Header photo: Recovery Sunday at St. Margaret's, Baton Rouge [Photograph from the St. Margaret's Facebook Page]

The Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana

News & Updates from August 2023

News and updates from the bishop's office.

Meet our Seminarians

Please keep our seminarians in your prayers.

First Year Seminarian

Laura Freeze is in the deacon track of the Iona School for Ministry at the A. C. Marble School for Theological Formation. She is sponsored by Grace Memorial, Hammond.

Second Year Seminarian

Joan Weber is in the bi-vocational track of the Iona School for Ministry at the A. C. Marble School for Theological Formation. She is sponsored by St. Margaret's, Baton Rouge.

Third Year Seminarians

Lester Mut is in the deacon track of the Iona School for Ministry at the A. C. Marble School for Theological Formation. He is sponsored by St. Margaret's, Baton Rouge.

Audra Ryes is attending the School of Theology at the University of the South. She is sponsored by Trinity Church, New Orleans.

Austin Wendt is attending Virginia Theological Seminary. He is sponsored by St. James, Baton Rouge.

Paul Allman Named Diocesan Disaster Coordinator

Paul Allman has been appointed to serve as the diocesan disaster coordinator. In the event of a disaster, he will coordinate a group of volunteers who will assist local parishes in providing relief to their communities. Currently, he is the facility manager at St. James, Baton Rouge.

United Thank Offering 2024

United Thank Offering Grants applications are due to Bishop Duckworth's office by December 1. Email applications to Jessica Lee at jlee@edola.org.

Grant Focus

The UTO grant focus for 2024 will be on “the stranger” Jesus mentions, offering welcome and inclusivity. This includes funding innovative mission and ministry projects that:

• welcome people with differences that cause isolation (culture, life experience, disability, mental health, etc.) in new ways that are meaningful and deemed necessary by that community.
• encourage truth telling, acknowledging historic trauma, and establishing a pathway towards healing.

The grant application and supporting material can be found on the UTO website.

Out & About in August 2023

Snapshots of the life, work, and ministry of the people of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana.

Watch the August 2023 video here

The Clericus August 2023

Updates on the clergy of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana.

Transitions in the Diocese

The Very Rev. Rob Courtney has been appointed to serve as the dean of the Downtown Deanery.

New Clergy in the Diocese

The Reverend Timothy R. Heflin, a priest canonically resident of the Diocese of Western Louisiana, has been licensed to serve in the Diocese of Louisiana as supply clergy.

Mission Stories

Stories of faith in action around the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana.

Clergy Spouses Are Invited to Participate in a New Clergy Spouse Group

There is a group of clergy spouses who have met to plan activities for clergy spouse gatherings this fall and spring. To receive additional information about the group and planned events, please email your name, cell number and email to Linda Bogacki, linda.bogacki@gmail.com

All are invited to the grand homecoming of Trinity Episcopal Church on Sunday, September 17 at 10:30 a.m.

All are invited to the grand opening of the Dodwell House Community Resource Center on Saturday, October 7 from 12-2 p.m.

Chapel of the Holy Spirit Partners With Students Against Food Insecurities to Open a Food Pantry

Chapel of the Holy Spirit has partnered with Tulane Unversity's Students Against Food Insecurities to open a food pantry. Many students, primarily those who live off-campus, suffer from food insecurity. The food pantry is located in the Canterbury House located directly behind the chapel. More information about the food pantry can be found in this news article.

Jericho Road Releases Impact Report

Jericho Road Episcopal Housing Initiative has published its 2019-2021 Impact Report. Read the report here to learn more about the inspiring work of Jericho Road.

St. Andrew's Served as a Cooling Center During the Summer Heatwave

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church served as a New Orleans designated cooling center during the brutal heatwave over the summer. The church offered free access to air conditioning and water to help neighbors cope with the heat.

Ministry Reflections

Click to read reflections offered by the ministries of the diocese.

• Addiction Recovery Ministry September 2023

Clergy Calls & Lay Job Opportunities

Open Clergy Calls

Details, including links to parish profiles, can be found here.

• St. Andrew's, New Orleans, is seeking a rector.
• St. Patrick's, Zachary, is seeking a rector
• Trinity Church, Baton Rouge, is seeking an associate priest for Christian formation.
• Trinity Church, Morgan City, seeking a rector.

Lay Job Opportunities



Lay employment opportunities can be found on the EDOLA website.



Episcopal Church News August 2023

Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs top headlines

• Update: Presiding Bishop Michael Curry released from hospital, scheduled for surgery

• Surgery rescheduled for Presiding Bishop Michael Curry

• MEDIA ADVISORY: Episcopal Church House of Bishops to meet Sept. 19-26 in Dominican Republic (updated 8/28/23)

• Episcopal Evangelism grants available for local, regional projects

• Applications open for General Convention Official Youth Presence 2024

• Presiding Bishop offers pastoral word on church safety, accountability

• United Thank Offering invites 2024 annual grant applicants