by Shiela S. MacArthur, Diocesan Memorials Chair and Annual Gathering Reporter
Photographs by Ann Ball, ECW President (2016-2019) and Laurel McCartney, Outgoing ECW President
Historic St. James, Baton Rouge, founded in 1844, was the setting for the 129th gathering of the Episcopal Church Women, Diocese of Louisiana on April 22-23, 2016 as 100+ guests explored the theme “Stir up the Spirit – Celebremos”! Denise Allen, St. James ECW President, graciously welcomed delegates, guest speakers, clergy, vendors, and exhibitors in Bishops Hall with gift bags and bountiful Southern hospitality.
Friday’s events included two ministry presentations: Saint Francis Community Services and St. James Episcopal Church. The Rev. David B. Hodges of Saint Francis explained the many social welfare services being offered in the Episcopal tradition to children, families, and adults. Among these are foster care to children, helping children find forever families through adoption, partnering with foster families, family preservation services, assisted living and supported employment to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities enabling them to lead fulfilled, independent lives, and providing substance abuse counseling, parenting support, and residential programs. Saint Francis’ home base is Silana, Kansas. A free-will offering to Saint Francis garnered $640.00.
St. James’ ladies, Denise Allen and Susan Rolfs, enthusiastically described the church’s Friday Lenten Gumbo sales (in-house and take-out) which allow multiple opportunities for church members, young and old, to experience ministry service within the church and to touch the community at-large in outreach efforts. The years involved in this effort have been perfected to an art and have brought much dedication and satisfaction to all.
Following the Evening Prayer service conducted by the Rector of St. James, The Very Reverend J. Mark Holland, participants enjoyed a welcome reception in the Parlor of the Parish Hall – a virtual feast of wines, punch, hors d’oeuvres, finger sandwiches, fruit, fried catfish, and an assortment of cookies and pastries. Adding to the ambiance of the reception was the magnificent pianist, John Dupaquier, whose music was quite delightful for the occasion.
Saturday’s session commenced with a continental breakfast. Again Denise Allen, St. James ECW President and Jeanne Roques, Diocesan ECW Vice President, welcomed guests, speakers, and delegates. Cecile Torbergsen, Diocesan ECW Board member, offered devotions.
Laurel McCartney opened the plenary session with brief remarks and references to her tenure as the Diocesan ECW President and the theme of service expressed in Romans 12:3-21 of modeling the life of Jesus who came not to receive service but to give service. Diocesan ECW Secretary, Marilyn Hines, conducted the deanery roll call and asked for approval of the minutes of the 2015 Annual Gathering at St. Matthew’s – Houma. A unanimous voice vote approved the minutes. Ellen King, Diocesan ECW Treasurer, reviewed the balance sheet as of April 18, 2016, the proposed budget, and designated offerings for 2016- 2017. Designated offerings for 2016-2017 are: Fall Mission (Outside the Diocese – National Cathedral in Washington, DC), Day of Prayer (Diocesan Retreats for Addiction Recovery), Spring Mission (Inside the Diocese – Lunch with C. S. Lewis at St. Alban’s LSU), Annual Project (St. Francis Community Services, Picayune, MS), Corporate Gift (Scholarship fund for disadvantaged youth to attend Happening/Rally), Bake Sale (future Youth Center at SECC), Request of $500.00 (Camp Air) and $200.00 (Stoves for Guatemala). The Treasurer’s reports and proposals were approved by unanimous voice vote. Laurel discussed the Nominating slate of officers for 2016-2017. With no nominations from the floor for the office of Treasurer, Ellen King, St. Alban’s Chapel, LSU was elected by unanimous voice vote. She will serve as Treasurer (2016-2019). President-elect Ann Ball, All Saints, River Ridge will assume her term as president, 2016-2019, at the close of this meeting.
The plenary session was suspended for the Keynote Address: “Stir Up the Spirit – Celebremos” by the Rev. Canon Shannon Manning, Canon to the Ordinary, Diocese of Louisiana. With dynamic delivery and inspiring examples of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives, Canon Manning urged us to listen, to watch, and to act on the guidance of the Spirit with celebration!
In his State of the Church address, The Right Rev. Morris K. Thompson, Jr., Bishop of Louisiana, described his schedule of visitations this weekend with Archdeacon Cindy Obier. Following the ECW Annual meeting this afternoon, they will attend the 100th anniversary of St. Mary’s, Morganza. On Sunday, April 24, 2016 the Bishop and Archdeacon will visit St. Luke’s – Baton Rouge and St. James – Baton Rouge, where the Bishop will celebrate Eucharist and officiate at Confirmations. He complimented Canon Manning, noting that she will be meeting with Search Committees and Vestries as 10 of the 48 churches in the Diocese of Louisiana will need interim priests due to resignations and retirements. In addition, visits to seminaries for recruitment purposes have kept them quite busy. He announced that The Rev. Canon John Kellogg, Canon Missioner of the diocese, was addressing the Canal Street property (Grace – New Orleans) and the need of funds for adapting the property for a future diocesan office. The Bishop concluded his address with the following announcements: success of the recent Men’s Retreat, a need for a new Director at the Solomon Center, and the UBE (Union of Black Episcopalians) convention in New Orleans (July 31 – August 4, 2016).
A UTO grant was presented to Fr. Bill Terry and Deacon Joyce Jackson of St. Anna’s, New Orleans, for their children’s ministries at St. Anna’s. DeLores Jenkins, chair of the Honored Woman program, recognized three ladies for their outstanding ministry and service in the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ: Alma Abbott (St. Patrick’s – Zachary), Lynnette Frazer (St. James – Baton Rouge), and Carol Emilie Klein Woodward (Grace Episcopal Church – St. Francisville). Carolyn Douglas read a letter from St. Mary’s, Morganza stressing the role of Episcopal Church Women helping mission churches and how important ladies were in financing their church 100 years ago. Then Carolyn made her annual appeal to send the 2016-2017 Handbook Information to Deanery Chairs by May 31, 2016.
The plenary session was suspended for Eucharist. The Festival Eucharist with celebrant The Right Rev. Morris K. Thompson, Jr. and assisting clergy, The Very Rev. J. Mark Holland and The Rev. Mary Ann Garrett, included the parade of church banners, the United Thank Offering Ingathering and the Installation of Officers. A musical highlight was the angelic voices of the St. James Treble Choir (all young girls) under the direction of Eric Johnson and accompanied by Richard Blumenthal. The choir’s offertory, “Ukuthula”(traditional Zulu) was especially beautiful.
St. James’ “famous gumbo” was a delicious lunch accompanied by salad, French bread, punch, and desserts.
Following lunch, the plenary session resumed with announcements: Gail Duhé and Debbie Fortier (St. Matthew’s Houma) volunteered as Southwest Deanery Chairs; Pat Jensen agreed to take the Presidency of St. Michael’s, Mandeville’s ECW and revitalize it; Virginia Briant (St. Michael’s, Mandeville) will be the new Memorials Chair. With no further business, the plenary session adjourned.
Delegates were invited to attend two of four workshops: “Anglican Rosary” (Pat Roy- St. Augustine’s Metairie), “Intro to Social Media” (Helen Butts (St. James Day School), “Green Cleaning and Healthy Homes” (Reba Mackey, St. George’s, New Orleans); Jericho Road’s Community Gardens; (Holly Heine, Jericho Road staff member and member of The Diocesan Commission for Racial Reconciliation).
Both days of the ECW Annual Gathering, ladies donated camp supplies for G.R.A.C.E., a camping experience for children of incarcerated men and women. Used devotional booklets were collected for the Louisiana Women’s Correctional Institute at St. Gabriel, Louisiana, and new and gently used tools were brought for the maintenance of the Jericho Road community garden and orchard.
The Raffle Basket winner was Soni Sers, Trinity, Natchitoches, Diocese of Western Louisiana.
What a welcome guest and how appropriate that she won!
Jeanne Roques, Diocesan ECW Vice President, extended an invitation to the 130th Annual Gathering at St. Augustine’s, Metairie, and a closing prayer was offered. Delegates and visitors departed with a “stirred up spirit” and joyful expectation of “Holy Spirit” moments.