June/July 2010

The summer warmth is upon us as Susan and I begin our eighth year in Western Louisiana. While many things seem much the same as we travel the diocese, the manner of getting around has changed radically. When we arrived, the work was just starting on the Highway 165 expansion and they were talking about there being four lanes available all the way from Interstate 10 to north of Interstate 20. I will confess that I wondered if I would not only see it, but travel it. Now, with the exception of the O.K. Allen bridge in Alexandria/Pineville, we indeed have four lanes all the way through, and they are talking of the construction on a new four lane bridge across the Red River beginning by the end of this year. This may not appear to be exciting news for all, but when we look upon the hours spent traversing the Lake Charles Highway and Monroe Highway, this is an added plus.

Since the last ALIVE! our travels have taken to a wide variety of congregations for visitations with most including baptisms and confirmations. Included are St. Paul’s, Shreveport; St. Columba’s, Winnsboro; St. David’s, Rayville; St. Mark’s Cathedral, Shreveport; Grace, Monroe; Incarnation, Lafayette; St. Alban’s, Monroe; and a combined visitation with St. Andrew’s, Mer Rouge and Redeemer, Oak Ridge. In each of these settings we were blessed by the unique ministries that are important to them in their respective settings, and this included our visit to The Keller House, a transitional housing ministry for women and children coming out of abusive environments, and supported strongly by Grace Parish, Monroe.

For the fourth year, St. Barnabas, Lafayette hosted the Acadiana Police Memorial at which all of the police officers that have fallen in the line of duty were honoured. This is a moving and memorable service, and it was my honour to be the speaker for this year’s gathering.
Susan and I had the privilege of being on the Cade campus of the Episcopal School of Acadiana for two days as we shared with them in the year-end events for the graduating seniors. Assisted by the Rev’d Canon Larry G. Wilkes, I preached and celebrated at the Senior Eucharist as the graduates and families gathered; then Susan and I joined with everyone for the senior dinner that evening. Saturday evening brought us all together once again for commencement, and during which I presented the Bishop’s Medal to the top recognized student, and the Bishop Willis and Martha Henton award.

Other events embraced visits to Hardtner Camp and Conference Center Training Camp, and to the Senior High Camp to preside and preach at the camp Eucharist and visit with the young people during dinner that evening.

On a sadder note, Susan and I attended the funerals of Elizabeth (Lisa) Sloan, daughter of the Rev’d Samuel H. Craven, formerly of this diocese, and Lynece Cutler, longtime member of St. Timothy’s, Alexandria. Word was received of the death of the Rt. Rev’d Harry B. Bainbridge, III, former bishop of Idaho, and rector of St. Thomas, Monroe (1979-1988) on May 27 following a long battle with cancer.

“May their souls, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”

Richard Hexter, member of St. Paul’s, Shreveport has been elected to the national Board of Directors of Faith Alive. Faith Alive is celebrating its 40th year as a resource of spiritual refreshment within The Episcopal Church and has held about 2,500 Faith Alive Weekends across the church.

Clergy activity saw the following changes take place: It was my privilege to preach and celebrate at the Celebration of New Ministry and Institution of the Rev’d Mary B. Richard as rector at Holy Cross, Shreveport. This festive evening was shared by more than 200 people and was truly a special moment in the life of the parish family. The Rev’d Michael W. Millard, former curate at St. Mark’s Cathedral, Shreveport has been appointed priest-in-charge under special circumstances at Christ Church, Mansfield; the Rev’d Canon Larry G. Wilkes has been called as rector at Epiphany, New Iberia; the Rev’d James E. Flowers has been appointed as priest-in-charge under special circumstances at St. George’s, Bossier City; the Rev’d Paula Claire Hall completed her ministry as interim priest at Christ Church, Mansfield and will now be providing for Sunday services at St. Matthew’s, Farmerville; and the Rev’d Deacon Don C. Leger has been appointed deacon-in-residence at St. Paul’s, Abbeville. The Rev’d Geoffrey Schmitt recently announced his retirement effective August 1, 2010. He has been serving of late in a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Realizing this issue of ALIVE! will carry us through most of the summer, permit me to close with the following – “Friends, Christ our Saviour has taught us many things, things we shall spend our lifetimes learning. Perhaps basic among them is that God is approachable and yearns to befriend us. But we must indicate our willingness to engage in this best of all friendships. Therefore, as you make your summer journey, wherever this may be, take Jesus’ words to heart: ask, seek, knock. You will be given daily bread, find your heart’s desire, and find the door open. Over these next weeks, let us worship the Lord with trust and joy! Amen.” [drawn and adapted from All the Seasons of Mercy]