My Sisters and Brothers in the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana: Grace and peace to each of you. I hope all of you are making your way through our latest challenge, Ida. Ida lived up to the horrendous warnings we received. And we are now faced with an added burden of recovery in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. This is a lot for anyone, but if I’ve learned anything about the people of the Diocese, it is this, we are robust in our spirit and we will endure. We know God will see us through our dark moments.
I write to inform you that because of the current and continued peaking of COVID, especially in our areas, we have made the decision to once again hold our annual diocesan convention virtually. This news is not what many were hoping to hear, but with safety as our priority, this decision was a necessity. I was looking forward to our in-person communion, but this must wait. Let us hope next year will be different.
This year, the Presiding Bishop, The Most Reverend Michael Curry is slated as our keynote speaker. While he will no longer be with us in person, we will experience his charisma with powerful words of hope in having room for all to gather around the table. The table is large and the food is plenteous.
I look forward to being with you at The Great Banquet, our 184th diocesan convention, even if virtually. May God continue to bless us and keep us in the palm of God’s hand.
Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. Morris K. Thompson, Jr.
Bishop of Louisiana