Model: DRAFT Constitution and Canons

Supplemental Summary of Draft Constitution and Canons (linked here)

This document has been prepared by the Constitution and Canons Team established by the Reunification Discernment Committee. Members are listed in the Introduction to the C&C.  

The purpose of this Supplemental Summary “is to provide a summary of the high points and reasoning for specific Constitution Articles and Canon sections expounded upon in greater detail in the full Proposed Constitution and Canons document. What our Team is presenting to you is merely a supplemental and explanatory document and is not intended to add anything to the principal Proposed Constitution and Canons document. Along with this document, our Team encourages the reader of this document to also read the Introductory page of the full Proposed Constitution and Canons which provides the history of the work performed by the Constitution and Canons Visioning Team.” 

The DRAFT Constitution and Canons (linked here)

“In May 2023, early in the commission of discerning a potential reunification of our two dioceses, the process of developing these proposed unified Constitution and Canons began with a thorough examination and comparison of the dioceses’ respective governing documents. In February 2024, this [C&C Team] was established to carry forward this important work comprising members from both dioceses who have served on Diocesan Councils, Standing Committees, Constitution and Canons Committees, the Reunification Discernment Committee, and as Chancellors and Deputies to General Convention.”

“In preparing the following proposed unified Constitution and Canons, the committee relied not only on the dioceses’ respective governing documents but also those of our National Church. We took inspiration from the recently unified Diocese of Wisconsin and the Diocese of the Great Lakes as well as others that walk alongside us in the discernment process. We gleaned wisdom from large, state-wide dioceses including Minnesota and Colorado. We also considered advice from parliamentarians and best practices from several other Episcopal dioceses. We took to heart the desires and concerns shared during listening sessions conducted throughout both dioceses and have incorporated them. While portions of these proposed governing documents will look familiar, our committee has also been keenly aware of the opportunity to benefit from the collective wisdom of our fellow dioceses to create something new that would best serve our reunified diocese. Through this long deliberative process, our committee has worked to create a Constitution and Canons that honor the heritages of each diocese yet are viable to carry a newly reunified Diocese of Indiana into the future. We welcome your feedback.”

Model: Stewardship of Financial Resources

DRAFT 2027 Budget (linked here in Excel or PDF)

DRAFT Model for Healthcare Coverage (linked here)

The most current phase of this Team’s (composed of Discernment Committee members, diocesan staff, Treasurers…) work, the work of pulling together a draft budget has been led by Stephanie Pawlowski and The Rev. C. Davies Reed. This FIRST DRAFT Model is of a Budget for a reunified diocese for 2027.  This is work that will need to be adapted, updated and refined as we learn more through broader conversation, feedback and ongoing discernment.  This DRAFT Model simply gives us a starting point to see more concretely one version of what a reunified diocese’s budget could look like. The format used to structure this model divides expenses into missional categories that fit with the current mission and programs of both existing dioceses.  

The draft budget was developed using the following assumptions any of which could evolve, adapt, etc.  as we carry on our collective listening, learning, and discernment: 

• The 2027 amounts were derived by coming from the 2025 budgeted amount from both dioceses.

• Assessments are assumed to be fourteen percent (14%) for all faith communities.

• No adjustments were made to existing staff salaries.

• Inflationary increases between 2025 and 2027 would be the same for revenues and expenses.

• Some expenses that were reduced could be subject to reinstatement which would change the projected deficit.

• The resulting deficit is the result of shifting to the Healthcare Model currently used by the Diocese of Indianapolis. It could be covered for the first year after which a surplus could result from the elimination or adjustment of the Assisting Bishop’s position if the reunified diocese chose to.

Model: Ministry of the Episcopate

This model was also shared at last Fall’s Diocesan Conventions and in the FAQ published last Fall.

A diocese may only have one Diocesan Bishop but it is possible to have a Suffragan, Assistant, or Assisting Bishop serving with them.  Bishops Baskerville-Burrows and Sparks are very clear that their commitment is for a vibrant and sustainable presence of the Episcopal Church here in Indiana for years to come.  The model that seems to align best with their individual and mutual sense of call should reunification be recommended and approved, is that Bishop Baskerville-Burrows would be put forward to become Diocesan Bishop with Bishop Sparks to be appointed by the Diocesan as Assistant Bishop. 

A reunified diocese would be served pastorally, sacramentally, and administratively by both bishops for a period of time through the transition of becoming one. Upon Bishop Sparks’ retirement, having had the opportunity of experiencing this model, the Diocesan Bishop in conversation with the Standing Committee and other diocesan leadership would determine whether to call a second Bishop to serve.

Should we reunify, our Bishops are committed to maintaining staff to help resource and support our parishes and ministries as we live into the reality as one diocese. Current responsibilities would be reconfigured in order to strengthen a larger, dispersed, and unified team. Both dioceses already operate in some level of hybrid office settings, gathering and coordinating work both in-person and virtually. A reunified Diocese would have more than one office location in order to best serve the breadth of a larger diocese.

Bishops Jennifer and Doug are currently visiting several parishes in each other’s diocese for the sake of enhancing relationships and providing opportunities for members of the dioceses to get to know the “other” bishop as we continue to discern our way forward.