In this episode of Louisiana NOW, Todd Rossnagel heads to Lake Charles to visit with volunteers who are assisting homeowners in need. The area suffered a massive flood in May, and some homes had just been repaired from the back-to-back hurricanes in 2020. We also preview the upcoming Conference-wide Disaster Workday. Details for the workday can be found here: https://www.la-umc.org/workday   If you would like to help, please head here: https://www.la-umc.org/hurricanehelp or you can give by clicking here: https://secure.anedot.com/la-conference-of-the-umc/relief   CALL US! We’d like to hear from you, please call the Louisiana NOW hotline: 504-507-1542. Leave us a message or share an idea for the show, we’d love to hear from you! 

Louisiana Now

The Hands and Feet of Christ: An Update from Lake Charles

In this episode of Louisiana NOW, Todd Rossnagel visits with Dr. Robert Peltier of North Oaks Health System in Hammond, LA. Along with serving as North Oaks Chief Medical Officer, he serves as chairman of Louisiana Hospital Association’s Chief Medical Officer Roundtable, where his leadership has helped to shape best practices for the state’s medical response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. In this interview, Rossnagel asks Dr. Peltier about vaccination hesitation and how the church can respond to communities in need.    The Louisiana NOW podcast wants to hear from YOU! Do you enjoy the show? Do you have an idea for the show? Call us and leave us a message: 504-507-1542   In a previous podcast, we discussed a holy land trip for the Louisiana Conference. For more on that trip, please click here. 

COVID Vaccines and Church; Where We Are, Where We Are Headed

In this episode of the Louisiana NOW podcast, we visit with James Ridgway, President and CEO of EO tours. EO is a Christian travel ministry that has been delivering Christian journeys for almost 50 years. Travelers have joined EO around the world on Holy Land pilgrimages, Bible land expeditions – by land and sea, Church heritage tours, retreat cruises, and cultural explorations. Ridgway updates Todd Rossnagel on the conflict in Israel, as well as how the pandemic is affecting tourism in Israel.    If you would like to learn more about EO Tours, please head here: http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/

James Ridgway, An Update on Israel

If you would like to help the relief efforts in Louisiana, please visit: www.la-umc.org/relief. You can also text the word RELIEF to 1-800-500-5858. If you are in need of assistance, please call the Louisiana Conference Disaster Assistance Hotline at: 337-476-1080

May Flooding in Louisiana, How You Can Help

In this episode of Louisiana NOW, Rev. Sam Hubbard takes over the show! Hubbard hosts his own podcast, found here and this is a special crossover episode. Hubbard shares part of his conversation with some of the folks involved with "Red Stick Together"; a Fresh Expression of Broadmoor UMC in Baton Rouge.  You’ll hear from Beth Hager, Rich Sampson, and Rev. Kennon Pickett and their stories of how (and why) Red Stick got started, as well as how it evolved through the pandemic.  Trust us, you won't wanna miss this inspiring story. It’s all part of the Office of Congregational Development and Transformation, which is hosting a series of Vision Days, both in-person and virtual. To learn more about Vision Days, please head to: https://www.la-umc.org/vision-days   If you want to know more about Red Stick Together and Broadmoor UMC check out: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/broadmoormethodist/ Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user6232383 Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG_bMNO-UBxQaIFD-e9iPZA Instagram: broadmoormethodist Broadmor Website:  https://broadmoormethodist.org Red Stick Together Website:  https://broadmoormethodist.org/red-stick-together/   If you want to check out past and future episodes of the NP2Cast: Youtube Channel Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE-Ov3bzRJ4V00SH83GGHfyyY8RZu00xp Podcast:  https://np2cast.buzzsprout.com Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/np2cast   Have a nudging from the Holy Spirit to go to a NEW PLACE so you can reach NEW PEOPLE? https://www.la-umc.org/transformation  Email: shubbard@la-umc.org   We want to partner with you to start Fresh Expressions of Church in all-new places that will reach all new people!   It all starts by catching a vision for your FX at a VISION DAY!   In these interactive days of training you will: ~ Catalyze a vision for a church that sends out the everyday people of God to be on mission in their networks and neighborhoods ~ Brainstorm ways to connect with people your church may not be currently engaging ~ Discover how fresh expressions of church can emerge alongside your traditional church ~ Explore creative ways of being the church in the world today   Fresh Expressions US has been working together with ministry leaders to bring you the best of innovative practices that are transforming churches across North America...and now Louisiana!   Register Today to discover actionable steps that any congregation can take to be a more effective witness in the world in which we find ourselves.   Choose from one of the following dates & locations: ~ May 14th, 9:30am - 3:30pm, Baton Rouge ~ June 4th, 9:00am - 3:00pm, Virtual ~ June 18th, 9:30am - 3:30pm, Ruston ~ June 25th, 9:00am - 3:00pm, Virtual

Vision Days, with Rev. Sam Hubbard

In the latest episode of Louisiana NOW, Todd Rossnagel catches up with Rev. Johnathan Richardson, Pastor of Cornerstone United Methodist Church in New Orleans. Richardson recently wrote a critical essay in Christian Century magazine entitled Christian Peacemaking and the Role of Forgiveness. If you would like to read the article, please visit this link: https://www.christiancentury.org/article/critical-essay/christian-peacemaking-and-role-forgiveness   Richardson writes this: "Christianity is a religion rooted in historical claims about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Therefore, Christian peacemakers cannot deny history or forget it. Specifically, they cannot forget the history that sends police “into ghettos armed with the same self-generated fears that compelled the people who think they are white to flee the cities and into the Dream,” as Coates writes. This history and its deepest realities are at the center of Christian peacemaking. Peace can only come with a true accounting of history."

Christian Peacemaking and the Role of Forgiveness

In today’s episode, Todd Rossnagel visits with Rev. Elaine Burleigh, Director of the Office of Missional Engagement and Outreach. The hurricane recovery in Louisiana continues and we constantly need your help. If you would like to help the continuing efforts, please visit our web site: www.la-umc.org or www.la-umc.org/hurricanehelp 

Hurricane Help; Continuing to Provide

It was one year ago when Rev. Tiffani Lyon joined us on the Louisiana NOW podcast. Lyon serves as a chaplain in St. Tammany Parish and has been offering hope and compassion to hundreds since the pandemic. In this episode, Todd Rossnagel catches up with Lyon. Rossnagel remembers her challenge in assisting people from behind glass and through electronic devices. It led him to ask — can a deeply felt presence be possible at a distance? Lyon answers that and sheds light on how to stay strong in the midst of everything we are facing.

An Update from the Front Lines

In this episode of the Louisiana NOW podcast, we share the Easter Story. The reading by Todd Rossnagel comes from a variety of translations of each of the four gospels. Happy Easter everyone. 

The Easter Story

In this episode of Louisiana NOW, we are joined by Rev. Dr. Van Stinson, assistant to the bishop and Director of Clergy Excellence in Louisiana. It’s been one year since churches stopped worshipping in-person. No one knew what was to come and no one knew what we would endure. Stinson reflects on the past year and gives u insight into what was being discussed by the cabinet as they met for appointive season just as a global pandemic was about to alter our lives. Stinson also discusses a new initiative by the Office of Clergy Excellence — the Clergy Support Initiative. If you would like to learn more about this effort, please head to: www.la-umc.org/clergysupport

A Year of Trauma, Supporting Clergy

Recently, the Louisiana NOW podcast was awarded first and third place in the audio division for the United Methodist Association of Communicators awards, and that includes Best in Class. We are super excited and extremely humbled by this recognition of our work here on the Louisiana NOW podcast. In this episode, Todd Rossnagel shares his thoughts about the award and also shares the episode that won first place — Jewels in Your Crown. 

Louisiana NOW, Best in Class

Recently, Rob Fairly, President and CEO of the The United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana announced his retirement. In this episode, we catch up with Rob who began his employment at the Foundation in 1998, first as a development officer, then moved to Executive Vice President in 2005. Rob has served as President and CEO since 2006. Located in Baton Rouge, the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana was founded in 1975 and serves United Methodist churches, institutions, and individuals within the Louisiana Annual Conference, providing financial guidance and education, loans, and grants. It is one of the largest United Methodist Foundations in the denomination.The Foundation’s Executive Committee has named Chris Spencer President and CEO of the organization, effective July 1, 2021.  “Rob Fairly has been a critical part of the Louisiana Conference's life and work," Bishop Harvey said. "We celebrate his retirement and give thanks for his service to the Conference. He leaves a great legacy of servant leadership and love for the church.  His impact across the Conference will be felt for years to come.”   You can visit the Foundation’s website here. 

A Conversation with Rob Fairly: Giving Thanks for a Lifetime of Service

In this episode, we will look at the witness handed down from a generation of pastoral leadership over 100 years ago. As we honor Black History month, we honor the life of Rev. Peter W. Clark who served the Methodist Church faithfully during the latter 19th century and the early 290th century. Our guest is Elaine Adams, an author and historian who wrote The Reverend Peter W. Clark: Sweet Preacher and Steadfast Reformer. The book highlights Clark's faithful leadership and incredible life. It's a story of mystery, challenge, hardship and an unshakable commitment to the church, neighbor and God; a story that, at times, seems so distant, yet at the same time, it’s as if we are hearing a story from the 21st century. Elaine’s book was named a 2013 Louisiana Notable Book by the Louisiana Library Association.    Special note: This episode details a serial killer that some might find unsettling. 

The Ministry and Life of Rev. Peter W. Clark

In this episode of Louisiana NOW, we look at an important series of webinars called Steeple to Street. These webinars, offered by the Office of Congregational Development and Transformation and Fresh Expressions, will be held each Wednesday in March and will focus on creating a new kind of local church in a new kind of world. Todd Rossnagel is joined by Rev. Sam Hubbard and Chris Backert, National Director of Fresh Expressions. For more on Steeple to Street, head to our web site: www.la-umc.org 

Steeple to Street

In this episode of Louisiana NOW, we look at how the pandemic is affecting the hunger problem in Louisiana. We are joined by Mike Manning, President and CEO of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank and Rev. Jo Ann Cooper, from Gretna United Methodist Church. Together, they share a picture of what it means to live out Matthew 25.    If you would like to help or partner with one of the five Food Banks in Louisiana, please click here for a listing.  

Hunger in Louisiana

A podcast featuring news, opportunities and witness of the ministries of the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. Listen for stories and updates of what's happening in the Louisiana Conference.

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Louisiana Now

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