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Jurisdictional Conferences 2004 Updates
NIC VOICE
Jurisdictional Conference Update
(#11)
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If
you have links to Jurisdictional Conference Reports that may be of
interest, please send the link to:
nicvoice@nicvoice.org..
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ALL ITEMS ARE
NEW
or UPDATED!!!!
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Episcopal Elections
For complete and most recent ballot
information from each of the five Jurisdictional Conferences, click on
the name of the jurisdiction below.
Western |
North Central |
South Central |
Northeastern |
Southeastern
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Coverage of Episcopal
Elections also available at:
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New United
Methodist Reporter Reports
07/16/04 Bishop stuns NEJ with early retirement
Internet a tool for bishops' elections
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New Press Reports
FORMER islander elected
Honolulu Star-Bulletin - Honolulu,HI,USA
... by delegates to the Western Jurisdictional Conference of the ... has
served on the denomination's national General Council ... at Los Altos
United Methodist Church in ...
<http://starbulletin.com/2004/07/17/news/story7.html>
<snip>
"He's a real thoughtful, conscientious guy," said his
brother, John, a Honolulu attorney. "We've had some interesting
discussions on social issues between me, a former policeman and a
clergyman.
"He will be one of the younger, more liberal bishops. I'm
excited to see it. He has worked his way up."
<snip>
Methodists elect bishops for Southeast
Superintendent for Savannah District is among those
chosen to oversee churches in the region.
Atlanta Constitution Journal - Atlanta, GA, USA
United
Methodist Church delegates elected five bishops, including one from
South Georgia, on Friday to oversee the church's Southeast region.
Delegates to the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference in Lake
Junaluska, N.C., took four days to elect the bishops, who will oversee
churches in the Southeast for at least the next four years. The new
bishops, who will succeed retiring bishops, will assume office Sept. 1.
Most bishops serve eight years in one area, but some serve as long as 12
years...
Their election comes as the national church faces challenges
including debate over ordaining homosexuals and blessing same-sex
marriages; confronting racism; and serving youth.
KANSAS United Methodists to have new bishop, new headquarters
Kansas.com - KS,USA
... The new bishop will also have a crucial decision to make about
downsizing
... Districts are subgroups that make up a Methodist conference and have
superintendents ...
<http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/living/9173946.htm>
Changes are in store for the more than 206,000 United Methodists
in Kansas.
<snip>
And after 36 years in Topeka, the bishop's residence will move from
Topeka to Wichita, a more centralized site aimed at cutting down on
travel time and expenses.
Other issues the bishop will face include rising health insurance
costs that are particularly hurting rural churches; maintaining and
growing church membership rolls; and starting new churches
statewide. Each is complicated by a sluggish economy and the
dependence on members' donations.
In addition, the new bishop will take over at a time when the two
jurisdictional districts in the state--the Kansas West and Kansas
East conferences--are renewing talks about merging.
The West Conference includes Wichita and the western two-thirds of
the state; the East Conference includes the eastern part of Kansas.
A "Partnership in Ministry" committee has been formed with
representatives from both conferences. They're studying ways to
streamline administrations and resources, said the Rev. Quentin
Bennett, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Wellington, part
of the Kansas West Conference, and a committee member.
"You might liken it to a courtship at this phase," he said. "We're
looking at what does our relationship look like."
The new bishop will also have a crucial decision to make about
downsizing in the west conference. That conference already has
decided to reduce the number of districts from seven to six.
<snip>
Houston Chronicle Religion Editor
<snip>
Q. Isn't biblical interpretation at the root of the Protestant
controversies over sexuality?
A. A lot of that has to do with interpretation. As United
Methodists, we do not believe in inerrancy or total infallibility of
Scriptures. Some Methodists do, but that has never been who we are.
There are some Scriptures we interpret one way and others we interpret
another way.
The whole homosexual issue is that some people say that
Scriptures say it is wrong. I agree with that. Some people say when you
look at how Jesus related to people, that he would have related to
homosexuals the same way. But relating to homosexuals and loving
homosexuals does not mean we have to necessarily accept homosexual
practice.
<snip>
LOCAL
religion briefs
Knoxville News Sentinel - Knoxville,TN,USA
Gwinn, pastor of Lexington First United Methodist Church, was elected
Thursday
... Endorsed by the Kentucky Annual Conference, Gwinn was elected on the
seventh ...
<http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/religion/article/0,1406,KNS_315_3042474,00.html>
Gwinn, pastor of Lexington First United Methodist Church, was
elected Thursday, July 15. He will fill one of the vacancies created by
the retirements of six bishops in the denomination's Southeastern
Jurisdictional College of Bishops.
Endorsed by the Kentucky Annual Conference, Gwinn was elected on
the seventh ballot, receiving 341 of 556 votes cast. The number needed
to elect was 331.
METHODISTS name new bishop for
Western Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh Post Gazette - Pittsburgh,PA,USA
... elected at the Northeast Jurisdictional Conference, which ended ...
the West Virginia Annual Conference of the ... The West Virginia United
Methodist newspaper prior ...
<http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04199/347762.stm>
In an interview with The West Virginia United Methodist newspaper
prior to his election, Bickerton said bishops must face up to serious
theological and ideological differences within the denomination.
"We are very much at a crossroads," he said. "There is a discord
that is stronger than I have ever seen it. We need episcopal leadership
that will admit the struggle and not deny it; name it and call people
together for dialogue."
He called for "passionate spirituality" that is "centered in
Christ."
UNITED Methodist bishop leaves legacy of
inclusion
Dallas Morning News (subscription) - Dallas,TX,USA
... will be assigned by today when the South Central Jurisdictional
Conference
wraps up ... said Richard Dunagin, senior pastor of First United Methodist
of Carrollton ...
<http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/religion/stories/071704dnreloden.5aafc.html>
<snip>
But, as he prepares to retire after eight years in the Dallas
area, the skill that comes up over and over as people describe United
Methodist Bishop William B. Oden sounds rather mundane: setting the
table.
<snip>
People at both ends of the political spectrum and both sides of
controversial issues say his integrity has allowed him to navigate
controversy unscathed.
A good litmus test is Methodism's hottest issue: homosexuality.
Conservatives praise his willingness to unflinchingly uphold the
church's stance, which prohibits the ordination of practicing
homosexuals. Progressives praise his welcoming, pastoral stance toward
gays and lesbians.
The Rev. John Thornburg recalls extending an invitation to the
bishop to visit Northaven United Methodist Church, a "reconciling
congregation" that welcomes gays and lesbians. It was a "crossroads
moment," shortly before the General Conference in 2000, Mr. Thornburg
said. "Without blinking, he accepted. He was so willing to come and be a
listening person."
Although Bishop Oden began his address by stating the church's
position on homosexuality, he won the congregation's respect.
"He has an ability to enunciate an unpopular position but still
be viewed as a person of integrity," Mr. Thornburg said. "He modeled
that there is room enough at the table for everybody."
In answer to questions on the subject, Bishop Oden said: "My job
is to administer the policy of the church. The policy is that
self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not eligible for ordination." If
he has a personal opinion on the matter, not many know it.
But that's not wishy-washiness, Bishop Oden says. It's his
affinity for what he calls "the radical middle." By the middle he means
traditional Wesleyan beliefs – the need for repentance, justification by
grace rather than works, a life of moving toward God. By radical, he
says, "you take seriously the center of the faith, rather than the
edges."
Read More
Wheeling man elected bishop of western Pa..; N.Y. bishop coming to W.Va.
Newsday - Long Island,NY,USA
... He takes over his new post Sept. 1, said Tom Burger, communications
director for the West Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist
Church. ...
<http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-ny--methodistbishop0716jul16,0,7158670.story?coll=ny-ap-regional-wire>
San Antonian withdraws candidacy for bishop post
San Antonio Express (subscription) - San Antonio,TX,USA
... and a McAllen pastor was elected to fill one of the four vacant spots
during the United Methodist Church's South Central Jurisdictional Conference
in Corpus ...
<http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA071604.online.bishop.14ceaa2a.html>
LEXINGTON pastor elected bishop for United Methodist Church
Kentucky.com - Lexington,KY,USA
- A Lexington minister has been drafted as a new bishop in the United
Methodist
Church. Delegates at the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference, which
includes ...
<http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/9172200.htm>
WHEELING man elected bishop of
western Md.; NY bishop coming to Western Pennsylvnia. ...
Centre Daily Times - Centre County,PA,USA
- A Wheeling resident on Friday was elected a bishop of the United Methodist
Church and assigned to the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference. ...
<http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/politics/9171666.htm>
NEW York bishop of United Methodists
going to W.Va.
WSTM-TV - Syracuse,NY,USA
... AP -- Bishop Ernest Lyght, a bishop in the New York area since 1996,
has been appointed to oversee the West Virginia area of the United Methodist
Church. ...
<http://www.wstm.com/Global/story.asp?S=2049599>
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UMNS REPORT OF BALLOTS-WESTERN JURISDICTION
Minerva G. Carcaño
ELECTED |
Nominated |
11 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
10 |
11 |
11 |
12 |
12 |
9 |
9 |
8 |
8 |
12 |
16 |
15 |
12 |
|
16 |
14 |
18 |
9 |
29 |
51 |
83 ELECTED |
UMNS
Press Release: Not yet available
Additional Links:
Minerva G. Carcaño, Metropolitan District superintendent,
Oregon-Idaho Conference. Endorsed by Oregon-Idaho Conference,
Methodists Associated Representing the Cause of Hispanic Americans
(MARCHA), and the California-Pacific chapter of the Methodist Federation
for Social Action.
-
Hispanic UM Leader to Keynote "The Gathering"
In this article, she is described as "an outspoken critic of the
denomination's official position that turns lesbian and gay
Chrisitans into second class members." She is quoted as saying that
"she is certain that Jesus would sit at the "open" Reconciling
table."
UMNS
Press Release:
The Rev. Robert Hoshibata
Additional Links:
Robert
Hoshibata, superintendent of the Seattle (Wash) District of the Pacific
Northwest Annual Conference. Endorsed by the Pacific Northwest Annual
Conference.
After lunch, Rev. Robert Hoshibata, Seattle
District Superintendent and another former supervisor of Dammann,
took the stand. When asked by Ward if enough had been done to avoid
a church trial, he said he did not believe there had.
As a native Hawaiian of Japanese descent, the
Rev. Bob Hoshibata has practiced origami, the art of paper-folding,
all his life. He finds the practice provides a “centering” for him —
a quiet, meditative way to keep his hands busy while his mind is
focused.
In the weeks leading up to the United Methodist Church’s lawmaking
assembly, Hoshibata has been folding cranes. The superintendent of
the church’s Seattle District, he is also a delegate to the
gathering.
"Yes, I believe the Discipline should be changed,"
the Rev. Bob Hoshibata, the church's district superintendent in
Seattle, said Thursday of law contained in the church's Book of
Discipline. He supervised the Rev. Karen Dammann when she told the
church she was a lesbian in 2001.
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UMNS: REPORT OF BALLOTS-NORTH CENTRAL JURISDICTION
Sally Dyck was elected on the 36th Ballot
after Timothy Bias withdrew. Episcopal assignments are not yet
posted.
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ELECTED
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116 |
106 |
129 |
126 |
128 |
160 |
121 |
124 |
123 |
132 |
131 |
133 |
120 |
136 |
129 |
148 |
153 |
156 |
146 |
151 |
158 |
151 |
154 |
161 |
144 |
164 |
158 |
148 |
155 |
165 |
140 |
169 |
174 |
158 |
182 |
228 Elected |
Additional Links:
Sally Dyck
East Ohio
Garfield Memorial UMC
Endorsed by: Northern Illinois
Conference
Visit Sally Dyck Web Site
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Jurisdictional Conference 2004 Wrap-up - North Georgia Coverage
DAVIS RETURNS TO NORTH GEORGIA
A recommendation to reassign Bishop G. Lindsey Davis’
assignment in the North Georgia Area was brought to the Southeastern
Jurisdictional floor by the Jurisdictional Episcopal Committee Saturday
morning.
“Bishop Davis has given exemplary service to the United Methodist
Church,” said Denny White, jurisdictional episcopal committee chair. “As
he moves through, and beyond, his medical process, we find no reason for
him not to relocate back to North Georgia for a third consecutive
quadrennium. In fact, we find it in the best interest for the
Jurisdiction,” White added.
This recommendation was supported by a two-thirds vote from the
Southeastern Jurisdictional delegates.
NEW BISHOPS ELECT
The Episcopal Committee also announced the new assignments to the
areas of the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference. New Episcopal
assignments include: Birmingham Area, Bishop Elect William H. Willimon;
Columbia Area, Bishop Elect Mary Virginia Taylor; Holston Area, Bishop
Elect James Swanson; Mississippi Area, Bishop Elect Hope Morgan Ward;
Nashville Area, Bishop Elect Dick Wills, Jr.; and Raleigh Area, Bishop
Elect Alfred Gwinn.
RETURNING BISHOPS
The committee also celebrated returning bishops which include:
Alabama West Florida Area, Bishop Larry M. Goodpastor; Charlotte Area,
Bishop J. Lawrence McClesky; Florida Area, Bishop Timothy Whitaker;
Louisville Area, Bishop James R. King, Jr.; South Georgia Area, Bishop
B. Michael Watson; and Richmond Area, Bishop Charlene Kammerer.
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Southeastern Jurisdiction Coverage (blog and video)
New SEJ Episcopal Assignments for 2004-2008 Quadrennium - SEJ Press
Release
Alabama West Florida Area,
Larry M. Goodpaster
Birmingham Area,
William Willimon
Charlotte Area,
J. Lawrence McCleskey
Columbia Area,
Mary Virginia Taylor
Florida Area,
Timothy Whitaker
Holston Area,
James Swanson
Louisville Area,
James R. King, Jr.
Mississippi Area,
Hope Morgan Ward
Nashville Area,
Richard Wills
North Georgia Area,
G. Lindsey Davis
Raleigh Area,
Alfred Gwinn
Richmond Area,
Charlene Kammerer
South Georgia Area,
B. Michael Watson
34th Ballot Results - Mary Virginia
Taylor Elected
Mary Virginia Taylor Elected Endorsed
by Holston Delegation
Read
Mary's Bio
Mary Virginia Taylor Elected on 34th Ballot, SEJ2004 -
SEJ Press Release
- - The 2004 Southeastern Jurisdictional
Conference elected Mary Virginia Taylor on the 34th ballot of the
Conference. The Holston Delegation endorsed Tayor as nominee. She
currently serves as Superintendent of the Cleveland District.
Taylor is described by clergy and laity as one who
loves the church and offers Christ-centered, courageous, and
connectional leadership. She is completing her fifth year as
Superintendent and has been a member of the Holston Conference for 30
years.
In her many years of service, Taylor has been a
College chaplain, pastor, and college trustee. She has also served as
delegate to six General and SEJ Conferences, Chair of Conference Board
of Ordained Ministry, Chair of Conference Council on Finance and
Administration, and has been a member of both the General Council on
Ministries and the General Board of Church and Society.
Taylor holds a Bachelor of Arts from the
University of Georgia and a Master of Divinity from Emory University.
She has been married to the Reverend J. Russell Taylor for 31 years.
They are the parents of two daughters.
The 34 ballots establishes a new record for the
SEJ Conference, surpassing the 25 ballots it took to elect Bishop Robert
M. Blackburn in 1972.
For more information go to
www.sej2004.org
Additional Links:
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North Georgia Conference Coverage of 2004 SEJ:
Live Audio and Video Streaming
Click
Here for the live Video Stream
Click
Here for the live Audio Stream
News, Updates and Articles
Jurisdictional Wrap-Up
Links to Resources
Southeastern
Jurisdiction Website
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UMNS REPORT OF BALLOTS-SOUTH CENTRAL JURISDICTION
UMNS Press Release:
The Rev. Thomas J. Bickerton (previously elected and reported on)
Scott Jones
ELECTED |
160 |
177 |
183 |
175 |
179 |
184 |
192 |
181 |
173 |
202 ELECTED |
UMNS Press Release:
The Rev.
Scott J. Jones
Additional Links Added:
Scott J. Jones,
associate professor for evangelism and director,
Center for the Advanced Study
and Practice of Evangelism,
Perkins School of Theology.
Endorsed by the North Texas Conference delegation to jurisdictional
conference.
UMNS Press Release:
The Rev.
Charles N. Crutchfield
Additional Links Added:
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UMC Resources on Jurisdictional Conferences
Episcopal Elections: July 14-17
Follow the Episcopal Elections -
The Episcopal elections occur in five geographic conferences across the
United States. When delegates in those jurisdictional conferences gather
July 14-17, they could elect as many as 20 U.S. bishops.
Assembly
creates committee to study the episcopacy
A
list of candidates for bishop
BIOGRAPHIES
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