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Lessons & Carols: Ninth Lesson from the Gospel of John 1: 1–14
St. John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation.
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No more scrolling or digging through past newsletters—
find upcoming parish, individual ministry, and diocesan events anytime at edola.org!
| | Begin the New Year in Service | | |
Monday, January 19, 2026
9:30 AM - 1 PM
Chapel of the Holy Spirit
1100 Broadway St, New Orleans, LA 70118
Mark your calendars, plan to join us, bring your kids, and let’s do this important work together. Last year’s gathering was truly profound, and we’re excited to build on that momentum this year.
Please consider donating through our Hygiene Bag Amazon Wishlist. The donated supplies will be used to pack hygiene bags for those in need. It's a great way to participate even if you can't be with us in person.
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Honoring the legacy of Blessed Frances Joseph Gaudet—prison reformer, educator, and advocate—the Gaudet Fund supports programs that expand dignity, opportunity, and flourishing for African American youth.
We invite Christian and secular organizations to apply with innovative proposals that focus on the following:
• Restorative justice participation and leadership
• Support, protection, and education for incarcerated youth and their families
• Academic enrichment beyond the traditional classroom
• Arts and culture access and literacy
• Discipleship, job training, and intergenerational mentorship
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Opening the Doors to Recovery: Embracing Creativity and Openness as We Discern Our Relationship with God
This retreat is designed for women who are in recovery or who feel called to explore recovery and who seek a deeper, more compassionate relationship with God.
Guided by retreat leader Ruth Hoenick, the retreat offers space for respectful listening, honest presence, and courageous exploration of each person's sacred gifts. Ruth brings a grounding, attentive approach that honors each participant’s journey and invites healing through connection, imagination, and grace.
The retreat fee has been reduced by $50 to help make participation more accessible.
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Join Us on the Journey
Toward Beloved Community
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EDOLA invites you to join a pilgrimage to Jackson, Mississippi—a city that stood at the heart of both the Jim Crow South and the Civil Rights Movement.
Together, we’ll journey through our shared history and reflect on what it means for us today as citizens and children of God.
Our pilgrimage includes visits to the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. We’ll also be welcomed into courageous conversations by the faithful community at St. James Episcopal Church, the home church of our own Bishop Duckworth!
This isn’t just about looking back—it’s about understanding how the past shapes us now and discerning how we can move forward in faith, justice, and love.
| | For Parish Administrators and Those Who Prepare the Bulletin: | | The Rt. Rev. Edwin "Ted" Gulick on behalf of The Rt. Rev. Shannon Rogers Duckworth ordained the Rev. Melissa Carnall Fauci to the Sacred Order of Priests at the Church of the Holy Comforter in Vienna, VA on Saturday, December 6. | | The Rt. Rev. Shannon Rogers Duckworth ordained the Rev. Casey Rush Duncan to the Sacred Order of Priests at St. James Episcopal Church, Baton Rouge on Saturday, December 13. | |
Christ Episcopal Covington names new '26 head of school | The Christ Episcopal School Board of Trustees has announced the appointment of the Rev. Charles Latour as the next Head of School in Covington, effective July 1. | | | | | |
LISTEN to the podcast HERE
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For Parish Administrators and those who prepare the bulletin: please add this QR code so parents can easily access our weekly podcast.
Hosts Grace and Lauren talk thoughtfully about Christian parenting, offer practical ways to use the seasons to guide formation, and keep things lively with plenty of humor.
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Deanna Lowe will focus on expanding the reach of The Little Box of Good News and deepening community engagement across the diocese and beyond. We are thrilled to have her on board and can’t wait to see what’s ahead.
Regarding her new role, Deanna shared:
“I’m honored to serve as the new Ambassador of Growth for The Little Box of Good News. I am a first-grade teacher with a deep love for helping children learn, grow, and feel supported. I grew up in this diocese, taking part in youth events as both a student and later as an adult. My involvement in children’s ministry has strengthened my passion for nurturing young faith and joy. I’m excited to continue spreading positivity and encouraging growth within our community.”
| | Deacons Around the Diocese | | |
From the desk of The Ven. Charles deGravelles:
Not surprisingly, the Christian liturgical calendar, like much else in our tradition, comes from the Jewish faith. The ancient Jews had certain festivals and feasts that celebrated key moments in their history—such as Passover, when Jews remember how God saved his people from slavery in Egypt, and Pentecost (called Shauvot) that remembers how God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mt. Sinai. These events were celebrated at certain times every year and were probably observed by the earliest Christians.
Scholars tell us the Christian calendar evolved over the first four hundred years or so of the faith. The very first Christian day to be regularly observed was Sunday worship (as opposed to the Jewish Sabbath which begins at sunset on Friday and concludes after dark on Saturday). Among the other earliest days celebrated in the Christian year were the Passion and Resurrection of LORD Jesus, now known as Holy Week and Easter. Interestingly, Christmas didn’t begin to be formally observed by the church until the second century.
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Advent
- Themes: Anticipation, preparation, hope, Christ’s Second Coming.
- Virtues to practice: awareness, preparation, keen expectancy imbued with joy.
Christmas
- Theme: Incarnation, the birth of Jesus.
- Virtues to practice: humility, wonder, generosity and joy.
Epiphany
- Theme: Revelation, God’s appearance to the magi.
- Virtues to practice: Thanksgiving for God’s love of the whole world, brotherhood and sisterhood, sharing Christ with all.
| | Happenings Around the Diocese | | |
Racial Healing Service
with Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers
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On December 14, the Racial Healing Commission, Gaudet Umbrella Ministries, and St. Margaret's, Baton Rouge partnered for Out of the Shadows into the Light: A Liturgy of Hope and Healing at St. Margaret’s in Baton Rouge, featuring Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers as the powerful guest preacher.
The liturgy intentionally began in darkness and gradually moved into light, thoughtfully weaving together music and prayer to create a deeply moving experience. Heartfelt thanks to all who helped create this meaningful and memorable service.
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Christ Church Covington:
Bishop's Visitation
The Pave the Way Campaign Reception
| Photos of Bishop's visitation and reception by Mark Berry. | | |
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ENS Article:
Las Posadas @ St. Margaret's, Baton Rouge
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Louisiana church to celebrate Las Posadas marking Holy Family's journey to Bethlehem amid ICE threats | Episcopal News Service] Members of St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a congregation with a large Latino membership, will celebrate Las Posadas next week. The Advent holida... | | | |
NOLA.com:
Loaves and Fishes @ Trinity, New Orleans
| Making sandwiches and spreading love, Loaves and Fishes volunteers feed New Orleans' needy | After Kiki Paré moved to New Orleans to begin her freshman year at Tulane University School of Medicine, one of her neighbors told her about a ministry at Trinity Episcopal | | | | |
Bishop Duckworth & Canon Morgan
@ Camp McDowell
| | A cold but fantastic time was had at Camp McDowell in Alabama with Province IV Bishops, Canons, and Transition Officers! | | |
We'd love to feature your happenings, church, and parishioners here, too!
Please share photos of your ministries and community events so we can all see and celebrate the good work that is happening all around the diocese. Send photos to Nicole Eiden at neiden@edola.org.
| | New Employment Opportunities | | |
Rector, St. Augustine Episcopal Church, Metairie
Read OTM Portfolio HERE.
| | Brand new Job Opportunities at Trinity, New Orleans and Grace Episcopal, Hammond + many other openings. | | JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER COMMUNITY | | Sign up to stay informed, learn more, and get involved. We send a diocesan newsletter once/month and occasional updates. | | | | |
