Religion briefs

Guidry retires; new AME bishop named

Bishop Julius H. McAllister Sr. has been named to lead the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Louisiana and Mississippi.

He replaces Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, of Jackson, Miss., who has retired after leading the Eighth Episcopal District since 2008. The denomination has mandatory retirement age of 75.

McAllister comes to the Eighth District from the Twentieth District, which includes parts of Malawi and Zimbabwe. He was elected to his new post this month.

Bishops serve four-year terms and can only serve two consecutive four-year terms in the same district.

He was first elected a bishop in 2008 while serving as pastor of Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church in Florence, S.C., according to a story published at the time by the Dillion Herald in Dillion, S.C.

The newspaper described him as a native of Darlington, S.C., and a graduate of Morris Brown College in Atlanta and Turner Theological Seminary on the campus of the Interdenominational Theological Center, in Atlanta.

Interfaith Alliance’s will honor Gaddy

The Interfaith Alliance has selected the Rev. C. Welton Gaddy, pastor for preaching and worship at Northminster (Baptist) Church in Monroe and president of Interfaith Alliance for the past 15 years, to receive the 2012 Walter Cronkite Faith & Freedom Award.

The award ceremony will take place on Nov. 11 in New York.

The Interfaith Alliance in Washington, D.C., celebrates religious freedom while championing individual rights and promoting policies that protect both religion and democracy.

Gaddy spends the week in Washington working for the Interfaith Alliance while traveling back to Monroe on the weekends.

2012 also marks the 15th year of the Cronkite award, named after the organization’s late honorary chairman and renowned CBS news anchorman. Cronkite was active with the organization and personally presented the award until his death in 2009.

The award, established by the alliance in 1998, recognizes individuals who courageously promote democratic values, defend religious freedom and reinvigorate informed civic participation.

Cenacle presents Aug. retreat schedule

The Cenacle Retreat House, 5500 St. Mary St., Metairie, is offering these retreats in August:

• The Practice of Reconciliation, Aug. 3-5, with the Rev. Simeon Gallagher as presenter.
• Recovery is the Heart of the Matter and a Matter of the Heart, Aug. 10-12, with Sister Maureen Murphy as presenter.
• All for Me or Me for All?, Aug. 15-18, with the Rev. Donald Blanchard as presenter.

Call the Ministry Office at (504) 887-1420 for information about retreats and ongoing programs.

Compiled by Advocate staff