A United Witness:Rev. Shawn Anglim & Margaret Washington

Welcome to a very special series of the Louisiana NOW podcast, Hope Beyond the Storm. Ten episodes that tell the stories of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in South Louisiana. Twenty years after the storms, the recovery isn't just history—it's still shaping lives, churches, and communities across South Louisiana. This series shares first‑hand stories of resilience, hard choices, and pastoring from pastors, lay leaders, volunteers, and neighbors who rebuilt together.

Born from the merger of two historically separate congregations, First Grace UMC stands as a living example of unity and justice. Pastor Shawn Anglim and lay leader Margaret Washington share how Katrina's upheaval opened the door to a new kind of church. Their story is one of faith, inclusion, and enduring community witness.