Racial Reconciliation in the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana
Racial Reconciliation is not a matter of one projects in one place, but of countless projects, and ongoing relationships in countless places. This page provides an overview of the different efforts at conversation, healing, relationship-building and justice-seeking currently underway in the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana.
Making the Case for Becoming Beloved Community: The Five W’s
In this time of national upheaval, outrage, and fear, The Episcopal Church’s Department of Reconciliation, Justice and Creation Care and the Office of Government Relations have assembled resources to assist individuals, congregations and communities seeking to LEARN, PRAY and ACT.
Racial Reconciliation in the Episcopal Church as a Whole—Becoming Beloved Community
Excerpted from Becoming Beloved Community: The Episcopal Church's Long-Term Commitment to Racial Healing, Reconciliation and Justice
Beloved Community is the practical image of the world we pray for when we say, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” We dream of communities where all people may experience dignity and abundant life, and see themselves and others as beloved children of God. We pray for communities that labor so that the flourishing of every person (and all creation) is seen as the hope of each. Conceived this way, Beloved Community provides a deeply faithful paradigm for transformation, formation, organizing, advocacy, and witness.
The Journey Ahead
Becoming Beloved Community represents not so much a set of programs as a journey, a set of interrelated commitments around which we as Episcopalians may organize our many efforts to respond to racial injustice and grow a community of reconcilers, justice-makers, and healers. . . We encourage you to imagine a labyrinth. On the road toward reconciliation and healing, we move around corners and double back into quadrants we have indeed visited before, each time discovering a fresh revelation or challenge
Proclaiming the Dream—How can we publicly acknowledge things done and left undone? What does Beloved Community look like in this place? What behaviors and commitments will foster reconciliation, justice, and healing?
Telling the Truth—Who are we? What things have we done and left undone regarding racial justice and healing?
Practicing the Way of Love—How will we grow as reconcilers, healers, and justice-bearers? How will we actively grow relationship across dividing walls and seek Christ in the other?
Repairing the Breach—What institutions and systems are broken? How will we participate in repair, restoration, and healing of people, institutions, and systems?
There is no single path for every person or even every Episcopalian. People will draw on different resources and experiences and come to diverse answers to similar questions. At the same time, we hope you find it energizing to take up a common spiritual practice of walking and reflection. As the Kenyan proverb states, we will walk further together than we could apart. Transformation may run deeper and broader if/when we pool our wisdom and resources as the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement.
Commission Members
Evan Doyle (Gethsemane - Marian)
The Rev. Bernadette Hartsough (St. Thomas, Plymouth)
Canon Christopher Hillak (Saint James - So. Bend)
Rev. Ted Neidlinger (Christ the King - Huntington)
Gina Shropshire (St. Augustine’s, Gary)
Mrs. Charissa Warne (St. Paul’s, Mishawaka)
Diocesan Representatives
Bishop Douglas Sparks
Missioner Terri Bays
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