by Shiela S. MacArthur, Diocesan Memorials Chair Annual Gathering Reporter
The Episcopal Church Women gathered on May 15-16 at the beautifully rebuilt St. Matthew’s, Houma, LA and focused on the theme “Vive La Renaissance”. Following prayer offered by Cecile Torbergsen, Devotions Chair, Gail Duhe’, ECW Host Church President, warmly welcomed 96 ladies, vendors, and guest speakers with generous hospitality and gift bags. Diocesan ECW Vice- President Ann Ball made announcements, introduced speakers, and executed events in timely fashion.
Friday’s events included: Rector of St. Matthew’s, The Rev. Craig D. Dalferes’ slide show and narrative describing the devastating fire at the church on November 11, 2010 only five years after Hurricane Katrina’s damage. A tour of the reconstructed church (not yet completed and dedicated) and the school and Parish Hall followed. Delegates returned to the Parish Hall to hear ministry presentations: Fr. Edward Thompson – All Souls Community Center efforts toward underserved youth programs; Deacon Quin Bates- Kairos-Torch,Youth Prison Ministry, and Fr. Craig Dalferes and Gail Duhe’- St. Matthew’s Altar Guild’s community stained glass window project. A free-will offering was collected toward these ministries which amounted to $940.00 to be split among the three ministries. Following Compline, led by Fr. Craig D. Dalferes, a gala reception and music by “The Playmates”, a lively Cajun ensemble, entertained as all enjoyed an ample variety of specialities and bounties from the southeast Louisiana bayous and seas (fried shrimp, oysters, alligator, and frog legs) as well as chicken and sausage jambalaya, French bread, and desserts. It was a feast and an evening of rejoicing and even dancing. Joie de vivre was evident and contagious!
Saturday’s session commenced with a continental breakfast provided by the ECW branches of the Southwest Deanery (St. Andrew’s, Bayou Dularge, St. John’s, Thibodaux, St. Mary’s, Franklin, St. Matthew’s, Houma, and Trinity, Morgan City). Cajun hospitality abounded and astounded! No one went away hungry! Ann Ball offered announcements and introduced speakers. Delegates were again welcomed by Gail Duhe’ of St. Matthew’s ECW, and Cecile Torbergsen offered devotions. Diocesan ECW President Laurel McCartney opened the plenary session with brief remarks, references to the President’s report, and the themes of renaissance mission, and ministry, which were followed by Secretary Marilyn Hines’ deanery roll call and approval of the minutes of the 2014 Annual Gathering at Grace Memorial, Hammond. A unanimous voice vote approved the minutes. In the absence of Treasurer Ellen King, Sharon Edmon reviewed the Treasurer’s report, the proposed budget, and special offerings which were approved by unanimous voice vote. Laurel McCartney discussed the Nominating Committee’s slate of officers and introduced them. With no nominations from the floor, the nominees Ann Ball (President-Elect- All Saints, River Ridge), Jeanne Blanchard Roques (Vice-President – St. Augustine’s, Metairie), and Judith “Judy” Weber (Church Periodical Coordinator- Trinity, Morgan City) were elected by unanimous voice vote. She also recognized Noretta Stackel as the Diocese of Louisiana’s Honored Woman at Triennial and announced that Kathryn Johnson would replace Ann Ball as a delegate to the ECW Triennial at Salt Lake City.
The plenary session was suspended for The Rev. Sharon Alexander’s (rector at Trinity, Baton Rouge) deliverance of the Keynote Address, “Vive La Renaissance: Called to Rebirth” accompanied by power point and slide show visuals. With persistent calls from the Holy Spirit to use her Spanish skills, change vocational direction, and to become committed to mission opportunities in Bolivia through the Amistad Project, The Rev. Sharon Alexander experienced profound rebirth and sent her to the Diocese of Louisiana!
In brief remarks The Rt. Rev. Morris K. Thompson, Jr., Bishop of Louisiana, reported on the State of the Church noting the progress at Grace Church, New Orleans, which will become the diocesan office location. He also announced plans for a low-key Katrina anniversary with Evensong, a trip to Tohoku, Japan in 2016, his plans for a capital campaign for maintaining the Solomon Center, and the upcoming General Convention.
DeLores Jenkins, chair of the Honored Woman program, recognized three ladies for their outstanding ministry and service: Rhea C. Babin (St. Matthew’s, Houma); Marion McCauley (St. Luke’s, New Orleans); and Nancy Wolford (St. Francis, Denham Springs).
The plenary session was suspended for eucharist. The Festival Eucharist with Celebrant The Right. Reverend Morris K. Thompson, Jr. and assisting clergy The Very Reverend Craig D. Dalferes and The Reverend Sharon Alexander included the parade of church banners, the UTO Ingathering and the Installation of Officers. Music was joyfully offered by organist/pianist Jennifer Dalferes, the St. Matthew’s Choristers, and soloist Kristin Faller. The offertory was dedicated to the ECW Foxley Fund for leadership training.
Following the luncheon, business resumed with Carolyn Douglas stressing the importance of sending handbook information to her immediately. With no further business, the plenary session was adjourned. Delegates were invited to attend two of four workshops: “Ideas for Revitalizing Local ECW Branches” (Noretta Stackel); “Suicide Prevention in Our Communities” (Virginia Blanke); “Kairos-Torch, Prison Ministry for Youth” (Deacon Quin Bates); and “Ada and the Doc” (Pam Heffner).
Both days of the ECW Annual Gathering, delegates generously donated camp supplies to the ECW’s service project, G.R.A.C.E., a camping experience for the children of incarcerated men and women. Used devotional booklets were donated for use at the Louisiana Women’s Correctional Institute at St. Gabriel, LA., and used electronic items were collected for a fund- raising project for the diocese’s Jericho Road Housing Initiative.
A former ECW President of St. James, Baton Rouge, Susan Rolff, extended an invitation to the 129th Annual Gathering on April 22-23, 2016, and Devotions Chair Cecile Torbergsen offered closing prayer. Invigorated by the messages of rebirth, renewal, revival, rebuilding, and restoring all were reminded that “With God, all things are possible”.
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