The Diocesan Office will be closed Monday, May 29 in observance of Memorial Day.

The newsletter will be taking it easy during the warm summer months. After June 1, the newsletter will come to you every other week as opposed to every week. The pattern will resume to a weekly basis as we approach September.

Due to changes in administrative structure, the diocese is no longer able to provide online giving for congregations.

Thank you for your understanding.

It is with sadness and deep gratitude that we announce the retirement of our friend and colleague Kathy Richey effective May 31. She has served the Diocese faithfully and effectively for 24 years, assisting three of our four Bishops.

There’s no replacing such an extraordinary talent and kind heart, but the Bishop is in conversation with the Treasurer and other lay leaders about next steps. We will celebrate Kathy’s ministry at our next Diocesan Convention.

If in the meantime you would like to contribute a gift of appreciation, please send your check to The Episcopal Diocese of Western Louisiana (P.O. Box 4330, Pineville, LA 71361) and mark the memo section “retirement.”

Enjoy your well-deserved retirement, dear friend!

As required by General Convention of the Episcopal Church, the Diocese of Western Louisiana has revised its expectations and guidelines for ordained and lay people in the church when engaged in ministry with children, youth, and vulnerable adults.

To learn more about these changes and how they may affect you, go to the Safe Church, Safe Communities page of the diocesan website.

For any questions regarding possible incidents or violations of any Safe Church, Safe Communities principles or policies by clergy or laity, contact one of the Intake Officers: The Very Rev. Rich Snow, OR The Very Rev. Annie Etheredge.

For any administrative questions regarding program requirements or compliance at the congregational or institutional level, contact Joy Owensby.

For any administrative questions regarding background checks, contact Holly Windham.

God Willing, The Rt. Rev. Jacob W. Owensby will ordain The Rev. Deacon Benjamin Thoms to the Sacred Order of Priests. This will be happening at St. Barnabas in Lafayette on Saturday, May 27 at 4:00 p.m.

Your prayers and presence are requested.

Camp Hardtner has enriched the lives of many people over the years. Making lifelong friends, learning about your faith, and unconditional love are all part of the camp experience. Now you can sign your children up for the 2023 Season.

Camp Hardtner provides summer camp sessions for different age ranges. Plus they are bringing back Camp Able this year, which is for adults 18 years or older with special needs. This is a great way for your children to spend their summer.

You can register by clicking here.

Camp Hardtner is also seeking health care professionals to help them throughout the summer. You can join for a single session or the whole summer.

You can learn more about the position by clicking here.

The new ministry of a Rector is celebrated in the context of a eucharist. The bishop is normally the chief celebrant. During the service, a Letter of Institution is read by the bishop after the wardens state that the new minister is well qualified, and that they have been prayerfully and lawfully selected.

Join Bishop Owensby and the congregation below in celebrating the upcoming installment of a new Rector in our diocese!

June 4

The Very Rev. Paul White

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church

10:00 a.m.

1700 Maplewood Drive

Sulphur, LA 70663

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.

On May 17, Bishop Owensby ordained John Henson to the Sacred Order of Priests at Church for The Highlands in Shreveport. The ordination was well attended.

Congratulations to the Rev. John Henson on his priestly ordination!

Photo: The Rev. John Henson and the Rt. Rev. Jacob W. Owensby stand near the altar at Church for the Highlands.

The Monroe Convocation Education for Ministry Group wrapped up its 2022/2023 program year with a closing party and celebration.

Larkin Norton of Church of the Redeemer in Ruston received a certificate recognizing her for completing the four-year program of Theological Education by extension from the School of Theology at Sewanee: The University of The South. 

This year's group included women from St. Alban's, and St. Thomas' on the Bayou in Monroe, from St. Patrick's in West Monroe, and from Church of the Redeemer in Ruston. The group met weekly at St. Patrick's and was mentored by the Rev. Whit Stodghill.

Stodghill also gave a copy of The Spiritual Life, by Evelyn Underhill, to Larkin.

You can learn more about the Education for Ministry program by clicking here.

Photo (Above): The Education for Ministry group stands with Larkin Norton.

Photo (Right): The Rev. Whit Stodghill gives Larkin a copy of The Spiritual Life.

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.

Compiling a book of the Sunday Gospel readings in both English and Hmong is just the latest way the Rev. Wa Meng Lor has helped members of the Church of the Holy Apostles in St. Paul, Minnesota, join their Hmong roots to their life in America.

Since 2019, Lor has been the vicar of the only majority-Hmong congregation in The Episcopal Church. Its members have roots in Laos, a Southeast Asian country that shares a border with Vietnam. And, he believes, his is the only majority-Hmong church in the Anglican Communion.

You can read more by clicking here.

Photo: The Rev. Wa Meng Lor holds the English-Hmong book of Sunday Gospel readings he created for use at the Church of the Holy Apostles.