Submitting to Be More Vile: Finding a Faithful Voice in Unspeakable Times
Louisiana Now
There are moments when the world feels so fractured, so loud, and so heavy that we find ourselves asking a simple but unsettling question: How do we speak faithfully now? In this episode of Louisiana NOW, we’re joined by author and historian Dr. Ashley Boggan, along with Rev. Ali Young, Director of Equipping Ministries, for a conversation rooted in United Methodist history but aimed squarely at the present moment. Drawing from Ashley’s book Wesleyan Vile-tality, we explore the moment John Wesley famously “submitted to be more vile,” and what that act of courage can teach us about...
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An Update from Lydia Patterson Institute
Louisiana Now
Recently, leaders from our conference joined colleagues from across the South Central Jurisdiction in El Paso for the gathering. Bishops, conference staff, and leaders came together for worship, conversation, and honest storytelling about where the Church is and where God might be leading next. But El Paso wasn’t just a meeting location. It was a place already deeply connected to the Louisiana Conference. While there, we spent time at Lydia Patterson Institute, a United Methodist school serving students in the El Paso–Juárez border region, a school that many in Louisiana know well, and...
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Watching the River Flow: Steve Barlow's Call Story
Louisiana Now
This episode of the Louisiana NOW features an interview with Steve Barlow, the new Director of Finance and Conference Treasurer, and Rev. Dr. Van Stinson, the Executive Director of the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. Together, we explore Steve's transition into his role and his connection to the Gulf Coast. Reflecting on his past experiences, Steve shares how his time caring for his mother and a world cruise inspired his career path toward meaningful work in Louisiana. We also discuss the importance of financial stewardship within the Church, discussing the need for...
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HealthFlex: What to Know and What to Do
Louisiana Now
Clergy will be invited to make a healthcare plan selection during open enrollment beginning October 29 and ending November 13th. Currently, there are to choose from. Everyone is invited to utilize Wespath's online tool, . Participants can use ALEX to estimate costs and receive a personalized recommendation for their 2026 HealthFlex elections. ALEX will remain available throughout the Annual Election period (October 29 - November 13) and participants can visit as often as they would like. ALEX will give individuals the option to look up actual claims estimates...
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Leading Through the Storm: Bishop William W. Hutchinson & Rev. Don Cottrill
Louisiana Now
Welcome to a very special series of the Louisiana NOW podcast, Hope Beyond the Storm. Ten episodes that tell the stories of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in South Louisiana. Twenty years after the storms, the recovery isn’t just history—it’s still shaping lives, churches, and communities across South Louisiana. This series shares first‑hand stories of resilience, hard choices, and pastoring from pastors, lay leaders, volunteers, and neighbors who rebuilt together. Bishop William W. Hutchinson and Rev. Don Cottrill reflect on the enormous responsibility of guiding the Louisiana...
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A United Witness:Rev. Shawn Anglim & Margaret Washington
Louisiana Now
Welcome to a very special series of the Louisiana NOW podcast, Hope Beyond the Storm. Ten episodes that tell the stories of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in South Louisiana. Twenty years after the storms, the recovery isn’t just history—it’s still shaping lives, churches, and communities across South Louisiana. This series shares first‑hand stories of resilience, hard choices, and pastoring from pastors, lay leaders, volunteers, and neighbors who rebuilt together. Born from the merger of two historically separate congregations, First Grace UMC stands as a living example of unity...
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Mapping Hope: Rev. Martha Orphe
Louisiana Now
Welcome to a very special series of the Louisiana NOW podcast, Hope Beyond the Storm. Ten episodes that tell the stories of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in South Louisiana. Twenty years after the storms, the recovery isn’t just history—it’s still shaping lives, churches, and communities across South Louisiana. This series shares first‑hand stories of resilience, hard choices, and pastoring from pastors, lay leaders, volunteers, and neighbors who rebuilt together. Rev. Martha Orphe played a central role in creating “Mission Zones” to keep ministry alive when congregations were...
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When God Calls: Rev. Kaseem & Sabrina Short
Louisiana Now
Welcome to a very special series of the Louisiana NOW podcast, Hope Beyond the Storm. Ten episodes that tell the stories of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in South Louisiana. Twenty years after the storms, the recovery isn’t just history—it’s still shaping lives, churches, and communities across South Louisiana. This series shares first‑hand stories of resilience, hard choices, and pastoring from pastors, lay leaders, volunteers, and neighbors who rebuilt together. Katrina became a defining moment for Rev. Kaseem and Sabrina Short, awakening a call to serve in bold new ways. They...
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Three Weeks Later: Rev. Angela Bulhof & Rev. Karl Klaus
Louisiana Now
Welcome to a very special series of the Louisiana NOW podcast, Hope Beyond the Storm. Ten episodes that tell the stories of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in South Louisiana. Twenty years after the storms, the recovery isn’t just history—it’s still shaping lives, churches, and communities across South Louisiana. This series shares first‑hand stories of resilience, hard choices, and pastoring from pastors, lay leaders, volunteers, and neighbors who rebuilt together. Just three weeks after Katrina, Hurricane Rita struck southwest Louisiana, forcing churches already in relief mode into...
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I Know Who: Dan Bracken
Louisiana Now
Welcome to a very special series of the Louisiana NOW podcast, Hope Beyond the Storm. Ten episodes that tell the stories of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in South Louisiana. Twenty years after the storms, the recovery isn’t just history—it’s still shaping lives, churches, and communities across South Louisiana. This series shares first‑hand stories of resilience, hard choices, and pastoring from pastors, lay leaders, volunteers, and neighbors who rebuilt together. As a teenager from Ohio, Dan Bracken’s first mission trip to Louisiana after Katrina changed the trajectory of his...
info_outlineIn this episode, we are joined by Rev. Dr. Vicki Loflin Johnson and Rev. Ali Young, Director of Clergy Excellence in The Louisiana Conference, to talk about the upcoming clergy retreat called Grieving Well.
Clergy are expected to share the burden of others’ grief as well as the collective grief of the institutions we serve. In the midst of caring for others, how can we make space for tending our own souls?
In this one-day retreat we will consider ways that we as leaders might faithfully tend our own grief while teaching and encouraging our congregations to do the same. We will share ideas and resources to help create personal and congregational rituals for mourning. We will reflect together about the potential benefits and positive outcomes when we practice grieving well.
Our day apart will be led by Dr. Johnson who believes that tending our grief is an essential wellbeing practice for ministry leaders in every season, and especially in response to the last several years of leadership in the church.
Join Vicki for this intentional conversation about healing and wholeness. She served for 30 years in the Mississippi Conference in a variety of settings—small church pastor, clergy couple co-appointment, executive pastor, district superintendent, and nine years as senior pastor of a community-focused downtown church. Coaching professionally since 2015, she holds a Level 2/PCC credential with the International Coaching Federation, is a Lead Trainer with Coach Approach Skills Training (CAST) and created a Level 2 Leadership Coach Specialization through Radiant Coaches Academy. Vicki is also certified as an Intentional Interim Ministry Specialist, Spiritual Director, and 200-hour E-RYT yoga instructor. In 2020, she founded The Art of WellBeing (www.coachingtheartofwellbeing.com) —offering individual and group coaching in support of clergy leadership and wellbeing. Vicki and her husband Roger live in East Texas.