The Right Reverend Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows

Bishop Jennifer is a native of New York City, holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture with a minor in urban studies from Smith College, an M.A. in historic preservations planning from Cornell University and a master’s in divinity from Church Divinity School of the Pacific in 1997. She is the first African American woman to be elected a diocesan bishop by both the clergy and the laity in the United States for the Diocese of Indianapolis. She is Vice-president of the House of Bishops and sits on several boards.

Bishop Jennifer’s expertise includes historic preservation, stewardship and development, race and class reconciliation and spiritual direction. She is married to Harrison Burrows and has one son, Timothy.

Grace Parish values being open, welcoming, and accepting of people in all stages of life; spiritually, financially, and physically. We have a sense that God is calling the parish and our future Rector to work on evangelism; to invite and welcome more families so we can enjoy children, and people of all ages, happily chattering in the pews as they experience belonging and the love of God when taking part in their spiritual family praying together. Grace hears a call to grow to the point where we need two services again.

Grace strengthens community connections with their hospitable offerings of food and fellowship after service, some Zoom prayers during the week, and a knitting club twice a month. We believe that together, Grace and our future Rector will be called to build a more robust list of parish activities to strengthen connections through such things as Sunday suppers, game nights, periodic healing services, sharing of prayer requests in the community, and opportunities to sit in communal prayer and worship.

The communal nature of Grace is shown in our willingness to give rides to those without transportation so they can participate in worship. The future Rector will support the Ministry of recording and posting videos of the church service for those not able to attend. They will support those suffering loss and have a passion for ministering in person to homebound members through their service and that of parishioners.

Our Rector will help us grow stronger as a community. Ideally, our next spiritual leaders will help us move toward consensus when there is disagreement and foster open and respectful discussion in all things.

We affirm those of every gender identity, and our Rector and Grace have a call to share our love with those that have been unwelcomed elsewhere. We want to show them in action that they can trust Grace as a safe spiritual home. One way we did this was through offering a beautiful naming ceremony for one member in our congregation. When some struggled with preferred pronouns, we sought to address this in one of our weekly Grace Notes. There was (and still is) a willingness to gently remind one another of the importance of respecting the use of preferred pronouns.

We embrace the gift of music, and the way it is done here has drawn many of us to Grace. Music is something we as a parish are passionate about, both in and outside of services. We feel the call to experience the joys of more concert series events.

The rector called to Grace Episcopal Church will honor the richness of our Episcopal tradition, maintaining continuity in biblically grounded liturgy and music, while also remaining open to exploring meaningful ways to engage those drawn to expanded language in liturgy and other types of music.

There are people here with varying talents and strengths and we seek a rector who will encourage us to use our gifts to serve. This will affirm our loving embrace of all people. Our Rector will embrace our strengths and weaknesses. They will allow us to continue what is working and try new things, to succeed and fail in service to each other and the Muncie community. The Rector will foster this willingness to serve in order to deepen the currently shallow volunteer bench and ease the search for those willing to serve on Vestry, adding to the resiliency of support already present.

There have been recent initiatives of lay-led ministries at Grace. The Daughters of the King has recently started a before service Sunday Bible study, and there is a call for more adult formation in the parish and opportunities to share in the divine beauty and mystery of worship. With the addition of some children to Grace, we established Sunday school during the liturgy part of the service. Grace needs a Rector open to building family membership and attracting more youth.

We are a talented and resourceful parish and look forward to our Rector using these gifts to help us navigate changes in society and maintain our Episcopal identity!

The Sunday morning service of Holy Eucharist is held at 10am, and this is our central time of worship. We currently use Rite II from the Book of Common Prayer throughout most of the year and move to using Rite I during the season of Lent. In keeping with the tradition in the Episcopal Church, our weekly readings are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary.

In addition to the Sunday Service there is a Thursday Noon Eucharist service. An online service is offered three times a week: Morning Prayer on Tuesday and Saturday at 9 AM and Evening Prayer on Wednesday at 8 PM.

Grace Episcopal Church was founded in 1839. In 1875, Grace Mission was organized. The following year a frame church building was erected on N. Walnut Street at a cost of $650.  The building was moved to the corner of Adams’s and Mulberry in 1881 and then to Adams’s and Madison and then a bit farther west in the same block to its present location. The parish was admitted to the Diocese of Indianapolis in 1882.

Several remodeling projects were undertaken beginning in 1969. First the entrance was changed from opening from the north on Adams Street to opening from the east, and the interior was adapted to better accommodate the rood screen when the altar was moved away from the wall. In 2001, a major renovation was undertaken, tearing down the education and office wing and replacing them with new offices and classrooms, adding a second story, a choir room, kitchen, restrooms, and nursery.  The chancel was altered, and a cloister was added plus an atrium, working towards making the entire facility handicap accessible.

Church Buildings and Grounds

The traditional red doors welcome parishioners and guests to worship. Long-time parishioner Edward Matlen designed and made an iron rood screen focusing on the crucifixion, the lych gate, hymn board, sanctuary lamps honoring the gospel writers, the Pulpit of the Beatitudes and the baptismal font cross.

The Christmas message carvings adorning the sanctuary were designed and made by his daughter, Harriett, and her husband, Richard Thomas. The fourteen gorgeous stained-glass windows were made by Payne Spiers Studio of New York and depict scenes from the life of Christ.

The Gabriel Kney Company of London, Ontario, built the present tracker pipe organ, which was installed in 1972 and expanded in 2005 by Reynolds Associates of Marion, Indiana.

Diocese of Indianapolis 

The Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis, led by Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, encompasses the southern two-thirds of the state of Indiana. The see is in Indianapolis, at Christ Church Cathedral. The Diocese has 47 parishes. The oldest church in the diocese is Saint Johns, in Crawfordsville, Indiana., formed in 1849.

Recent History 

In September 1996: The Daughters of the King Chapter was founded. In 2001, the refurbishing of the Educational, Kitchen, and Church Offices Building and the sanctuary were refurbished at the cost of $800,000 and paid off in three years.

In 2009, Gathering Grace was started by Derek Bailey with assistance from Sandra Bailey, and Gordon and Malvia Miller.

In 2019, Grace Church with the help of a grant refurbished the old kitchen on the west side of the Parish Hall establishing a commercially licensed kitchen for Gathering Grace. The first meals were prepared and handed out to needy guests during the Covid Pandemic. The cost of remodeling was $200,000 which was paid off in three years.

Grace Church is Involved in or Actively Supports these Organizations/Activities

Gathering Grace: a weekly hot meal in our Parish Hall, prepared and served by Grace church members and other volunteers. It regularly serves 100-140 meals every Sunday afternoon.

Grace Village: a combined Episcopal/Lutheran/Methodist/Presbyterian campus ministry at Ball State University. Currently about 20-25 students meet every Monday for the “God & Grub” worship and fellowship. The churches involved provide the evening meal for the gathering.

Altar Guild: consists of women and men who assist in preparing the altar for services, and in cleaning and ironing the altar linens.

Second Harvest: Grace Church members run a monthly food distribution for this regional food pantry.

Forward Steps/Getting Ahead: a local program assisting people desiring to get out of poverty and/or better their economic situation. One group meets in the church every week. The other group meets in the church once a month.

P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization): an international women’s organization which gives scholarships to women students. A local chapter meets in Grace Church once a month.

Christian Ministries: the church regularly collects provisions for this local food pantry.

A Better Way: the church regularly collects provisions for this local shelter for battered women.

Yarn Group: meets twice a month, and open to all. They recently donated hats to the Seaman’s Institute.

Wild Card Café: church members contribute to this “Grab & Go” breakfast on the Ball State campus.

Arts: the church occasionally hosts a musical recital or art show. Our building is also usually part of the annual neighborhood home tour during the Washington Street Festival.

LGBTQIA+: church members have regularly actively supported community and regional LGBTQ organizations and events.

The Culinary Cottage: The church rents its former rectory next door to this local company, which uses it for catering and on-site events.

Activities and groups involved in the spiritual growth of our church community

The Order of the Daughters of the King®: an international religious women’s; they take vows of Prayer, Service, and Evangelism. Our chapter currently has about a dozen members. Besides serving the church and community as needed, they hold regular bible study and participate in a province Zoom book discussion group.

Sunday School: religious education provided for youths during the service every Sunday.

Lenten Ecumenical Gatherings: an annual weekly activity during Lent involving 4 or 5 other churches and denominations (Christian, Lutheran, Methodist, and Presbyterian). It includes a worship service and, usually, a book discussion.

Advent Bible Study:  usually weekly gatherings during Advent to discuss aspects of the Bible.

Muncie is a vibrant community blessed with resources, generosity, talents, and varied interests.

Affordability: Muncie has a lower cost of living than the national average, particularly in terms of housing. There is an active downtown community of renters in numerous renovated lofts and apartments.

Community: Muncie is known for its friendly people and a strong sense of community. In addition to three local foundations which generously support local organizations, philanthropy by individuals is also a strong community trait, as is volunteerism. Residents are very giving of their time and talents. One example is the Muncie Action Plan (MAP), a citizen-led strategic plan for community development which is has been active and viable for 15 years. Another example is the Refugee Alliance of Delaware County, which originally was formed to bring Afghan families to Muncie (over 30 of them) and now has broadened its reach to encompass all foreign refugees in need of a new home. There are many more Social & Service Groups in Muncie and many Things to See and Do.

Cultural and Recreational Opportunities: The city boasts a vibrant downtown area, parks, trails, and a thriving arts scene with the Muncie Civic Theater, the David Owsley Museum of Art, Masterworks Chorale, Minnetrista Cultural Center, Cornerstone Center for the Arts, Emens Auditorium on the Ball State Campus, Youth Symphony Orchestra, and the Muncie Symphony Orchestra. Muncie is blessed with a strong system of diverse Outdoor Spaces and with the Muncie Public Library committed to community service. A new YMCA opened downtown this year and there are community events downtown throughout the year.

Education: Muncie is home to Ball State University, a major educational institution, and to Ivy Tech Community College. The Muncie Community Schools have done a complete turn-around in finances, teacher retention, student test scores, and student body growth. It also has a unique School Board, which is overseen by Ball State University and is not elected, but appointed jointly by the university and the city.

Strategic Location: Muncie is centrally located, offering easy access to major markets and cities like Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Chicago, and Detroit.

Economic Opportunities: Muncie has a diverse economic landscape, with strengths in life science, advanced manufacturing, logistics, and information technology. Eastern Indiana Works, MadJax Maker Force, Muncie Makers Market

Retirement-Friendly: Muncie has been recognized as a good place to retire, with affordable living and a secure environment.

Health: Muncie has a large hospital, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, and numerous local clinics. There is also a nursing program at Ball State University.

Diverse Community: Muncie has a diverse community with organizations that support LGBTQ+ individuals.

We are proud to be members of the Muncie community and invite you to join us.

The proposed Salary and Benefits package are based upon guidelines established by the Diocese. The Diocese establishes a minimum salary with additional compensation based upon the number of years within the field and responsibilities of the position. We have a history of long-term service within our congregation. We are prepared to offer a $74,000 to $76,000 salary with 18% Pension.

The Cost of Living for Muncie, Indiana is 4% lower than the state average and 12% lower than the national average. Housing in the community is 37% less than the national average. Muncie offers a relatively affordable cost of living, a vibrant community, and cultural/recreational opportunities, making it a good place to live for those seeking a smaller city experience with easy access to larger metropolitan areas.

The cost for clergy health and dental benefits is shared between the diocesan budget and covered clergy, for full-time clergy. The Diocese contributes 75% of the cost with clergy paying the remaining 25%.

There is also a seminary loan forgiveness program available that is offered through the Diocese.

If you feel God is calling you to enter into discernment with us, please submit via email the following materials to Canon Giulianna Cappelletti Gray at [email protected]:

• A letter of interest highlighting why you might be called to Grace
• Resume
• A copy of your updated OTM portfolio

Letter to Our New Rector