The 187th Annual Convention
is Almost Here! | |
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We are ready to gather! Nominees, resolutions, the parking map, etc. can be found on the Convention website: edola.org/2024-convention
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Parking is in the front lot, marked in yellow on the map. Please only park in designated areas as there is a school event on Friday evening.
Check-in will take place right outside of the Visual & Performing Arts Center (VPAC). Check-in on Friday will start at 11:30 am. and close at 1:00 pm., and on Saturday from 8:00 am - 8:30 am. It is essential that you arrive on time so that you can vote during Convention.
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Holy Eucharist: Friday, October, 25 at 3:30 in the Chapel | |
You don't have to be a delegate to attend Holy Eucharist; everyone is welcome! | |
Celebrate All Saints' Day
& Día de los Muertos
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Are you looking for a fun, educational activity for youth to celebrate the Feast of All Saints? How about a movie night with Pixar’s Coco? | |
Check out our Coco lesson plan. It covers Día de los Muertos, the concept of the soul, cultural appreciation vs. appropriation, and the Episcopal tradition of the Feast of All Saints. | |
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Coco Descriptive Slides
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Coco Lesson Plan
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Coco Worksheet
- All Saint's Day Prayer Cards
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Watch the Investiture With Your Deanery! | |
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Each Deanery will host a "Watch Party" to view and celebrate the investiture of The Right Reverend Sean Rowe as Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church.
Get there early at 8:30 am to see our "Roll Call" video contribution; students from St. Martin's and Episcopal School of Baton Rouge help Bishop Duckworth give blessings to the Presiding Bishop-Elect Sean Rowe and thank Presiding Bishop Michael Curry for his dedicated work. It will be a significant moment to be together and celebrate the tradition and future of our church.
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Keep an eye out for Watch Party details
from your Deanery.
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Deacons Around the Diocese | |
Day on Deacons, an "unqualified success!" | |
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This year’s “Day on Deacons,” held at the Solomon Episcopal Conference Center on September 26, 2024, featured three different panels: one that showcased the wide variety of diaconal ministries; one that explained what it is like to go through the Iona/Marble schools for those on the deacon track; and another that demonstrated the impact of deacons in our diocese with panelists who were once served by the Episcopal Church and who are now leaders in their own parishes.
Bishop Shannon Duckworth described the event as an unqualified success in educating and inspiring about the role of deacons. “As I sat in the back of the room, I was filled with joy for the ministry of the diocese, especially for the Order of Deacons.
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To witness the longtime deacons share their wisdom, to join in the excitement of the postulants who are currently being formed in seminary, to listen to the panel share their incredible stories of hope, and to watch the faces of those who are considering this order was truly inspirational. From start to finish, every moment was a gift to me, and I found myself leaving the gathering refreshed and renewed.”
Bishop Duckworth celebrated the Eucharist at the event, addressed deacons about the many activities going on in the diocese, and answered questions.
Attendees of the conference included seminarians on the deacon track, people who are in some stage of the discernment process, and some who were just curious to know more about the diaconate. According to Archdeacon Charles deGravelles, “This year’s Day on Deacons offered something for everyone.”
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The panel of experienced deacons included Mark Hudson of Christ Church Covington, a financial consultant who serves as a chaplain for the Jefferson Parish Sherrif’s Department; Carol Spencer of Trinity New Orleans who ministered for years in emergency response and community organizing in the Diocese of Mississippi; and Joyce Jackson of St. Anna’s New Orleans who has ministered to the homeless and those with HIV/AIDS. “We wanted attendees to understand the wide variety of front-line ministries that are done by deacons in our diocese,” deGravelles said.
A second panel included newly ordained Deacon Les Mut of St. Margaret’s Baton Rouge and two seminarians in the diocesan Iona/Marble schools: Laura Freeze from Grace Memorial in Hammond, a middler, and Karen Snyder of Grace St. Francisville who has just started her first year. “If you look at the timeline for discernment-to-ordination, it can be daunting,” deGravelles said, “so it was good to have people speak to us who have just finished the process or who are somewhere in the middle of it. Yes, it’s challenging, but when you hear from someone who’s done it, you realize it’s possible.”
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A third panel was comprised of formerly incarcerated men who have transitioned into positions of leadership in Episcopal parishes. Panelists were Oliver Francis of St. Andrew’s New Orleans, Fabian Harper of St. Paul’s New Orleans, and Deacon Ben Nobles of St. Anna’s New Orleans. “It was wonderfully inspiring to hear stories from those who were ministered ‘to’ while living in prison and then who went on to become ministers themselves,” according to Deacon Cindy Obier, a longtime leader in the Chapel of the Transfiguration at Angola Prison. “Love begets love,” she said.
A featured speaker of the day was Episcopal School of Baton Rouge teacher, Dr. Rebecca Kuhn, who, with Deacon deGravelles, leads a high school class in Service Learning and Community Impact. Dr. Kuhn talked about the transition she made from teaching sociology and political science mostly in the classroom to leading students on field trips to places where community service is being done and having students pitch in.
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Two long-time deacons, Deacon JoAnn Garma and Deacon Michael Hackett, received the Louisiana Deacons Award “in recognition of those who have demonstrated a deep commitment to serving others in the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” | |
Press Release about the 2024 Louisiana Deacons Award HERE. | |
Deacon Formation Fund Will Honor EDOLA’s First Archdeacon | |
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A fund to assist those on track to become deacons in the diocese has been created in memory of the first Archdeacon of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana, Ormonde Plater (1933-2016), a highly respected scholar and author of the diaconate. Plater served as Archdeacon under Bishop Charles Jenkins between 1998 and 2005, creating the first diaconate program in the diocese.
“The Ormonde Plater Memorial Scholarship Fund for Deacon Education and Formation has been created to provide financial assistance for those in diaconal formation and education,” according to current Archdeacon Charles deGravelles. “Plater was a seminal figure in the renewal of deacons as a full and equal order of ministry—not just in our diocese but in the country. He was one of the founders of the National Association of Episcopal Deacons (now Association of Episcopal Deacons), and he wrote numerous books and articles on the history of the diaconate and the liturgical role of deacons. He is fondly remembered by those of us who knew him personally.”
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The fund will be administered by the Council on Deacons. Donations to the fund are welcomed and may be made to the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana designating on the memo line: Ormonde Plater Deacon Fund.
The initial donation that will seed the fund was made by Deacon Joey and Mrs. Donna Clavijo, formerly of the Diocese of Louisiana, now of the Diocese of Texas.
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Ongoing Hurricane Relief Throughout the Region | |
EDOLA's Hurricane Relief Fund
Bishop Duckworth created EDOLA's Hurricane Relief Fund to directly assist churches and people within the diocese who experienced Hurricane related loss.
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Episcopal Relief & Development
Additionally, consider donating to Episcopal Relief & Development. ERD is the humanitarian arm of the Episcopal Church; it partners with faith and community organizations to advance lasting change in communities affected by injustice, poverty, disaster and climate change. ERD has been generous with our diocese over the years with grants to support our work with vulnerable families. Select "Hurricane Relief" on donation page.
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Retreats & Special Events | |
10/10/2024 - 05/25/2025 (8 Sessions) | Women Gather in Community | | |
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12/14
Pancakes and Photos with Santa at SECC!
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Other Events Around the Diocese | |
Godly Play - Core Training 3-Day Retreat
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@ Trinity Episcopal Church | |
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Godly Play Core Training is the recommended training for those leading Godly Play sessions, program administrators, parents/caregivers and clergy.
Over the course of two and a half days, participants experience all aspects of the Godly Play method and begin to become fluent in the Godly Play core stories and fundamental practices. Our training will follow an action/reflection model of learning with a mixture of trainer-led presentations and participant storytelling presentations.
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1315 Jackson Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130 | |
Please contact Ashley Bond, Licensed Godly Play Trainer, for any questions: abond@trinitynola.com | |
St. Luke's International Food Fest
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@ Historic St. Luke's Episcopal, Gaudet Hall - New Orleans | |
Service begins at 10 am & International Food Festival is 11:30am - 2pm | |
1222 N Dorgenois St, New Orleans, LA 70119 | |
Environmental Commission:
Native Plant Gardening
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@ St. Martin's Episcopal Church - Gayle Hall | |
2216 Metairie Rd, New Orleans, LA | |
Trinity Concert Series - Quatre Voix | |
@ Christ Church Episcopal, Covington | |
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Quatre Voix was formed four years ago with the goal of bringing classical music in a variety of styles to the Northshore. Their selections range from well-loved classics to lesserknown composers to contemporary favorites. Their Third Sunday Concert will include works by Thomas Tallis (If Ye Love Me), Maddalena Casulana (Morte Che Voi), Tomás Luis de Victoria (O Magnum Mysterium), Henry Mancini (Moon River), Felix Mendelssohn (Lift Thine Eyes), Ysaye Barnwell (Wanting Memories), and ABBA (Lay All Your Love On Me).
Quatre Voix members include Amy Prats, Ashley Smetherman Lemmler, Caleb Porter, and Marjorie Polchow.
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5 pm (doors open at 4:30 pm) | |
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120 S. New Hampshire, near the Covington downtown area and just before the entrance to Bogue Falaya Park.
The handicap accessible entrance to the sanctuary is located on the park side of the main church. For more information call 985.892.3177 or visit christchurchcovington.com.
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TRINITY's Fall Rumage Sale | |
@ Trinity Episcopal Church, New Orleans | |
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New Orleans's finest rummage sale is just around the corner! Bishops Hall (1315 Jackson Ave, NOLA) will be stuffed to the brim with bargains on Clothes, Jewelry, Household Items, Electronics, Linens, Toys, Shoes, Books, Games, Home Decor, Purses and so much more!
The sale entrance is off of Jackson Avenue, through the door at the center of the circle drive, just past the memorial garden and fountain. All of the funds raised support various ministries of the Women of Trinity Church (WOTC) and the WOTC Grant Program.
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Friday 10/25 9am-3pm Saturday 10/26 9am-3pm Sunday 10/27 11am-2pm - all items half price on Sunday. | |
1315 Jackson Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130 | |
Featuring games, inflatables, crafts, jambalaya, and other food. The event is an offering to the community for a day of fun and fellowship with proceeds used to fund outreach ministries of the church. | |
1322 Church St., Zachary, LA 70791 | |
Racial Healing Commission:
Dismantling Racism Training
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@ Trinity Episcopal Church, New Orleans | |
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The EDOLA Racial Healing Commission invites you to a brave space of learning and growth in order to faithfully engage in the work of healing and wholeness to which God is calling us.
Based on the Dismantling Racism training offered through the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing in Atlanta, Georgia, this training will “seek to increase racial healing and reconciliation."
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This training is for all members of the church and is especially appropriate for clergy, church staff, and ministry leaders
Lunch will be provided.
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1315 Jackson Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130 | |
Newman Camp Able Club Thanksgiving Party | |
@ Christ Church Cathedral | |
2919 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115 | |
Some of the Pumpkin Patches
in the New Orleans Metro Area | |
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
Location:1031 S. Carrollton Ave. (Uptown)
Dates: Saturday, October 5th thru Thursday, October 31st
Times: Monday – Friday 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Saturday & Sunday – 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Event details: Kid friendly – games, crafts, and photo spots. Cash, Venmo, and credit are all accepted.
Special Event: Thursday, October 17th, St. Andrew’s will hold their open house that will lead to their pumpkin patch!
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St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Location: 6249 Canal Blvd. (Lakeview)
Dates: October 5th – October 30th
Times: Monday through Friday 3:30pm – 6:00pm, Saturday 10:00am – 6:00pm, and Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00pm Pick a plump pumpkin and take a festive fall photo with their autumnal backdrop!
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St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church
Location: 3412 Haring Rd, Metairie, LA
Dates: Tuesday, September 24th – Thursday, October 31st
Times: 12 pm – 8 pm daily (except on 10/31 when they will only be open until 6 pm)
Event Details: St. Augustine’s hosts “The Great Pumpkin Patch” every October featuring thousands of pumpkins and gourds in a myriad of sizes and colors. Every fall, the pumpkin patch sells pumpkins, gourds, jewelry, crafts, and home-baked goods like pumpkin bread and cookies made by St. Augustine’s church members and friends. Entrance to the patch is free. All are welcome to come, explore, and take photos free of charge. Pumpkins are priced individually by size.
Special Event: Come to their Pumpkin Palooza on Saturday, October 9th from 11 am – 2 pm for some additional fun!
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St. Martin's Episcopal Church
Location: 2216 Metairie Road, Metairie, LA
Dates: Monday, October 7th – Thursday, October 31st (or until pumpkins are sold out)
Times: M-F 3:30pm – 6:00pm; Saturday and Sunday 11:00am – 5:00pm
Event Details: Free entry with pumpkins and gourds of all sizes and colors (prices vary).
Red M Studio will be at the patch on Friday, October 18th from 3-6 pm offering a free professional photo with a non-perishable food item donation to Second Harvest.
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St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
Location: 3245 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey, LA
Dates: Wednesday, October 9th – Thursday, October 31st
Times: Monday – Saturday (10 am – 6 pm) and Sundays (1 pm – 6 pm). They will also host a car show on Sunday, October 20th.
Event Details: Pumpkins of varying sizes.
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Grace Memorial Church Episcopal Church
Location: 100 West Church St., Hammond, LA
Dates: October 5 - 31
Times: Monday – Saturday (12:30 pm – 6:30 pm) and Sundays (9 pm –4 pm).
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