A Welcoming Heart in St. Bernard Parish
Gethsemane Lutheran Church sits on Paris Road in Chalmette, the seat of St. Bernard Parish. The congregation has been part of this community since 1954, and after Hurricane Katrina destroyed much of the parish, members chose to rebuild and continue their work in this place. Today the church is known for a remarkably open welcome, a steady rhythm of Lutheran worship, and a campus that hosts recovery meetings, a preschool, and a range of community service projects.
The congregation's own words capture its character: "Rejoicing in God's abundant grace, we at Gethsemane Lutheran Church extend a special welcome to all in a world that is all too often an unloving and unwelcoming place. We welcome all because God welcomes all, regardless of race or culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or relationship status. We welcome all without regard to addictions, physical or mental health, imprisonment, socio-economic circumstances, politics, or anything that too often divides us. Our unity is in Christ."
Sunday Morning Worship and Faith Formation
Sunday School begins at 9:00 a.m., with an elementary class led by Ms. Eva and a Confirmation class for middle schoolers and older that explores the promises made at baptism and helps young people take responsibility for their own faith. Worship follows at 10:00 a.m., and dress is casual. The Lord's Supper is celebrated at every service, and all are welcome at the communion table.
Pastor Rev. Sandra Barnes leads worship, and participation goes deeper than the pews. Youth light candles, collect the offering, help with communion, and read the lessons. Adults are also invited to read lessons, lead prayers, and assist at communion. The congregation gathers under its mission statement: "Because Christ first loved us, we are called to be a Giving, Loving Congregation, serving our community through Him."
A Tuesday evening Bible Study meets on Zoom. Families who feel their children are ready can arrange First Communion classes with the pastor.
Recovery Fellowships and Community Outreach
Gethsemane's building hosts one of the area's steady schedules of recovery meetings. Alcoholics Anonymous meets Sundays at 5 p.m., Mondays at 7 p.m., Wednesdays at 7 p.m., and Fridays at 7 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous meets Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 7 p.m. The meetings are open to anyone seeking support.
The church keeps a small food pantry to supplement what other food banks provide, intended as a stop-gap for neighbors in need. The congregation has also "adopted" the staff and students at Rowley Alternative School, providing meals and snacks for the staff and school supplies, snacks, and personal hygiene items for students. Socks are the latest addition to the wish list. Everyone is welcome to participate.
Gethsemane Lutheran Preschool
Gethsemane Lutheran Preschool has served families across St. Bernard Parish with a half-day Christian program for children from age two through Pre-K four. Classes run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The program treats play as "the serious business of childhood" and sees its role as facilitator of every child's spiritual, intellectual, physical, and emotional growth.
The preschool does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, or disability. Registration is open and applications are accepted throughout the year when space allows. The school accepts Zelle for payment convenience. Families can reach the preschool at 504-279-1917.
Recycling and Coastal Restoration
Gethsemane encourages residents and businesses to bring glass bottles and jars to Glass Half Full's recycling bins at The Farm in Docville. The nonprofit turns donated glass into sand for hurricane sandbags and uses it for coastal restoration, keeping glass out of local landfills.
Closer to home, the church collects plastic bottle caps with recycling numbers 2, 4, and 5 for the St. Bernard Sheriff's Office, which will have them turned into a memorial park bench.
Ways to Connect
The Fellowship Hall is available to rent for special events. Applications can be downloaded, and Hall Coordinator Janie can be reached through the church office.
Services are livestreamed on YouTube at Da Pastor in Da Parish. Gifts can be made online through PayPal or Venmo (@GLC504).
Gethsemane Lutheran Church is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a Lutheran body with more than 3.7 million members across over 9,300 congregations. Locally, the church belongs to the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, whose vision is "a network of growing, Christ-centered, outwardly focused congregations passing the faith to the next generation."