Five Items to Virtually Connect Your Faith Community

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  1. Video capable smartphone or tablet. Tripod and holder recommended. (iPhone, Android, iPad, etc)
    The newer the version, the better the features/quality, but most are capable.

  2. Good Internet Access and Speed.
    Consider upgrading your facility Internet speeds. Contact your provider and explain that you want to be sure to have ample bandwidth to be able to livestream. Also, be sure you have strong WiFi signal where you are streaming. (Sanctuary, Parish Hall, etc). OR Physically move your router into the location you are planning to stream.

  3. External Microphone that works with Smartphone or Tablet.
    This is not necessary but will give better sound and flexibility.
    A couple options are: (Google search for retailers)
    - Rode Wireless Go - Compact Wireless Microphone System, Transmitter and Receiver $200.00
    - USB Microphone Snow Ball Kit $80.00

  4. YouTube and/or Facebook page associated with your Faith Community
    This would be the place that the live or recorded videos would be posted. Both sites allow for Live Broadcasting and even have some basic editing and production options that could be used.

  5. Laptop with video editing software

    1. Apple MacBook Computer and ECamm program subscription
      While this is a larger investment, it would open additional options for creating quality content.
      With a MacBook, an ECamm subscription. ($12/month) could be used.
      ECamm Live (ecamm.comis a versatile subscription program that allows you to easily produce and broadcast to YouTube and Facebook

    2. PC Laptop running OBS program
      OBS is an open-broadcast system that allows many of hte features of ECamm and works on a PC computer. The downside is it does not have the same simple user-interface of the ECamm program, so it will require someone comfortable with understanding and tweaking the settings. It is a very popular and highly used program.

Special Enrollment Period for Marketplace Health Insurance Coverage

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April 22, 2020 - Special Enrollment Period for Marketplace Health Insurance Coverage

Did you know that if you lost your job or have experienced a reduction in hours due to COVID-19, you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period for Marketplace Health Insurance Coverage (commonly known as Obamacare)? Visit https://www.healthcare.gov/coronavirus/ to learn more about this and other situations in which you might qualify.

Questions? Contact Canon Terri Bays, Diocesan Disaster Coordinator and NGO/Government Liaison

No Stimulus Check Yet?

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April 17, 2020 - No Stimulus Check Yet?

All US citizens who have not been listed as a dependent on somebody else’s taxes are eligible for stimulus checks under the CARES Act. Have you received your stimulus check yet? If not, check this website to make sure the IRS has the right information for you! https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments

Questions? Contact Canon Terri Bays, Diocesan Disaster Coordinator and NGO/Government Liaison

The CARES Act and You

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Did you know that the CARES Act expands and enhances the unemployment benefits available under State programs by expanding the availability of benefits to individuals who are not covered by a State program? This includes independent contractors and workers for non-profits and religious institutions. It also includes a short term compensation benefit for workers who have not been laid off but whose employment and wages have been reduced due to COVID-19.

So, for example, if you drive for a ride-sharing service and are seeing your employment reduced because people are staying home, you may well be eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. Likewise, if you are a church organist and/or choir director who gets paid as an independent contractor by the rehearsal/service, then the cancellation of public worship services may be reducing your income at this time. You too may be eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. In order to investigate this benefit and determine how to apply for benefits in a State,  check out the website that the U.S. Department of Labor maintains at https://www.careeronestop.org/WorkerReEmployment/UnemploymentBenefits/unemployment-benefits.aspx

Questions? Contact Canon Terri Bays, Diocesan Disaster Coordinator and NGO/Government Liaison

Paycheck Protection Program

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April 1, 2020 - Paycheck Protection Program

Assistance for Small Businesses The CARES Act includes a Paycheck Protection Program which authorizes up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses. Churches are among the small businesses covered by this program, which allows them to borrow up to 250% of their total payroll. The loan amounts will be forgiven as long as: • The loan proceeds are used to cover payroll costs, and most mortgage interest, rent, and utility costs over the 8 week period after the loan is made; and • Employee and compensation levels are maintained. Loan payments will be deferred for 6 months To see further guidelines, visit: https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/top-priorities/cares-act/assistance-for-small-businesses

Questions? Contact Canon Terri Bays, Diocesan Disaster Coordinator and NGO/Government Liason

ERD, The CARE Act, and Other Ways You can Help and be Helped

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Dear Parish Clergy, Parish Administrators, Senior Wardens, Parish Treasurers and Diocesan Staff,

I have been continually giving thanks to God for you, my kindred in Christ, during this time of crisis. Your willingness to adapt to new methods with grace and humor in a time of great anxiety has been inspiring, not only to me but to others all around you.

I’m writing to you today as, variously, your Diocesan Disaster Coordinator (DDC) and your NGO/Government Liaison, which I mention, not because I need more titles, but because you will need that information to apply for some of the programs I will mention below. On Friday afternoon, I attended a webinar hosted by Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) about ways in which:

  • The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which had not yet been signed as we were meeting, can provide your faith community, its employees and the people around you with financial assistance in response to this crisis, and

  • Your faith community can work with agencies like ERD, FEMA, and VOAD to assist your communities in what will not be hours but rather months of need.

Details on all of this will be unfolding over time, since much of the working out of these aid measures will be done locally. I’ll break down what I know now by the group being assisted.

Help for Members of your faith community, your neighbors and your friends

By now you will have heard about the payments authorized by the CARES Act that will be going out to all citizens making less that $75,000 individually. For many folks this will be automatic, based on either last year’s tax return or this year's (for those who have already managed to file). Others, such as those who do not make enough money to file taxes or who work on a more irregular basis, will have to fill out paperwork and may need your help doing so. 

You may already be aware that qualifying faith communities (note that the bar is high for “qualifying” in this instance) may apply to waive two months of pension assessment payments to the Church Pension Group (CPG) for clergy employees only (Lay pensions are handled differently as a result are not eligible). We have just learned that all faith communities are eligible for a 90-day delay in payment of Property and Casualty Insurance through the Church Insurance Agency Corporation (CIAC) of CPG. For more information about CPG’s response, please visit the CPG website at https://www.cpg.org/redirects/health-alert/.

In addition to those payments, the CARES Act has extended both the time of unemployment insurance and the eligibility pool to include many people (such as those working part-time and those doing “gig” work) who do not usually qualify for unemployment benefits. Please direct folks to Career One Stop (https://www.careeronestop.org ) for employment and unemployment resources.

Getting families connected to the Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP) and D-SNAP (available after a disaster) run by the US Dept. of Agriculture (USDA https://www.fns.usda.gov/disaster/pandemic/covid-19) is a great way to support those experiencing food insecurity.

Finally, the Department of Labor offers Dislocated Worker Grants (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/dislocated-workers) which can be used by states and other eligible applicants to employ furloughed workers who do humanitarian work during disasters. 

Help for your Faith Community

Another feature of the CARES Act is its qualification of churches among the small businesses (those having < 500 employees) eligible for various forms of Small Business Assocition (SBA) assistance —https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources. That assistance includes Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) which can help you continue to make payroll while contributions are artificially low. Some of those loans can be forgiven if you manage to keep your employees on payroll for the duration of the crisis. If you do have to let employees go during this crisis (which we pray you do not have to do), you can get a credit on the quarterly payroll taxes you have already paid for them.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides Public Assistance Funding https://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit) under Category B Emergency Protective measures which allow non-profit organizations (including churches) to work with government to perform a task, i.e. feeding emergency responders. This cannot be something that a church does on its own, but in coordination with local government officials.

The CARES Act also includes two incentives to increased charitable giving at this time. First, it creates a new above-the-line deduction (universal or non-itemized deduction that applies to all taxpayers) for total charitable contributions of up to $300. Second, it increases the limit on individual taxpayers' deductions for cash contributions to public charities from 60% of the individual's Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) to 100% of the individual's AGI.

Help Your Faith Community can offer your local community

FEMA assigns Voluntary Agency Liaisons (VALs) to each region to help communities navigate the complicated systems related to disaster response and recovery. We are conveniently listed as part of Region 5 (https://www.fema.gov/region-v-il-in-mi-mn-oh-wi#), which covers nearly the same territory as Province 5 of the Episcopal Church (+ Minnesota but -Missouri).

Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD—https://www.nvoad.org/) is a great resource for learning more about organizations that are working in your area to respond.

Again, in some instances your faith community will be asked to work through your Diocesan Disaster Coordinator (DDC) as you connect with your state or local emergency management systems. That, again, is me, so please keep me up to date on what you have in mind so that I can direct you to available resources.

May God continue to bless you with strength, courage and creativity in response to this crisis.

In Christ,

Terri

EDNIN Grant Opportunities - Apply Today!

Two grant opportunities are now available through the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana. Grant requests are due by May 31, 2020. Grants are awarded in June.

Social Outreach Grants

These grants are awarded by the Diocesan Social Outreach Committee. Download the Social Outreach Grant Application Form.

Continuing Education Grants

These grants are awarded by the Continuing Education Subcommittee of the Commission on Ministry.
Download the Continuing Education Grant Application Form.

Commission on Ministry Grant Process

  1. Applicants may be either a clergy or parishioner who attends church regularly at a parish within the Diocese of Northern Indiana.

  2. Applicants must be a minimum of 18 years of age.

  3. Applicants must state the amount of requestand specify the reason for the request.

  4. In order to maximize the use of the grant funds,as well as to provide grant awards of funds to as many requesters as possible, the maximum award is set at $1,000.

  5. The application deadline is May 31stof each year.

  6. All requests must be made in writing (electronic or handwritten) and are submitted to the Missioner for Administration and Communication, Michelle Walker, at info@ednin.org, who will then forward them by e-mail to the COM Grant Committee Chair.

  7. All requests are forwarded by the Grant Committee Chair to members of the Grant Committee.

  8. .The Grant Committee Chair will annually request the total amount of grant funds available from the Diocesan Treasurer. This information will then be shared with the COM Grant Committee.

  9. After the application deadline has passed, the Grant Committee will meet to determine awarding the applications. This meeting may be held via e-mail.

  10. Award notification will be made by June 30th of each year to the Chair and Secretary of the COM, along with the Diocesan Treasurer.

  11. The Diocesan Treasurer makes distribution of all grant awards.

  12. It is noted that the Grant Fund is not intended to provide a source of tuition offset for postulant(s) for holy orders.

Invitation to Join all Christians in Praying the Lord's Prayer at Noon on Wednesday

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Episcopalians are invited to join with Christians around the world as together we join in praying the Lord’s Prayer on Wednesday, March 25 at noon in our own time zones in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will be praying the Lord’s Prayer (via Livestream and Facebook Live) Wednesday, March 25, at noon Eastern Time. He invites you to join with Christians around the world to offer this prayer in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

To join Bishop Curry live, Wednesday, March 25, at noon Eastern Time, click here:

Livestream (click “Get notified” to receive a notification/reminder)

The Episcopal Church Facebook page

The Presiding Bishop’s Facebook page

Pope Francis Invites Christians to Pray on March 25th

Pope Francis on Sunday invited all Christians to respond to the coronavirus pandemic “with the universality of prayer, of compassion, of tenderness”, adding, “Let us remain united. Let us make our closeness felt toward those persons who are the most lonely and tried”. Speaking after the traditional recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father called on all Christians to join together in prayer. “In these trying days, while humanity trembles due to the thread of the pandemic, I would like to propose to all Christians that together we lift our voices towards Heaven,” he said.

On Wednesday, 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, Pope Francis has invited “the Heads of the Churches and the leaders of every Christian community, together with all Christians of the various confessions, to invoke the Almighty, the omnipotent God, to recite at the same time the prayer that Jesus, our Lord, taught us” – the Our Father. Pope Francis prayed, “may the Lord listen to the united prayer of all of His disciples who are preparing themselves to celebrate the victory of the Risen Christ”.

We are inviting you to issue a call through your networks and social media for Christians to join in praying the Lord's Prayer, and in any other ways we are led to pray, at:

Wednesday, March 25 at 12:00 noon in our own time zones.

Links to invitations:
All Christians Invited to Pray on Wednesday, March 25th

Archbishop of Canterbury backs worldwide call for Christians to say the Lord’s Prayer

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.

Visitation and Requiem Eucharist for Sylvia Little

Sylvia Gardner Little (December 25, 1946 - March 10, 2020)

Sylvia Gardner Little
(December 25, 1946 - March 10, 2020)

Dear Sisters, Brothers, Siblings,

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

The Visitation and Requiem Eucharist for Sylvia Little will be this coming Monday, 16 March, at the Cathedral of Saint James in South Bend.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. EDT with the Requiem Eucharist beginning at 6 p.m. Due to the COVID 19 Public Health Crisis, there will not be a reception after the service.

The service will be live streamed on the Cathedral of Saint James' YouTube channel.

Please send your cards and notes to the Diocesan Office and we will make sure that Bishop Ed receives them.  C/O Diocese of Northern Indiana; 117 North Lafayette Blvd.; South Bend, IN 46601. Sylvia's obituary can be found by clicking on this link.

Please continue to uphold Bishop Ed, their children Greg and Sharon, and grandchildren and all who mourn Sylvia's death in your prayer.

May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in Christ's peace and rise in Christ's glory!

Doug

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Douglas E. Sparks

VIII Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana

Sylvia Little

Dear Sisters, Brothers, Siblings,

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

I received a call yesterday in the early evening from Bishop Ed that Sylvia had died about 5:50 p.m.  I headed over to be with Bishop Ed, prayed with him and for him and assured him of our prayers and support.

Would you please uphold in your prayers Bishop Ed, their children, Greg and Sharon, their grandchildren and all who mourn Sylvia's death.  May they be encircled in Resurrection hope.

When plans are finalized regarding her Service of Christian Burial, I will share them with you.

May Sylvia rest in Christ's peace and rise in Christ's glory.

Doug

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

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

Prayers for Little Family

Siblings in the Episcopal Church of Northern Indiana,

We ask your prayer for Sylvia Little. Sylvia's health has been in decline for some time, but has recently taken a precipitous turn. She is now in hospice care, and the Little family is gathering this week to spend time with her. Please pray for Bishop Ed, as well, and for Greg Little and Sharon Little and their families.

Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us to thy never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come, knowing that thou art doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Those we Love from The Book of Common Prayer)

Rooted in Jesus Conference Recap

A note from The Rev. Terri Peterson, Pastor at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church (Elkhart)

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I was and am blessed by going to the conference Rooted in Jesus in Atlanta in January.  I was able to attend due to a continuing education grant from the Diocese.  What a gift!  This event was spectacular.  I attended workshops on preaching, Invite, Welcome, Connect; Going Deeper, and Grant Writing with United Thank Offering.  I learned something new from each workshop and am still processing everything.  My favorite part of the event was the final worship service and Dr. Mark Andrew Jefferson’s message.  Dr. Jefferson is a professor of homiletics at Virginia Theological Seminary and is traveling around the United States and the world preaching 200 sermons to celebrate the Seminary’s 200th Anniversary.  He gave us the good news and inspired us to dig into scriptures and Jesus’ life.  The service and Dr. Jefferson’s sermon is available here.

Thank you for the opportunity to grow and be rooted in Jesus.

Photos provided by The Rev. Phil Hooper, Curate at Trinity Episcopal Church (Fort Wayne)

The Ordination and Consecration of Bishop Susan B. Haynes

Bishop Susan B. Haynes, the former rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Mishawaka) was ordained and consecrated as the XI Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia on February 1, 2020.

Click here to view the Ordination and Consecration Program Booklet.
Click here to view the recorded service.