Academy provides space for those 'discerning the call'

United Methodists experiencing a call to ministry came from throughout the Louisiana Conference to The Wesley Center in Woodworth to attend this year’s Discerner’s Academy held March 6-8.

During the weekend, participants got a “taste” of pastoral life, took a look at United Methodist seminaries, and began covenant groups for sharing their story and asking questions.

Participating in the event were Karen Carr (St. Mark’s UMC, New Orleans), Janine Pierce (Waldheim UMC, Covington), Holly Berry (Grace Community UMC, Shreveport) and Sarah Angel (Covenant UMC, Lafayette); back row, Jira-Shea Davis (St. Matthew UMC, New Orleans), Christian Wear (Waldheim UMC, Covington), Matthew Evans (Blackwater UMC, Baker), Christopher Bolin (First UMC, Denham Springs), Rodney Clements (Grace Community UMC, Shreveport) and Candy Pendleton (Waldheim UMC, Covington).

Staff for the Discerner’s Academy included Revs. Frances Hooton, director of the Academy for Spiritual Leadership; John Edd Harper, conference coordinator of Ordained Ministry; and Matt Rawle, pastor of The Well UMC in Ponchatoula.