22 July 2026

Dear Sisters, Brothers, Siblings,

Grace and peace be with you in Jesus, the Light for all people!

Earlier today, the Diocese of the Great Lakes announced their candidates for bishop and the Rev. Canon Terri Bays, a priest of our diocese who serves as the Missioner to the Bishop, is one of their candidates. Please join me in praying for Terri and Tim and their family, Elizabeth and Rachel, as the public part of this process now begins. The next step is the walkabout which will occur in August and September. The Electing Convention is scheduled for 23- 24 October 2026.

I invite you to pray for all of us who are the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana as well. The bond between a clergy person and those they are called to serve is deep and enduring. Canon Terri Bays has served in our diocese since her ordination to the priesthood in 2012, as Priest in Charge of Holy Trinity South Bend and assisting at the Cathedral of St. James. She began her ministry as a Missioner on my staff on 1 July 2016. This is indeed a time to rejoice and give thanks for this potential opportunity for Canon Terri to be called to serve the wider church in episcopal ministry. Nonetheless, this process may profoundly effect the mission, ministry and management of the faith communities in our diocese. Let us also pray for all those involved in this process of discernment and election in the Diocese of the Great Lakes.

Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to God from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen!

Every Blessing,

Doug