A New Zoom Series with Bishop Duckworth | | An Invitation from Bishop Duckworth: | |
As we navigate this season in our national life, we are reminded of the sacred promises that were made at our baptism and that we reaffirm every time we renew our Baptismal Covenant.
We proclaim together that we will “seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves” and “strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.”
These words are not abstract ideals; they are daily commitments that call us to faithful presence, courageous conversation, and loving engagement, especially when it is difficult.
With this in mind, I invite you to a series of monthly Zoom conversations, where we can lean into our calling as Christians, fill our cups, and explore how we speak truth and justice while remaining faithful in our relationships with one another. I have titled this series, “With God’s Help: Faith-filled conversations in uncertain times.”
I have invited a group of friends and colleagues to share in this conversation with us. We will use the five questions in our Baptismal Covenant as our framework. These gatherings are not about partisanship; they are about discipleship. They are about learning how to reflect the light of Christ in our interactions with family, friends, and communities that may not always agree with us. And, as your bishop, one of my vows to you and to God is to “boldly proclaim and interpret the Gospel of Christ.”
My prayer for this time will be one of both hopefulness and proclamation.
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Let’s close out Pride Month with joy and community! Don’t miss the final two EDOLA Pride events — come celebrate with us!
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June 28 - Baton Rouge Pride Fest
- Noon–7 PM
- Raising Cane’s River Center Arena
- Questions? Fr. Tommy Dillon – rector@saintmargarets.com
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June 28 - Bayou Pride Picnic
- 11 AM
- 114 Tourist Dr., Gray, LA 70359
- Family friendly, bring blankets, chairs, tents, food & drink
- Karaoke, Snowballs, face painting, crafts, LGBTQIA+ vendors
- Questions? Fr. Jim Morrison – jamesmorrison44@gmail.com
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3rd Annual Acolyte Fest Coming Up!
Saturday, August 16
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Bishop Duckworth invites you to the 3rd Annual EDOLA Acolyte Festival! Acolytes (and those who would like to possibly become acolytes) of all ages will enjoy a time of conversation and sharing with Bishop Duckworth and other diocesan acolyte leaders about this important ministry of service to God's people.
There will be special opportunities for adults and older youth to learn about the specialized ministries of serving as Verger (master of Ceremony) and Thurifer (incense bearer).
Refreshments will be provided. There is no charge to participate however space is limited so please register as soon as possible to secure a slot.
The Festival will culminate in a Eucharist beginning in the Cathedral at 11:15 a.m. to which all are invited (no registration is necessary to attend the Eucharist).
Dress is casual, no vestments are needed.
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Saturday, August 16
9 AM - Noon
Christ Church Cathedral, 2919 St. Charles Ave, New Orleans
(In the parish hall, enter on Sixth Street)
Schedule:
9 AM: Acolyte Festival begins
11:15 AM: Holy Eucharist
| | Missioner Sunday Visitations | | |
Fostering relationships and meaningful connection is central to our missioner, Tamika Gerhardt, and vital to the life of our diocese.
As missioner, Tamika would love to visit your church on a Sunday during coffee hour and share more about diocesan ministry work that directly supports and/or resonates with your congregation.
Some of the key area Tamika can discuss include:
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Frances Joseph Gaudet Umbrella Ministries (Environmental Evangelism, The Gaudet Fund, Inclusive Louisiana, Latino/Hispanic Ministry, Racial Healing Commission, Youth Leadership Commission)
- Lay leadership roles, training, and mentoring opportunities
- Diocesan Convention insights & Elected Positions Opportunities
- Diocesan Resource Days/Program Calendar
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Diocesan Website Resource Library (offerings such as previous recorded lunch and learns, congregational vitality tools, etc.)
Email Tamika with questions: tgerhardt@edola.org.
| | Does Your Church or School Have Unclaimed Funds? | | |
The State of Louisiana has a website where unclaimed funds are listed belonging to individuals, businesses and organizations, and that list includes our churches and schools.
If you are a church or school, please check the Louisiana Department of Treasury’s database to claim your property: https://lacashclaim.org/
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Bookmark our Disaster Preparedness Resources on edola.org!
We’ll keep this page updated with helpful trainings, tools, and information to support your church and community before, during, and after a disaster.
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Be on the lookout —
Delegate licensing will be announced shortly. Also, are you interested in leadership? Nominations are opening soon. Step up or encourage someone who should!
🤔 Wait... Why do we even have Convention?
Because the Church isn’t just a place — it’s a people. Convention is where we come together to make decisions, elect leaders, pass resolutions, and build the future of our diocese together.
💬 Got questions about Convention? What it means to be a delegate? Or how any of this works? Ask Nicole neiden@edola.org.
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In the latest Little Podcast of Good News, the Rev. Lindsey Ardrey joins Lauren and Grace to discuss how we can teach our kids about Juneteenth in light of the Gospel message.
| | Deacons Around the Diocese | | Bishop Duckworth and Deacons Receive Awards at AED Triennial Conference | |
National honors from the Association of Episcopal Deacons (AED) were awarded to Bishop Shannon Rogers Duckworth, Archdeacon Charles deGravelles and Deacon Michael G. Hackett for their work in promoting the work and mission of the diaconate. The awards were presented at the AED’s Triennial Conference in San Antonio, Texas, June 5-8, 2025.
Bishop Duckworth was the recipient of the Bishop George Harris Award, presented to one person of any order for their work in supporting and promoting the diaconate. Archdeacon deGravelles received the award on her behalf and read a letter of thanks from Bishop Duckworth. In her letter accepting the award, the Bishop said, “It gives me great hope for the church to see the beautiful ways that [deacons] strive to bring the needs and concerns of this hurting world back to their communities and congregations. They are involved in everything from ministry to the unhoused, emergency response, recovery ministry, prison ministry, food distribution, and restorative justice. They push me to be a better bishop, and I am better for their loving and faithful presence.”
| | Deacon Michael G. Hackett received the Stephen Award, presented to one deacon in each of the nine provinces of the Episcopal Church for their outstanding community service and Diakonia. | | AED President Kristi Neal presents Deacon Michael Hackett with the Stephen Award as AED Director Carter Hawley looks on. | | |
“Michael is ‘retired’ in name only,” said Archdeacon deGravelles. “He continues his decades-long ministry at Angola prison, his work as a Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Chaplain, and, most importantly, he inspires and recruits lay and clergy alike to participate in servant ministry. Among his colleagues, he is known as a ‘deacon’s deacon.’”
Archdeacon deGravelles received the Ormonde Plater Award, presented to one deacon who represents the diaconate to the church and the world, raises the deacon profile, and has increased respect for the diaconate.
| | “I am so proud to receive an award that bears the name of Deacon Ormonde Plater,” deGravelles said. “He was a pioneer and architect of the modern diaconate as a distinctive ministry in the church and a scholar whose books have educated generations of new deacons. For me, he was not only a mentor but a role model and a hero.” | | Archdeacon Charles deGravelles accepts the Ormonde Plater Award. | | The four-day conference featured Presiding Bishop The Most Rev. Sean W. Rowe as the keynote speaker and celebrant of the first Eucharist of the event. A wide variety of workshops on diaconal ministries were available to the participating deacons from around the country. “But it’s not just about the workshop content,” said Deacon Hackett, “it’s about reconnecting with friends and colleagues and making new ones. It’s about networking to see what we have to share with one another.” | | Community Engagement Conference Impactful | |
Over forty deacons, priests and lay from across the diocese got an in-depth training on how to successfully engage with their communities— both as individuals and as churches.
Presenters Deacons Elaine Clements and Carol Spencer, both with a depth of experience in community engagement and disaster response, stressed the importance of approaching community work as a collaborative enterprise that empowers communities to identity their own strengths, articulate their own needs, and discover their own solutions.
| | Deacon Clements explained the concept of Asset-Based Community Development (also known as ABCD) which focuses on the strengths and gifts of the subject community rather than on its needs. The main principles of ABCD are that it is citizen-led, relationship-oriented, asset (strengths)-based, place-based, and inclusion focused. These principles emphasize building on the strengths and resources within a community rather than focusing on its deficits. | |  | |
“Coming in from the outside with preconceived ideas about what a community needs can often do more harm than good,” Deacon Clements said. “When we help a community identify what it’s already good at, it unlocks potential and solutions.”
Workshop participants began with an African Bible Study, exploring a passage from the Gospel of Matthew, and were given numerous opportunities throughout the day to work in small groups to apply ABCD principles to their own churches and communities.
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“When we help a community identify what it’s already good at, it unlocks potential and solutions.”
— Deacon Elaine Clements
| | Deacon Elaine Clements leads conference on the ABC(D)s of Community Engagement. | | Will Wison at the deacon-led Community Engagement seminar. | | Deacon Clements, serving as a deacon in the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana (EDOLA), currently resides in Alabama. She worked with Episcopal Relief & Development on a team, Partners in Response, that deployed to disaster sites across the United States, helping EDOLA determine its gifts in responding to the most vulnerable. She also worked fifteen years for EDOLA, much of that as the Diocesan Disaster Coordinator and community development coach. | | |
Deacon Carol Spencer was a co-presenter. Deacon Spencer, currently serving at Trinity New Orleans, was disaster response coordinator in the Diocese of Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina, was on the Bishop’s staff there, and has a long history in community organizing.
| | Happenings Around the Diocese | | |
June Ordinations:
Casey Rush Duncan and Melissa Carnall Fauci to the Sacred Order of Deacons
| | Joan Cole Weber to the Sacred Order of Priests |
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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: | | New Employment Opportunities | | Retreats & Special Events | | |
06/28 - 6/29
Lay Leadership Conference
Gaudet Umbrella Ministries
@ Solomon Center
Registration is closed
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08/01
EDOLA Coed Recovery 2025
@ Solomon Center
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10/23-10/26
Silent Retreat led by Paula D'Arcy
@ Solomon Episcopal Conference Center
9 AM - 4 PM
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Paula D'Arcy is a retreat leader and speaker, the author of 12 books, including, Gift of the Red Bird, Waking Up to This Day, Stars at Night and Winter of the Heart.
In 1975 Paula D’Arcy’s husband and daughter were killed in a drunken driving accident. She was twenty-seven years old and three months pregnant, yet survived. Six months later she gave birth to her second daughter, Beth, and began the long process of healing. Since that time, she has authored many books, worked as a therapist in private practice, and established a retreat and speaking ministry. Paula’s ministry is to serve the very movement of love that changed her own destiny. Her guiding focus is embedded in an intention to assist others in the opening of the heart and awakening to a greater love.
| | Other Events Around the Diocese | | |
06/27
Twilight Program
@ Christ Church Cathedral, NOLA
5 PM – 6:30 PM
Some say that twilight—that time between sun setting and moon rising—is, for "older people," and that it is the time to wind down, to slow down our way of living, or to "retire" from life. Others say quite the opposite. Twilight is the time when we can see life differently. The light is changing, and we notice new scenes and see parts of nature we hadn’t noticed before. We get new visions of our own lives, what they are or what they might be, and we wonder where it is that life is still leading us.
Christ Church Cathedral's Congregational Development Committee invites you to join in a conversation with others about life.
Anyone over the age of 60 is invited to engage in conversation about our lives, our memories, our dreams, and whether we are truly living life to the fullest.
Just let us know you are coming by emailing:
Meryl Fink at meryl1202@cox.net or Gigi Conner at revgigiconner@gmail.com
Enter through the 6th Street door – by the purple banner. We’ll have greeters at the door to show you to meeting room.
Light Refreshments
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06/28
Baton Rouge Pride & Parade
Inclusive Louisiana
@ Baton Rouge, Raising Cane's River Center
Noon – 7 PM
Questions? Fr. Tommy Dillon – rector@saintmargarets.com
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06/28
Bayou Pride Picnic, Houma Region
@ 114 Tourist Drive, Gray, LA 70359
11 AM
Family friendly, bring blankets, chairs, tents, food & drink
Karaoke, Snowballs, face painting, crafts, LGBTQIA+ vendors
Questions? Fr. Jim Morrison – jamesmorrison44@gmail.com
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06/30
With God's Help: Faith-filled Conversations in Uncertain Times
ON ZOOM
6:00 - 7:00 PM CT
Bishop Duckworth in conversation with The Rev. Ed Bacon.
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07/07 - 07/18
CEEP Summer Day Camp
@ Christ Church, Covington
CEEP (Community Educational Enrichment Program), a low-cost academic and arts day camp for kids entering grades 3-6 and an outreach ministry of Christ Episcopal Church,Covington, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year!
Registration: Tuesdays from 10 AM - 2 PM and on Saturday, June 28, from noon - 2 PM at the Christ Episcopal Church Administration Office, located across the street from the church at 129 S. New Hampshire Street.
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07/28
With God's Help: Faith-filled Conversations in Uncertain Times
ON ZOOM
6:00 - 7:00 PM CT
Bishop Duckworth in conversation with Br. Angel Gabriel Roque BSG.
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07/29 - 07/30
SAES Equip Chaplains & Rectors Conference
@ St. Francis Episcopal School, Houston, TX
Are you a newly called School Chaplain? Or a newly called Rector to a parish with a school–which is a new ministry experience for you? Perhaps you are a Head of School in a parish that has called a new curate to serve as School Chaplain.
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08/14
Walking the Mourner's Path
@ Christ Church, Covington
Are you seeking comfort and healing after the death of a loved one? The ministry of Walking the Mourner’s Path seeks to serve individuals who are in grief, through a series of eight weekly workshops.
If you are interested in the program, please call the church office 985-892-3177. Leave your phone number and a message that you would like information about the program. Someone will call you back.
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08/16
Acolyte Festival
@ Christ Church Cathedral, NOLA
(in parish hall, enter on Sixth Street)
9 AM - Noon
9 AM: Acolyte Festival begins, light refreshments provided
11:15 AM: Holy Eucharist, registration not needed for Eucharist
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08/20
Clergy Day
@ Christ Church Cathedral, NOLA
registration deadline: August 13
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08/25
With God's Help: Faith-filled Conversations in Uncertain Times
ON ZOOM
6:00 - 7:00 PM CT
Conversation guest TBD.
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08/28
TENS Webinar
Noon CT on Zoom
Inviting all lay and clergy stewardship leaders in the Diocese of Louisiana!
Join this free webinar with our partner, TENS: The Episcopal Network for Stewardship to review proven practices, learn some new tips and tools, and test out strategies for your annual campaign.
Special attention will be given to recession-proofing your church finances and running robust stewardship programs in this challenging year so that we can turn scarcity into abundance! Free to attend.
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09/29
With God's Help: Faith-filled Conversations in Uncertain Times
ON ZOOM
6:00 - 7:00 PM CT
Bishop Duckworth in conversation with The Rev. Ollie V. Rencher.
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09/30
Discernment Application Packets Due
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