Diocesan Programs

Contacting the Diocese

Bishop: -The Rt. Reverend Bruce MacPherson

Staff: -The Rev. Canon Walt Freeze,
Canon to the Ordinary

-Dianne White, Registrar and Bishop's Assistant
-Kathy Richie, Missioner for Administration
and Finance

-Deacon Don Leger, Canon Missioner

Mailing P. O. Box 2031
Address: Alexandria, LA 71309-2031
Physical 335 Main Street
Address: Pineville, LA 71360
Phone: (318) 442-1304
Fax: 318) 442-8712
E-mail: Bishop McPherson dbm3wla@aol.com
Dianne White LadyDiWhi@aol.com
Kathy Richie LadyRich ie@aol.com
Deacon Leger deacon leger@yahoo.com
Website: www.diocesewla.org

Camp Hardtner

Our Diocese maintains a camp and conference center near Pollock, Louisiana, 25 miles northeast of Alexandria, off Highway 165, in Grant Parish. The camp consists of approximately 180 acres of beautiful pine woodland bordering on Fish Creek and numerous lakes. There are overnight accommodations and conference facilities. A map to the camp can be found on the inside back cover of this book.

Alive Newsletter

The Diocese publishes a monthly newsletter, with news of both
happenings in the Diocese and events in the national church. Subscriptions are free, although donations are encouraged to defray the publication and mailing costs. Contact the Diocese for more information.

Cursillo (for ages 18 to 100)

A Cursillo is an encounter with Jesus Christ. It is an apostolic movement of Christians who view as their primary vocation in life the leavening of their environments. The Cursillo movement seeks to do this by selecting men and women who are natural leaders in their communities and spiritually developing and sustaining them in the work of Christian evangelization.

Correctly applied, the Cursillo Movement can have very positive results in the spiritual revitalization of the world. The Christian likeness in a few good people is contagious. Cursillo (pronounced kur-see-yo) is a Spanish ward meaning "little" or "short course." It begins on a Thursday evening and ends the following Sunday afternoon. During those three days, those attending live and work together listening to talks given by priests and laity. They also share the Eucharist and pray together. Interspersed with talks and
activities. The "after activity" of the Cursillo is known as the Fourth Day. During this time, perseverance is important just as it is in any method of renewal. In the Cursillo Movement, the community spirit is continued after the three days through the "Ultreya" or reunions of the community. These are available monthly as a means of growth in understanding and zeal within the Christian community. Reunions of smaller groups of friends are also available in order for them to encourage one another in spiritual improvement and the Christian growth.

A Cursillo is an encounter with Christ. That sounds too simple, but it's not. Think about it. A real meeting with Christ. If that is understood, then the power, beauty and joy of the Cursillo Movement will be understood.

Interested? Speak with Fr. Pete about the next scheduled Cursillo. Usually, they are scheduled twice a year, in April and October. The list fills up quickly, so get your application in at least three months in advance. Sherl Picchioni is the Lay Rector for the Acadiana Convocation and can also be contacted about upcoming events and locations.

Happening (for grades 10 to 12)

Happening is a Christian experience designed for high school youth that is held in virtually every diocese in the Episcopal Church. Happening is one of the instruments available to renew the church in the power of the Holy Spirit, so that the church may respond more readily to the Lord's call to spread the kingdom of God throughout the world.

Happening weekend seeks to bring young persons to a fuller personal knowledge of and a personal relationship with, the Lord Jesus Christ and to a deeper level of commitment and apostleship. During the three-day gathering, the participants will experience the love of our Lord Jesus Christ as shown through the sacraments and the ministry of fellow students, clergy, and lay adults. The teens are encouraged to take a new faith back into their worlds, and to make a friend, be a friend, and bring a friend to Christ.

To attend the weekend, students must submit an application that is signed by a parent and the student’s rector. The Happening application is available in the church office.

New Beginnings (for grades 7 to 9)

New Beginnings is a retreat-weekend experience specially formulated to respond to the issues and concerns of teenagers.

During the weekend, teens see a series of skits, see and hear films and tapes and participate in small group discussions. These focus on subjects such as: Self, Friends, Parents, Siblings, School, God’s Love, Prayer, Who is Jesus, and The Church. The weekend is structured to furnish plenty of time for playing, laughing, creating, and sharing.

The big difference between the "New Beginnings'' weekend and other retreat experiences is that there must be one adult sponsor for every five participants from a church. Adult sponsors are responsible for transporting participants to the weekend. They also serve as support persons to the Family Group Leaders and they participate in small group discussions held during the weekend.

New Beginnings is staffed by older teens who have participated in a Happening weekend and are grounded in the basics of the Christian faith. Adult staff members are equally experienced in staging meaningful weekends that help teens grow in their faith.

VOCARE Renewal Weekend (college through age 29)

VOCARE is a Christian renewal movement of the Episcopal Church for young adults. The movement addresses an individual's calling to live a Christ-centered life and deals with issues which are particularly pertinent to people experiencing the ups and downs of the decade after high school.

The VOCARE ministry consists of two parts: part one is the VOCARE weekend which is similar in nature to Cursillo or Happening weekends, but geared more towards the Christian concerns of people in the VOCARE age group. VOCARE’S second part consists of periodic gatherings (once or twice yearly) simply known as Cornerstone. These get-togethers involve fellowship, fun, sharing, and discussion.

The VOCARE weekend in Western Louisiana is held once a year, and all interested persons are urged to apply. Anyone who has been out of high school for at least one year can apply as well as persons up to the age of 29. You don't have to be an Episcopalian to benefit from VOCARE; all denominations are welcome. VOCARE weekends are staffed primarily by young adults, VOCARE steering committee members, and two priests who act as spiritual directors.

Applicants make a commitment to be on time for the beginning of the VOCARE, which begins at 5 p.m. on Friday, and because of the emphasis on Christian community, to remain through the closing Holy Eucharist, which begins about 3 p.m. on Sunday. Ask Fr. Pete for an application.

For further information on Episcopal Youth activities, contact Monet Brashier at MonetBrash@aol.com.

Summer Camp

The Camp Hardtner Camping Program continues to create an atmosphere of love and acceptance for campers, counselors, and staff. This is accomplished each summer with an organized program of worship, music, and recreational activities that encourages creativity and by acceptance that allows God's love to flow freely. The camping sessions are great fun. Each summer, more than 500 young people attend the various camp sessions held at the Hardtner Camp and Conference Center.

An application for Summer Camp can be obtained from Fr. Pete and the church has funds available for scholarships to defray some or all of the cost of camp fees.

Other Diocesan Programs

Information on other programs and most applications for the programs described in this booklet can be found on the Diocese's website: www.diocesewla.org.