A Conversation with Bishop Delores Williamston, Part 2

In this episode, we catch up with Rev. Katrena Porter King has been appointed to the Louisiana Conference as the new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategist. This strategic addition to the extended cabinet underscores the Conference's commitment to fostering an environment that champions inclusivity and justice, as well as actively promoting diversity in the staff and leadership structure.

Bishop Delores J. Williamston welcomes Rev. King, stating, "I look forward to the ministry that Rev. Katrena King will bring to the Louisiana Conference as we continue to make strides in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her gifting will assist the conference as we look at practices and policies around this critical work. Katrena’s experience holding space in community collaborations is an asset to us as we continue the work that began in 2021 around anti-racism or justice-orientated issues."

Rev. King, recently commissioned as a Provisional Deacon at the 2023 Louisiana Annual Conference, brings a wealth of experience and a unique set of skills. Her approach to guiding conversations on complex topics allows for creating safe and open sharing spaces. She empowers individuals to recognize and refine their leadership abilities while fostering visionary and strategic thinking.

As a graduate of Leadership Lafayette Class XXXIV and a recipient of the 20 Under 40 Acadiana Leadership Award, Rev. King's contributions have been recognized as both significant and impactful. Additionally, her service on the General Commission and the Status and Role of Women (GCSRW) further demonstrates her passion for advocating for equity and representation.

The Louisiana Conference looks forward to the innovative contributions Rev. King will bring to the table. Her strategic vision and commitment to community engagement are vital as the Conference continues its journey toward creating a more equitable and just society.

We are thrilled to feature a conversation with Britney Winn Lee.

She is leading the innovative A New Thing workshop, an initiative presented by the United Methodist Foundation. This workshop is dedicated to turning visionary ideas into tangible realities, offering a platform for creative thinking and strategic execution.

Utilizing Kenda Creasy Dean’s Innovating for Love: Joining God’s Expedition Through Christian Social Innovation, the programs will offer several half-day workshops to explore the theology behind and current necessity for ministry innovation.

In this episode, we discuss what it means to execute innovative ideas in the local church, and why the word 'innovative' might not even be the best word! 

For more on the A New Thing Workshop, please head here. 

Britney's books, including Rally!, can be found here. 

Welcome to the second of two interviews with Bishop Delores J. Williamston. In this episode, we're thrilled to sit down again with Bishop Williamston to reflect on her eventful and transformative first year in Louisiana.

From her start in January, through the dynamic 'Boots on the Ground Tour' across the state, to the memorable installation service at Dillard University, the 2023 Annual Conference in June, and the insightful listening sessions, held in the fall - it's been a year of growth, connection, and HōPE. 

Join us as we review these significant milestones and also look ahead to what 2024 holds. Bishop Williamston shares her experiences, insights, and visions for the future in this special year-end episode.

Welcome to Louisiana NOW, the podcast focused on the news, opportunities and witness of the Louisiana Conference of The United Methodist Church. In the next two episodes, we sit down with Bishop Delores J. Williamston.

In this episode, Bishop Williamston shares her insightful thoughts on advent and Christmas. We'll delve into her  childhood memories, reminisce about her impactful times serving as a pastor in Kansas, and hear her inspiring message to pastors across Louisiana as we prepare for the festive season.

Stay tuned for a heartwarming journey through memories and messages of HōPE, faith, and joy with Bishop Williamston.

In this episode, we delve into one of the most significant seasons in the church calendar – Christmas. (Yes, we know it's technically Advent) 

In this episode, we're thrilled to visit with Rev. Chad Brooks, the Church Vitality strategist for the Louisiana Conference, with insights on how churches can gear up for Christmas, a time known for its high visitor engagement.

We’ll explore practical tips and innovative strategies to make this festive season both spiritually enriching and welcoming for all who walk through the church doors.

And that's not all – host Todd Rossnagel will be sharing a few social media hacks to boost your church's online presence this Christmas. With these tips, we aim to help you create a buzz on social media that translates into greater engagement and brings more people to experience the joy and community of the season.

Todd's full list can be found here. 

Remember, we always love to hear from our listeners. Whether you have a question, a comment, or just want to share your Christmas preparations, reach out to us at podcast@la-umc.org. We’re eager to hear your stories and insights.

In this episode, we catch up with John Wimberly and Rev. Dr. Van Stinson. 

Like all mainline denominations today, United Methodist conferences and jurisdictions are facing the need to make dramatic adaptations from past ways of operating. A convergence of factors—declining congregational membership, the evolution of communication channels, remote work environments, virtual gatherings, and ever-evolving mission opportunities—has ushered in a new era where the conventional ways of doing things no longer suffice in carrying out God's divine work.
 
Amid so much ecclesial, cultural, and economic change, the Bishop and Extended Cabinet have identified the need for a planning and implementation process to create a flexible, agile operational system that can adapt quickly to the known and unknown ministry opportunities that lie ahead.   

The Louisiana Conference has enlisted the expertise of John Wimberly, an experienced church consultant, to help us think about the future organizationally (conference structure, staff design, governance system, etc.). He has done similar work with Great Plains and Mountain Sky Conferences.  He recently finished a similar job with Central, North, and Northwest Texas Conferences. 

His approach centers on the art of listening, engaging in interviews and focus groups to glean insights into people's perceptions of our current systems and their aspirations for the future. The ultimate goal is to articulate a clear and concise mission statement that will guide our pivotal decisions and strategies, aligning our organizational structure and operations with our mission. 

To learn more, head here. 

Jay Augustine is not new to the Louisiana NOW audience. Augustine has been a guest before on the podcast, as he was the guest speaker at the 2022 Annual Conference. We welcome him back for another interview as he has a new book, When Prophets Preach: Leadership and the Politics of the Pulpit. 

Prior to Dr. Augustine’s current pastoral service, he led Historic St. James AME Church (1844), in downtown New Orleans, the oldest predominantly black, Protestant congregation in the Deep South, while simultaneously teaching at Southern University Law Center. He recently served as a visiting professor at North Carolina Central University Law School and as a consulting faculty member at Duke University Divinity School, where he is also a member of the Board of Visitors and a missional strategist.

To see Jay's teaching sessions from the 2022 Annual Conference, go here. 

In this installment of the Louisiana NOW podcast, we connect with Rev. Frances Hooton, who serves as the District Superintendent of the Lake Charles Acadiana District within the Louisiana Conference. During this episode, we delve into Rev. Hooton's inspiring journey, her call to ministry, the unique allure of Louisiana as a place for ministry, the complexities of dealing with hurricane-related grief, and the ongoing challenges posed by the post-disaffiliation landscape within The United Methodist Church.

In this episode, Todd references the AC23 logo; you can see that logo below: 

717 days. That's how long it had been since the congregation of St. Charles United Methodist Church in Destrehan worshiped in its sanctuary. In the summer of 2021, Hurricane Ida devastated the community just west of Kenner, as the storm became the second-most damaging and intense hurricane to make landfall in Louisiana history.

The roof of St. Charles' sanctuary was completely torn away by the 150mph winds, and rainwater flooded the building, and since the storm, the congregation has been meeting in its fellowship hall on the south side of the church campus. Sunday, church members second-lined from the fellowship hall to the newly renovated sanctuary and Todd Rossnagel sat down with Rev. Michelle Harris to talk about the past two years and the lessons learned. 

If you'd like to reach the Louisiana NOW podcast, please send us an email: podcast@la-umc.org

In this episode of the Louisiana NOW podcast, we introduce the newest podcast in the Louisiana Conference - Black Church Matters. 

The Black Church Matters podcast is hosted by Rev. Karli Pidgeon, District Superintendent of the Baton Rouge and New Orleans districts of the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. Black Church Matters seeks to foster a deeper understanding of the triumphs and challenges facing black churches, shedding light on their profound cultural and social contributions. Through compelling discussions, the podcast will explore the ways in which these churches continue to serve as pillars of strength, resilience, and hope within their communities. 

The Black Church Matters podcast will feature Bishop Delores J. Williamston as the first guest, so be on the lookout for it wherever you listen to great podcasts.