Louisiana Now

We are gearing up for a special event - People Like Me - a two-day immersive retreat focused on building intercultural competency, strengthening inclusive leadership, and helping churches reflect the rich diversity of their communities. Led by our very own, Rev. Katrena King, our Conference's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Specialist, the retreat offers tools like the Intercultural Development Inventory, also known as the IDI - it will also include space for authentic storytelling, which will be done in a very unique way – and workshops on everything from tough conversations to vision casting. And that brings us to our guest. Samuel Rodriguez is the Director of Congregational Development for the Illinois Great Rivers Conference. For over 27 years, he's been helping churches plant, grow, and thrive—especially in multicultural and multi-ethnic contexts. He will be the special guest at People Like Me. Join us for a conversation about why events like People Like Me matter—and how the future of the Church depends on the kind of work he and Katrena will be doing in Woodworth.   

This is a special edition of the Louisiana Now podcast, a reading of the Easter Story by host Todd Rossnagel. This reading comes from all four gospels and various translations. To find a United Methodist church in the Louisiana Conference, please visit our directory: https://www.la-umc.org/churches To find a listing of online church services in the Louisiana Conference, please visit here.  To find a United Methodist church near you, please visit: https://www.umc.org/en/find-a-church

This Lent, ponder the themes of justice, poverty, freedom, and love. The four New Testament Gospels aren't the same story, but they offer the same Resurrection hope. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John devote most of their story detailing Jesus' last week in Jerusalem, all highlighting Jesus' triumphant entry into the city, the suffering and humiliation of the cross, and the empty tomb come Sunday morning, but the stories they tell aren't quite the same. Each Gospel offers a different lens through which we understand Jesus' Passion. One portrait reveals Jesus to be in control, while another emphasizes his suffering. In one story Jesus offers hope to the thief on the cross, and in another Jesus only receives derision. These different perspectives aren't a reason to dismiss the Gospels; rather they reveal an abundant, diverse, and complementary picture of God's work in the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Buy Matt's book here.  For more on the 2025 Annual Conference, head here.   

The Common Ground Youth Retreat is set for February 21-23, 2025, at Camp Istrouma, offering a weekend of connection, faith-building, and fun for United Methodist youth in grades 6-12 across Louisiana. Organized by youth directors from the Louisiana United Methodist Conference, the retreat invites young people to deepen their relationship with Christ and each other in a supportive environment. Registration for the retreat (closes January 31st) is $30 per participant, covering meals, activities, and costs for speakers and musicians. Register here.  Question? Email us. Communications@la-umc.org 

Join us for People Like Me – a two-day immersive retreat led by Rev. Katrena King, our Conference's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Specialist. This event, January 10-11 in Woodworth, is designed for anyone ready to take bold steps toward deeper intercultural competency and create stronger, more inclusive faith communities. At this retreat, you'll participate in hands-on workshops, engage in courageous conversations, and explore your own development through tools like the Intercultural Development Inventory.  Through storytelling, skill-building, and conflict-resolution sessions, we'll create a supportive space to connect, learn, and grow together. This isn't just about training; it's about fostering meaningful relationships across diverse backgrounds to strengthen our shared mission.' Register Today!

"They don't want to die; they want to grow!" It's a powerful realization for Rev. Robert Johnson who just completed four listening sessions all across The Louisiana Conference; listening sessions focused on the future of the Black Church.  Johnson serves as the Black Church Vitality strategist in The Louisiana Conference and is our guest on this episode of the Louisiana NOW podcast. We discuss what he heard during the listening sessions, the strength of the Black Church in this moment, the value in listening and what's next as we prepare for huge event in 2025. 

In this episode of Louisiana NOW, Karrie Gaspard joins the show. Gaspard is a doctoral student at Tulane University, and is an expert in dissecting the complexities of Christian Nationalism and its encroachment into the fabric of Christianity. As a former educator and licensed social worker with a profound understanding of the intersections between religious and political spheres, Karrie offers invaluable insights into the origins and manifestations of Christian Nationalism. The conversation explores practical methods for identifying and challenging these narratives, assessing when patriotic sentiments may inadvertently align with nationalistic ideologies. Todd and Karrie delve into what it means to be both a Christian and a patriot without crossing into the realms of Christian Nationalism. They also give pastors a practical method for how to navigate these narratives. To read the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church, go here.  Karrie references Caleb Campbell's book, Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbor. 

Hurricane Francine brought a positive development to two United Methodist Churches in Louisiana. Both First Grace United Methodist Church and Cornerstone United Methodist Church partnered with Together New Orleans to be a part of the Community Lighthouse project, a bold initiative to create a network of solar-powered churches and community centers across the city. The result? The largest off-grid energy project in the world. And it worked during Hurricane Francine. In this episode, Bishop Delores J. Williamston chats with Rev. Shawn Anglim of First Grace United Methodist Church about the project and the hope that it brought to the community.  More on the project can be found here. If you would like to help relief efforts in Louisiana, please visit www.la-umc.org/relief or text RELIEF to 800-500-5858.   

In this episode of Louisiana NOW, we sit down with John Smith, the new Conference Lay Leader, and Susie Cox, the new Associate Lay Leader. Together, we explore the crucial role of lay leadership in the United Methodist Church. We reflect on their personal journeys of faith and what inspired them to step into leadership roles within their local congregations. They share insights on the difference between clergy and lay leaders, offering unique perspectives from the laity that help shape the future of the Church. If you'd like to reach the show, please send us an email: podcast@la-umc.org Thanks for listening! 

In this episode, we are joined by Rev. Dr. Vicki Loflin Johnson and Rev. Ali Young, Director of Clergy Excellence in The Louisiana Conference, to talk about the upcoming clergy retreat called Grieving Well. Clergy are expected to share the burden of others' grief as well as the collective grief of the institutions we serve.  In the midst of caring for others, how can we make space for tending our own souls? In this one-day retreat we will consider ways that we as leaders might faithfully tend our own grief while teaching and encouraging our congregations to do the same. We will share ideas and resources to help create personal and congregational rituals for mourning. We will reflect together about the potential benefits and positive outcomes when we practice grieving well.   Our day apart will be led by Dr. Johnson who believes that tending our grief is an essential wellbeing practice for ministry leaders in every season, and especially in response to the last several years of leadership in the church.   Join Vicki for this intentional conversation about healing and wholeness. She served for 30 years in the Mississippi Conference in a variety of settings—small church pastor, clergy couple co-appointment, executive pastor, district superintendent, and nine years as senior pastor of a community-focused downtown church.  Coaching professionally since 2015, she holds a Level 2/PCC credential with the International Coaching Federation, is a Lead Trainer with Coach Approach Skills Training (CAST) and created a Level 2 Leadership Coach Specialization through Radiant Coaches Academy.  Vicki is also certified as an Intentional Interim Ministry Specialist, Spiritual Director, and 200-hour E-RYT yoga instructor.  In 2020, she founded The Art of WellBeing (www.coachingtheartofwellbeing.com) —offering individual and group coaching in support of clergy leadership and wellbeing.  Vicki and her husband Roger live in East Texas.     

Welcome to another episode of the Louisiana Now podcast. In this episode, we sit down with bishop Delores J. Williamston, bishop of The Louisiana Conference of The United Methodist Church. The 2024 Annual Conference just wrapped up last week in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. We had a chance to sit down with Bishop Williamston before she left this week for the Arkansas annual conference. She reflects on so many high moments from the annual conference, from the rollout of her vision to the incredible ordination service at First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge. You won't want to miss this episode.

We sit down with Rev. Amy Castro of Westlake United Methodist Church to talk about her incredible journey this week. She was driving home after graduating from seminary at Perkins School of Theology on the campus of SMU and drove straight to tornado damage at her church in southwest Louisiana. She shares a heartwarming tale of resilience and community support that followed in the moments after the storm. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about faith, hope, and the incredible strength of community bonds in times of crisis. To hear the episode Todd and Amy discuss in this episode, Praise Him in the Hallway, please click here.

We wrap our coverage from Charlotte, North Carolina. In this final episode, we wanted to share some interviews on the major event that came out of General Conference - Delegates voted to remove restrictive and harmful language from the United Methodist Book of Discipline after more than fifty years of intense, prayerful debate.  For more on our coverage from General Conference, please click here. 

Our updates from General Conference continue. In this episode, we look back at the start of Week 2 from Charlotte, North Carolina.  Bishop Delores J. Williamston presided over the morning plenary session and we had a chance to catch up with her afterward. She talks more about what it felt to sit in the chair and what this week looks like.   

Todd Rossnagel and Todd Seifert have served together on UMAC (United Methodist Association of Communicators) leadership teams. As you might expect, identifying two Todd's became a challenge on ZOOM, so Todd Rossnagel received the nickname "Cajun Todd" (Louisiana), while Todd Seifert earned the nickname "Plain Todd" (Great Plains).   In this episode of Louisiana NOW, Rossnagel and Seifert unpack General Conference, discuss what it's like to cover General Conference from a media perspective, and share more about Bishop Delores J. Williamston, who served in the Great Plains Conference before being assigned to the Louisiana Conference. 

UNITED METHODIST NEWS: General Conference has now passed much of the legislation that aims to give The United Methodist Church's different geographic regions equal standing in decision-making. In what outgoing Council of Bishops President Thomas J. Bickerton called “a historic day for our church,” delegates voted 586 to 164 for an amendment to the denomination's constitution that will now go before annual conference voters for potential ratification. A constitutional amendment requires at least a two-thirds vote at General Conference; the regionalization amendment received 78% of the vote. To be ratified, the amendment also will need at least a two-thirds total vote of annual conference lay and clergy voters. Annual conferences are church regions consisting of multiple congregations and other ministries. Regionalization has become United Methodist shorthand for a package of legislation that would restructure the denomination. Under the legislation, the U.S. and each central conference — church regions in Africa, Europe and the Philippines — would become regional conferences with the same authority to adapt the Book of Discipline, the denomination's policy book, for more missional effectiveness. At present, only central conferences have that authority under the denomination's constitution to adapt the Discipline as missional needs and different legal contexts require. To see the story with Rev. Marissa Horvath, please click here. 

In this episode of the Louisiana NOW podcast, we delve into the start of General Conference held in Charlotte, North Carolina. We catch up with Bishop Delores J. Williamston, Jennifer Swann, and other delegates.   

The General Conference of The United Methodist Church is meeting April 23 through May 3, 2024, in Charlotte, NC. In this episode, Todd Rossnagel shares a preview of the gathering, including comments from Bishop Delores J. Williamston, Rev. Bardy Whitton, and Jennifer Swann, members of the Louisiana delegation.  For more on General Conference, and to stay up to date with the latest news, decisions and celebrations from this global gathering, please click here.  To watch the Louisiana Conference preview show, mentioned in this episode, please click here.  

In this episode of the Louisiana NOW podcast, we visit with Dr. Ashley Boggan D., the General Secretary of the General Commission on Archives and History.  Ahsley helps to ensure that the UMC understands its past in order to envision a more equitable future for all Methodists. Boggan earned her PhD from Drew Theological School's Graduate Division of Religion, specializing in both Methodist/Wesleyan Studies and Women's/Gender Studies.  For more on Boggan's series of talks at the 2023 Annual Conference, go here.  For more on the Radicle Methodism course, click here.  For more on Donna Fowler Marchant's Mothers in Israel: Methodist beginnings through the Eyes of Women, go here.   Thank you for listening and supporting the Louisiana NOW podcast. 

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.  Jay serves as senior pastor of St. Joseph AME Church, in Durham, NC, and as general chaplain of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is an accomplished author, respected academic leader, and nationally recognized social justice advocate who speaks for the equality of all human beings. 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.   

In this episode of the Louisiana NOW podcast, we visit with Rev. Fred Wideman.  The 2023 Annual Conference of the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church witnessed a significant development as efforts were announced to address the void left by churches that have chosen to disaffiliate from the conference. In recent months, a number of churches, including 95 this year and 68 last year, decided to leave the denomination due to resistance to LGBTQ inclusion. One area affected by disaffiliation was Ruston, Louisiana, where two United Methodist churches made the decision to leave the UMC. Grace United Methodist Church found itself nearly divided, with numerous members opting to transfer their membership to the conference while embarking on establishing a new congregation. Recognizing the importance of supporting these individuals, the Louisiana Conference Congregational Development team is actively working with the Ruston group to explore various possibilities, and Rev. Fred Wideman has been appointed as their "shepherd."  We discuss what that means and his hope for the future in Ruston and beyond. 

In this episode, Louisiana NOW host Todd Rossnagel interviews Dr. Ashley Boggan, the General Secretary of the General Commission on Archives and History. Dr. Boggan will be our special guest at the 2023 Annual Conference, and in this interview, she shares more about what she will be discussing and where she sees hope in the United Methodist Church.

We are getting set for the 2023 Annual Conference, set to take place June 13-16 in Baton Rouge, LA. In this episode, we sit down with Bishop Delores J. Williamston who previews our time together.  For more information on AC23, please head to this website. 

Dianne Wilkinson understands the unique challenges that come with managing and reporting the church's finances. She has 35 years of experience serving in different capacities on church staff, including business administrator. In an upcoming seminar, sponsored by the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana, Dianne will discuss a variety of best practices and review daily routines and processes used in the church business office to prevent fraud, protect your integrity and do it right! For more on the times and locations of this seminar, please head here. 

In this final episode of our Lenten series, Bishop Delores J. Williamston reflects on each of the Lenten devotionals and points us to Easter.  If you would like to listen to the Easter story narrated by Todd Rossnagel, search our podcast library for the episode prior to this one. 

This is a special edition of the Louisiana Now podcast, a reading of the Easter Story by host Todd Rossnagel.    This reading comes from all four gospels and various translations.    To find a United Methodist church in the Louisiana Conference, please visit our directory: https://www.la-umc.org/churches To find a listing of online church services in the Louisiana Conference, please visit here.  To find a United Methodist church near you, please visit: https://www.umc.org/en/find-a-church

In this week's Lenten devotional, we are joined by Rev. Dr. Van Stinson, who unpacks Palm Sunday. While we all love a good parade, there is much more happening in the Palm Sunday text. Stinson says it's an opportunity to remind us what it truly means to "follow" Jesus.  Thank you for listening to the Louisiana NOW podcast. If you would like to reach the show, please contact us at podcast@la-umc.org and share the show with someone you love. 

For this week's Lenten devotional, we are joined by Rev. Dr. Tom Dolph, District Superintendent of the Monroe and Shreveport districts.  Tom takes us to John, the 11th chapter - verses 1-45, and he explores how our Lenten examinations and preparations invite us to consider the “Iffyness” of our faith.  

As you know, we are in the season of Lent, and we are providing you with Lenten devotionals throughout the Lenten season. We are now in the fourth week of Lent, and for this week's devotion, we will be joined by District Superintendent Rev. Karli Pidgeon as she reflects on the Gospel of John, Chapter 9, verses 1-41, the story of Jesus healing a man who was born blind. Her message reminds us that though there is darkness in the world, we must keep our hearts and minds open to the possibility of miracles. 

Our third week of Lenten devotionals features Rev. Scott Bullock as he delves into Exodus 17:1-7, the Israelites' crisis of faith in the wilderness. Rev. Bullock shares a lesson about the danger of allowing difficult circumstances to undermine our faith and the importance of trusting God to provide for our needs.

In this week's Lenten devotional, Rev. Jan Holloway Curwick shares a reflection on the story of Nicodemus, found in the 3rd chapter of John. She challenges all of us to hear how the Spirit might be calling us to re-think and re-shape our world.  

Bishop Delores Williamston begins our Lenten devotional series. She reflects on Matthew, chapter 4, verses 1-11 and what it means to "give something up" at Lent, and how to overcome distraction. You can see a new Lenten devotional every Thursday at Noon on our Facebook and YouTube channels.

Rev. Donnie Wilkinson is our guest on this episode of the Louisiana NOW podcast. Donnie is a member of the Louisiana Conference Anti-Racism Taskforce. In this episode, we discuss an important book study that we are all invited to participate in.  The online book study will discuss Jonathan Augustine's book, Called to Reconciliation, and the class will meet every Wednesday in February, over Zoom. The class will be held at either 12Noon or 7:00pm.  The Noon class will be taught by Rev. Donnie Wilkinson and the link to register for that class is found here.  The 7:00pm class will be led by Jennifer Rossnagel and the link to register for that class is found here.  Wilkinson is the Senior Pastor at Broadmoor United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge, LA.  If you would like to get in touch with us here at the Louisiana NOW podcast, please send us an email: podcast@la-umc.org     

Join us for a conversation with Bishop Delores Williamston, who is set to become the new bishop of the Louisiana Conference on January 1. This is the second of two episodes.  In this episode, Todd Rossnagel asks Bishop Williamston about what brings her joy and what sabbath looks like for her. We also get a glimpse of her call story, and we also get to meet her pet dog, a Shih Tzu, who has several names! ______ Bishop Delores J. “Dee” Williamston, a Kansas Army National Guard veteran, and a Methodist church administrator, was assigned to the Louisiana Conference at the South Central Jurisdictional meeting in Houston on November 3, 2022. Bishop Williamston was ordained as an elder in 2010 and previously served in the Great Plains Conference as the superintendent for the Hays, Hutchinson and Salina Districts. She also served as Director of Clergy Excellence and Assistant to the Bishop. Prior to beginning her service with the Great Plains Conference, Williamston served churches in Independence, Salina, Mentor, and Topeka in Kansas. She earned her master's of divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri, with a specialty in Black Church ministries and evangelism. She is pursuing a doctorate of ministry from Philips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Bishop Williamston's background includes a 22-year military career in the Kansas Army National Guard, where she served as a technician and eventually became chief supervisor of the account and finance operations at the U.S. Property and Fiscal Office in Topeka. Her rank upon retirement from the National Guard was sergeant first class. Bishop Williamston, a breast cancer survivor, has one son, seven grandchildren, and one pet Shih Tzu.

Join us for a conversation with Bishop Delores Williamston, who is set to become the new bishop of the Louisiana Conference on January 1.  This episode is the first of two.   In this episode, Todd Rossnagel asks Bishop Williamston about her family, her background, which includes work inside the church as well as military service. They also discuss the historic nature of her election.  To watch the consecration service from the 2022 South Central Jurisdiction, please head here.  ______ Bishop Delores J. “Dee” Williamston, a Kansas Army National Guard veteran, and a Methodist church administrator, was assigned to the Louisiana Conference at the South Central Jurisdictional meeting in Houston on November 3, 2022. Bishop Williamston was ordained as an elder in 2010 and previously served in the Great Plains Conference as the superintendent for the Hays, Hutchinson and Salina Districts. She also served as Director of Clergy Excellence and Assistant to the Bishop. Prior to beginning her service with the Great Plains Conference, Williamston served churches in Independence, Salina, Mentor, and Topeka in Kansas. She earned her master's of divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri, with a specialty in Black Church ministries and evangelism. She is pursuing a doctorate of ministry from Philips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Bishop Williamston's background includes a 22-year military career in the Kansas Army National Guard, where she served as a technician and eventually became chief supervisor of the account and finance operations at the U.S. Property and Fiscal Office in Topeka. Her rank upon retirement from the National Guard was sergeant first class. Bishop Williamston, a breast cancer survivor, has one son, seven grandchildren, and one pet Shih Tzu.

It's been a busy few weeks in the Louisiana Conference. From news of a new bishop to news of a departing bishop and then churches voting to disaffiliate. We have been through a series of emotions! In this episode, Todd Rossnagel and Van Stinson sit down to unpack all of it. They discuss the historic election of Bishop Delores J. Williamston and her assignment to Louisiana, they reflect on the leadership of Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey as she prepares for her new assignment in the Texas Conference and they look back at the work of the Annual Conference during a special called session where 58 churches disaffiliated from the UMC.  If you would like to learn more about Bishop Delores Williamston, please head here. If you would like to learn more about the farewell reception for Bishop Harvey and Mr. Dean Harvey, please head here.     

Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey joins us for the final episode of Staying. Hear from Bishop Harvey, Van Stinson, and Todd Rossnagel as they reflect on the wisdom and insight of our 12 guests. If you would like to see the entire series, please head to our YouTube page.  We thank all of our guests for their willingness to share and we thank you for watching and sharing. While the Staying series has come to an end, we encourage everyone to continue these important conversations. If you need resources, please contact us.     

Our Staying podcast series continues. In this episode, we are joined by Rev. John Winn. Listen as he shares why he is staying with the UMC. Hear insight and wisdom from over 70 years of pastoral experience.

Our Staying series continues as we visit with Rev. Quinn O'Bannon, who joined us remotely from Virginia. Quinn has a unique perspective as he serves as a Navy chaplain. "God looks past our differences because God uses each of us." Staying is a video/podcast series that focuses on the value of staying in the United Methodist Church. During this season of discernment, when some churches are talking about leaving, this is the time to talk about what it means to STAY in the UMC.  

In this episode of Staying, we visit with Rev. Katie Black. Both of the churches she serves are discerning their future. Meanwhile, Rev. Black has decided to stay with the UMC and the Louisiana Conference. Hear how she is navigating this unique time.

We continue with Staying, our video series on the value of staying with the United Methodist Church. In this episode, we catch up with Rev. Robert Johnson, a local pastor in the Louisiana Conference. If you have a question or an idea for the show, please email us: podcast@la-umc.org  For more on the Staying series, please head to our web site: www.la-umc.org/staying 

If you hold traditional views, you will always have a "seat at the table" in the United Methodist Church. Hear from Rev. Truman Stagg as to why he is #Staying in the UMC.   Staying is a video/podcast series that focuses on the value of staying in the United Methodist Church. During this season of discernment, when some churches are talking about leaving, this is the time to talk about what it means to STAY in the UMC.