Wednesday, April 21, 2021 | Message from Bishop Thompson
The verdict is in and, for many Americans, the trial went the way they hoped. A jury found Derek Chauvin guilty of murdering George Floyd. Justice was served, at least for now. Why do I say for now? I have noticed that many clergy and bishops are posting prayers...
Saturday, April 10, 2021 | Diocesan News, Message from Bishop Thompson
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, It is with great sadness that I share the news of the death of the Rt. Rev. Charles Edward Jenkins III, tenth bishop of the Diocese of Louisiana. He died Friday evening surrounded by his family. He was 69 years old. Funeral...
Saturday, March 13, 2021 | 12th Bishop Search, Message from Bishop Thompson
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Sisters and Brothers, I write to you in the 11th year of my consecration to the Bishop of the Diocese of Louisiana to inform you of my intention to retire in November 2022. You may wonder why I am stating this so far in...
Thursday, January 7, 2021 | Message from Bishop Thompson
My dear friends, In times such as these often our need for centering comes in the form of what we know to be true, scripture and our Book of Common Prayer. I invite you to pray with me over the next several days a couple of prayers. The first is a prayer for peace:...
Monday, December 21, 2020 | Message from Bishop Thompson, Reflections
In my mind I’ve been playing over and over again the Christmas hymn, “In the Bleak Midwinter.” [1] The first stanza: In the bleak mid-winterFrosty wind made moan;Earth stood hard as iron,Water like a stone;Snow had fallen, snow on snow,In the bleak...
Friday, October 30, 2020 | Message from Bishop Thompson
To my brothers and sisters in the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana, I pray that this message finds you well. Hurricane Zeta brought devastating winds to our diocese particularly in the Greater New Orleans area. I am grateful we were spared from rising waters but the...
Saturday, October 24, 2020 | Annual Convention, Message from Bishop Thompson
2020 Convention In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. One of my favorite southern writers is Rick Bragg. So often he takes me back to a time and place, a time present where I can remember with purpose. Listen to how he...
Friday, August 28, 2020 | Message from Bishop Thompson
To my brothers and sisters in the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana, I am grateful to God for our safety as well as your eagerness to respond to those in need. As I hear from our neighbors to the west, wind damage is far greater than the anticipated storm surge. In this...
Tuesday, July 28, 2020 | Message from Bishop Thompson
July 27, 2020 A letter to the good people of the Diocese of Louisiana “Have mercy on me, O God, for my enemies are hounding me;All day long they assault and oppress me. They hound me all the day long;Truly there are many who fight against me, O Most High. Whenever I...
Thursday, June 4, 2020 | Message from Bishop Thompson
We, the Bishops of The Episcopal Church in Province IV, lead dioceses most of which were historically part of the states of the old Confederacy. As bishops in this region, we are well aware of the historic persistence of racism toward our black sisters and brothers....
Tuesday, June 2, 2020 | Message from Bishop Thompson
Dear Communicants of the Diocese of Louisiana, I watched with interest as President Trump stood in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square, holding up a Bible. This followed his statement from the Rose Garden that he was our “president of law and...
Tuesday, June 2, 2020 | Message from Bishop Thompson
Dear friends, Thank you for your time this morning. I wanted to get this follow up out to you as soon as possible since much of this is time-sensitive with what is going on in the diocese and in our greater community. *Thank you to Katie Mears of ERD. Please...
Wednesday, April 22, 2020 | Message from Bishop Thompson
Dear friends, We were joined by Ms. Mary Munger, LCSW. She passed along helpful information regarding stress, anxiety and coping. A copy of her presentation can be found here. I hope that the questions at the end of the presentation are helpful and may provide some...
Wednesday, April 22, 2020 | Message from Bishop Thompson
Dear clergy, Blessings as you enter into this Triduum. I am so grateful and impressed by the ways that you are working through this time with your congregations. It was also very meaningful for me to see you all on Tuesday for the Renewal of Vows. Again, if you need...
Sunday, April 12, 2020 | Message from Bishop Thompson, Reflections
“We are not alone. In the midst of our darkness, God knows our name and is calling us to remember this day of resurrection; this day of new life; this day of...
