March 2025 Reunification Discernment Committee Meeting Summary
The Episcopal Dioceses of Northern Indiana and Indianapolis Reunification Discernment Committee
Meeting Notes for March 2025
The Reunification Discernment Committee met via Zoom on Thursday, 13 March, 2025.
Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows of the Diocese of Indianapolis offered an opening prayer.
The first agenda item was to listen to those on our Committee who attended the recent Joint Clergy Conference (held at Waycross Camp and Conference Center.) Confidentialities of that gathering were honored while members shared learnings and questions that could benefit this Committee’s work of discernment. Bishops and other clergy highlighted that:
This was a very meaningful gathering, filled with honest discussion around issues of interest and importance for clergy including, but not limited to, the potential reunification of the dioceses.
Trauma, forgiveness, and self-care were themes presented by the facilitator.
Worship was “truly beautiful.”
It was good to have time with other clergy who are struggling with similar parochial challenges
There was honest and, at times, emotional conversation about concerns and potentials related to reunification along with input related to next steps and timeframes
It was good to be together for social time.
There was also a strong desire for another joint clergy gathering this year and for other opportunities to grow these collegial relationships.
Perhaps most significantly, those who attended reflected on how important and meaningful it was to acknowledge that there is very real grief as we consider letting go of our current dioceses and also very real hope and potential as we consider becoming one.
Discernment Timeframe
The Committee has been listening to input received through the Parish Engagement Kit process, recent clergy gatherings, and meetings of leadership bodies regarding the timing of the decision/vote on reunification. The Committee originally recommended October 2025. We have, however, heard and agree with feedback that adjusting the draft timeframe would strengthen this discernment process, including the relationships, vision, and models which are evolving through it.
At our March meeting, the Committee voted unanimously to recommend that the Special Conventions on reunification of the Episcopal Dioceses of Northern Indiana and Indianapolis be set for sometime early in Lent of 2026.
Deanery and Neighborhood Gatherings
Planning is underway to create as many opportunities to engage with folks via Spring Deanery meetings (in Northern Indiana) and Neighborhood meetings (in Dio Indianapolis). Each setting, depending on the local need, can name and together hold the griefs and hopes that get stirred as we consider potential reunification. And, by the time of these gatherings, this Committee will have distributed models including draft models for a Constitution and Canons, unified budget, healthcare, and ministry of the Episcopate to give folks a better sense of what a reunified diocese could “look like.” The work of building these models is ongoing and feedback received at these and other gatherings will play a vital role in the next steps of their development.
Updates were presented by each of the Teams of this Committee:
Constitution & Canons: The Committee was encouraged to examine the first draft of a model Constitution and Canons and to share feedback soon so that the Team can prepare the draft for broad distribution in April.
Stewardship & Financial Resources: A model for clergy healthcare has been developed with assistance from diocesan staff and the team with staff continue to develop a draft budget for a reunified diocese.
Engagement and Communications: The Team completed and communications staff distributed a high-level summary of the Parish Engagement Kit. (click here.) Members of this Team will be meeting with diocesan communications staff as we continue to improve the efficiency and flow of information from the Committee to the dioceses. The team and diocesan communications staff are also seeking ways to improve Spanish language communication.
Bishops and Staffing: Lots of collaborative work continues in developing a staffing model for a reunified diocese.
Bishop Doug Sparks of the Diocese of Northern Indiana offered a closing prayer and reflection.
Closing
Please remember that the website episcopalindiana.org has lots of information concerning the Committee’s work, the history of the dioceses, and this process generally. Also be sure to keep your eyes open for invitations from the dioceses to the Spring Neighborhood and Deanery gatherings and for the first draft of models coming out from this Committee. We thank you for your attention and input as we continue this process and ask for your continued prayers for this Committee, our Bishops, and dioceses as we walk through this discernment together, faithful that the Spirit is at work here and will get us where we need to be.
Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, Bishop of the Diocese of Indianapolis
The Rt. Rev. Douglas Sparks, Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Indiana
The Rev. Clay Berkley, At-Large, Diocese of Northern Indiana
Mr. Evan Doyle, Diocesan Council, Diocese of Northern Indiana
Mr. Paul Kincaid, Standing Committee, Diocese of Northern Indiana
Ms. Joan Amoti, At-Large, Diocese of Indianapolis
The Rev. Hilary Cooke, At-Large, Diocese of Indianapolis
Mr. George Eastman, Standing Committee, Diocese of Indianapolis
The Rev. Ted Neidlinger, Diocesan Council, Diocese of Northern Indiana
Mr. Greg Seamon, Executive Council, Diocese of Indianapolis
Ms. Brenda Rigdon, Diocesan Council, Diocese of Northern Indiana
The Rev. Allen Rutherford, Executive Council, Diocese of Indianapolis
Ms. Stephanie Pawlowski, At-Large, Diocese of Northern Indiana
Ms. Katherine Tyler-Scott, At-Large, Diocese of Indianapolis