|
Light captured at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, near St. Francisville on the Angola road. This decommissioned historic church has an active restoration group preserving its legacy.
Photo by Yvette Blackwelde, parishioner at Grace Episcopal Church, St. Francisville, LA.
| | | |
Alert Media Test
Monday, June 2 | 11 AM
For Clergy ONLY
All active and retired clergy living within the Diocese of Louisiana will receive a text message from 504-509-4705. An email will be sent, as well.
If you do not receive these messages or have any questions, please contact Nicole Eiden at neiden@edola.org or
504-895-6634.
| | All are welcome to come, learn, and grow together! | |
Lay Leadership Conference:
The Lens of Seeing the Beloved
| |
Are you feeling called to serve in your church, community, or ministry? Let Gaudet Ministries help you lead with inspiration, service, and inclusion. Come learn, grow, and enhance your leadership, all while being guided by faith, hope, and God’s love.
Interested?
-
Please coordinate with your Clergy or Rector’s Warden to complete the pre-conference packet
For more info, contact Tamika Gerhardt at tgerhardt@edola.org.
| | |
Kairos Prison Ministry International:
God's Special Time
| | “… I was in prison, and you visited me.” | |
What is Kairos?
Kairos’ Vision is a community spiritually freed from the effects of imprisonment reaching all impacted by incarceration, through the love, hope and faith found in Jesus Christ.
Kairos’ Mission is to share the transforming love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ to impact the hearts and lives of incarcerated men, women and youth, as well as their families, to becoming loving and productive citizens of their communities.
Kairos is a lay led, interdenominational ministry that is comprised of has three programs:
(1) Kairos Inside is a 3-1/2 day retreat to start building a Christian community inside the men’s and women’s institutions;
(2) Kairos Outside is a 2-1/2 day retreat for females 20 years and older who have incarcerated family or friends. It offers a non-judgmental weekend for women to support each other as they journey through the incarceration of a loved one; and
(3) Kairos Torch is an initial weekend and long term mentoring for youth to make better life choices.
|
Interested in Serving with Kairos Outside?
Kairos Outside is forming a team to minister to women, 20 years and older, whose lives have been impacted by the incarceration of a loved one. This is a powerful opportunity to offer healing and hope through community and faith.
Team Training Dates (Ponchatoula, LA):
- July 19
- August 2
- August 30
- September 13
Retreat Weekend:
- September 26–28 in Greenwell Springs, LA
- Follow-Up Reunion:
- October 11 (Location TBD)
For more information or to volunteer, please contact:
Katie Trosclair – Lay Leader
📞 985-209-9764 | 📧 elako192019@gmail.com
Deacon Alyce Jefferson
📞 504-909-1326 | 📧 alyce02@att.net
Changing Hearts… Transforming Lives... Impacting the World!
|
| | |
Our 9th podcast episode just dropped!
LISTEN HERE
| | | | |
The theme of the next box is ...drum roll, please... SCRIPTURE!
SUBSCRIBE HERE
| | Diocesan Vitality Initiative | | Our diocese continues the important work begun through our participation in the Episcopal Church Foundation’s Diocesan Vitality Initiative (DVI). With renewed focus on structure, networking, and accountability, we’ve made meaningful strides in our three key focus areas: insurance, sustainable finances, and communications. Today we want to give an update on the incredible progress happening throughout the entire diocese in these three areas. | | Latino Hispanic Ministry Grant | | |
The Latino Hispanic Ministry is honored and blessed to announce that we have been awarded a $150,000 grant to support marginalized families impacted by Hurricane Francine. This funding will allow us to serve approximately 90 families throughout 2025, helping them recover, rebuild, and prepare for future increasing disasters and challenges.
Our shared mission is to build resilient and sustainable families across Louisiana, particularly by equipping Spanish-speaking communities with culturally relevant information and training on disaster preparedness — before, during, and after a natural disaster. We are proud to partner with community-based organizations that align with the mission of The Episcopal Church, working together to identify Latino/a/é families who have been most affected and are in greatest need. In addition, our collaboration with the City of New Orleans' NOLA Ready and the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness and Emergency ensures we can provide Spanish resources and training that empower families and strengthen entire neighborhoods.
Our Diocese has maintained a longstanding partnership with Episcopal Relief & Development, dating back to our joint efforts after Hurricane Katrina. Today, we are thrilled to share that our Latino Hispanic Ministry has been featured as a model program for Direct Financial Assistance as a Long-Term Recovery Approach at the National VOAD Conference in Louisville, Kentucky this May. Karla Sikaffy duPlantier presented on how she and the Disaster and Preparedness team have enhanced internal systems and procedures to ensure transparency, accountability, and safety in how we serve our families.
| | Recovery Ministries Retreat | | |
We are deeply grateful to St. George’s for graciously hosting the conference. Special thanks go to the musicians from St. John’s, Kenner, and to Mother Holly Buris of St. John’s, Thibodaux, for leading us in the celebration of the Eucharist.
We also sincerely appreciate the generous financial support and active participation of the Diocesan Commission on Addiction. Bishop Duckworth warmly welcomed attendees to the Diocese, engaged with participants, and attentively listened to their concerns.
Each day began with a powerful keynote address—one from Florida and the other from Atlanta. Eight workshop leaders, most of whom are local professionals actively involved in addiction and spiritual care, offered a wide range of sessions.
Topics included:
- The spirituality of Alcoholics Anonymous
- How to intervene with a loved one struggling with addiction
- The impact of growing up in a family with addiction
- How A.A. can support the Church
- Recognizing and addressing gambling addiction
Together, these sessions provided practical tools and deep spiritual insight for all who attended.
| | New Leadership at Solomon Center | | | |
The The Very Rev. Robert W. Beazley called as new Executive Director of Solomon Episcopal Conference Center.
| | Congrats, Rt. Rev. Amy Dafler Meaux! | | New Lutheran Bishop-Elect! | |
Tracey Breashears Schultz Elected Bishop of the ELCA Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod | The Rev. Tracey Breashears Schultz, Houston, Texas, was elected May 17 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, May 16-17 at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside hotel in New Orleans, La. | | | | New Employment Opportunities | | Other Employment in the Diocese | | | |
Youth Minister: Part-Time
The Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Rosedale is seeking a part-time Youth Minister to start and develop a youth program and help with youth on Sundays in exchange for free living accommodations in a modern, fully equipped and furnished rectory. In addition to leading Sunday School, six hours of work, more or less, per week required.
Read Full Job Description
| | | Happenings Around the Diocese | | |
ECW Annual Gathering:
Ven a la Mesa "Come to the Table"
| | Ven a la Mesa "Come to the Table” wasn’t just a theme—it was a festive celebration of unity, faith, and service at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Baton Rouge! | | |
The weekend opened with an inspiring update from Karla Sikaffy duPlantier, Diocesan Coordinator for Latino/Hispanic Ministries, sharing the powerful growth and impact of this ministry across the diocese. On Saturday, The Very Rev. Stephanie Fox of St. George’s, New Orleans, delivered a moving keynote address. We were also pleased to welcome Bishop Duckworth, who gave her “State of the Diocese” address and then presided and preached at the Festival Eucharist.
Welcoming our new ECW leadership:
Maria Palmer – President (Church of the Incarnation, Amite City)
Debby Fortier – Vice President (St. Matthew’s, Houma)
With heartfelt thanks, we honor Sudee Campbell for her faithful service as outgoing President. Your leadership has been a blessing!
The Honored Women of 2025:
- Ashley Danos (St. Luke’s, Baton Rouge)
- Kathy Hohreiter Foster (St. Margaret’s, Baton Rouge)
- Dolly Williams (St. Francis, Denham Springs)
| | EDOLA's Youth Mountaintop Gathering! | | |
On Saturday, April 26, the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana sponsored the inaugural Mountaintop Youth Event in City Park in New Orleans. Lauren Dunn, Diocesan Youth Coordinator, asked three members of the Diocesan Environmental Evangelism Commission, Molly Blackwell, from St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Baton Rouge, along with Penny Dralle and Bart Reilly, from St. George's Episcopal Church in New Orleans, to conduct the Creation Care segment of the event.
Fourteen young people from New Orleans, the North Shore, and from Thibodaux participated in the session on a beautiful and sunny day in God's creation. Using the book by Robert Gottfried of the Center for Deep Green Faith, Living in an Icon, as a guide for the session, Molly, Penny, and Bart shared a three-hour series of Creation Care activities that were focused on a “RARAH” Experience (Reorient, Attend (Notice), Respect, Appreciate, and Honor) with the members of the youth group.
Using City Park’s Couturie Forest, a 60-acre nature-lover’s haven filled with native trees, scenic waterways and fascinating wildlife, for reflection and contemplation, the youth group members were able to spend time in nature and then share their reflective observations in a participant group.
Due to overwhelming interest and a wait list, another retreat will be planned soon. Stay tuned!
| | Earth Day @ St. Margaret's, Baton Rouge | | |
On Sunday, April 27, after the 10:00 AM Eucharist, St. Margaret’s joined millions around the world in celebrating Earth Day—a time to give thanks for the beauty and wonder of God’s creation and to renew our commitment to being faithful stewards of the Earth.
Fr. Tommy led a liturgy giving thanks for the gift of creation and honoring the life and ministry of Pope Francis, whose encyclical Laudato Si’ calls us into deeper care for our common home.
Parishioners planted trees and flowers, created a new rock garden, picked up litter around the campus, explored nature walks, and enjoyed painting, crafts, drumming, and music. Families spread out blankets and shared picnic lunches under the springtime sun.
It was a wonderful day of prayer, community, and action, reminding us that our care for the earth is deeply rooted in our faith and love for all of God’s creation.
| | |
Blessing of the Boats
St. Andrew's, Bayou Dularge
| | |
We'd love to feature your happenings, parish, 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.
| | To share photos from Bishop Duckworth's Visitations, UPLOAD photos HERE: | | Retreats & Special Events | | |
|
06/14
ABC(D)s of Community Workshop
@ Solomon Episcopal Conference Center
9 AM - 4 PM
| | |
Discover how to connect your church and community in the Spirit of Christ!
Led by Deacon Elaine Clements and a community of deacons
Learn Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD):
- Know your congregation better!
- Engage your congregation in sustainable community ministry!
- Identify hidden talents and interests in your congregation!
- Prepare your congregation for disaster response!
Free! Lunch is included
| | |
|
06/28 - 6/29
Lay Leadership Conference
Gaudet Umbrella Ministries
@ Solomon Center
| | |
08/01
EDOLA Coed Recovery 2025
@ Solomon Center
| | Other Events Around the Diocese | | |
06/05
Inclusive Louisiana: Pride Eucharist Celebration & Reception
Gaudet Umbrella Ministries
@ St. Anna's, NOLA
6 PM
Join Inclusive Louisiana for a Eucharist Celebration and Reception in honor of Pride month!
Celebrant: Bishop Shannon Duckworth, Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana
Preacher: Bishop Thomas Brown, Episcopal Diocese of Maine
Reception to follow
| | |
06/07
Inclusive Louisiana: Northshore Pride Parade & Block Party
Gaudet Umbrella Ministries
@ Lakeshore, Mandeville
4 - 9 PM
Questions? Fr. Robert Beazley – rbeazley@stmichaelsla.org
| |
06/14
Inclusive Louisiana: NOLA Pride & Parade
Gaudet Umbrella Ministries
@ NOLA
Noon–6 PM: Community Fest @ Louis Armstrong Park
4 PM: Parade lineup @ 1200 St. Philip St
5 PM: Parade rolls
Look for the Inclusive Louisiana float near the front!
Questions? Fr. John Pitzer – jpitzer@trinitynola.com
| | |
|
06/28
Inclusive Louisiana: BR Pride & Parade
Gaudet Umbrella Ministries
@ Baton Rouge, Raising Cane's River Center
Noon – 7 PM
Questions? Fr. Tommy Dillon – rector@saintmargarets.com
| | |
08/16
Acolyte Festival
@ Christ Church Cathedral
| | JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER COMMUNITY | | Sign up to stay informed, learn more, and get involved. We send a diocesan newsletter once/month and occasional updates. | | | | |
