After a long hiatus, the diocesan discernment process has been reopened. You may now reach out to Bishop Owensby and our diocesan staff to schedule the next steps of the process as you have done in the past.

If the priest concludes that the person should continue in the formal process toward ordination, the priest writes a letter to the bishop describing in detail the canonical inquiry he or she has made with the person (now called a Nominee) and confirming that the Nominee has been an active member in good standing for over one year.

The Nominee writes a letter to the bishop, submits a 500 word essay outlining his/her goals and intentions for ministry, and returns the completed Diocesan Discernment Application form. (New: the nominee should also include their spiritual autobiography in the application for diocesan discernment.)

More information about the ordination process can be found here.

Please note that this year’s Convention will be taking place on Saturday, May 4, at Best Western of Alexandria Inn & Suites & Conference Center, 2720 N. MacArthur Drive, Alexandria, Louisiana 71303. We will not be at the Pineville Convention Center at Country Inn and Suites for any part of Convention. If you have already made a reservation at a hotel in Pineville, there is no need to change your plans.

The Best Western is only 5.6 miles from Country Inn and Suites and about a 10-minute drive. A block of rooms has also been reserved at the Best Western. To book a room there, call 318-445-5530 and ask for EPIWLA Block. Room rate is $97-King, $104-Double, and $114-Suite.

As previously scheduled, the Convention Eucharist and reception will be held at St. James in Alexandria on Friday, May 3, at 5:00 p.m.

Stay informed on the latest updates by visiting the Convention Hub on the diocesan website.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Convention opens May 3, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. with Eucharist at St. James, Alexandria, followed by a catered reception in the Parish Hall.
• Note--The location of Convention has been changed: On Saturday, May 4, Convention check-in will commence at 8:30 a.m. in the Best Western Alexandria Inn & Suites, 2720 N. MacArthur Drive.
• The business meeting begins promptly at 10:00 a.m.
• There is no cost to attend Convention.
• Everyone who plans to attend Convention must register. Registration is now open and will remain available through April 26.
• Childcare will be available at all Convention events (sign up during registration).
• Display tables will be available for outside vendors or diocesan clergy and laity who want to display information about their organization or ministry (sign up during registration).

Questions? Please contact Joy Owensby.

DEADLINES

If you have a resolution to be considered for our 2024 Diocesan Convention, please submit no later than May 1, 2024, to Mary Shaddock Jones via email.

Nomination Forms Due April 15

2024 Diocesan Nomination forms for Disciplinary Board, Standing Committee, and Trustee to University of the South are open. The deadline for submissions is April 15. The nomination form can be found here.

Necrology Form Due April 15

Annual Report Form Due April 22

The 2024 Annual Report and Necrology forms are open. The deadline for the necrology form is April 15. The deadline for the annual report form has been moved to April 22. Both forms can be found here.

Lodging Options

A room block has been secured at Best Western Alexandria Inn & Suites. To make a reservation, call the hotel and use the code "epiwla." Kings are $97, Doubles are $104, and Suites are $114.

If you made a hotel reservation in Pineville, don't worry! The Best Western is less than 10 minutes away from the Country Inn and Suites.

Summer is right around the corner, and it’s not too late to sign your child up for an experience like no other at Louisiana’s premier Episcopal summer camp!

Selected as one of “America’s Best Summer Camps 2023” by Newsweek, Camp Hardtner isn’t just about games; it’s about making memories, finding joy, and discovering new things about yourself.

Campers will find an experience that will stick with them all year long and possibly for life. An experience of relationship, community, belonging, and self-worth–all built upon the foundation that God’s love surrounds us and transforms our lives.

You can sign up by clicking here.

Mark your calendars now: the Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, will visit our diocese September 20-22, 2024. His agenda will include a diocesan-wide event, a gathering for clergy only, and preaching at Sunday morning worship.

Given his recent health issues, keep in mind that his itinerary will be limited to what is appropriate for his energy levels and continued well-being, and his travel will be restricted to the diocesan see (the Alexandria area).

We are very excited Bishop Curry will be with us, and we will provide more details about his visit as they become available.

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.

Congratulations to all who were confirmed, reaffirmed, and received into The Episcopal Church this past week at St. Thomas' on the Bayou in Monroe.

Pictured with the Very Rev. Rita Jefferson and Bishop Owensby are (left to right) Kay Egan, Hughie and Marana Parker, Hannah and Rachel Hill and Karla and Carl Brown.

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.

Bishop Jake is offering a weekly Eastertide Devotional “The Meaning of the Resurrection” at his newsletter “The Woodlands.” Subscribe for free by clicking here. You will receive a meditation in your email inbox each Wednesday morning.

While the written version is available to everyone who signs up, paid subscribers can also listen to the audio version and will receive additional offerings as well. (Proceeds from paid subscriptions are used for alms. If a paid subscription is not for you right now, but you would like access to the audio, just shoot Bishop Jake an email.)

In addition to the Wednesday devotional, all subscribers (free and paid) receive a reflection on Holy Scripture each Friday morning along with occasional special offerings.

Please join Bishop Jake online for the nationally recognized Faith Forum on Sunday, April 14, at 10:00 a.m. ET. His friends at Christ Episcopal Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, have invited him to talk about the theme “Living the Resurrected Life,” and he would love for you to be in the virtual audience.

If you can’t join him live, you can catch the episode later on YouTube (found here).

The link for the event can be found here.