187th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana
Presentations at Convention
Bishop’s Address
Read Bishop Duckworth’s Address HERE
Up From the Ashes: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Baton Rouge
Gaudet Umbrella
Diocesan Vitality Initiative
WELCOME LETTER FROM BISHOP DUCKWORTH
Dear Friends in Christ,
I am delighted to once again bring our diocesan leaders together for fellowship, reflection, requisite business, and celebration at the 187th Annual Convention of The Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana. This year’s theme, Hope is Here, invites us to remember that hope thrives through Jesus and that God is always active in our lives and working towards peace in our world.
The “here” part of Hope is Here challenges us. It requires us to live out hope, not as a vague theory, but as an active truth, right where we are — in our personal lives, civic lives, and faith lives. This enduring multidimensional hope knows that no matter how daily life seems to be going for us as individuals or as a community, God’s insistence on helping us transform the world is resolute.
I am excited to share all that is being planned under this theme. In addition to Convention business, events will include various break-out session workshops, ministry presentations, and a spirited reception featuring our priest-led bands battling it out! By allowing our theme to inform all aspects of our time at Convention, my hope is that we will be inspired to bring this affirming message back with us into our churches and ministries long after this physical gathering has ended.
In conclusion, I am grateful for all those in the diocese who are planning this important event; I am particularly appreciative for the leaders of Episcopal School of Baton Rouge for hosting Convention on their beautiful campus. I invite us all to experience what grows when we cultivate and live out the extraordinary message Hope is Here.
Yours in Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Shannon Rogers Duckworth
Bishop of Louisiana
Date and Location
The 187th Annual Convention will be held October 25-26, 2024 at Episcopal School of Baton Rouge, 3200 Woodland Ridge Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70816. Click here for directions.
Check in will begin on Friday at 11:30 a.m with the Call to Order at 1:30 p.m.
Parking is in the front lot, marked in yellow on the map. Please only park in designated areas as there is a school event on Friday evening.
Business at Convention
View Convention Booklet HERE
Business at Convention
If you have any questions about the business at Convention, contact Tamika Gerhardt, Chair of the Dispatch of Business, at tgerhardt@edola.org.
Elected Offices
We seek people interested in serving in leadership positions in the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana. Read below for offices to be held by election at the upcoming 187th Annual Convention.
Election Results:
Secretary of the Diocese: Marsha Wade
Treasurer of the Diocese: Keith Crawford
Standing Committee, Clerical: The Rev. Deacon Austin Wendt
Standing Committee, Lay: Ronny Daley
Executive Board, Clerical: The Rev. Craig Dalferes
Executive Board, Lay: Marina Wilson and Donald Leese
Disciplinary Board, Clerical (fulfill unexpired term): The Rev. Dr. Fred Devall
Disciplinary Board, Clerical: The Rev. Peter Wong
Disciplinary Board, Lay: John Futrell and Jeremiah Smith
Trustee, University of the South, Sewanee: Thomas E. Jacks
Secretary of the Diocese - 1 to be elected
Duties: The Secretary serves as Secretary of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana and The Convention. It shall be their duty to give timely notice of all annual and special meetings of The Convention, to prepare the list of lay members of The Convention, to record and publish the proceedings of The Convention, to preserve its journals and records, to attest, as occasion may require, its public proceedings, and faithfully to deliver into the hands of his successor all books and papers in his possession relative to the concerns of The Diocese and of The Convention. (See Canon 3)
Term: One year (term to expire 2025)
Nominee- 1 to be elected
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Marsha Wade
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Treasurer of the Diocese - 1 to be elected
Duties: The Treasurer is elected by The Convention. The duty of the Treasurer to receive and disburse the funds of The Diocese in accordance with the annual budget. The Treasurer shall make an annual report to The Convention of all sums received and disbursed during the preceding year and shall include in such report a statement of the condition of the assets of each Parish and Diocesan Mission with regard to its annual financial commitment to The Diocese for the work of the Church. (See Canon 3)
Term: One year (term to expire 2025)
Nominee- 1 to be elected
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Keith Crawford
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Standing Committee
Duties: The work of the Standing Committee, as set forth in Canon 4, Section 3, of the Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana, “shall be to fulfill all functions required of it by the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church and of The Diocese and to act as a council of advice for The Bishop.” The Standing Committee works with the Commission on Ministry to ensure the canons are followed in regard to the ordination process. This includes interviews with candidates throughout their ordination process. The Standing Committee also processes requests from other dioceses for consent to the election of bishops. The Standing Committee oversees the election process should there be an election for Bishop. The Standing Committee also is required to approve transactions involving any immovable property held in the name of the Diocese. Meetings are held as necessary, with required attendance at the Ministry Conference in January.
Standing Committee members will be most effective if they work will with others, understand and appreciate the complexity of ministry, possess an understanding of sound business practices, and have a deep love of the Lord and of the Church.
Term: Four years (term to expire 2028)
Clerical Nominees –
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The Rev. Austin Wendt
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Lay Nominees –
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Ronny Daley
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Executive Board
Duties: The Executive Board shall have charge of the development and prosecution of the work of the Church, subject to the provisions of the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese and to the direction of The Convention. It shall have the power and authority to implement and carry out the programs and policies adopted by The Convention and to act for The Convention between meetings thereof, except where the authority is reserved to the Standing Committee. The Bishop shall be the executive head of all such work, and the Board shall assist the Bishop in the administration thereof. (See Canon 7.1)
Term: Three years (term to expire 2027)
Clerical Nominees –
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The Rev. Rev. Craig Dalferes
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Lay Nominees –
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Marina Wilson
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David Warrington
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Donald Leese
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Disciplinary Board
Term: Three years. Terms shall be staggered so that one-third of the Board is reelected each year. A member of the Board shall not serve for longer than two successive three-year terms, but shall be eligible for election to the Board after having been a non-member for one Convention year. Each term shall run until the conclusion of the annual meeting of The Convention held three years following the date of the member’s election. (term to expire 2027)
Clerical Nominees –
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The Rev. Peter Wong
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(To fill an unexpired term – expiring 2026)
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Lay Nominees –
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Jeremiah Smith
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John Futrell
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Sewanee Board of Trustees
Duties: The University of the South has, as part of its governing system, two boards —— the Board of Reagents and the Board of Trustees. The Board of Regents is somewhat like a vestry, and handles much of the fiduciary responsibility of the school. The Board of Trustees, on the other hand, is a board of people that are interested in promoting the University and its Seminary. In turn, they are to be agents of information for those in their dioceses. The annual meeting of the Board of Trustees usually occurs in late October, when new members are installed , when honorary degrees are given, and the business of the board occurs. Each diocese has one clerical and two lay representatives. The by-laws of the university do stipulate that some actions of the Regents must be approved by the Trustees.
Term: The term is for three years. (Term begins October 2025 and term ends October 2028)
Lay Nominees
Thomas E. Jacks
St. Michaels’s Episcopal Church, Mandeville
What motivated you to seek nomination for this committee?
I was motivated to stand for election to fill a position that is critical to the relationship between the Diocese and one of the Episcopal Church’s premier educational institutions.
If nominated, what added value would you bring to the diocese in moving the committee forward with God’s work?
If selected to serve, I would fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the position and would strive to represent the interests of the Diocese of Louisiana, to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God.
Occupation: Engineering Division Chief, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Relevant experiences, skills and talents:
In my professional career, I have spent nearly three decades in the aerospace industry working on highly technical problems. As a manager in a Federal agency, I am accustomed to working with budgets and within the constructs of established regulations to fulfill missions and established goals. I supervise both individual contributors and other supervisors. I have served in leadership positions for a number of national nonprofits. In the Diocese of Louisiana, I served as First Alternate Lay Deputy to the 2024 General Convention in Louisville. Most importantly, I am the father of four children–one college graduate, one college student, and two high schoolers. I am intimately familiar with the challenges faced by students to balance resources, college programs, and to “find the right fit.”
Resolutions
Convention rules require resolutions to be submitted to the Committee on Dispatch of Business 30 days prior to Convention or else receive the consent of two-thirds of the members of Convention to be moved from the floor. The deadline for submitting resolutions is September 26, 2024.
Resolution Form HERE
Courtesy Resolutions: Download HERE
Resolutions submitted for consideration at the 187th Annual Convention
| Resolution # | Purpose | Referred to | Action |
| R-1 |
Purpose: To encourage congregations to pay active deacons under 72 years of age $25 per month and pay assessments on their behalf to the Church Pension Fund (CPF)
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Hearing Room: VPAC 133 |
Resolved by the Resolutions Committee Passed |
Amendments to the Diocesan Constitution & Canons submitted for consideration at the 187th Annual Convention
| Resolution # | Title & Link to Full Text | Purpose | Referred to | Action |
| CCR1 | Amend Article V, Sections 3 and 4 |
Purpose: To amend Article V, Sections 3 and 4 of the Constitution of the Diocese to provide for parity in rights seat, voice and vote of presbyters and deacons at meetings of The Convention.
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Hearing Room: VPAC 133 |
Amended by the Committee on Consitution and Canons Did not meet quorum |
| CCR2 | To Amend Canon 26, Section 2 |
Purpose: To amend Canon 26, Section 2 to provide that a Parish may voluntarily place under the custody and control of the Board of Trustees any trust funds and securities, endowment funds and securities and permanent funds and securities belonging or appertaining to the Parish by a two-thirds vote of the Vestry and to remove such funds and securities from the custody and control of the Board of Trustees by a two-thirds vote of the Vestry.
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Hearing Room: VPAC 133 |
Amended by the Committee on Consitution and Canons
Passed as amended |
| CCR3 | To Amend Canon 6, Section 2 |
Purpose: To amend Canon 6, Section 2 to provide that the election of Deputies and Alternates to General Convention be conducted at an Annual Meeting or special meeting of the Diocesan Convention not later than twelve months preceding the opening date of the General Convention for which they are chosen.
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Hearing Room: VPAC 133 |
Amended by the Committee on Consitution and Canons Passed as amended |
Budget Documents
Click the toggles below to view the budget documents for the 187th Annual Convention. If you have any questions, please contact Chris Speed, Diocesan Administrator, at cspeed@edola.org.
Action at Convention
The 2025 budget was passed with no amendments
Minimum clergy compensation was passed with no amendments.
Reports to Convention
Diocesan boards, committees, and commissions are asked to submit annual reports to Convention by September 26, 2024. Please email reports to Tamika Gerhardt at tgerhardt@edola.org.
Submit Reports HERE
Read / Watch the Reports to Convention
Speakers and Breakout Session
Breakout Sessions Descriptions
Nurturing the Spiritual Lives of Children
Ashley Bond, Director of Formation, Trinity Church, New Orleans
Location: Quest Center 104
Why it matters and how to do it. In this workshop, we will explore the importance of understanding the child’s spiritual life, what elements are necessary to support a community of children, and what it might look like within the context of your church.
Community Engagement
The Very Rev. Ronald H. Clingenpeel, Vicar, St. Andrew’s, Bayou du Large
Location: Quest Center 108
This session would review the events of the last three years at St. Andrew’s, our purposes in acting as we have, and ways of approaching the program and developing new memories rather than trying to relive old memories. It will also discuss how we are still learning, experimenting, and looking for new ways to deal with our lives down the bayou. This last hurricane raised new issues for us regarding communication and networking, so we are trying to develop ways to address those issues. It is one package but has continuing parts and new challenges as we move forward in love.
Discussion Panel: Celebrating 50 Years of Women’s Ordination
The Very Rev. Stephanie Fox, Rector, St. George’s, New Orleans
Location: VPAC Theatre
This year was especially significant as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first ordination of women as priests in The Episcopal Church on July 29, 1974. The path towards ordination was paved with courage and foresight by remarkable women and their supporters who unwaveringly held onto their convictions and faith, guided by the Holy Spirit in every step they took. The road to equality did not end with ordination, as female priests encountered numerous obstacles and resistance while striving for their rightful place in the church. Please bring your lunch and join us as we engage in heartfelt conversations with our esteemed women clergy about the extraordinary journey they embarked on to reach their ordination.
Holy Eucharist
Convention Eucharist will be held on Friday. All members of the diocese are welcome to attend. Clergy will vest; red stoles.
Pre-Convention Meeting
Pre-Convention Meeting will be held on Oct. 16, 2024 at 6 p.m. on Zoom.
Register for Convention
People of the diocese are invited to attend the 187th Annual Convention. Registration is required. The cost is $80 per person.
Note to delegates: Voting will be conducted electronically via Election Runner. Each delegate will need access to their own email to vote using their own smartphone or tablet.
Registration is now closed.
Vendor information
Vendor spots are now full.
The exhibitors will be located in the sizeable hall space between the Break Out Session Rooms.
Cost: Any ministry affiliated with the diocese may register a table at no cost. Exhibitors that do not fall into this category will be charged a $50 fee.
Setup time: Friday, October 26 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Questions: Contact Grace Rose at grose@edola.org with any questions.
Registration is required. The cost is $50 per person.
Hotel block
Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel
7000 Bluebonnet Blvd
Baton Rouge, LA 70810
(225) 388-5731
Necrology From
Please include the full name of any priest, former diocesan officer, and/or lay delegate from your congregation who has passed away since the last meeting of the Diocesan Convention on October 28, 2023.
Names will be read during Convention prayers.
Submissions are due by September 26, 2024
Submit Names HERE