November & December 2024 Reunification Discernment Committee Meeting Summaries
The Reunification Discernment Committee held full committee meetings via Zoom on November 12 and December 9, 2024. Sub-Teams met between meetings. The Committee will be posting monthly summaries beginning in January.
NOVEMBER
In November, the Committee meeting following prayer, began with a debrief on the recently held conventions in each diocese. The committee considered questions regarding how the presentations at each convention went overall, what kind of feedback was received, and what might the committee take away from the conventions that could be helpful to the committee’s ongoing work. At the Indianapolis convention, members of the committee also conducted a workshop based on the Parish Engagement Packet. The workshop was well attended and allowed attendees to discuss questions raised by the committee in small groups after an initial, general presentation of the intent, structure, and goals for the workshop.
The contents of the Parish Engagement Packet distributed to all parishes in both dioceses was discussed and edited. The packet contains a cover letter, facilitator guide, input form, and resource links to be used by parishes as they participate in the discernment process. The packet contains the updated Bishops’ video, updated FAQ, and access to the Committee’s Convention Presentation to our dioceses. The packet will be emailed to all clergy and lay leaders. The packet can also be accessed via diocesan newsletters, the QR code provided on a postcard to attendees at each convention, and on the Discernment Committee website: episcopalindiana.org
Each of the sub-committees (Constitution and Canons; Stewardship and Financial Resources; Bishops and Staffing; Engagement and Communications, and History of the Dioceses) also presented reports detailing the progress made so far in their respective areas.
The Reunification Discernment Committee will provide monthly progress reports to Standing Committees and Councils of each diocese.
DECEMBER
Following opening prayers, the bulk of the Committee meeting centered upon a debrief and discussion of the Diocesan Leadership Retreat held at Waycross on 6-7 December. For the first time, Bishop Baskerville-Burrows and Bishop Sparks, the Standing Committees of both dioceses, the Executive Council of the Diocese of Indianapolis and the Diocesan Council of the Diocese of Northern Indiana along with some staff members of both dioceses met together for intentional conversation, planning, reflection, social time, and prayer. Meeting time and space was provided to each of the leadership groups and they conducted their business meetings as usual. In addition, substantial time was allotted on Friday evening and during meals for folks from both dioceses to mingle and get to know one another. On Saturday afternoon all the attendees gathered for both large and small group discussion of the prospect and process of potential reunification.
In addition to a general discussion regarding potential reunification, the retreat also presented an excellent opportunity for feedback regarding the timing and content of the Parish Engagement Packet, which has been emailed to each of the parishes in the dioceses . As a result of that feedback the January 10 deadline for completion of individual parish discussions was extended to February 3 and the Committee will be publishing more about the “WHY?” of possible reunification in January.
Each of the sub-committees (Constitution and Canons; Stewardship and Financial Resources; Bishops and Staffing; Engagement and Communications, and History of the Dioceses) also presented reports detailing the progress made so far in their respective areas.
The Reunification Discernment Committee will meet next on 13 January, 2025 via Zoom at 6:30 PM ET.
We thank you for your attention and input. We ask for your continued prayers as we continue the work of discernment.
Faithfully,
Members of the Reunification Discernment Committee
The Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana The Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Douglas Sparks The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows
The Rev. Canon Clay Berkley, At-Large Ms. Joan Amati, At-Large
Mr. Evan Doyle, Council The Rev. Dr. Hilary Cooke, At-Large
Mr. Paul Kincaid, Standing Committee Mr. George Eastman, Standing Committee
The Rev. Canon Ted Neidlinger, Council Mr. Greg Seamon, Executive Council
Ms. Brenda Rigdon, Council The Rev. Allen Rutherford, Exec. Council
Ms. Stephanie Pawlowski, At-Large Ms. Katherine Tyler Scott, At-Large