October 16: Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis

Sparking a New Conversation: Navigating Race, Faith and Politics

As the new(ish) bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis (with oversight of central and southern Indiana) the Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows has jumped in with both feet to listen, learn, and lead. She will address her experience in navigating the often difficult realities of race, faith, and politics and her desire to have real and authentic conversations about these important matters. She also touch on why she remains hopeful about what’s possible for healing and reconciliation in this time of polarization.

The Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows was consecrated as the 11th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis on April 29, 2017. She is the first African American woman to be consecrated diocesan bishop in The Episcopal Church and the first woman to succeed a woman as bishop. Bishop Jennifer, as she is known, is from New York, ordained by the Diocese of Central New York, and is a graduate of Smith College, Cornell University, and the Church Divinity School of the Pacific. She has served on the executive bishop’s staff in the Diocese of Chicago as well as congregations in the dioceses of Central New York, Newark (northern New Jersey), and California. She has expertise in architecture and has been a historic preservation consultant restoring chapels and small churches in the northeast. She has passion for issues including gun violence, food justice, and racial and class reconciliation.

Bishop Jennifer and her husband, Harrison Burrows, have a son, Timothy. An endurance athlete, knitter and former food-writer, watching American Ninja Warrior is her favorite guilty pleasure.

The public is always welcome at Rotary. Our programs take place at the Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center and the cost is just $26 per person. It’s best to arrive by noon and know that we always conclude by 1:15.