Communications and News

  Algiers United Methodist Church sponsored “Community Day at the Point” this past November, providing free household items, health screenings and delicious burgers to a large crowd of area residents. This annual event—started by the New Orleans congregation shortly after Hurricane Katrina devastated the area—is held every year on the front lawn of the church. “The goal for the first ...

According to Rev. Dr. Rob Weber, the work of the conference office of Congregational Development and Transformation is continuing and expanding in many areas throughout the state at a rapid rate. After completing one final class of Town and Country Ministries, the office has looked carefully at the training procedures needed to assist Louisiana’s congregations that find themselves in a ...

The Mission Department of Thirkield United Methodist Church (New Orleans District) is celebrating 25 years of giving food boxes to needy families in the community of Bogalusa, Louisiana. Each month, two families get enough food to last a month. Rev. Louis A. Smith serves as pastor for Thirkield UMC. Members of the church’s Mission Department include, left to right, Stanley Brown, Pamela...

Members of Wesley United Methodist Church in Houma recently prepared 106 meals for senior citizens living a residence known as “High Rise.” This outreach event has become an annual tradition for the congregation, attempting to serve these residents between the holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas. “These are times when the residents can be left on their own,” said Rev. Terry Lindsey, ...

On Sunday, Nov. 24, Rev. Rob Weber stood in the back of the small sanctuary of a church that had been close to closing its doors--and witnessed what he could only describe as “nothing short of a miracle.”   In just four short months, a new and vibrant congregation was born in the place of one that had been struggling (fewer than 20 people in attendance) and declining, reported Weber, ...

Make plans to attend one of three Cokesbury-sponsored events throughout the conference. Cokesbury is proud to present "VBS Exploration!" events at three local churches throughout the Louisiana Annual Conference in January. Congregations are invited to come and explore in preparation for upcoming Vacation Bible Schools.   The events will feature VBS kits and materials from 12 different ...

Sisters and Brothers, If you are planning to retire at the 2014 Session of the Louisiana Annual Conference we would like to have your retirement request in the Bishop's Office by Monday, January 6, 2014 and no later than Friday, February 28, 2014. The early deadline helps us make sure that all preparations for your retirement are completed in a timely manner. Please send a copy of your...

The Louisiana Conference Board of Discipleship (CBOD) recently announced seven recipients of this year’s Fresh Expressions of Church micro-grants. The $500 grants will assist the winners in supporting community outreach initiatives. In the Shreveport District, one recipient is the Benton UMC Community Garden. The project will partner with area food pantries, other churches, the local ...

Beginning this summer, Congregational Development and Transformation introduced Discipleship Coaching. Since then, another workshop series has been launched, with a third on the horizon.  First United Methodist Church, Alexandria and Munholland UMC, Metairie both recently benefited from Discovering the Possibilities, a five-hour facilitated process designed to assist congregational ...

Thanks to the generosity of United Methodists around the world, more than 880 projects and missionaries will receive a financial boost to help them meet their mission goals. The denomination’s General Board of Global Ministries announced that the first-ever UMC #GivingTuesday generated a record $6.5 million online on December 3. Nearly 11,000 donors in 34 countries gave more than ...

Rev. Ellen Blue of the Louisiana Conference won the General Commission on Archives & History’s “Women in United Methodist History Writing Award” for 2013. The piece is entitled, “Yes, We Are Everywhere”: Thirty Years with the Women for Progressive Action, Lower Ninth Ward. Rev. Blue, Ph.D., is the Mouzon Biggs, Jr. Professor of the History of Christianity & United Methodist Studies for ...

Dulac Community Center celebrated its 81st anniversary Nov. 15-16 with its Bayou Dulac Culture & Heritage Festival. The event featured handmade crafts, a Native American Village, music, food and an appearance by the Bayou Eagles Native American Dance Group. The center—established in 1932-- provides many services to the Dulac community, helping those in need, advocating for those “whose ...

Over three Saturdays in November, NOLA Wesley Foundation constructed a handicap-accessible ramp and deck for Luke's House Clinic, a non-profit free clinic helping the underserved of New Orleans. Each day, the team of eight students worked alongside Rev. Max Zehner, NOLA Wesley director, to complete the project. NOLA Wesley member Caleb Hicks coordinated the effort, also serving as ...

Bishop Alfred L. Norris, retired UMC bishop and former president of Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta, served as guest speaker for the 150th anniversary celebration of St. James United Methodist Church in Shreveport held Nov. 16. Members of the Wiley College “100 voice” choir performed special music for the ecumenical service, while the church’s Senior Choir provided music ...

  The United Methodist Men of Carrollton UMC spent several hours in front of the church building Nov. 24 handing out free water to those on their way to the Po Boy Festival in Uptown New Orleans. Donations were also accepted to be sent to UMCOR's current relief efforts in the Philippines. “We even had people quickly stop their cars, jump out to grab some water, and leave a donation! ...

  During the 2012 Annual Conference, Disciple Bible Outreach Ministries of Louisiana was founded to take Disciple Bible Study into our prisons. A new board was formed, and now the work is underway to recruit volunteers to lead DISCIPLE Bible Study Louisiana’s prisons. Mike Grace, a member of St. Andrews UMC in Baton Rouge, is chairing this effort with support from United Methodist Men, ...

  Sue Galliano, event organizer from Grand Isle UMC, and Doug Hall of the Louisiana Methodist Children's Home show off the t-shirt for this year's rodeo. A two-day fishing rodeo, sponsored by Golden Meadow and Grand Isle United Methodist Churches, raised funds to go toward the building of a permanent home for Methodist Children's Home of Greater New Orleans. “Fishing for a New...

Is your local church active in a shared ministry with other faiths, congregations or denominations? Are you an active bridge builder who brings together ministries and people of different faiths or denominations? Then you could be the recipient of conference-sponsored Ecumenical and Interfaith Ministry Recognition Award. The Committee on Christian Unity and Interreligious Relationships ...

Ecumenical Celebration on the Bluff in Scotlandville The North Baton Rouge Area Churches Ministry held a Prayer, Praise and Testimonies on the Bluff worship service in the Scotlandville Plaza at Scenic Highway and Scotland Avenue on October 12, 2013. From nine in the morning until one p.m. Those gathered were blessed with prayers, singing, dancers and inspiring readings to inspire hope ...

  Diverse group of young adults considers God’s call to ordained ministry By Vicki Brown, GBHEM Speaker after speaker told the 429 young adults gathered to explore ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church that God is calling them to go change the world and the church. “This is not your momma and daddy’s church. We have to be about making disciples, not members,” Bishop Cynthia ...

  Rev. Arnold V. Brown shown teaching L.E.A.D. Bible Study More than 45 laity and clergy attended L.E.A.D. 2013, held at The Wesley Center in Woodworth, La. Nov. 15-16. Workshops were centered on “reaching a new generation” and included such topics as enhancing social media skills; building a youth and young adult ministry; and social justice. Pastor Raymond D. Bailey, founder ...

LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (UMNS) — Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey will be the next secretary of the Council of Bishops. Harvey was elected to the position by the council’s active bishops on Nov. 13 during their recent gathering at Lake Junaluska. Harvey has served as bishop of the Louisiana Conference since September 2012. She will be taking on the role as a parliamentarian and as an organizer ...

  Jordan United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge honored its veterans during church services Nov. 10 in honor of Veteran’s Day. Those recognized were, front row, Jeffrey Patterson, Bobbie Kelly (representing Charles R. Kelly) and Samuel Ellis; and back row, Thomas A. Williams, Clifford Henderson, James Owens, Herbert Pate, Herbert Collins and Brena Roy Gasaway (representing Roy Gasaway). ...

  Donations double Dec. 3 through UMC#Giving Tuesday! Make an online donation Dec. 3 to UMC#Giving Tuesday; watch your gift multiply! For one day only, on Dec. 3, 2013 as part of UMC #GivingTuesday, gifts made to support any project or ministry through The Advance will be matched. Global Ministries will allocate the “matching funds” dollar for dollar up to the first $500,000 in gifts to ...

Exploring the topic of grace, Louisiana Conference Junior High retreats were held Oct. 25-27 and Nov. 8-10 at The Wesley Center in Woodworth La. A total of 97 youth and adults attended the October event and 133 youth and adults attended in November. Youth and adult workers participated in youth-led activities that explored the subject of grace, and included reflection on issues ...

Rev. Matt Rawle, pastor of The Well UMC in Ponchatoula, was among a number of scholars from the United Kingdom, the United States and Scandinavia invited to speak Nov. 2 in the UK at the University of Manchester during the 50th anniversary celebration of “Doctor Who,” a British science-fiction television program. Rawle presented a paper entitled, “God, Time and Identity: Doctor Who and...

  A large group of US military veterans (primarly World War II) were honored Nov. 6 at the Broadmoor United Methodist Church "Holy Chow" luncheon in Baton Rouge. The meal--generally attended by "seasoned" citizens-- is hosted once a month by the church and features an interesting program. Also, Charlie George, a WWII veteran and a member of St. Andrews UMC in Baton Rouge, gave rare ...

On behalf of the Louisiana Annual Conference Board of Laity, Conference Lay Leader Carolyn Dove invites interested and qualified lay members of our conference (who are also able to meet the associated time, attendance and financial responsibilities) to consider placing themselves in nomination for election as delegates to the 2016 General Conference and/or Jurisdictional Conference of ...

In January of 2012, the Conference Committee on Episcopacy delegated to the Episcopal Residence Committee the task of assessing the current residence located at 7344 Woodstock in Baton Rouge. The Residence Committee is comprised of representatives from CFA, Elaine Burleigh; Trustees, Jim Delaune; the Committee on Episcopacy, Ellen Alston and lay representative Mark Montgomery who is an ...

This week, UMCOR Philippines will deliver approximately 23 tons of food to 7,500 typhoon-affected people in Ormoc City in Leyte Province. This after consultation with the district superintendent and bishop, who helped UMCOR staff identify areas of critical need. UMCOR will be making more food distributions in affected areas in the weeks ahead. Ormoc City is a port city and is the largest...

The road had what appeared to be craters in the middle of it as we maneuvered our way along the beautiful countryside on a typically hot day in Liberia. The road was so bumpy that our bodies actually hurt when we finally arrived at the Camphor Clinic. Set in what appeared to be the middle of nowhere, we were greeted by about 40 tiny, thin, wiry African women. They were singing and ...

The North Baton Rouge Area Churches Ministry held Prayer, Praise and Testimonies on the Bluff, a worship service in the Scotlandville Plaza at Scenic Highway and Scotland Avenue on Oct. 12. Prayers, singing, dancers and inspiring readings inspired hope in families “in a quest to help in building wholesome communities.” Participating churches included Camphor Memorial and Hughes United ...

Thomas United Methodist Church in Kenner has partnered with several area churches to help individuals avoid holiday weight gain. Rev. Kaseem Short, pastor, and members of local churches along with community residents have committed to being a part of a Pre-Holiday Fitness Blitz. From Oct. 13-Nov. 23, participants have committed to choose an exercise program, select a venue for exercise...

Rev. Lisa Fitzpatrick, co-founder of the APEX Youth Center in New Orleans and recently named as a 2013 CNN Hero, has been recognized again for her groundbreaking work with decreasing violence among youth in a city that ranks third among the deadliest in the nation.   Selected by 5 Hour Energy as an “Amazing Person,” Fitzpatrick received, on behalf of APEX, a gift of $50,000 to further ...

Nashville, Tenn.: United Methodist Communications has created Advent resources to help United Methodist churches convey a welcoming message during the Christmas season to those who may not have a church home. This year’s resources complement United Methodist Communications’ broader campaign, “That’s Church,” and share a message about cutting through the holiday chaos and simplifying ...

Applications for Young Clergy Initiative grants to develop innovative projects of all sizes that could attract young people to ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church can be submitted beginning Nov. 1 through www.explorecalling.org/yci/grant. “There are places in our denomination where imaginative ideas are percolating and good, effective work is being done around young people’s...

Aurora United Methodist Church in Algiers hosted a Stop Hunger Now event Oct. 13, packing 50,976 meals. Nearly 200 volunteers from local churches, service organizations and the military completed the project in about two hours (and a good time was had by one and all!) Church members donated the funds necessary to sponsor the event. Volunteers, through an assembly line, combined rice, ...

Serving nearly 190 years in Red River Parish, First United Methodist Church in Coushatta celebrated the grand opening of its new sanctuary and office complex on Nov. 3. The construction project included the demolition of the original church building constructed in the 1920s, Bobbit Fellowship Hall, church offices and the sanctuary built in 1963. The new single building houses a ...

 If Christians would approach worship and church “work” with the same enthusiasm we display for our favorite sports team, we could transform our communities! Serving as God’s hands and feet in this world makes a difference—and for some mission efforts, training can be essential. Make plans to attend the Louisiana Volunteers in Mission Team Leader Training and Strategic Mission Planning ...

Church laity and clergy will learn more about “leading like Jesus” at Leadership Encounter, to be held Saturday, Nov. 16 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at NewSong United Methodist Church, 18465 Old Perkins Rd. in Prairieville. An initiative of the General Commission on United Methodist Men, this leadership workshop closely examines Jesus as a leader and a model, equipping participants to lead as He...

  Members of the Louisiana Annual Conference staff (and friends) served as members of a work team for the ongoing Baton Rouge District Habitat build. Pictured in the photo is Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey standing next to homeowner Jane Njenga, center in orange shirt. Jane immigrated from Kenya in 2008. Jane expressed her deep appreciation to the volunteers and donors saying, "I really ...

Fresh Expressions of Church, a micro-grant program sponsored by the Louisiana Conference Board of Discipleship (CBOD), is currently accepting applications for grants of up to $500 to local churches to support community outreach initiatives. Applications must be received by Nov. 8, and successful applicants will be notified in late December and funds will be available in January of 2014. ...

SHREVEPORT, LA — Centenary's Christian Leadership Center is celebrating C. S. Lewis, an iconic figure in 20th Century Christianity, with a special series, "C. S. Lewis: The Life and Legacy" November 4-16. The Christian Leadership Center hopes to honor Lewis and commemorate the 50th anniversary of his death by hosting a film, panels, discussions, and a prayer retreat to examine the many ...

Caption: Rick Wheat, Children's Home President/CEO on the left and Rev. Jerry Hilbun, Pastor of Trinity UMC on the right. Ruston, LA – Members of Trinity United Methodist Church in Ruston recently donated 50 rocking chairs to the youth at Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home. Trinity’s Outreach Committee sponsored the project and the congregation generously responded by ...

The Benton United Methodist Church UM Men gave 29 copies of a new Christian devotional book to the Benton Fire and Police Departments. The book is entitled, “Strength for Service to God and Community.” The book is written for men and women who “rush into dangerous situations when others are running the opposite direction.” It provides a daily Bible verse, devotional and prayer. The ...

Shalom Zone Community, Inc., a ministry of First Street Peck Wesley UMC in New Orleans, is a recipient of a 2013 Peace with Justice Grant. Pictured above are children enjoying a summer camp which was partially funded by a PWJ grant. The Conference Board of Church and Society recently announced that McGuire United Methodist Church, West Monroe and First Street Peck Wesley UMC, ...

College is a natural time of vocational discernment for young adults. Add pressing vocational questions to the Wesley Foundation's perpetual emphasis of a culture of "call" within the Body of Christ, and the spiritual growth in a student can be explosive. I think it ultimately comes down to the reality that God helps the faithful meet mutual needs. At McNeese State’s Wesley Foundation in...

First Grace United Methodist Church, 3401 Canal St. in New Orleans, celebrated its sixth anniversary Sunday, Oct. 20, at 11:10 a.m. This special event featured “rousing gospel music” and guest speaker Rev. Rudy Rasmus, noted author and global humanitarian. “Rasmus has been a friend of this church for several years,” said Rev. Shawn Anglim, pastor of First Grace UMC. “We invited him to ...

The third annual Louisiana Skeeter Run, focused on raising funds and awareness for Imagine No Malaria, is slated for Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014! Last year’s event was enjoyed by approximately 2,500 volunteers and participants and raised nearly $78,000 for this life-saving initiative sponsored by The United Methodist Church. Mark your calendars, start to gather a “swat team” from your ...

Wesley Foundation campus ministers serving the Louisiana Annual Conference met Oct. 7-8 at The Wesley Center in Woodworth. The annual, two-day campus ministry fall review is a time of accountability, celebration and problem solving. Grants for 2014 for each ministry are also determined at this time. Pictured at The Wesley Center are, l-r, front row: Alan Johnson (UL Monroe), Angela ...