Contents:

Revival (Article from our Director) In Memory of Bishop Ronald Herzog Church burnings in Louisiana Earth Day Events April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month Welcome to Deacon Jim Kincel – new Board Designate News from Ecumenical Event at Notre Dame in New Orleans Offering thanks to our recent contributors Dates to Calendar

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Revival

 

O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: …let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new…

(Book of Common Prayer)

In some of our faith traditions the week before Easter is a time of revivals. Local churches invite a Pastor, usually from outside the community, to be a guest preacher and teacher over a series of nights leading up to Easter. A preacher empowered by the Spirit can help the people of a congregation to experience a true Revival! Meaningful change can take place in people’s spiritual lives, an interior change that can then be manifested in some ways as a ‘new’ person in Christ. Revivals in my home town were conducted before Easter but also at other times during

the year. My memory may be wrong, but I remember those revivals also providing an occasion when people of different cultures and races—Black and White in my community—worshipped together. We didn’t go into each other’s churches, but we worshipped under the same tent in the park. Of course, we have a revival in nature too. Just weeks ago the Hickory nut tree in our yard barely had any leaves. Now it is full of green as is the whole neighborhood. Nature helps us in our part of the world more easily to consider that the body of Jesus, God could raise again, a new and transformed life emerging from a seemingly lifeless tomb. Blossoms are everywhere! The birds greet the mornings by singing their own revival, and those who are willing to slow down a bit reap the rewards of their songs. The Spirit in lots of different ways helps us to understand that what seems lifeless, “cast down,” is being “raised up.” Some of you have probably read accounts or heard stories this week about Chernobyl and the 30th anniversary of the disaster of the nuclear plant in that Russian community. Though people cannot return to the village where the disaster occurred, a remarkable revival of nature, specifically mammals (other than humans) has taken place. Scientists looked at mid to large-size mammals, "everything from hare or rabbit-sized animals, wild boar, moose — everything up to apex predators like wolves." (NPR, Tuesday, 4/16/19). They were attempting to get an appreciation of the resiliency of these animals and found it to be remarkable. As we approach this Easter Day we give thanks to God for raising Jesus, giving us great hope and the promise of Eternal Life! In Jesus, God shows us a kind of resilience that is supernatural. May God gift us and the Church with a true and lasting revival!  

In Memory of Bishop Ronald Herzog

Former LIC Board Member, Bishop Ronald P. Herzog passed away after a brief illness, on Thursday of last week. He was almost 77. Bishop Herzog served the LIC as a Judicatory Leader for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Alexandria during his term as Bishop of Alexandria, from January 2005 until February of 2017, and was always a very active participant. He served as President of the LIC from March of 2007 thru March of 2008, and served four years as Chair of the LIC Faith & Order Commission. He will be remembered fondly by many for his quick wit and his concern and care for others. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 1, 1968. He selected as his episcopal motto: "One In The Lord."

He was the Catholic Co-Chair of the Anglican-Roman Catholic Consultation. Within the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, he was a member of the Committee on Divine Worship, Committee on National Collections, and the Subcommittee on Native American Catholics. He retired early (in February 2017) due to health problems. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, April 22 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Alexandria. Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond will be the Principal Celebrant.

 

Church burnings in Louisiana Fires set at 3 Baptist Churches & 1 Pentecostal Church

We grieve with the church members and Pastors affected by the fires in St. Landry Parish and in Vivian, Louisiana. The fire in the Pentecostal Church at Vivian burned itself out before causing serious structural damage, but the three Baptist Churches were consumed. For those wishing to help, a fund has been set up for the three African American Churches – all members of the Louisiana Missionary Baptist State Convention denomination. You can donate online at: https://www.gofundme.com/church-fires-st-landry-parishmacedonia-ministry or mail contributions to: Seventh District Baptist Association, Attn: Rev. Freddie Jack, P.O. Box 281, Ville Platte, LA 70856. LIC Executive Director, Rev. Dan Krutz, went to Opelousas this past Thursday morning, April 11, 2019, to visit the three churches that were burned. He arrived just after a press conference at the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's offices in Opelousas and was able to speak with Rev. Edward Alexander, State President of LMBSC, and with Rev. Freddie Jack who is Association President in which the three churches are members. He also spoke with Rev. Gerald Toussaint of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church and Rev. Harry Richard of Greater Union Baptist Church (two of the churches that burned). Rev. Krutz told them there are lots of people praying for them and we stand ready to help in whatever way we can. He was not able to have a conversation with Rev. Kyle Sylvester, Sr., Pastor of the third Baptist church involved, St. Mary Church just North of Port Barre. Rev. Krutz also attended a service on Sunday, April 14, 2019, at Little Zion Baptist Church in Opelousas. This was a service to gather members of the three churches and their pastors. Rev. Edward Alexander presided assisted by Association President, Rev. Freddie Jack. Bishop James Proctor of the Church of God in Christ, Louisiana First Jurisdiction was also present. Governor Edwards was a speaker for the event, and he offered much encouragement and reassurance. The State Fire Marshall, Butch Browning, was recognized for his leadership in the investigation of the fires. Other civic and governmental officials were also present. The LIC office has reached out to Pastor Rick Jeane of the Pentecostal Church in Vivian, LA, offering prayers and asking how we might be of assistance. Below is a Press Release that LIC sent out regarding these church burnings:

A Call to Repentance and Renewal  

Louisiana is once again in the news with a series of three African American churches in St Landry parish burned to the ground, and a fourth, a Pentecostal church in Northwest Louisiana in the town of Vivian also suffered damage from arson.  A 21 year‐old young man has been arrested for arson of the three churches in South Louisiana.  Pastors and members of other churches are breathing a sigh of relief as a result of the arrest and no longer are sleeping in their churches in case someone might attempt to burn theirs up as well.  Though we would have hoped that the citizens of 

our State would have progressed in race relations and that racism is no longer as prevalent, these incidents suggest we may, in fact, be experiencing an increase in racial unrest and violence.  The three African American Churches are part of a Baptist Denomination that is a member church of the Louisiana Interchurch Conference.  Such incidents as we are experiencing bring to mind that we are a part of the universal Church of Jesus Christ and we are brothers and sisters of one another.  In the Christian Tradition the most popular prayer, the Lord’s Prayer begins with, “Our Father…”  In an address recently Governor John Bel Edwards pointed out that in invoking “Our Father” tells us that we are all brothers and sisters in God’s family.  The apostle Paul in his Letter to the Romans uses the metaphor of the human body to argue that we each make up the Body of Christ.  All are vital and essential to the health of the Body.   It is essential in overcoming the sin of racism to recognize that confession and repentance may be the tools necessary for the renewal of our personal and corporate life in Louisiana.  We as a people also need to educate ourselves on the roots of racism that are deeply imbedded in our culture and all the sectors of society.  The awareness we can achieve will go a long way toward creating a climate of life in Louisiana in which all people can grow, flourish and prosper.  We join with people of goodwill throughout Louisiana as we strive to create communities that value the dignity of every human being.  In the meantime, we continue to pray and reach out to the pastors and people of the churches who’ve been affected by arson.   Of course, we also believe that good will come from this tragedy.  We recall that in the rebirth of Spring and the symbols of rebirth of Faith, the dark night that brought out the evil deeds that were manifested in destruction and the desire to take away bastions of spirituality, will give away to hope and New Life!    

Earth Day Events

APRIL 22, 2019, Baton Rouge, LA This is an excellent opportunity to meet with your legislators and emphasize the importance of coastal restoration! Agenda: 12:00 - 1:00 “Creating Coastal Partnerships” Lunch Panel, 4th Floor Press Room of Capitol 1:30 - 2:30 Governor’s Address and Legislative Panel, 4th Floor Press Room of Capitol 2:00 - 5:00 Outreach to Legislators, House and Senate Chambers 3:30 - 4:30 CPRA Industry Briefing, LSU Center for River Studies 4:30 - 7:30 Coastal Day Reception, LSU Center for River Studies Please contact Helen Rose Patterson, Restore Mississippi River Delta, for more information and/or directions.

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INTERFAITH EARTH DAY CELEBRATION

APRIL 23, 2019, New Orleans, LA

Learn what local environmental groups are doing and how congregations are engaging!

Creation Care Fair, Food Trucks, Kids Activities, Free & Open to the Public. 5 to 7pm, Tuesday, April 23rd. First Presbyterian Church, 5401 S. Claiborne Ave., New Orleans

For more info. contact Helen Rose Patterson.

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If you haven’t planned something yet for Earth Day, please do!

And let us know so that we may post it on the LIC website.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Find out what you can do to help at: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/preventionmonth/. You can also register for live-streaming of the 21st National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect (NCCAN), to be held in Washington DC on April 24th – 26, 2019. And here in the south, this is also a time to remember the growing number of children entering foster care in the United States because of abuse and neglect. These children need caring families and some will need permanent homes. For children in foster care who are ultimately freed for adoption, more than 20,000 turn 18 every year and age out of the system without a permanent family. This puts them at a higher risk of homelessness, substance abuse and other negative outcomes. There are children who need you!

Welcome to Deacon Jim Kincel – new Board Designate

  Congratulations to Deacon Jim Kincel on his recent appointment as Designate to the Louisiana Interchurch Conference, representing Bishop Douglas Deshotel and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette. Many of you met Deacon Kincel as a first-time delegate to the Annual Assembly in Lafayette last month. We are happy to welcome him now as a Board Member! Deacon Kincel was ordained Deacon, February 26, 2000, by Bishop Edward J. O’Donnell, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette LA. His first assignment was to his home parish of Saints Peter and Paul in Scott; where he continued to serve until December 2004. He was then appointed to Our Lady of Assumption Church in Carencro and in January 2008 was appointed as Parish Life Coordinator for a period of two months. Deacon Jim’s appointment changed in July 2010 to St Charles Borromeo in Grand Coteau; in October 2015 he was then appointed to Holy Cross in Lafayette, where he currently serves. He was appointed as Director of the Office of Permanent Diaconate in May 2006 and Director of the Secretariat for Pastoral Services in July 2008. Deacon Jim is married to Diane, has three children and seven grandchildren.

News from Ecumenical Event at Notre Dame in New Orleans 

While the tragic fire at Notre Dame in Paris, France, has captivated everyone’s attention, we would like to counter with some good news of an ecumenical event that was coordinated by the LIC at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans in February. Mrs. Catherine Townsend, LIC Executive Committee Member and Chair of the LIC Commission on Education & Formation provided this report: “On Monday, February 18, 2019, two groups of seminarians met to discuss their approach to ministerial work in the digital age.  What made this an unusual happening is that the groups were from two schools and two Christian denominations who don’t regularly get together to talk about such things.  Coming from Notre Dame Seminary were 4th year students of Dr. Tom Neal and from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary were students of Dr. Adam Harwood.  The groups were invited to a “Conversation on Faith and Culture among Baptists and Catholics.” Those attending numbered more than forty students.  The group was welcomed to Notre Dame by the Very Reverend James Wehner, Rector/President, and the evening of activities was facilitated by Father Buddy Noel (who is also an LIC Executive Committee Member and Chair of the LIC Faith and Order Commission).  Dr. Harwood introduced the session via a short presentation and a fruitful discussion followed with students on both sides eager to participate.  Students then gathered for Evening Vespers and dinner in the cafeteria.    

To wrap things up each table had the opportunity to summarize their insights.  Feedback was very positive; a follow‐up event hosted by the Baptist Seminary sometime in the future is expected.   This was certainly an event that furthers the Mission of LIC, which in part, is “to proclaim in word and deed…that faith which we hold in common.”  Thank you to Father Krutz for this idea, for waiting patiently until the seed took root, and for Father Buddy Noel, who used his connections to make it happen. Now is a good time and place to align ourselves in harmony!” 

Offering thanks to our recent contributors – we couldn't make it without you all!

The majority of the LIC operating income is contributed through the leadership of our member Judicatories, whom we deeply appreciate and depend upon. Contributions received from March 30, 2019 through April 17, 2019:

Endowment Fund for Christian Unity: Frank McArthur

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 http://www.lainterchurch.org/contribute/index.htm.

Dates to Calendar Annual Assembly meeting dates:

2020 March 2-3, Baton Rouge – 50th Annual Assembly – don’t miss it!! Fall Board meeting dates: 2019 Sept. 23-24, Monroe 2020 Sept. 21-22, Shreveport  

“To live the faith we hold in common” President: The Rev. Dr. Timothy Jones; President Elect: The Most Rev. Douglas Deshotel;

Executive Director: Fr. Dan Krutz