionals and for those who have died from the virus and those who mourn their deaths.

Out of an abundance of caution, I encourage you to not gather in person but look for ways to gather on the phone or online.  Our clergy will certainly be following up with their wardens and vestry members to ensure that those who live alone or are in particularly challenging circumstances are cared for and remain connected to their faith community.  Our clergy will also continue in their good work of pastoral care via phone and email.

Many of our faith communities make their buildings available to groups in the wider community.  Until further notice, those space sharing partners should suspend their meetings.

While the Missioners and I will continue working, I am encouraging them to work remotely as much as possible.  Please know that you can reach them or me via email or by phone.

In the midst of these days, there will need to be Pastoral Accommodations made for various circumstances.  For example, the Visitation and Requiem Eucharist for Sylvia Little is this coming Monday, 16 March at the Cathedral of St. James.  People are coming from long distances for the service and to support and comfort Bishop Ed and his family.  However, if you are part of the vulnerable population at greater risk of infection, I urge you to watch the service via livestream.  We also hope to have a Gathering at a later date to give thanks for Sylvia’s life and ministry.

In conclusion, I want to assure you of my prayer and support during these challenging and anxious times.  We are called to be People of Hope even in the midst of worry and confusion!  I am committed to remaining in touch with you on a regular basis.

“Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine:  Glory to God from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen!”  Ephesians 3:20,21

This comes with a brother’s love,

Doug

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

*We have added a page on our website for COVID-19 updates from the Diocese. Resources will be added throughout the evening and weekend. Please visit this page for the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 from the Episcopal Church.

A Message from Bishop Doug Regarding Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)

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Dear Sisters, Brothers, Siblings,

As you know, we are receiving daily updates from federal health officials regarding the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019, also known as COVID-19.  I am writing to provide you with information and sensible practices, in hopes of limiting the spread of this virus. 

During this time, the following adaptations in our worship should be implemented.  These adaptations are based on advice from a variety of sources from Episcopal Relief and Development, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, the Indiana State Department of Health, and Mayo Clinic.

Episcopal Relief & Development is updating this webpage with comprehensive resources about the virus, its cause and simple measures for its prevention.  Among the most important:

  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water, including after coughing, sneezing, handling diapers, preparing food or using the bathroom.

  • Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.

  • Stay home when you feel sick.

So that we can play our part in limiting the spread of an outbreak if it occurs in our region, I suggest that our faith communities consider the following temporary amendments to our liturgical and community practices:

  • Clergy and Eucharistic ministers can use hand sanitizer visibly when celebrating the Eucharist or distributing the elements and have it available for worshippers to use.

  • Ask worshippers to avoid intinction (the dipping of the host or bread into the chalice).

  • Use metal chalices rather than ceramic.

  • Remember that the Eucharist is complete when only one element (in this case, the bread) is received.

  • Replace hugs and handshakes at the peace with waves, elbow bumps, bows, or peace signs.

  • Pray for those who are ill and encourage them to stay home.

  • Remind coffee hour and feeding program volunteers to wash their hands and handle food with utensils or food safety gloves.

The Missioners and I are monitoring this on a daily basis.  If the Indiana State Department of Health reports confirmed cases of the virus in Indiana, we will communicate quickly to clergy and lay leaders with any additional recommendations they may suggest.

Our role as Christians, and particularly for those of us called to leadership in the church, is to help alleviate fear and anxiety with accurate information and support.  I want to thank Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows for the bulk of this text and her permission to share it with you.  I also want to thank you for your good work in attending to these suggestions and to commend to your prayer all those directly addressing the consequences of this virus.

Blessings these Lenten days,

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

An Update from Bishop Doug - September 2019

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A Letter From Bishop Doug

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The Reverend Susan Haynes

The Reverend Susan Haynes

Dear Sisters, Brothers, Siblings,

Grace and peace be with you in Jesus, the Light for all people!

Earlier today, the Diocese of Southern Virginia announced their candidates for bishop and the Rev. Susan Haynes, a priest of our diocese who serves as Rector of St. Paul’s in Mishawaka, is one of their candidates.  Please join me in praying for Susan and Tom and their children, Sarah and Avery as the public part of this process now begins.  The next step is the walkabout which will occur in September. The Electing Convention is scheduled for 21 September 2019.

As many of you know, the Rev. Thomas Haynes serves as Rector of St. Thomas / Santo Tomás in Plymouth. So, I invite you to pray for our siblings at St. Paul’s and St. Thomas’ as well.  The bond between a clergy person and those they are called to serve is deep. While it is a time to rejoice and give thanks for this potential opportunity for Mother Susan to be called to serve the wider church in episcopal ministry, this process profoundly affects the life of the faith communities of St. Paul’s and St. Thomas / Santo Tomás.

So, let us pray for all those involved in this process of discernment and election.

Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine:  Glory to God from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen!

Pentecost Blessings,

Doug

You can read the official release from the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia here.
You can read Mtr. Susan's announcement here.

Congratulations, Bishop Doug, on 35 Years of Priestly Ministry!

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The Right Reverend Dr. Douglas E. Sparks VIII Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Indiana

The Right Reverend Dr. Douglas E. Sparks
VIII Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Indiana

Congratulations, Bishop Doug, on the 35th anniversary of your ordination to the priesthood! The Diocese of Northern Indiana wishes to congratulate you, thank you, and offer prayers for you as you celebrate this milestone on Sunday, June 2, 2019.

Dana Sparks, spouse of Bishop Doug, has this to say about the past 35 years.

From ministering in St. Louis soup kitchens, to serving in a community with a thousand parishioners, and then driving the mountain circuit between five congregations in Colorado — from ministry on the North Shore of Chicago, to a small-town Wisconsin parish, and a larger program sized parish outside Milwaukee — then trekking halfway around the world to be dean of the national cathedral in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand — Doug’s faith and passion have been constant. Coming back to ministry in the U.S. brought us to a loving parish in Minnesota and now a loving diocese in Northern Indiana. 

Throughout the journey, Doug’s inclusive spirit, forgiving heart, and truth-telling witness have always brought a fruitful ministry. He’s so grateful to be your bishop, but also to be a servant with you in ministry … in this Beloved Community. Thank you for your prayers.

Please continue to keep Bishop Doug, Dana, and their family in your prayers. And we look forward to many more years of ministry with Bishop Doug as the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana!

Special thanks to Dana for providing the images for the photo gallery below.

Praying for Pete and Chasten Buttigieg

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Pete and Chasten’s wedding on June 16, 2018 L-R: Bishop Doug, Chasten, Pete, Fr. Brian Grantz

Pete and Chasten’s wedding on June 16, 2018
L-R: Bishop Doug, Chasten, Pete, Fr. Brian Grantz

Dear Sisters, Brothers, Siblings of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana,

Grace and peace be with you in Jesus, our Crucified and Risen Saviour!

Earlier today one of our Episcopal brothers, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who is an active member of the Cathedral of St. James, announced his candidacy for president of the United States.

This is a unique moment and opportunity for us in the diocese to uphold Pete and his husband Chasten in prayer, as this very public journey unfolds.

"Holy Creator, you call us to live within a world that is constantly changing. Give us courage to face these dynamic challenges. Give us the skills to accomplish the tasks at hand. Remind us that in whatever work we do, we are called to be your servants."*

"God who calls us into life, we give thanks for Pete and Chasten. May they use the gifts with which you have empowered them in a meaningful way. May they meet challenges with grace and find joy in the road ahead." *

* both prayers from Celebrating at Home by Payden and Loving, copyright United Church Press, 1998

Every blessing,

Doug