South Central Jurisdiction

In an episcopal election that saw several firsts, the Rev. Delores Williamston (left), the first Black female bishop elected to the South Central Jurisdiction; the Rev. David Wilson (right), the first Native American bishop in The United Methodist Church; and the Rev. Laura Merrill stand during their consecration service. The South Central Jurisdiction’s service of consecration was Nov. 5 at Houston First United Methodist Church. Photo courtesy of the Louisiana Conference via Facebook.

Jurisdictions see shift in bishops, more cooperation

Even as The United Methodist Church faces mounting disaffiliations, those who plan to remain United Methodist are working together more across jurisdictional lines. Jurisdictional conferences also elected more women and more people of color as bishops.

Bishops

Newly elected Bishop Robin Dease thanks the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference upon her election on Nov. 3. Dease, a South Carolina pastor and former district superintendent, was elected on the 25th ballot with 206 votes. She was the third and final bishop to be elected at the Nov. 2-4 conference, held in Lake Junaluska, N.C. Photo by Matt Brodie.

Southeastern elects Robin Dease as bishop

The Rev. Robin Dease, who was a write-in candidate on the first ballot for bishop in The United Methodist Church’s Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference, was elected Nov. 3 on the 25th ballot at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. She received 206 votes, the exact number needed.

Bishops

The Rev. Stan Copeland speaks Nov. 3 at the South Central Jurisdictional Conference in Houston. Copeland criticized in a floor speech three United Methodist bishops for being pro-Global Methodist Church. Photo by Sam Hodges, UM News.

Three bishops accused of aiding disaffiliation

A South Central Jurisdictional Conference delegate asked the jurisdiction’s college of bishops to address the conduct and status of three episcopal leaders he said had provided “promotion and support” to the breakaway Global Methodist Church.

Bishops

The Rev. David Wilson, the first Native American United Methodist bishop, accepts congratulations after his election to the episcopacy at the South Central Jurisdictional Conference Nov. 2, in Houston. Photo by Sam Hodges, UM News.

South Central elects Wilson as denomination’s first Native American bishop

The Rev. David Wilson, assistant to the bishop of the Oklahoma and Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, was elected Nov. 2 on the first ballot, becoming the first Native American bishop in The United Methodist Church.

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