A Conversation with Rev. Dr. Ramonalynn Bethley; New District Superintendent
Release Date: 07/17/2025
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...
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Capturing Hope: Rev. Rob Weber & Rev. Drew Sutton
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. Rob Weber and Drew Sutton took cameras into the hardest-hit areas after Katrina and Rita, documenting loss and...
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Shepherding in the Storm: Rev. Ellen Alston
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. Ellen Alston recounts leading her congregation through the uncertainty of evacuation, the shock of loss, and the...
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Peril to Purpose: Rev. Callie Winn Crawford
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 holy grit from pastors, lay leaders, volunteers, and neighbors who rebuilt together. After Katrina toppled the steeple of Rayne Memorial UMC into its sanctuary, Rev. Callie Winn Crawford wrestled with both the...
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From Ruin to Renewal: Rev. Hadley Edwards
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 holy grit from pastors, lay leaders, volunteers, and neighbors who rebuilt together. When floodwaters swallowed Bethany UMC up to its roofline, Rev. Hadley Edwards faced the unthinkable. With faith, grit,...
info_outlineIn this episode, we catch up with Rev. Dr. Ramonalynn Bethley, the newly appointed District Superintendent in the North District of The Louisiana Conference.
Bishop Delores J. Williamston has appointed Bethley as superintendent of the North District of The Louisiana Conference, effective July 1.
This appointment marks a return to the role for Bethley, who previously served as a district superintendent from 2005 to 2012 in the Alexandria (2005-2008) and New Orleans (2008-2012) districts.
Bishop Williamston expressed deep appreciation for Bethley’s experience and leadership.
“I am honored to announce that Rev. Dr. Ramonalynn Bethley will again join in the ministry of the appointive cabinet as a superintendent in The Louisiana Conference,” said Bishop Williamston. “Rev. Bethley brings her past experiences, wisdom, and knowledge to the role of superintendency, along with her faithful and steady commitment to The United Methodist Church. She has served passionately in the local church, conference, and on the appointive cabinet previously, and I believe her giftedness will lead clergy and laity strategically in the North District as we live into our vision to build, connect, and equip disciples of Jesus Christ for a transformative future.”