Daylight Savings starts on March 12, so do not forget to set your clocks an hour ahead!

Does your church need some renovations and maintenance? Maybe there is a church project you want to tackle in the new year.

The Diocesan Council could help make those goals a reality. They are offering grants and loans in a new, exciting program for our diocese.

Mission and Ministry Grants serve two main purposes:

1. Mission, Ministry, and Outreach Programs.
2. Incentivizing Care of Creation Programs throughout Western Louisiana.

These grants can help existing ministries, help foster new ones, address areas of unmet need, and support ministries that serve their communities.

Capital Improvement & Deferred Maintenance Loans will enable congregations and ministries to realize capital improvement needs and address maintenance issues. These loans will bear no interest.

Clicking on those links will take you to a Google form. Applications will be considered by the Finance Committee on behalf of the Diocesan Council. These forms can also be found here on the Diocesan website.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Will Harp, Diocesan Treasurer.

Camp Hardtner has enriched the lives of many people over the years. Making lifelong friends, learning about your faith, and unconditional love are all part of the camp experience. Now you can sign your children up for the 2023 Season.

Camp Hardtner provides summer camp sessions for different age ranges. Plus they are bringing back Camp Able this year, which is for adults 18 years or older with special needs. This is a great way for your children to spend their summer.

You can register by clicking here.

Members of the clergy are called together each year on Tuesday of Holy Week for the celebration of the Chrism Mass during which the holy oils are blessed and a renewal of commitment to the ministry of the Gospel through the exercise of the ordained ministry is made. The 2023 Chrism Mass will take place at St. James in Alexandria on April 4.

The service start time is 10:30am. Clergy who plan to attend must RSVP by March 28. 

You can RSVP by clicking here.

Have you seen the calendar of events on the new diocesan website? Find diocesan events for various categories: Bishop's Visitation, Youth Events, Christian Formation Workshops, and more. Explore the diocesan calendar of events by clicking here.

A memorial service for The Rev. Dr. Peter Cook will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Lake Charles. The Rev. Andrew Christiansen will officiate.

The Rev. Dr. Peter Cook faithfully served as the fourth rector of St. Michael and All Angels for over 20 years until his retirement in 2014. He will be missed by his family and friends in the Lake Charles convocation.

Click here to read the obituary.

Church of The Ascension in Lafayette is pleased to announce a visit from their former rector, The Rev. Russ Levenson, Jr. He is now Rector of St. Martin's in Houston, Texas, the largest Episcopal congregation in the country.

He had the honor of officiating and preaching at the funerals of two parishioners who had become dear friends, former U.S. President and First Lady George and Barbara Bush. He wrote a book about their sincere, dedicated faith and service.

This event will be held March 15 at 5:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public, but they expect a large crowd and space will be limited.

Want to see your congregation or organization featured?

Share your ministry stories, announcements, and events with us through the Digital Hub on the diocesan website.

Episcopal delegates to the 67th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women gathered for a breakfast meeting at the Episcopal Church Center in New York on March 6 to begin their work at the annual international event promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.

It’s the first time in four years UNCSW has been held in person. The 2020 event was postponed because of the coronavirus and both the 2021 and 2022 events were online.

You can read more by clicking here.

Photo: U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres addresses the opening of the 67th session of the Commission on the Status of Women.