Category Archives: Diocesan Events

Live Webcast of the Consecration

Dear Friends in Christ Jesus in the Diocese of Northern Indiana,

The Consecration of the Eighth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana will be webcast live on Saturday, June 25th at 11:00 EDT.

To view the webcast, please visit the diocesan website at www.ednin.org/livestream. The service bulletin is available there for download.

The webcast will begin a few minutes before the liturgy begins to give you time in advance.

Blessings to you,
The Transition Committee

Ascension Day Service

Please Join the Episcopal and ELCA Congregations of Northern Indiana

for a Joint Eucharist in Celebration of

AscensionErspamer

The Feast of Our Lord’s

Ascension

at 6:30 pm

on Thursday, May 5

at the

Church of the Holy Trinity

915 N. Olive Street

South Bend, Indiana

Rev. Rudolph W. Mueller (ELCA) Preacher

Rev. Terri L. Bays (Episcopal) Celebrant

Reception to Follow

(parking available across Olive Street from the church)

To the white sponsors of our newly baptized black parishioners

In a follow-up conversation to last weekend’s Trinity Institute event at the Cathedral, some of us were discussing ways in which the behavior of liberal whites—white folks who consider themselves anti-racist—can unintentionally harm the black folks with whom we want to ally ourselves. The event was entitled Listen for a Change: Sacred Conversations about Racial Justice, and the Cathedral was a partner site. Local participants had been chagrined that only white people had shown up—so who were we going to listen to, other than the speakers? After reading a blog post about how white folks emotions about race tend to take up all the oxygen in a mixed room, however, we were remarking that maybe that was why no black parishioners had come, and maybe that was a good thing. White folks do need to process their feelings about racism, but black folks don’t need to sit around and listen to/comfort us in that processing.

Now at Holy Trinity, our circumstances and the Holy Spirit often conspire to place us right in the middle of practice before we even suspect we need some theory. We are learning what it takes—how we ourselves need to progress—to integrate our parish into the life of our neighborhood. Then someone shared another blog post, entitled, To the White Parents of my Black Son’s Friends. Written by the white adoptive mother of a black child, the article explores the ways in which double standards play out in the trans-racial sandbox.

This got me thinking about the five black children we baptized along with their mother a few weeks ago. Almost all of their baptismal sponsors were white, and since in baptism we have adopted them as Christ’s own and thus our own, we have entered into a transracial adoption of sorts.  I suspect that we will face many situations where white sponsors make mis-steps in our efforts “to support these [black] persons in their life in Christ.” So here’s my adaptation, for us as the white sponsors (and priest) of our newly baptized black parishioners:

1. In places like the Episcopal Church, “it is easy to use words like ‘colorblind’ and feel like we’re enlightened and progressive,” but racism does persist in our society and runs deep in the history of our church. Our “colorblindness” may be blinding us to “the uniquely dangerous situations our [children] can find [themselves] in” as they navigate this confusing world.
2. The fact that “when white kids do it it’s ‘kids being kids,’ but when the kids of color are involved it’s got to be addressed by authorities shows the underlying bias of” our assumptions about who knows what about parenting. What we experience as “concern,” may feel like harassment to the already stressed neighborhood parent whose care we are interrogating. Listen first, and offer some moral support for her in her efforts, before jumping to conclusions about what looks to you like neglect.
3. We need to talk about racism. When we see these our newly adopted children “being bullied or called racist names, [we] need to stand with [them]. [We all] need to understand how threatening that is and not just something to be laughed off.” When we are together, and “the police drive by, tell [yourself] to stay. Just stay right there. Be a witness. In that situation, be extra polite, extra respectful. Don’t run and don’t leave” our children by themselves.
4. We like to pride ourselves in the Episcopal Church as people “who don’t do guilt or shame.” When we are reminiscing or talking about ethical matters with these our newly adopted children, however, “this is not the time to [condone] any risky behaviors. Whatever trouble you [may once have gotten] into, [they] will likely not be judged by the same standard you [were]. Be understanding that [they] can’t make the same mistakes you can. This means we as adults have the much more difficult job of practicing mercy rather than simply downplaying sin.
5. “Treat [our children] with respect. Don’t rub his head because you want to know what his hair feels like. Don’t speak black slang to [her] because you think it would be funny. If you’re thinking about making a joke that you feel might be slightly questionable, just don’t do it. Ever. [Our] kids are listening and learning from you even in the jokes you tell. Be conscious of what media messages [our] kids are getting about race. Engage in tough conversations about what you’re hearing in the news. Don’t shy away from this just because you can. [They] can’t. We can’t.”
6. “Be an advocate for [these] beautiful souls who [have] eaten [with you at God’s] table, sat next to [you] at church.” They are not “the exception to the rule.” They are “not protected by [your] white privilege” now, nor will they be for the rest of their lives.  They are “not inherently different from any other little black [children] and ALL their lives have value and worth and were created by God.”
Much of this advice was intended for parents to teach their children, but we adults are as much in need of the advice as kids are. May God bless you in your sponsorship of our children, even as we all stumble along the road  to justice.

Post-Walkabout Letter

Dear Friends in Christ Jesus in the Diocese of Northern Indiana,

Many of you have probably heard the saying “It takes a village to raise a child”. After this past weekend that can definitely be amended to “It takes an entire diocese to elect a bishop”. Thanks to the help, support, and prayers of this diocese we warmly welcomed the candidates and their spouses. Over 360 people attended the three Walkabout sessions to hear them speak. All of the candidates echoed the sentiment that we are more than a diocese, we are a Christ-centered community. They were blessed by our hospitality and warmth. They extend their heartfelt appreciation to us for the welcome, care, and prayers they received. Thank you!

Here is a link to the YouTube videos gathered this past weekend. At the Bristol and Marion locations only the random (drawn from a hat) questions were recorded. At the Griffith location their entire presentation was recorded. Enjoy.

We have five amazing candidates! Any one of them could be our next bishop and continue to build on the legacy of the fantastic bishops that preceded them. They have given themselves fully to this process and now await the election results with eager anticipation and prayer. Please know that this is a prayerful time for them, as it is us, and allow them the space to continue to listen fully to God’s direction in their lives. To that end, we implore you to give them space and not ask those follow-up questions that have come to mind. There is a wealth of information online. Soon enough we will know who the Lord has selected to lead us into the next phase of The Episcopal Church in Northern Indiana!

Grace and peace to each of you during the remainder of this Epiphany season. We’ll see you at St. Anne’s on February 6th, when the suspense will finally come to an end (or perhaps, just begin …)

Yours in Christ,
The Transition Committee

New Bishop Candidate Videos Available

As we gear up for the walkabouts this weekend, where we will get to meet our bishop candidates in person, check out the latest round of video greetings from the candidates. For these videos, the candidates were asked to send Epiphany greetings and speak about what they would do as the 8th Bishop of Northern Indiana.