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More info. from the Assembly...
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Guest speakers at the Business Sessions:
Howard Hartman and
*Rev. Paul Pic |
Hunger Crop Walks
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get
involved!
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Mr. Howard Hartman, Regional Director for Church World Service, focused on the CWS Hunger Crop Walks. He provided details on where and how funds are directed to help impoverished persons around the world. He encouraged more persons to become involved and pushed for an expansion of the areas in the state where these walks are held.
*At this Assembly, we gave out a few door prizes, and Mr. Hartman joined in by pitching in a Hunger Crop Walk T-Shirt, of which Rev. Paul Pic was the proud winner. (He put it on right over his suit!)
Church World Service consistently deals with severe poverty issues around the world as well as helping with disasters.
Please click here for a summary of Mr. Hartman's presentation as well as his contact information. |
YOUR Church can be trained to help in disasters!
Volunteers Needed!
Ms. Rosa Hill called upon Church people to become involved, as well as supporting the ARC financially.
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Ms. Rosa Hill
State Program Manager, Emergency Management
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There is a need for Churches that would be willing to be trained in advance to become certified shelters. When a shelter is opened, the Red Cross will provide necessities for the victims, with the exception of clothing. Interested persons may contact the ARC via their website at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS."
Please click here for summary info. from her presentation |
C.R.N.O.
The Assembly voted to serve as a Fiscal Sponsor for Christian Renewal New Orleans (CRNO) while this new faithbased organization seeks its 501(C)(3).
CRNO is based in New Orleans and seeks to provide education opportunities for seminarians, vocational discernment opportunities for young adults, renewal opportunities for clergy and lay persons, and a number of other ecumenical ministries. For more info. on CRNO, please contact Rev. Jean Marie Peacock.
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Catching photos here and there - Including a few of our first time delegates:
Mr. Lou Landry (Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette) and Mrs. Linda Gard (Disciples of Christ)
Rev. Robert Morgan (AME Zion Church delegate) and his wife Beverly, who joined us for a scrumptious catfish dinner
Mrs. Pat Wilkerson (delegate for the United Methodist Church) and Rev. Annie Bates (delegate for the Episcopal Diocese of W. LA )
Mathilda Martin (new delegate for the CME Church) with Grace Moore (on right). Grace is the Designate for the Order of St. Lazarus
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41st Annual Assembly
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Theme: Bread or Stones: |
The Church, Children, & Poverty in Louisiana |
After the keynote address on Monday, several leaders from our Judicatories joined in a panel speaking on current and planned works by their Churches to address childhood poverty, specifically in LA.
Bishop Darryl Starnes acknowledged that many in his AMEZ district congregations might very well be among the poor in the region. The poor in these congregations have a voice and share in a hope for the future and the Church strives to see that this is recognized. Rev. Jean Marie Peacock of the Presbytery of South Louisiana described the work of the presbytery in case management of families impacted by the recent storms and their aftermath. Education is a key component of this ministry as well. Bishop Bill Hutchinson alerted all of plans in the works by the United Methodists in Louisiana to offer a day of caring on May 14th -- highlighting ministries with the poor in the communities around our state. Click here for more info. In the several civil parishes that comprise the Catholic Diocese of Lafayette, Bishop Michael Jarrell described several programs and highlighted work with single mothers and their children in Opelousas and other communities.
Yes, we can say the Churches are serving the poor! We can also say there is much work to be done! The Business Sessions included discussion on a "Bread or Stones Resolution", whereby we may make a concerted effort to address the cyclical poverty situations of the children in Louisiana:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Louisiana Interchurch Conference commits itself to improving Louisiana’s Kids Count ranking by targeting for improvement specific indicators of child well-being so that eventually our ranking will improve from the 49th worst state in the country in which to raise a child. We can reach this goal by working collaboratively to create the religious, civil and political will to do so. The Board directs the LIC Public Policy Task Force to create an implementation strategy within six months. The Board further calls upon each member denomination to pass this resolution and invites other faiths to do the same.
Click here for the full text of the Resolution
The Public Policy Task Force will give an initial report at the Fall Board of Directors Meeting in September, 2011, at the Wesley Center near Alexandria. Board Members & Delegates are urged to join this task force. Please contact Rob Gorman, Chair, for more info.
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Welcome New Officers and Board Members
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Rev. Sam Tolbert
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The Most Rev. Michael G. Duca, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Shreveport, was installed as President.
The Rev. Samuel C. Tolbert, Jr., President of the Louisiana Home & Foreign Mission Baptist State Convention (LHFMBSC), was installed as President - Elect. |
Bp. Michael Duca |
Mrs. Jones
(pic. from the 2009 A.A.)
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Mrs. Mary Jane Jones, a Roman Catholic from St. Henry Parish, was installed as a Board Member at Large. Formerly she has attended meetings as a delegate.
Rev. Gwendolyn James Jackson, Presiding Elder of the AME Church, 8th Episcopal District, was installed as a Board Member at Large. She also has attended meetings as an Annual Assembly delegate.
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Rev. Jackson
(pic. from 2010 A.A.) |
Rev. Margaret Simms, Pastor of Mt. Olive AME Church, was installed as the new Coordinator for Region 7, which covers the Parishes of: Livingston, Tangipahoa, St. Helena, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, & Washington. Rev. Simms is new to the L.I.C., and excited about participating!
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There was an Ecumenical Worship Service held on Monday evening, March 14th, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 818 12th St. in Lafayette.
Rev. Samuel C. Tolbert, Jr., of Louisiana Home & Foreign Mission Baptist State Convention (LHFMBSC) preached an insightful sermon relating the Annual Assembly theme to the Scriptures. Among his analogies, he mentioned that Isaac trusted God enough to tie up his son for a sacrifice, but God had already 'tied up' a ram in preparation for this. Rev. Tolbert said that we need to be willing to tie up some of our desires and watch how God provides more bountifully. It is a given that we can trust Jesus with our children, but are we worthy of that same trust?
Newly elected Officers were installed during the service, and other leaders contributed to the service as well.
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Our thanks to The Very Rev. Thomas James, SVD, & his congregation for hosting this service! Our thanks to the talented and spiritual musicians, singers, and the Children's Choir as well. We enjoyed our time of fellowship together!
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Fr. Thomas invited us to his home for a reception after the Service.
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Bishop Starnes, Fr. Thomas, and Rev. Kenneth York
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Click here for the DRAFT minutes from the Board Meeting portion of the Annual Assembly (these minutes are subject to edit/approval at the next Board Meeting).
Our next Board Meeting, will be the Fall Board Meeting in September, 2011, to be held in Woodworth, LA.
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