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Download the Diocesan Profile

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Welcome

May our hopes and dreams reflect God’s desire for our diocese. Whether you are discerning personally or nominating someone to become our next pastoral leader, we are glad and grateful to welcome you. Our diocese consists of 48 congregations as diverse as the spices of a well-flavored jambalaya. You will find members who hold strong to the foundations of our faith, like a roux base in a good gumbo, as well as those who expand on those principles, like a chef experimenting with new ingredients to enhance the flavors. As in all dioceses along the gulf coast, our lives are affected by Mother Nature nearly every year. We are still recovering from Hurricane Ida, which displaced thousands and interrupted our listening sessions. But year after year, we are blessed by the generosity of strangers who help us rebuild after these events. We give back as often as we receive. Much like Philippians 4:12 “I know how to be brought low and how to abound.”

God continues to create much abundance and rich history in this diocese. We have many natural and human resources of which to avail ourselves. The food, the people, and the culture are as diverse as to be found anywhere in our country. Our congregations, though many are smaller now than in the past, are made up of faithful laity and clergy wanting to follow God’s will and support their churches. Our people are generous and faithful and are looking for a new chief pastor to find a home among us.

The nature of this calling is much like that of a good chef; you will need to know your flavors as a spiritual leader, an administrator, a consoling pastor, and when to use each of them. You will need to start your roux by listening and learning our ways and needs. In doing this, you will be rewarded with a great taste of flavors that will please your palate as well as your heart. Our people want to love their bishop and support him or her. Sometimes you might find them a little spicy, but that is good, too. For many flavors make for a savory meal. If you desire to immerse yourself in our culture, you will find God at work here, and our congregations will fill you with hope and a future. We hope you have a taste for new foods, new cultures, and a new, lively spirit that will bring you and us even closer to what God has in store for all of us: “to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with God.”

The Reverend Jay Albert & Ms. Carolyn Douglas
Co-Chairs
Search & Nominating Committee