MOURNING PASTOR ROGER TEMPLETON

Reverend Roger Hugh Templeton, 53, died on October 1, 2019 of suicide. We ask that you open your heart and offer compassion without judgment for those that suffer from illness rooted in stigma, trauma, or shame. This was how Roger practiced ministry. Sadly, he succumbed to severe depression, leaving behind heartbroken family, friends, and colleagues. Roger was born on August 28, 1966, in Opelousas, Louisiana. He is preceded in death by his father Herman, beloved mother Elaine, and brother-in-law Daniel. He is survived by his wife Pam, daughter Bethany (Cameron), stepson Atticus, daughter Penelope, brother Herman Jr. (Laura), brother John, sister Lillie, and many very loved family members and friends. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2019, at Gretna United Methodist Church on Whitney Avenue at 1:00 p.m. Visitation will be from 11:30 to 1:00 p.m. Donations may be made in Roger's name to either Gretna United Methodist Church or the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Personal condolences may be sent to the Templeton family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA, is in charge of funeral arrangements.

SPPRC CHAIRLADY

Natalie Ambrose Philip is Gretna United Methodist Church's new Staff Pastor and Parish Relations Committee Chair. She replaces Melanie Robinson, who has served as the chair of the SPPRC for three years. She is now GUMC's interim director of Mosaic Worship. Natalie Ambrose Philips will serve for the remainder of the year.

Natalie Ambrose Phillips

She has been a member of GUMC for the past three years. She comes to GUMC with a wealth of knowledge of organizational leadership for both nonprofit and for-profit agencies. Natalie is a Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in counseling individuals with mood disorders, substance abuse, and relationship issues. She is a Clinical Director of a mental health facility and is also in private practice. Natalie is currently writing her dissertation to obtain a Ph.D. in Professional Counseling. She looks forward to serving in this capacity with the hopes to provide a new voice to the church.

Louisiana Vietnamese Church merges with Gretna United Methodist Church

Pastors Roger and Tu Huynh have met several times to evaluate if this is a good "fit" in terms of church practice and theology and have determined that it is a very good fit. We have also had an opportunity for Bob Kimbro and Clyde Butler to meet with two of their lay leaders and pastor to further the discussion. At the conclusion of that meeting, it was agreed that, though there are still details to be worked out, approval was sought from the Church Council for the Louisiana Vietnamese Church to be incorporated into the Gretna United Methodist Church becoming a ministry of our church. That ministry would be called “Gretna United Methodist Church, Vietnamese Language." The Vietnamese worship time would be at 8:30-10 in the Fellowship Hall (though this may change once Verbo moves into their new facility). An estimated 36 members of the Louisiana Vietnamese Church would become full members of Gretna United Methodist Church. Budgets would be combined to keep track of the income and expenses of the GUMC, Vietnamese Language ministry. Pastor Tu will become the Director of GUMC, Vietnamese Language Ministry and may become an associate pastor of GUMC depending on what formalized relationship he works out with the District Superintendent and Conference. The ministry has been approved and is scheduled to commence on Sunday, August 4.

Pastor Roger, Bob and Clyde are all excited about this new ministry venture for the GUMC congregation and believe that this ministry is in keeping with our vision "Connecting diverse communities to a