OUR CLERGY
The Rev. Ed Bacon - Interim Rector
For twenty-one years he was the rector of the largest Episcopal congregation in the western United States, All Saints Church, located in Pasadena, California. After retiring from leading churches as rector in 2016, he has been called to the specialized ministry as interim rector to four churches: St. Luke’s, Atlanta (where he was ordained in 1983); St. Paul’s, Chattanooga, All Saints’, Birmingham, and now, St. Paul’s New Orleans. Prior to his ministry in Pasadena, Ed was rector of St. Mark’s, Dalton, Ga and Cathedral Dean of St. Andrew’s, Jackson, Mississippi.
Prior to his priestly ordination in the Episcopal Church, he was Campus Minister and Dean of Students at Mercer University, Macon, Ga. Ed is a vocal advocate for rearticulating a Christianity for the 21st century which includes trusting God’s Divinity in all creation instead of worshipping the wholly transcendent god of fear, separateness, and white male heterosexual Christian supremacy. He also works to dismantle all forms of systemic bigotry.
A leader in interfaith circles and an advocate of science-friendly theology and leadership in anxious times, he teaches contemplative practices, how our Oneness in Love overcomes our separateness and fear. He also works to help save the Pando Forest in southern Utah, the largest organism on the planet which he considers symbolic of the interconnectedness of all creation
He has appeared on a variety of radio and TV shows interviewed by Oprah Winfrey. Ms. Winfrey named him a “Soul Teacher” on her “SuperSoul 100” list, a collection of “100 awakened leaders who are using their voices to elevate humanity.”
His website is edbacon.com with a link there to his Wikipedia page.
His wife, Hope Hendricks-Bacon, will move to New Orleans this Fall. They have two adult children and three grandchildren.
For twenty-one years he was the rector of the largest Episcopal congregation in the western United States, All Saints Church, located in Pasadena, California. After retiring from leading churches as rector in 2016, he has been called to the specialized ministry as interim rector to four churches: St. Luke’s, Atlanta (where he was ordained in 1983); St. Paul’s, Chattanooga, All Saints’, Birmingham, and now, St. Paul’s New Orleans. Prior to his ministry in Pasadena, Ed was rector of St. Mark’s, Dalton, Ga and Cathedral Dean of St. Andrew’s, Jackson, Mississippi.
Prior to his priestly ordination in the Episcopal Church, he was Campus Minister and Dean of Students at Mercer University, Macon, Ga. Ed is a vocal advocate for rearticulating a Christianity for the 21st century which includes trusting God’s Divinity in all creation instead of worshipping the wholly transcendent god of fear, separateness, and white male heterosexual Christian supremacy. He also works to dismantle all forms of systemic bigotry.
A leader in interfaith circles and an advocate of science-friendly theology and leadership in anxious times, he teaches contemplative practices, how our Oneness in Love overcomes our separateness and fear. He also works to help save the Pando Forest in southern Utah, the largest organism on the planet which he considers symbolic of the interconnectedness of all creation
He has appeared on a variety of radio and TV shows interviewed by Oprah Winfrey. Ms. Winfrey named him a “Soul Teacher” on her “SuperSoul 100” list, a collection of “100 awakened leaders who are using their voices to elevate humanity.”
His website is edbacon.com with a link there to his Wikipedia page.
His wife, Hope Hendricks-Bacon, will move to New Orleans this Fall. They have two adult children and three grandchildren.
The Rev. Austin Wendt - Associate Rector
The Rev. Austin is from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia, with his M. Div. (May 2024) and completed his M. Ed in higher education administration at Nicholls State University (December 2024), where he also received his B.A. in English and Political Science (May 2019). Austin has a passion for forming disciples of Jesus Christ and his ministry interests include evangelism, discipleship, spiritual formation, teaching, church revitalization, working across the wider Anglican Communion, and Ecumenical and Interfaith work. Austin also serves a Chaplain (1LT) in the Army Reserve. When Austin is not in school or doing the work of a ministry, he enjoys being active by working out and running. Austin is also passionate about Louisiana culture and its preservation and loves to be active in his local community. Austin enjoys traveling, a good beverage, and being with friends and family. His passion is found in leading others into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and helping others live out their baptismal call and vocation in the world.
The Rev. Austin is from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia, with his M. Div. (May 2024) and completed his M. Ed in higher education administration at Nicholls State University (December 2024), where he also received his B.A. in English and Political Science (May 2019). Austin has a passion for forming disciples of Jesus Christ and his ministry interests include evangelism, discipleship, spiritual formation, teaching, church revitalization, working across the wider Anglican Communion, and Ecumenical and Interfaith work. Austin also serves a Chaplain (1LT) in the Army Reserve. When Austin is not in school or doing the work of a ministry, he enjoys being active by working out and running. Austin is also passionate about Louisiana culture and its preservation and loves to be active in his local community. Austin enjoys traveling, a good beverage, and being with friends and family. His passion is found in leading others into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and helping others live out their baptismal call and vocation in the world.
The Rev. Dr. Carrie Wright - School Chaplain
The Rev. Dr. Carrie is from New Orleans, LA. Prior to seminary, Carrie earned her PhD in mathematics from the University of Georgia and then taught at the University of Arizona in Tucson before moving back to New Orleans to teach high school math at McGehee School. After eight years of teaching, Carrie discerned a call to the priesthood and went to the Seminary of the Southwest, where she earned her MDiv. After graduating from seminary, Carrie was the rector at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Brewton, AL. She is so happy to be back in New Orleans and to work at St. Paul's. Carrie is married to The Rev. Ken White-Spunner, rector at Christ Episcopal Church in Slidell.
The Rev. Dr. Carrie is from New Orleans, LA. Prior to seminary, Carrie earned her PhD in mathematics from the University of Georgia and then taught at the University of Arizona in Tucson before moving back to New Orleans to teach high school math at McGehee School. After eight years of teaching, Carrie discerned a call to the priesthood and went to the Seminary of the Southwest, where she earned her MDiv. After graduating from seminary, Carrie was the rector at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Brewton, AL. She is so happy to be back in New Orleans and to work at St. Paul's. Carrie is married to The Rev. Ken White-Spunner, rector at Christ Episcopal Church in Slidell.