THE SOUTHERN REGION
The Southern Region includes COHI activity in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, and Tennessee. There are strong, parish-based Centers located throughout the Region. There are two Centers in Tuscaloosa, Alabama: a long standing and vibrant Center at ChristChurch and a new Center at Canterbury Chapel. There is another one in Columbia, South Carolina. Arkansas is the only state with a diocesan organization, and this has enabled CoH to grow across the state.
The Community of Hope was introduced in the Diocese of Arkansas in 2001 through the enthusiastic encouragement of the Rt. Rev. Larry Maze, then Diocesan Bishop. The first class was held at St. Peter’s, Conway in the spring of 2001, and included those who had been named by the bishop as facilitators for the program in the diocese as well as members of the St. Peter’s congregation.
Since that beginning, training centers have been established and classes held at St. Michael’s and St. Margaret’s, Trinity Cathedral, and St. James’ United Methodist Church in Little Rock; Holy Trinity, Hot Springs Village and St. Luke’s, Hot Springs; Holy Cross Lutheran and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Mountain Home; St. Andrews, Cherokee Village; St. Paul’s, Fayetteville; St. Theodore’s, Bella Vista; the First United Methodist Church in Bryant; and the newest Center, St. John’s, Harrison. Two other centers are in the process of developing. These centers also have included trainees from other communities including West Memphis, Newport, North Little Rock, Stuttgart, Benton, Harrison and Van Buren.
In 2002 a Diocesan Council was formed to oversee the work of Community of Hope in Arkansas, to maintain communication within the Community and publicize the work Severalof the Community throughout the diocese. The Council sponsors an annual retreat in the fall for all Chaplains, and offers other opportunities for continuing education several times during the year.
Ann Baskette, St. James UMC, serves as Regional Representative for the Southern Region on the Community of Hope International Board. Madge Brown, St. Michael’s, Little Rock, is the Diocesan Coordinator. Brother Michael Gallagher will be the retreat leader for the 2009 Retreat at CampMitchell, the diocesan camps and conferences center.
Several Centers in the Region have gone inactive for various reasons. This includes Columbia, South Carolina and Covington, Louisiana. There is new interest including in Montgomery, Alabama; Brevard, North Carolina.