Louisiana Interchurch Conference

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1 Louisiana Interchurch Conference E-Newsletter June 26, 2015 To live the faith we hold in common Website links: HOME page About Us Resources Daily Prayer Calendar Newsletter archive Independence Day (article from our Director) Prayer Requests and Remembrances Welcome Home Sunday - a fabulous success Kudos for a special Father s Day event Bishop McAllister - Investiture Service Not Alone - support group for families of prisoners Saying farewell to Rev. Douglas Anders Offering thanks to our recent contributors Dates to calendar ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Independence Day Article from our Director Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, 1979) As I think back over my life the decade that seemed to bring the most social change and subsequent reactions and responses from the different constituencies of society is the decade of the Sixties. That decade brought many changes, and one of them in particular-- the use of birth control--stands out as impacting our society profoundly. Though still a thorny moral issue for the Church, the use of contraceptives has certainly changed the lives of women for good and for bad--and subsequently of the American family and our society at large. Arguably, anti-war protesters in the Peace movement coupled with drug experimentation by segments of society also helped to change and shape the society we live in today. No doubt there are many other themes and events of the Sixties that we could mention, but suffice to say: The Sixties could be described as a decade of social revolution in our society. We fast forward to the Tens of the Twenty-First Century. My guess is each of you

2 who read this could easily come up with your own answers as to the key challenges or concerns of the current decade. One important issue is human sexuality and in particular same sex relationships. At our September Board meeting we will be looking at a Statement on moral issues published jointly by the dialogue teams of the Roman Catholic and Episcopal Church, USA. The Statement grapples with how the two churches have come to distinct decisions with issues of sexuality. The pace of change in attitudes in American society marks a significant departure from the past and may signal another decade of social revolution underway. In various segments of the Faith community issues of human sexuality are provoking soul searching, theological and doctrinal debates and some changes in attitudes. Obviously the diverse Faith Communities that compose the Church are responding differently. These issues don t appear to be going away and will likely continue to impact Church and society. The racial justice movement is another area of startling change that is just now, it seems, awakening the nation to yet more profound social change in this decade. One powerful signal of that change is the way our political leaders are responding to the long sought after requests and demands that the Confederate Flag and other symbols of that era be removed from public spaces such as State Capital areas and other public venues. I believe the Spirit of God is noticeably at work in the world. On this Independence Day we offer thanks for the torch of freedom that continues to burn brightly, but we also must acknowledge that freedoms and liberties never come without cost and sacrifice. Those who died on June 18 th at Emanuel AME Church, Charleston, have paved the way for a new day pointing toward greater racial justice and racial reconciliation in this great land we call the United States of America. Fr. Dan Krutz Prayer Requests and Remembrances Our prayers remain with the people of Emanuel AME Church, in Charleston, SC after the recent tragedy there. May we all learn to embody the forgiveness and love this Christian congregation has shown. Prayers for persecuted Christians all over the world. May the gospel of Christ continue to spread despite all obstacles. Welcome Home Sunday - a fabulous success A fabulous success!

3 Over 230 people attended the inaugural event Welcome Home Sunday on May 31 st at Dillard University in New Orleans. Thanks to all who braved the pouring rain and flooded streets to be involved! Welcome Home Sunday was born out of the need for further reentry programs where communities of faith reach out to returning citizens with resources and refuge, especially when they come out of prison and are most vulnerable for returning. St. Peter Claver Choir led in worship A call to Prayer Archbishop Aymond listed 10 things he said we ought to do for those who've been released from prison: Welcome them by name Tell them that "God is the God of a second chance and sometimes a third or fourth chance." Welcome their families and help those families support them. Help them find housing Help them find work Mentor them Challenge them to work toward rehabilitation "Invite them into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ." Help them reconcile with their victims. Be a presence for them so they can become "a people of thanksgiving." Tom Costanza, a Micah partner and the Division Director for Catholic Charities New Orleans, emceed the event. Keynote speaker Archbishop Gregory Aymond, laid out his recommendation for a 10-point plan for faith communities who seek to make a real difference in the lives of formerly incarcerated. Rev. Dan Krutz, Executive Director of the Louisiana Interchurch Conference set the tone for the afternoon when he opened by stating, we need to do some de-incarcerating. The event was brought to a close by a call to action for Faith Communities. We hope to soon see similar programs around the state we ll keep you posted!

4 Kudos for a special Father s Day event Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church 1358 South Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA Held a: Father's Day/Law Enforcement Sunday on June 21, 2015 Sgt. Riley Harbor, III, of the Community Policing Division of the Baton Rouge Police Department was the Preacher. ALL enforcement officers and their families were invited to join in worship. Hosting were: Bro. David Whiten, Sr., President, Sons of Allen, and Dr. Herman O. Kelly, Jr. Pastor. Rev. Kelly informs us that they had a great turnout and a very special time of worship. Kudos on this very thoughtful and heartfelt event! Bishop McAllister - Investiture Service Congratulations to Bishop Julius McAllister, new President of the Council of Bishops, of the AME Church, 8th Episcopal District. His term became effective on June 15, The Investiture Service will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at 7:00 p.m., at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel, located at 2 Poydras Street, New Orleans. For more information on this and other services in the three day series of events, please go to: Not Alone - support group for families of prisoners NOT ALONE NOT ALONE Family and Friends of the Incarcerated If you care about somebody in prison you are invited to a support group on the below Mondays in June and July, 2015:

5 Meetings will be held each Monday for six weeks: June 29, July 6, 13, 20. (Meetings have already been held on June 15th & 22nd.) 7:00 pm 8:00 pm, at St Joseph s Church: 1802 Tulane Ave. New Orleans (Parking In Lot) For further info. contact: Kim Baker, M.A. or John Messenheimer, M.Div. (504) Saying farewell to Rev. Douglas Anders We wish Rev. Douglas Anders, of the United Church of Christ, South Central Conference, well in his upcoming retirement. His retirement will be effective July 15th, as his last day. However, at the June 7th Annual Conference of the UCC, a special liturgy and ending ceremony for his career with the UCC was held. Events included a Second line dance where Rev. Anders held an umbrella while marching to the tune of When the Saints Go Marching In. Fr. Dan Krutz, LIC Executive Director, attended the ceremony and captured this photo during the liturgy: Rev. Anders is retiring completely and moving back to St. Louis. While we will miss his leadership, we wish him many happy years as he begins this new stage in his life. Offering thanks to our recent contributors Approximately 90% of our operating income comes from Judicatories. Their faithfulness in prayer and financial support is essential to this ministry and always greatly appreciated. The LA Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church also provides office facilities to the Louisiana Interchurch Conference at no cost to the LIC. Additionally, we offer our sincere thanks to our ministry partners who have contributed as listed below. Contributions received from May 29, 2015 through June 25, 2015:

6 Bread or Stones Children s Anti-Poverty Initiative: Mrs. Ann Ball Endowment Fund Contributors: Mrs. Ann Ball Farmers Advocacy Fund: Mrs. Ann Ball Friends of the LIC and General Contributions: Rev. Robert Hildebrandt; Msgr. Ronald Groth; Bp James B. Brown; Bp Charles Jarrell; Ken & Kay Irby; Irma F. Edwards; Bp & Mrs. Kevin Kanouse; Beverly Longo; Sara Simmonds; Dr. Kenny Crump; Roy Lilly; Mrs. Ann Ball; and Rev. Mary Moody Scholarship Fund for Board Meeting Registrations: Mrs. Ann Ball (The very first donation to this fund!) Stewardship of the Environment: Mrs. Ann Ball Stovall Memorial Advocacy Fund: Mrs. Ann Ball Thank you all! Please pray for this ecumenical ministry. If you would like to help financially, please mail contributions to: Louisiana Interchurch Conference, 527 N. Blvd., 4th Floor, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, or contribute online via PayPal at Dates to calendar Next Bread or Stones Meeting: August 11th, Baton Rouge, LA. Our sincere thanks to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux for providing lunch for the participants at the Bread or Stones meetings! Next Commission on Criminal Justice Meeting: T/B/D, Baton Rouge, LA Upcoming Board Meeting Dates Annual Assembly meeting dates: 2016 March 7-8, Shreveport 2017 March 6-7, Monroe 2018 March 5-6, Baton Rouge Fall Board meeting dates: 2015 Sept , Baton Rouge 2016 Sept , New Orleans 2017 Sept , Alexandria 2018 Sept , Lake Charles

7 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To live the faith we hold in common Louisiana Interchurch Conference 527 North Blvd., 4th Floor, Baton Rouge, LA (225) President: Bishop Jacob W. Owensby; President Elect: Rev. Dr. C. S. Gordon, Jr.; Executive Director: Fr. Dan Krutz You are receiving this message because you have previously expressed interest in the work of Louisiana Interchurch Conference. We hope you enjoy our newsletter! However, if you d like to discontinue receiving this e-newsletter, please click here or call us at: (225)