Bishop Susan B. Haynes, the former rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Mishawaka) was ordained and consecrated as the XI Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia on February 1, 2020.
Click here to view the Ordination and Consecration Program Booklet.
Click here to view the recorded service.
The 121st Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana was held on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Fort Wayne, Ind. The following positions were elected at the convention.
C1 - The Rev. T.J. Freeman (Trinity Episcopal Church, Fort Wayne)
C2 - The Very Rev. Brian Grantz (Cathedral of Saint James, South Bend)
C3 - The Rev. Matthew Cowden (Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, South Bend)
C4 - The Rev. Canon Terri Bays, PhD (Church of the Holy Trinity, South Bend)
Clergy Alternate 1 - The Rev. Tom Adamson (Holy Family Episcopal Church, Angola)
L1 - Mr. Evan Doyle (Gethsemane Episcopal Church, Marion)
L2 - Mrs. Celeste Hillard (Cathedral of Saint James, South Bend)
L3 - Canon Christopher Hillak (Cathedral of Saint James, South Bend)
L4 - Mrs. Pamela Harris (St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Valparaiso)
Lay Alternate 1 - Mr. Ted Kimball (Grace Episcopal Church, Fort Wayne)
Lay Alternate 2 - Mr. Tim Skimina (St. Timothy Episcopal Church, Griffith)
Mrs. Pamela Harris (St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Valparaiso)
The Rev. Matthew Cowden (Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, South Bend)
The Rev. Canon Michelle Walker
Mrs. Susan Czolgosz (Trinity Episcopal Church, Michigan City)
Mr. David Jocelyn (St. Andrew’s by the Lake Episcopal Church, Michigan City)
The Very Rev. Brian Grantz (Cathedral of Saint James, South Bend)
Mrs. Melissa Goodwin (St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Griffith)
The 121st Convention of the Episcopal Church began with the opening Eucharist with the Rt. Rev. Dr. Douglas E. Sparks preaching and presiding. Trinity Episcopal Church in Fort Wayne, Ind. was the host for Diocesan Convention.
All Saints Day was celebrated at Trinity Episcopal Church in Fort Wayne, Ind. with a pre-convention evensong. The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers was the guest speaker.
Bishop Doug updates the diocese on the recent House of Bishops' meeting, Bishop-elect Susan Haynes, and his upcoming trip to Washington D.C.
House of Bishops Fall 2019 Meeting Resources
Overview of the Meeting - House of Bishops' fall meeting grapples with range of issues, from reconciliation to innovation
Lambeth Conference 2020
Senior Pastor Adam Hamilton
Resources for Additional Updates
Bishop-elect Susan B. Haynes
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Douglas E. Sparks
VIII Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana
21 September 2019
Dear Sisters, Brothers, Siblings,
Grace and peace be with you in Jesus, the Light for all people!
I want to share some wonderful news with you. Today, our sister, the Rev. Susan Haynes, was elected by the Diocese of Southern Virginia to serve as their Eleventh Bishop. This is great news for the Episcopal Church and especially those who are part of the Episcopal Church in Southern Virginia.
The Rev. Susan B. Haynes
Bishop-elect, Diocese of Southern Virginia
Mother Susan began her ministry as a priest in 2004 at St. Thomas Plymouth and then at the Cathedral of St. James as Associate Priest then Priest in Charge through 2008. She was called to serve as the Rector of St. Paul's Mishawaka in 2008. Susan has many gifts that have enhanced the mission, ministry and management of St. Paul's. She has also served in positions of leadership in our diocese and the wider church. Let us pray for Susan and Tom, their children, Sarah and Avery, as they prepare for this new ministry.
There is also a bitter sweetness to this news, especially for our sisters, brothers, siblings of St. Paul's in Mishawaka and St. Thomas / Santo Tomás Plymouth. I know full well how happy and sad they are, given the news of this election. Let us uphold both faith communities in our prayer as they prepare to give thanks for Mother Susan, Father Tom and their family and begin a time of transition.
It is our particular blessing to support all those whose lives are changed by this election.
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+
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Douglas E. Sparks
VIII Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Indiana
On October 4th, Bishop Doug Sparks, Missioner Michelle Walker, Joe Walker (St. Andrew’s by the Lake Michigan City), Debbie Mendenhall (St. Stephen’s Hobart), and Suzanne LaCount (St. Andrew’s Valparaiso) will begin their UTO Pilgrims on the Camino pilgrimage. Along with 25 people from around the country, they will travel to Madrid where they will meet fellow pilgrims and be welcomed by Bishop Carlos López Lozano, Bishop of the Spanish Reformed Episcopal Church (IERE). From an earlier article you may remember that the IERE has a fond memory and connection to the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana (EDNIN) via our own Bishop Reginald Mallett, who traveled to Spain at his own risk to assist in the ordination of several priests. (For that article, including writings from Bishop Mallett himself, please refer here.) What a joy for EDNIN to be represented in this celebratory trip commemorating Bishop Mallet’s adventure in 1955!
In Madrid the pilgrims will learn about the IERE and how it is financially self-supported, not assisted by either the Anglican Church nor The Episcopal Church. They will meet, eat, worship, and visit holy places together, including church sites that are either funded locally or by granting entities like The United Thank Offering (UTO). They will meet clergy whose annual income is around $12,000 USD. They will experience the faith and resilience of a church equally as poor as our poorest diocese in the United States. It will be an eye-opening experience.
After a couple of days in Madrid and nearby Avila, the group will split into Walking Pilgrims and Grant Site Pilgrims. The Walking Pilgrims will begin their 100km walk along the Camino, the ancient pilgrim route to Santiago where the remains of St. James are housed in the Cathedral. The Grant Site Pilgrims will visit several different UTO funded grant sites, witnessing the good work done via the contributions to those little Blue Boxes. Both groups will come together to walk the last mile into Santiago, each pilgrims of their own kind. They will enter the beautiful Cathedral and celebrate their pilgrimage.
Because they are traveling with Bishop Carlos, they will be allowed the wonderful opportunity to celebrate Eucharist with him in a side chapel of the Cathedral. Individual Protestant pilgrims are not offered this opportunity. They witness, but do not participate in the Eucharist. That is another reason for this pilgrimage. UTO established a UTO Camino Challenge grant, promising to match the first $60,000 of contributions made specifically for this cause – building an Anglican Centre in Santiago where all Christians are welcomed to receive Eucharist. This project has been a long time in the making, and requires the support of many for its success.
During these 11 days of pilgrimage, we ask that you pray for the pilgrims. We encourage you to follow them on our Facebook page. We request you to consider whether you feel called to financially support this UTO Camino Challenge grant; every contribution matters. And we ask you to reflect upon these Five Excellent Practices of Pilgrimages, from Phil Cousineau’s The Art of Pilgrimage, which can be practiced anywhere and at any time:
1. Practice the arts of attention and listening.
2. Practice renewing yourself every day.
3. Practice meandering toward the center of every place.
4. Practice the ritual of reading sacred texts.
5. Practice gratitude and praise-singing.
submitted by:
The Rev. Canon Michelle I Walker
Missioner for Administration and Communication, EDNIN
Associate Staff Officer for UTO
This fall, St. Paul's Episcopal Church (Mishawaka, Ind.) is hosting an adult education series that will focus on "Becoming Beloved Community," an initiative for education about racial reconciliation that is offered by the wider Episcopal Church. The series will be coordinated by the Rev. Susan Haynes along with help from Canon Adrien Niyongabo, Diocesan Missioner for Community Engagement. These gatherings will be on Wednesday evenings beginning at 7 p.m. in the Undercroft of St. Paul's Episcopal Church and will last until approximately 8:30. We will offer a varied curriculum of lecture, reading, films and discussion. The first meeting is on Wednesday, September 11. In preparation for these gatherings, we are asking participants to purchase and read White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo. This book can be found at Amazon.
Forty people from several congregations and faith traditions gathered at the Cathedral of Saint James last night to learn about the humanitarian crisis at the southern US border and to discuss ways that we, as Christians, might respond.
Read More“I want to say a word of thanks to those that participated in the Big Provincial Gathering, the first of its kind in the Episcopal Church, that took place in Kalamazoo, MI. I want to say a word of thanks to all those in our diocese from several faith communities who participated, who were presenters, and a special word of thanks to Christopher Hillak, to Fr. Matthew Cowden, and to Sean Meade who worked as part of the Provincial team to make the event as wonderful as it was.”
“Province V’s Big Provincial Gathering far exceeded my expectations. Our keynote speaker, The Rev. Lorenzo Lebrija, captivated those gathered with his joyful, enthusiastic, and insightful presentation on leadership and innovation. Workshops of all descriptions highlighted vital ministries and best practices all around our province, fostered stimulating conversation, and encouraged action in our own communities. Worship was a wonderful mix of old and new, formal and informal, with powerful singing and preaching. I look forward to (hosting?) the next one!”
“There is such high value in simply being together. The BPG allowed for that and much more. The educational topics ranged from farm-food ministries to incorporating newcomers to racism to being the church in the 21st century. if you were not able to attend I highly recommend going to the Province V Facebook page and watching the keynote address, even a portion of it. Lorenzo Lebrija was inspiring and entertaining as he encouraged us to try new and unique ways to be the church in the world. Try something new and don’t be afraid to fail. Make a new friend within and beyond to the church. After all, that’s what we did at the BPG. ”
“My biggest take away from the gathering was the hunger I experienced for something new that echoed throughout the conversations and workshops I attended. Everywhere I went I encountered people willing to step out of their comfort zones to try new ideas and approaches to proclaiming the gospel message. Some ideas were simple, others grand but each had its root in a desire to spread knowledge of Gods love to others. The willingness to try something new was no more inspiringly presented than in the message from Father Lorenzo. The openness to trying new things is a wonderful exercise of our faith in action. Part of trying is failing but if at the core of what we are doing is a desire to share God’s love with others, then I fail to see the failure in trying. ”
“I enjoyed the Big Provincial Gathering. It was good to meet and talk with people from other dioceses in an informal setting. The various presentations were well done and interesting. I was particularly impressed with Marcia Ledford’s session on the role of progressive voices in the public square. That information will be very useful to us in the future. Our own talk on racial reconciliation in Marion was well attended with lots of good questions.
The most interesting thing happened in the hotel lobby on Friday. I was wearing my clericals and carrying signs for the Lights for Liberty event that evening. A man approached me with questions, and it became apparent that he thought I was an anime character in costume from their convention which was also in the hotel. That was unique.”
“Saturday morning mass was a great coming together of members of a newly formed community united by song, scripture, and Eucharist. I felt made new and ready to “go forth.” As a presenter of part of a workshop dealing with the difficult issue of racism, I was heartened to work with a diverse, thoughtful, and committed group. Besides a couple of beautiful summer days in Kalamazoo, who could ask for more?”
“It was a joy and privilege for me to participate in the Big Provincial Gathering of the Province V of the Episcopal Church and be repeatedly immersed in the blessings, which were sparkling from the simple smile of a friend, little chat I had with some new and old friends I met, warm welcome from hosts and organizers, meals, exhibitors’ booths I visited, keynote speech, workshops, music, and Eucharist celebration.
Dismantling Racism workshops will be my focus in the following lines as I share my takeaway. I was vividly struck by the increasing enthusiasm and dedication that shine through various and diverse activities churches are carrying on in their initiatives to respond to the harm and hurt engendered by racism.
“Finding Common Ground Through Racial Reconciliation” (workshop #12) was presented as part of an initiative of Northern Michigan Diocese, focusing on, among other things, building positive relationships with indigenous communities. After one of the presenters, who happened to be Native American, shared his healing story, a strong voice rose up in the room, asking about how much White Americans are participating in the healing journey of the above mentioned initiative. The voice added that the essence of dismantling racism, or of racial reconciliation, or whichever name the initiative takes should be that of mutual liberation instead of making one feel good, referencing Lila Watson, an Australian Aboriginal woman. That voice received standing applause from the audience.
Mutual liberation, what a profound meaning! How much substance of mutual liberation do we intentionally put in our works towards opposing racial discrimination, marginalization, and social injustices? As one once said, “Liberation is not something to be given, but rather it is a movement.” Is it why every Diocese in our Province V in particular should consider embracing Becoming Beloved Community Initiative as a way to more engage the church with surrounding communities and best tackle the tough challenges? Indeed, it is in Becoming Beloved Community Conversations that people start to humanize each other, identify the problem, and establish trust. ”
Workshop Titles:
Evangelism Through Communications
Do-able Social Media Evangelism Projects to Share your Faith Stories and Build Community
Presenter:
Cn. Christopher A. Hillak, Missioner for Digital Communications
Workshop Title:
Racial Reconciliation in a Small Indiana Town
Presenters:
Rev. Cn. Dr. James Warnock, Rector
Kresha Warnock
Bill Munn
Rev. Mindy Hancock
Evan Doyle
Workshop Title:
Enriching Worship with Music Ensembles
Presenter:
Sean Meade
Workshop Title:
OIW: How Becoming a More Open, Inviting, and Welcoming Faith Community Can Change the Way We Evaluate Success Within Membership Development
Presenters:
Jordan Trendelman
Christina Connelly
Workshop Title:
The Parable of the Garden: How Stewardship of Creation is an Act of Evangelism
Presenter:
Rev. Joshua D. Nelson, Priest-in-Charge
Workshop Title:
Creating Community, Changing Lives: How St. Margaret’s House Created a Ministry of Hospitality for Women and Children in Poverty
Presenters:
Kathy Schneider, Executive Director
Mary Fran Brandenberger, Associate Executive Director
Tanika Harris, Director of Guest Services
Cathedral of Saint James (South Bend) - The Very Rev. Brian Grantz, Tamisyn Grantz, Rev. Tina Velthuizen, Dana Sparks
Holy Trinity (South Bend) - The Rev. Cn. Dr. Terri Bays
Saint Michael and All Angels (South Bend) - Rev. Matthew Cowden, Michael Griffith
“It was a joy and privilege for me to participate in the Big Provincial Gathering of the Province V of the Episcopal Church and be repeatedly immersed in the blessings, which were sparkling from the simple smile of a friend, little chat I had with some new and old friends I met, warm welcome from hosts and organizers, meals, exhibitors’ booths I visited, keynote speech, workshops, music, and Eucharist celebration.
Dismantling Racism workshops will be my focus in the following lines as I share my takeaway. I was vividly struck by the increasing enthusiasm and dedication that shine through various and diverse activities churches are carrying on in their initiatives to respond to the harm and hurt engendered by racism.
“Finding Common Ground Through Racial Reconciliation” (workshop #12) was presented as part of an initiative of Northern Michigan Diocese, focusing on, among other things, building positive relationships with indigenous communities. After one of the presenters, who happened to be Native American, shared his healing story, a strong voice rose up in the room, asking about how much White Americans are participating in the healing journey of the above mentioned initiative. The voice added that the essence of dismantling racism, or of racial reconciliation, or whichever name the initiative takes should be that of mutual liberation instead of making one feel good, referencing Lila Watson, an Australian Aboriginal woman. That voice received standing applause from the audience.
Mutual liberation, what a profound meaning! How much substance of mutual liberation do we intentionally put in our works towards opposing racial discrimination, marginalization, and social injustices? As one once said, “Liberation is not something to be given, but rather it is a movement.” Is it why every Diocese in our Province V in particular should consider embracing Becoming Beloved Community Initiative as a way to more engage the church with surrounding communities and best tackle the tough challenges? Indeed, it is in Becoming Beloved Community Conversations that people start to humanize each other, identify the problem, and establish trust. ”
— Cn. Adrian Niyongabo, Missioner for Community Engagement, Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana
Baptized for Life logo
The Baptized for Life team at St. Thomas/Santo Tomás in Plymouth.
Group discussion at Claggett Retreat Center. Pictured far left is Marty Wolfe from St. Paul's in Mishawaka.
All Baptized for Life participants at the Claggett Retreat Center.
The Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana has entered the second phase of its involvement in Baptized for Life, a discipleship initiative of Virginia Theological Seminary, funded by the Lilly endowment. The goal of Baptized for Life is to empower churches to help people live lives of meaning and purpose. The focus is Christian Formation that focuses, not just on Sunday morning, but on Monday through Saturday. Three parishes in Northern Indiana have been selected to participate: St. Paul’s, Mishawaka, St. Thomas/Santo Tomás, Plymouth; and Gethsemane, Marion.
The first phase of the program involved participating in a spiritual life inventory, sponsored by Renewal Works of Forward Movement. Every parishioner was encouraged to participate in the online survey, and the results were provided to a team of people in each parish that had been formed specifically for this effort. Each team is chaired by a lay person and clergy are advisory. During this phase, the team received feedback from the survey which helped them to identify strengths and growing edges in the parish’s spiritual formation program.
Armed with this information, members of each parish’s team travelled to the Claggett Retreat Center near Baltimore, MD to prepare for work in the second phase of the initiative. The teams gathered with other teams from the 22 parishes and six other dioceses in the country who are participating for a week of retreat and learning.
Now, the teams are moving into the second phase, which is to discern a project which will help them implement changes in their program that will enable parishioners to deepen their spiritual lives. Questions that each team is encouraged to ask as part of their discernment include:
Where is your Baptized for Life Mission Field?
Who in that mission field is desperate for Good News?
What are the unique gifts of your church and how will you use them to meet this desperate need?
Each team has received a Request for Proposal from Virginia Theological Seminary, which will help them to apply for grant monies that are available for this initiative from the Lilly endowment. Proposals are funded up to $25,000, with the first installment being made as early as this December. Applications are due in October. Ministry projects will begin in 2020.
Submitted by the Rev. Susan B. Haynes
Bishop Ed Little and Bishop Megan Traquair
Congratulations to the Right Reverend Megan M. Traquair, who was consecrated as the eighth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California on June 29, 2019. Following her ordination to the priesthood in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, Bishop Megan spent a year in LA and then joined us in the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana for the next nine years--first as a part-time assistant at St. John of the Cross Episcopal Church in Bristol (1993-1995) and then as rector of Gethsemane Episcopal Church in Marion (1995-2002). In addition to her roles in these faith communities, Bishop Megan served the diocese as Dean of the Wabash Deanery, trainer for our Safeguarding program, and on the Episcopate Search Committee for the seventh bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana. The Right Reverend Edward S. Little II, the seventh bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana, participated in the consecration of Bishop Megan.
The Reverend Susan Haynes
Dear Sisters, Brothers, Siblings,
Grace and peace be with you in Jesus, the Light for all people!
Earlier today, the Diocese of Southern Virginia announced their candidates for bishop and the Rev. Susan Haynes, a priest of our diocese who serves as Rector of St. Paul’s in Mishawaka, is one of their candidates. Please join me in praying for Susan and Tom and their children, Sarah and Avery as the public part of this process now begins. The next step is the walkabout which will occur in September. The Electing Convention is scheduled for 21 September 2019.
As many of you know, the Rev. Thomas Haynes serves as Rector of St. Thomas / Santo Tomás in Plymouth. So, I invite you to pray for our siblings at St. Paul’s and St. Thomas’ as well. The bond between a clergy person and those they are called to serve is deep. While it is a time to rejoice and give thanks for this potential opportunity for Mother Susan to be called to serve the wider church in episcopal ministry, this process profoundly affects the life of the faith communities of St. Paul’s and St. Thomas / Santo Tomás.
So, let us pray for all those involved in this process of discernment and election.
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!
Pentecost Blessings,
Doug
You can read the official release from the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia here.
You can read Mtr. Susan's announcement here.
The United Thank Offering of The Episcopal Church announced on June 18 that they awarded 33 grants for a total of $1,507,640.55 for the mission and ministry of The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. One of these grants was given was given to the Gethsemane Episcopal Church (Marion) for the amount of $35,314.81.
The Gethsemane Center for Reconciliation works to further the Church's priority of racial reconciliation and justice. Building on Gethsemane's decade-plus of reconciliation work and established community relationships, the staffing, technological improvements, and marketing development funded will allow them to develop new leaders and an infrastructure for reconciliation efforts.
The goal of the Center is to:
Cross boundaries by discussing and acting on issues of racial inequity, gender and sexual identity bias, poverty, etc. in the midst of rural America;
Listen deeply to the wounds and mistrust that are caused by these divisions;
Bridge these divides using actions, and words, and
Learn to live like Jesus as we develop leaders and other community members to live and thrive in a community based on compassion, respect for diversity, and true equity.
Read the release from UTO here.
Dr. Stephen Smith (faculty) and Nicole Lambelet
Nicole Lambelet, a seminarian in the Candler School of Theology at Emory University was among a group of 56 Episcopal seminarians selected to attend this year’s Preaching Excellence Program at the Diocese of Virginia’s Roslyn Retreat Center in Richmond, VA. The week-long intensive program to hone preaching skills was led by faculty that included Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, former Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church; Bishop Neil Alexander, Dean of The University of the South School of Theology (“Sewanee”); Bishop Chip Stokes of New Jersey; Professor Carolyn Sharp of Yale Divinity School; and a select group of seasoned parish rectors. The event is held annually in spring under the umbrella of the Episcopal Preaching Foundation whose mission is to encourage excellence in preaching throughout the Episcopal Church.
Nicole is sponsored by the Cathedral of Saint James (South Bend).
The Right Reverend Dr. Douglas E. Sparks
VIII Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Indiana
Congratulations, Bishop Doug, on the 35th anniversary of your ordination to the priesthood! The Diocese of Northern Indiana wishes to congratulate you, thank you, and offer prayers for you as you celebrate this milestone on Sunday, June 2, 2019.
Dana Sparks, spouse of Bishop Doug, has this to say about the past 35 years.
From ministering in St. Louis soup kitchens, to serving in a community with a thousand parishioners, and then driving the mountain circuit between five congregations in Colorado — from ministry on the North Shore of Chicago, to a small-town Wisconsin parish, and a larger program sized parish outside Milwaukee — then trekking halfway around the world to be dean of the national cathedral in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand — Doug’s faith and passion have been constant. Coming back to ministry in the U.S. brought us to a loving parish in Minnesota and now a loving diocese in Northern Indiana.
Throughout the journey, Doug’s inclusive spirit, forgiving heart, and truth-telling witness have always brought a fruitful ministry. He’s so grateful to be your bishop, but also to be a servant with you in ministry … in this Beloved Community. Thank you for your prayers.
Please continue to keep Bishop Doug, Dana, and their family in your prayers. And we look forward to many more years of ministry with Bishop Doug as the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana!
Special thanks to Dana for providing the images for the photo gallery below.
Rachel Held Evans (Photo from Facebook.)
Rachel Held Evans, an influential progressive Christian writer and speaker who cheerfully challenged American evangelical culture, died on Saturday at a hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. Evans, 37, entered the hospital in mid-April with the flu, and then had a severe allergic reaction to antibiotics, as she wrote on Twitter several weeks ago. According to her husband, Dan Evans, she then developed sustained seizures. Doctors put her in a medically induced coma, but some seizures returned when her medical team attempted to wean her from the medications that were maintaining her coma. Her condition worsened on Thursday morning, and her medical team discovered severe swelling of her brain. She died early on Saturday morning.
- Read the complete Slate article here.
We would like to recognize the impact that Rachel Held Evans had in the lives of many throughout the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana. Below are some reflections that have been shared with us.
Reflection from the Rev. Joshua Nelson, Priest-in-Charge at St. David’s (Elkhart)
While attending Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee for my undergraduate degree, I had a crisis of faith. I had become disenchanted with the evangelical practices of my youth and had left the touring ensemble with which I had traveled to various churches nearly every weekend for the previous year and a half, performing worship and symphonic music and ministering through song and prayer. My strict black and white theology had begun to unravel and at one point I had given up all hope that God even existed. In the midst of this turmoil, I found a little Episcopal Church across the street from campus. I was originally drawn there by the music, but very quickly fell in love with the quiet reverence, the liturgy, the Prayer Book, and the sacraments. The community and tradition at St. Luke’s truly saved my life and set me on the path to the priesthood.
A few years after graduation, I returned to Tennessee to complete my studies in Divinity at The School of Theology in Sewanee. I would regularly make the hour and a half trip down the mountain to attend services in Cleveland at my beloved St. Luke’s. By this time, a young author and her husband had also found their way from an entrenched evangelical background, to the simple sacramental beauty of this little church in Cleveland. Rachel and Dan were not what you would call regular attendees, but they did make a similar trek whenever her touring schedule would allow it. I didn’t really know Rachel as anything special, just another member of the growing congregation, until that April, when her new book, Searching For Sunday, hit the shelves.
I purchased a copy of her book during my first week of CPE (hospital chaplaincy). That summer would prove to be one of the hardest things I have ever gone through, but it was also a time full of growth. It was Rachel’s book that helped me through. During the long hours of an overnight shift, I would read chapter after chapter in the on-call room between the inevitable interruptions of the emergency pager. So often, I was able to put myself in her place and escape the hospital for a minute or two. It was as if, through telling her own story of walking with God, of loving, leaving, and finding the church, she was telling my story as well. Even to the very real connection of falling in love with God and God’s people again at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Cleveland, Tennessee.
Rachel’s story made me more brave, more loving, more accepting, and more in tune with the Spirit of God. It was this book along with friend’s, and a church where I could keep returning with all my brokenness that helped me survive that summer and made me a stronger student, a stronger preacher, and a better man.
After CPE, I began serving at St. Luke’s for my seminary field placement, and later for six months on staff as a transitional Deacon. I was never more nervous preaching than when I saw Rachel, and Dan, and their new baby near the back of the nave. The beautiful lesson to me was that even with all her accolades, her new books, her impressive blog, and her position on President Obama’s pastoral team, you couldn’t pick her out of the crowd at coffee hour. Our little family rejoiced when their firstborn was brought to church for the first time, just as we had over dozens of other babies. Conversations in the courtyard were about family life or the weather, and very often, the new choir anthem performed that morning during Mass. Although it was a great honor when she gave a special presentation in the fellowship hall, they were still just Rachel, Dan, and the kids, part of our family.
The news of her death on Saturday truly rocked me to my core. I immediately reached out to friends from St. Luke’s who were feeling the same shock and devastation. The world has lost a bright light and a true theologian who taught us to find god in the beauty and in the mess of life. I believe with all my heart that she did not fear death because she understood resurrection. “Death,” she said “is something empires worry about, not something resurrection people worry about.”
My heart still breaks for Dan and their kid’s, and I will miss her and her heart for God’s people. But I am eternally grateful that she has left us so many of her words, so that generations to come may continue to Love, Leave, and Find the church and fall in love with God and each other because of the life of Rachel Held Evans.
Reflection from Amy Peterson, Gethsemane (Marion)
I first met Rachel in person in 2013, shortly after the release of her second book, A Year of Biblical Womanhood. Taylor University brought her to speak, and since she and I were “internet friends,” they invited me to introduce her from stage and to join her for dinner. Over soup and sandwiches, we talked about what it was like to leave evangelicalism and how to maintain good relationships with parents who didn’t approve of the changes in your theology. She wasn’t yet Episcopalian, but as we headed to Gethsemane Episcopal for a second event, I tried to convince her that the Episcopal church could become her home, as it had become mine.
Though we only met in person a couple of times, it’s hard to overstate the ways that Rachel’s online presence and advocacy influenced my life. When I was first starting as a writer, she shared and praised my writing. (And not just when I was first starting — just days before her death, she shared my most recent piece on Twitter, too). Through her, I met the other writers who have become my closest friends. The work she did with her Week of Mutuality blog series back in 2012 helped me put words to my changing theological convictions about the role of women in the church and the home. In fact, her boldness in fighting for women played a role in helping me become open to a possible call to ordination for myself.
Losing Rachel feels impossible. There were conversations we were still in the middle of. There were things we were building together that it’s impossible to imagine without her. I still have trouble believing that it’s true that she’s not here.
In the wake of this loss, I pray that many more will rise up with the boldness, the vulnerability, the humility, and the lavish generosity that Rachel always practiced. Because of her, I became —and want to become — more willing to enter the fray, to fight on behalf of those whose voices are being silenced, and to proclaim that the church is a place for everyone.
Reflection from the Rev. Dr. James Warnock, Rector, Gethsemane (Marion)
The death of Rachel Held Evans came as a shock to me and I think to everyone at Gethsemane. I met her briefly when she spoke here several years ago, following an appearance at Taylor University. I remember the crowd of young people she attracted, her gracious attitude, her warmth when I talked with her on the phone before she came.
Then I saw how broad and deep the response to her death was. It was immediate on social media. The news was posted to our church Facebook page. A friend texted me. My Twitter feed lit up. There were people who knew Rachel, who talked about how warm, supportive and encouraging she always was. There were people who met her at speaking events, posting selfies taken with her, how they were inspired, their faith saved by her talks. Some people had read her books, followed her blog. The names of those influenced kept coming, many from my own parish.
Not many of us are called to be prophets, but I think Rachel Held Evans was. The evidence is all over cyberspace and in the words she left behind. She was one who stood up for those who had no voice, in the finest of biblical traditions. She defended the defenseless, often women, racial and sexual minorities, those lost particularly in the Evangelical world. She was one who never bent her knee to the modern-day Baal, the remorseless search for power that will bend any biblical command for political gain. She exemplified the way to follow Jesus with love and grace in a very difficult time and at some personal cost.
Untimely death is the hardest to handle. We are left shocked, devastated, imagining what could have been, trying to understand why God would allow such a person to be taken so young. It makes me think of Psalm 22 which contains the words Jesus spoke on the cross, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” We too are left desolate. The Psalmist understood that feeling of despair, of being left alone by God.
It takes time to go through the pain of death. The Psalmist knew this, and he worked through it until at the end of his writing, he yet turns to the Lord, the one who “does not despise nor abhor the poor in their poverty; neither does he hide his face from them.” It’s all the Psalmist had, in his despair, and it’s what we have in ours. Ultimately, it was enough as he writes, “My soul shall live for him; my descendants shall serve him; they shall be known as the Lord’s forever. They shall come and make known to a people yet unborn the saving deeds that he has done.”
That is a legacy for Rachel Held Evans: to keep on with her work; to love God; love our neighbors; strive for justice and peace among all people, respect the dignity of every human being; to bring about a new and better world for those yet unborn.
Rest eternal grant to her, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon her. May her soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Reflection from Sheila Davis, St. Michael and All Angles (South Bend)
Dear Rachel,
Daniel was signaling to change lanes so he could turn left into Best Buy’s parking lot when I read the first Facebook post announcing your death. I gasped.
“Honey, she died,” I whispered.
“Who?”
“Rachel. The writer I told you about I got to meet at Hope.”
“I’m so sorry, Sheila.”
Me too. Me. Too.
A friend introduced me to your work three years ago. She came to visit on a beautiful summer afternoon when my oldest child was nine months old and I was three months pregnant with my youngest. Andrea probably doesn’t know just how significant her visit was. I don’t think I had told her that I had been experiencing postpartum depression, nor had I disclosed to her its severity. “I have a book I think you’d like,” she said. My curiosity was piqued.
“Oh, yeah? What’s it about?”
“It’s about this woman who starts to question her faith and doesn’t feel like she fits anymore. She said something about doubting if paving the church parking lot really was God’s will and it made me think of you.” I chuckled.
“It sounds like me.”
“Yeah, I thought you might like it.”
Oh, Rachel. The words, “I liked it,” while true, are not the half of it. Through Searching for Sunday my own direct experience of the damage legalism does to a person, even to a people, was named and validated. You say of your experience on page 64:
I have friends who struggled for years to disentangle themselves from abusive, authoritarian churches where they were publicly shamed for asking questions and thinking for themselves. I know of others who were kicked out for getting divorced or being gay. Those are important stories to tell, but they are not mine. I have no serious injuries to report, no deep scars to reveal. I left a church of kind, generous people because I couldn’t pretend to believe things I didn’t believe anymore…
Unlike you I am one of the ones who was kicked out, but that’s a different story for a different day. Like you I just couldn’t participate in the vast incongruities between doctrine and practice anymore. I am a self-proclaimed chronic doubter. I delve deeply into scripture for the express purpose of seeking answers, but when I resurface and look around me at the world I’m living in, I have more and different questions than the ones I started with. I can’t help this about myself. I’ve tried to just believe. To just take the priest’s word for it. To just take the Creed’s word for it. To just take the catechism’s word for it. I mean, look at everyone else who’s doing it! They look happy enough. At least, they don’t look confused. Yet the questions still come and I’m left with the bible wide open in my lap and a shadow across my brow.
I haven’t known too many people like us in the pews on Sunday morning who bring our intellect, imagination and emotions to the alter to be transformed like the bread and wine. Perhaps I haven’t looked far and wide enough. Still, this pilgrimage home to the Source of All Being is a lonely one for me at times. But through your words I have felt less alone. You said of finally finding the church you were seeking in the community of your readers, “I wasn’t the only one who felt lonely on Sunday mornings.” (62) Thank you for having the courage to write your story. It helped me feel less lonely, too.
Oh, how I miss you, Rachel. May you rest in peace and rise in glory, Dear One.
Reflection from Brenda Rigdon, Senior Warden, St. Anne’s (Warsaw)
I first heard of Rachel Held Evans when a book club I belong to chose her book, A Year of Biblical Womanhood: How a Liberated Woman Found Herself Sitting on Her Roof, Covering Her Head, and Calling Her Husband 'Master' way back in 2012.
I belong to two different book clubs and they could not possibly be more different. In fact, I started the second one recently as a response to the first club and the evangelical viewpoint of several of the more vocal women in it. (as a side note, I named the second group the She Persisted Book Club and only invited the more progressive women in my circle of influence to join it!)
I was dreading reading this book, based on the title. I had not heard of Rachel Held Evans before and since it was enthusiastically received as a choice by the evangelical members of the Club, I was expecting the worst.
But, as in many areas of life, I was pleasantly surprised. There are some truly absurd passages that made me laugh myself silly--and they got me through the book. I was impressed by the humor and the thoughtfulness she exhibited as she wrestled with how we read and interpret the Bible. And I was disturbed by the reaction of the evangelical women in the club to the same book! They were appalled and dismayed and thought that Rachel was mocking the Good Book. They did not see her struggles with issues like charity and keeping silent and justice as genuine responses. It was tough for me to stay civil during the discussions.
So I started following Rachel on social media platforms, and reading her subsequent books. And, I must say, I was filled with joy but not totally surprised when she left her evangelical church and became an Episcopalian. All through her writing you can see that she was struggling to reconcile what she was hearing from her church and what she was reading in her Bible. Most especially with regard to marginalized groups of people.
But the greatest gift she gave me, as a Christian, was the grace she showed to those people who mocked her, derided her, and attacked her after she switched churches and began to make the case for inclusion. It is a special kind of person who can truly turn the other cheek and bless those who publicly castigate, regardless of the medium--but most especially those who hide behind the anonymity of social media.
I will miss her.
We give thanks for the life and ministry of Rachel Held Evans and continue to pray for her husband, Dan, and their very young children.
Eternal rest grant to her, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon her. May her soul, and all the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
An Easter message from Bishop Doug Sparks.
