Louisiana Annual Conference

The Rev. Matt Rawle sings during morning worship at the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Rawle is a Louisiana Conference delegate at the conference but also is on stage during morning worship, singing with the band. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Worship band singer also is delegate

The Rev. Matt Rawle is a Louisiana Annual Conference delegate at General Conference but also is on stage during morning worship, singing with the band.

Social Concerns

Names on banners honor those who died in an arson fire on June 24, 1973, at the Up Stairs Lounge, a gay bar in New Orleans' French Quarter. Photo courtesy of the Louisiana Conference.

Church marks 50th anniversary of tragic fire

June 24 marked 50 years since an arson fire at the Up Stairs Lounge, a gay bar in New Orleans, killed 32 people and inured 15 more. Churches across the city refused to assist with proper funerals, however, St. Mark's United Methodist Church held an open service for those affected.

Faith Sharing

Kayla Alexander (left), who attended First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge as a child, attended the church virtually while her family was in lockdown because of COVID-19 in Australia, where they now live. Alexander and Jamie (to her right) brought their third child Brady Alexander to Louisiana to be baptized by the Rev. Brady Whitton at First United Methodist Church. Photo courtesy of Kayla Alexander.

Virtual church will continue after COVID-19

The rewards of online ministry are too rich to give up if and when the coronavirus is a thing of the past, said a pastor in Louisiana. Three stories from First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge illustrate his point.

Disaster Relief

Members of a volunteer team from the Amish community in Ohio work on a home that was damaged by multiple natural disasters in Lake Charles, La. They are part of a coalition of the Louisiana Conference of The United Methodist Church, Fuller Center Disaster ReBuilders, and Mennonite Disaster Services.

Multifaith coalition helping with Louisiana storm recovery

A unique partnership formed by United Methodist, Mennonite and Amish communities is helping with recovery and rebuilding efforts in storm-ridden Lake Charles, Louisiana.

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