A Charge to the Reunification Discernment Committee of The Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana and The Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis

The Episcopal Dioceses of Northern Indiana and Indianapolis with their Bishops, The Rt. Rev. Douglas Sparks and The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows have entered into a period of intentional exploration of the possible reunification as one diocese. 

This exploration will be conducted by both bishops, supported by a discernment committee of 12 additional people (composed of members of the Standing Committees, members of the councils of each diocese, and at-large members from each diocese) appointed by the bishops with equal representation from each diocese.

The Standing Committees and Executive Councils of both dioceses charge this discernment committee with the exploration of opportunities in the areas of program, general operations, formation, finance, pastoral care, stewardship, staffing, and outreach and social justice ministries as well as the gifts, strengths and priorities of each diocese. This discernment committee will consider a plan for full reunification as well as any interim sharing of resources and, if feasible, seek to provide a draft timetable for those efforts.

The bishops have engaged an outside consultant to guide and assist the discernment committee with this process. This committee will report to each Standing Committee and Council following their monthly meetings and in consultation with the bishops (or representatives thereof) distribute communications to the entire dioceses. 

The Committee will present updates of their work and offer opportunities for input at the 2023 Convention of each diocese. The Committee will make recommendations regarding reunification to the Standing Committees and Councils as well as to a future joint Diocesan Convention.

Approved in The Diocese of Northern Indiana by the Standing Committee and Council, 2023

Approved in The Diocese of Indianapolis by the Standing Committee and Council, 2023