Committees and Commissions

The Beloved Community Commission

As the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement, we dream and work to foster Beloved Communities where all people may experience dignity and abundant life and see themselves and others as beloved children of God. The Becoming Beloved Community Vision Document and accompanying resources help us to understand and take up the long-term commitments necessary to form loving, liberating and life-giving relationships with each other. Together, we are growing as reconcilers, justice-makers, and healers in the name of Christ.

Contact: The Rev. Dawnell Stodghill, Commission Chair
Email:  

Christian Formation Commission

Christian formation is the lifelong process of growing in our relationship with God, self, others, and all creation. Every experience in our lives can provide us with the opportunity to express our faith; the challenge we face is recognizing these opportunities and learning ways to live a sometimes-countercultural life in a secular world.

The Christian Formation Commission seeks to:

  • Teach, train, and mentor leaders
  • Convene, coordinate, and facilitate gatherings for leadership development,
    networking, discernment and support.
  • Build and sustain relationships within the networks of leaders and possible
    partners.
  • Advocate and maintain the visibility and importance of youth and young adults
  • Curate and provide resources

Contact: Martha Whelan, Commission Chair
Email:

Congregational Vitality Commission

The ministry of congregational vitality helps congregations of every size become more healthy, faithful and sustainable expressions of Christ’s mission in their local contexts. We strengthen congregational life to nourish the unique gifts of witness found in communities throughout the diocese.

Constitution and Canons

Members of the Constitution and Canons Committee serve three-year terms upon appointment by the Bishop. The committee is responsible for reviewing the Constitution and Canons of the diocese, drafting revisions as needed and presenting revisions to the Annual Diocesan Convention for adoption. Any resolution submitted to Convention that will amend the constitution or canons must be reviewed by the Constitution and Canons Committee who will report their recommendation on the resolution to the Annual Diocesan Convention.

Contact: Mary Shaddock Jones, Chair
Email:   

Diocesan Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees functions as a custodian and an investment committee. In that capacity it has the custody and control of, and charged with the investment and reinvestment of, all trust funds and securities, all endowment funds and securities, and all permanent funds and securities belonging or appertaining to the diocese and to each and every mission and institution, other than a parish, connected with the diocese.

Contact: Steve Skrivanos, Chair
Email:

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee is responsible for preparing the diocesan budget for the following year for the Diocesan Council’s review and approval in advance of the Convention.

Contact: Will Harp, Diocesan Treasurer
Email:

International Mission Commission

The Commission on International Missions works to ensure that the mission of the diocese is integrated into the life and work of our local neighborhoods and the global community. The Commission includes representatives from our various diocesan-related missions. This Commission is responsible for bringing together the various mission areas in the diocese to work together to increase the capacity of our mission potential.

Contact: The Rev. Deacon Lois Maberry
Email:

Commission on Liturgy and Music

The Liturgy and Music Commission assist the bishop in providing liturgical planning for clergy and diocesan events, such as Convention Eucharist, ordinations, and other special services.

Contact: The Rev. Michael Bordelon, Chair
Email:    

Commission on Ministry

The Commission on Ministry consists of Clergy and laity who meet to assist the Bishop on matters relating to discernment and formation of Candidates for Holy Orders and Lay Ministry. The commission members routinely monitor the progress of the persons in the process for ordination at any given time. Nominees come to the Commission on Ministry following their parish discernment period with their rector and approval from the Bishop. The Commission on Ministry interviews the prospective nominee at several times during the process. Following interviews for Postulancy, Candidacy, and Ordination the Commission on Ministry makes recommendations to the Bishop regarding advancement in the process.

Contact: The Rev. Laurent De Prins, Chair
Email: 

Commission on Public Relations and Communications

The Public Relations and Communications Commission for the Episcopal Church in Western Louisiana exists to publicize and promote the ministries, news, and events of the diocese and its congregations through digital media, and to assist church leadership and ministries with their unique communication challenges inside and outside of their congregations.

Key responsibilities for the Public Relations and Communications Commission include:

  1. Weekly diocesan e-newsletter
  2. Management and maintenance of the diocesan website
  3. Content management for diocesan social media accounts
  4. Diocesan Convention publication and coverage
  5. Supporting congregations in developing communications plans and tools
  6. Providing educational tools and resources for virtual ministry

Contact: Will Harp, Chair or Thomas Stodghill, IV, Staff Support
Email: and  

Commission on Schools

The purpose of the Commission on Schools in the Diocese of Western Louisiana is to further the mission of the church through education in diocesan and parish schools. The duties of the Commission are to establish guidelines and standards for the establishment, recognition and certification of any and all Episcopal Schools now or in the future operating within the diocese and to provide a network of support for them.

Contact: The Rev Frances “Boo” Kay
Email:

We are the Episcopal Church in Western Louisiana. We are culturally diverse. We are welcoming. We believe in a loving, liberating, and life-giving God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection saved the world. And we know that God loves you – no exceptions.

PO Box 4330, Pineville, LA US 71361

(318) 442-1304

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