May 2025 Reunification Discernment Committee Meeting Summary

The Episcopal Dioceses of Northern Indiana and Indianapolis Reunification Discernment Committee 
Meeting Notes for May 2025

The Reunification Discernment Committee met at St. Andrew’s, Kokomo on May 10, 2025.

Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows of the Diocese of Indianapolis offered an opening prayer.

Meeting with Members of Diocesan Leadership Bodies

In their February, March and April reports to our Diocesan Standing Committees and Councils, the RDC invited members of those leadership bodies to participate in this May 10th meeting at St Andrew’s, Kokomo. Besides members of the RDC, members from the Standing Committee and Council of the Diocese of Indianapolis and members of the Council of Northern Indiana were present. 

The meeting was dedicated to the introduction of initial draft models of a Constitution and Canons, a unified budget, healthcare, and Bishops and Staff.  These models represent different dimensions of a potentially reunified diocese. They have been distributed throughout both dioceses and are also currently being introduced by members of the RDC at Neighborhood and Deanery meetings. Following the presentation of each model at this May meeting, there was time for conversation and sharing feedback, questions, concerns, and ideas for improvement.

The RDC is very grateful to those who participated in the meeting or sent input through those who were present. It was and remains incredibly helpful to hear thoughts from diocesan leaders and members about where in these models you see gaps or redundancies that need to be addressed; where the models seem “close but need a little more work;” where particular areas of these models “are good but need further explanation in order for people to understand them;” and where the models would “seem about right” if we were to reunify.  

This May meeting spent in conversation with members of leadership bodies also created space for surfacing and addressing suspicions/concerns that can take on a life of their own if not shared in gatherings like this. The RDC has a genuine desire to model dimensions of a reunified diocese in ways that would honor our current dioceses’ strengths, allow us to learn from one another and from other dioceses too, and ultimately enhance the presence and resiliency of the Episcopal Church in Indiana. The work is hard but fueled by honest and hopeful collaboration. 

Input from this meeting, the Neighborhood (Diocese of Indianapolis) and Deanery (Diocese of Northern Indiana) meetings being held in May and June and from feedback received by the RDC (access forms on or message us through episcopalindiana.org), will help shape these models as they evolve, strengthening this discernment process, increasing our experiences and awareness of one another, and helping us all gauge what’s needed as we strive to listen to and be guided by the Spirit’s presence among us. 

Closing

Please remember that the draft models can be found on episcopalindiana.org where you can also find  more information, reports, and content shared throughout this discernment process. We thank you for your attention and input 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,
Members of the Reunification Discernment Committee 

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 Amati, 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