Announcements

Safe Church Training Update

In response to the Safe Church Model Policies that were adopted by General Convention in 2017, The Episcopal Church’s Task Force to Develop Model Anti-Sexual Harassment Policies & Safe Church Training has been working hard to create new trainings to accompany the model policies. As previously announced the original Safeguarding courses are being decommissioned and removed from Praesidium Academy access. Also, the training program has been renamed Safe Church, Safe Communities. The most recent changes occurred on August 12 when both Meet Sam and It Happened to Me were no longer part of Praesidium Academy’s course offerings.


The Episcopal Diocese of Western Louisiana is in the process of reviewing our current diocesan policies and training requirements and will be updating them in keeping with Safe Church, Safe Communities. Look for changes coming soon. In the meantime, anyone in a diocesan organization who is required by our current policies to take training courses should follow our current guidelines to the extent possible. Once our new policies go into effect, additional training will be necessary even for those who are already certified.


If you have any questions about Safe Church, Safe Communities, please click here.


For diocesan information, click here. You can also contact Joy Owensby for general questions or Holly Windham regarding background screening.

Diocesan Events

Save the Date

The fall season brings with it many exciting diocesan events. Please mark your calendars for the following dates and make plans to join in the fun! 

November 5

Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate (Katy Campbell, John Henson and Benjamin Thoms)

St. James, Alexandria

11:00 a.m. 


November 26

Ordination to the Diaconate (Brian Warner)

St. Timothy's, Alexandria

11:00 a.m.


December 9-10

Adaptive Leadership Conference with Bishop Sean Rowe

The Wesley Center, Woodworth


February 24-25, 2023

Diocesan Convention

Feb. 24: Opening Eucharist and Reception at St. James, Alexandria

Feb. 25: Convention at Pineville Convention Center

Diocesan Calendar

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.

Around the Diocese

St. Paul's in Shreveport to Host Centering Prayer Workshop

St. Paul's is planning to host a workshop for Centering Prayer, a method of silent prayer rooted in the Christian Contemplative tradition that opens us to the presence and action of the Holy Spirit.

St. James in Shreveport to Host Fall Festival and Homecoming

Following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, St. James in Shreveport wants to return to its roots and revive some traditions. On October 16, St. James is planning to hold its Fall Festival and Homecoming celebration. It will start with a church service and it will follow with the picnic and festival. Make sure to join them!

The Secretariat to Host Diocesan Ultreya and Cursillo Welcome Back Party

The Secretariat of Western Louisiana is planning to host a Welcome Back Party for Diocesan Ultreya and Cursillo. This will be held on October 29 at The Wesley in Woodworth.


Bring your Book of Common Prayer, De Colores Attire, Cursillo Name tags, and/or a musical instrument and join the fun! You can sign up for the event here.


If you wish to reserve an overnight room at the Wesley, registration is due October 14.

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.
Outside the Diocese

Philadelphia Names Street in Honor of Absalom Jones

The Rev. Absalom Jones, the first black priest in the Episcopal Church, was honored in a ceremony giving his name to the street in front of the church he founded, the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas.


The ceremony for the street, now named Absalom Jones Way, was part of the ongoing celebration of the 230th anniversary of that parish. The church is also the oldest Black Episcopal Church in the United States. 


You can read the article here.

Resources & Formation
Bishop Owensby's Latest Blog Post

The Heart of Friendship - Jake Owensby

Friendship, says C. S. Lewis, "is born at the moment when one [person] says to another "What! You too?" You love this thing that I love? And so it was for one of my oldest friendships. In our boyhood and teen years, R- and I shared a love of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Read More

The Episcopal Church Newsletter is handled by Thomas Stodghill, IV. Click here to submit a story.