As the Thursday evening session of the 2012 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference concluded, the SEJ Committee on Episcopacy announced the Episcopal assignments for the Southeastern Jurisdiction for the 2012-16 quadrennium.

The announcement included that Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett will be the new Bishop of the North Alabama Conference.

Below is the complete list of SEJ Episcopal Assignments:

• Alabama-West Florida Area (Alabama West Florida Conference) Bishop Paul L. Leeland
• Birmingham Area (North Alabama Conference) Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett
• Charlotte Area (Western North Carolina Conference) Bishop Larry M. Goodpaster
• Columbia Area (South Carolina Conference) Bishop L. Jonathan Holston
• Florida Area (Florida Conference) Bishop Kenneth H. Carter Jr.
• Knoxville Area (Holston Conference) Bishop Mary Virginia Taylor
• Louisville Area (Kentucky and Red Bird Missionary Conferences) Bishop Lindsey Davis
• Mississippi Area (Mississippi Conference) Bishop James E. Swanson, Sr.
• Nashville Area (Tennessee and Memphis Conferences) Bishop William T. McAlilly
• North Georgia Area (North Georgia Conference) Bishop B. Michael Watson
• Raleigh Area (North Carolina Conference) Bishop Hope Morgan Ward
• Richmond Area (Virginia Conference) Bishop Young Jin Cho
• South Georgia Area (South Georgia Conference) Bishop James R. King Jr.

The Bishops will begin their new assignments on Sept. 1, 2012.

About Bishop-elect Debra Wallace-Padgett

Rev. Dr. Debra Wallace-Padgett was elected to the Episcopacy by the 2012 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference.

At the time of her election she is serving as Lead Pastor of St. Luke UMC, Lexington. Wallace-Padgett has been in her current appointment for eight years. During her tenure St. Luke has grown in membership and worship attendance, strengthened its infrastructure, built a Ministry Life Center and launched a multi-cultural worship service.

Her previous service to the church includes six years as District Superintendent of the Prestonsburg District, with two years as Dean of the Cabinet. Additionally she has served in a variety of roles in the Kentucky Conference as well as on the Jurisdictional and General Conference levels. These include Board of Ministries; District Committee On Ministries/Local Pastors team chair; Methodist Home Board chair; Kentucky Conference Education chair; Kentucky Episcopacy Committee chair; Primary Task Team; Children and Poverty Board; SEJ Episcopacy Committee member; GCSRW Board, (2004-20012); World Methodist Council; General Conference and SEJ delegate (2000, 2004, 2008). Wallace-Padgett was the first clergy elected in 2008 and in 2012.

Prior to election as Bishop, she noted the following five disciplines, which are the framework of her understanding of servant leadership, which form the core of her spiritual architecture and the heart of her ministry.

• Collaborating Leadership: Developing a Strong Team
• Enabling Systemic Change: Drawing the Right Blueprint
• Facilitating Cohesiveness: Designing a Unit That Works Together
• Executing with Integrity: Doing it the Right Way
• Growing in Grace: Developing by Divine Power

Wallace-Padgett is a graduate of Berea College (B.A. in Physical Education), Scarritt College and Graduate School (M.A. in Christian Education), Lexington Theological Seminary (M. Div.) and Asbury Theological Seminary (D. Min).

She is married to Rev. Lee Padgett, a deacon in the United Methodist Church who serves as Executive Director of Aldersgate Camp and Retreat Center. They have two children, Leanndra (20) and Andrew (17). Wallace-Padgett, is the daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Frank Wallace. Reverend Wallace is a United Methodist elder.

More Information:
http://www.debbiewallace-padgett.com

News story:
Deborah Wallace-Padgett elected a bishop of The United Methodist Church by Cathy L. Bruce
http://elections.umc.org/debbie-wallace-padgett-elected-a-bishop-of-the-united-methodist-church

The 2012 Southeastern Conference has elected its fifth new bishop Young Jin Cho of the Virginia Conference was elected on the 29th ballot.  Read more about this new Bishop at www.youngjincho.org

Photo by Lake Junaluska

The Delegates are now breaking for lunch and the plenary will have an afternoon break as the Committee on Nominations and the Committee on Episcopacy continue their work.

The evening session will begin at 6:30 p.m. (CDT).  During the session there will be a Celebration of the five retiring Bishops, including Bishop Will Willimon.  Following this celebration the Committee on Episcopacy will announce the Episcopal Assignments.

Bishop Elected: Young Jin Cho of the Virginia Conference. Read more about this new Bishop at www.youngjincho.org

Photo by Lake Junaluska

The 2012 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference delegates are breaking for dinner.  During business today four of the five new Bishops the SEJ is electing have been elected.

Those new Bishop-elects include the following:

Jonathan Holston of the North Georgia Conference elected on the first ballot.

Photo by  Lake Junaluska

Ken Carter of the Western North Carolina Conference elected on the third ballot.

Photo by Lake Junaluska

Bill McAlilly of the Mississippi Conference elected on the fifth ballot.

Photo by Lake Junaluska

Debbie Wallace-Padgett of the Kentucky Conference elected on the eleventh ballot.

Photo by Lake Junaluska

Bishop Elected: Debbie Wallace-Padgett of the Kentucky Conf. Read more about this new Bishop at www.debbiewallace-padgett.com.

Photo by Lake Junaluska

Bishop Elected: Bill McAlilly of the Mississippi Conf. Read more about this new Bishop at www.billmcalilly.com.

Photo by Lake Junaluska

The 2012 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference officially began on Wednesday morning, July 18.

Bishop Will Willimon preached the Opening Worship. Using the scripture Acts 1 – where the Church had gathered to elect a replacement for Judas – he described “the first Jurisdictional Conference”.

He called the SEJ Conference’s attention to the action of the early Church saying, “You cannot elect Bishops on your own. Before the Church had an election it had prayer - prayer for the Holy Spirit.” He continued noting that being in ministry “requires external validation, authorization and equipment in the Holy Spirit” and that “God never intends anyone to take these tasks alone.”

After sharing the story of how a reluctant Church Father Ambrose of Milan was elected Bishop, Bishop Willimon said, “God often chooses some really odd people to do His work.”

He then assured those gather that Jesus has a way of showing up to give us a way we could not think of on our own.

He concluded that he wanted to beg the Conference to “elect transformative leaders for our church. We need change-oriented leaders." However, he said he couldn’t beg that. Instead he encouraged them to “Have guts to be open to the incursions of the Holy Spirit.”

The Conference then shared the sacrament of Holy Communion together led by Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker.

As morning business began, delegates recognized those Bishops and delegates who have died, completed the roll call and certified a quorum present and went through the process of organizing the Conference. They then got instructions on the electronic balloting system being used for Episcopal Elections for the first time.

As morning business progressed, two Bishops were elected.

• Jonathan Holston of the North Georgia Conference was elected on the first ballot. (Read more about this new Bishop at www.jonathanholston.org )
• Ken Carter of Western North Carolina Conference was elected on the third ballot. (Read more about this new Bishop at www.revkencarter.org.)

Delegates will return to business following a lunch break.

See photos of the North Alabama Conference delegation at http://www.northalabamaumc.org/galleries/detail/61.

BISHOP ELECTED: Ken Carter of Western North Carolina Conference. Read more about this new Bishop at www.revkencarter.org.

Photo by Lake Junaluska

Bishop Elected: Jonathan Holston of the North Georgia Conference. Read more about this new Bishop at www.jonathanholston.org

Photo by  Lake Junaluska

On Tuesday morning young delegates gathered prior to the beginning of the 2012 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference.  North Alabama's Rev. Julie Holly was among those gathered and wanted to make sure a summary of the time was shared with North Alabama.

Here is an article about the gathering from the Daily Christian Advocate - Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Young delegates gather and express hope for the future

A group of about 20 young delegates roughly ages 40 and under gathered for brunch July 17 before the start of the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference.

Prior to the gathering, the attendees had taken an online survey in which they identified their top priorities regarding the personal characteristics of nominees for bishops and the most important issues facing the UMC.

The top four most important personal characteristics were 1) Emotional and Spiritual Maturity, 2) Honesty & Integrity, 3) A Holy Discontent with the Status Quo, and 4) Visionary Leadership.

Concerning the most important strategic issues facing the United Methodist Church, the group identified the top four as: 1) Building Trust In All Areas of the Connection, 2) Missional Appointment Making, 3) Mentoring Leaders, and 4) Equipping Local Churches.

Of particular interest in the survey was the top issue of building trust. This issue was identified as 80 percent of the survey respondents as one of the top issues facing the denomination.

During the brunch the group engaged in a fascinating conversation about how to express a holy discontent with the status quo in positive and collaborative ways.

The group committed themselves to ongoing cross annual conference collaboration and seeking positive hopeful responses to the challenge of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Today Delegates gathered at Lake Junaluska for a time of Introductions of Episcopal Nominees.  Each of the 15 nominees was given a short time to share with the Conference as a whole.  Then each Annual Conference delegation had individual time with each nominee during an afternoon of Round Robin Sessions.

The Opening Session will be tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. (CDT).  Bishop Will Willimon will preach the Opening Worship Service.

More Information: Read today’s Daily Christian Advocate

The 2012 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference will meet July 18-20 at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. Representatives from the 15 Annual Conferences in the Southeastern Jurisdiction will gather to worship, conduct business and elect five new Bishops to succeed the five Bishops retiring at the end of August.

Below are some helpful links to keep up with the 2012 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference

Schedule

Click for the latest version of the detailed Agenda

• Bishop Willimon will preach the Opening Worship on Wednesday, July 18 at 8 a.m. He will also preside over the morning Business Session on Thursday.

• On Thursday evening there will be a Celebration of Retiring Bishops and the Committee on Episcopacy is scheduled to announce the Episcopal Assignments.

Live Stream

Just like General Conference all the business sessions and worship services will be streamed online. NOTE: Viewing live events for the SEJ Conference requires Adobe Flashplayer.

To watch the video stream go to www.lakejunaluska.com/streaming

2012 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference Streaming Schedule
(Times listed are CDT)

Tuesday, July 17
12 p.m.
Introductions of Episcopal Nominees

Wednesday, July 18
8 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Opening Worship with Holy Communion
Morning Business session

1:30 p.m. -4:30 p.m.
Afternoon Business session

6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Evening Business session

Thursday, July 19
8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Opening Worship, Service of Remembrance
Morning Business session

1:30 p.m.
Business session (if needed)

6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Evening Business session
Celebration of Retiring Bishops


Friday, July 20
9 a.m.
Consecration of Bishops

Stay informed

• Visit the Conference website www.northalabamaumc.org/sej2012
• Visit the 2012 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference website at www.sejumc.org/jurisdictional-conference

Social Media

• Find the North Alabama Conference on Facebook at www.facebook.com/northalabamaumc
• Follow the North Alabama Conference on Twitter at www.twitter.com/umcna
• You can also search Twitter for the hashtag #SEJUMC to follow the conversation about the 2012 Jurisdictional Conference.

Episcopal Elections

• Here is an overview of the process of how Bishops are elected and will be assigned. - http://www.northalabamaumc.org/news/detail/1168
• Here is a link to information about the Episcopal Candidates- http://www.sejumc.org/2012nominees

NOTE: Once all five new Bishops are elected, the SEJ Committee on Episcopacy will begin the process to assign the active Bishops to the 13 Episcopal Areas within the Jurisdiction. When they have completed their work, the Episcopal Assignment announcements will be made. It is expected that this announcement will be made on Thursday evening, July 19, 2012. On Friday, July 20, 2012, the newly elected Bishops will be consecrated.

North Alabama Conference Delegation

The delegates who will make up the Jurisdictional Conference were elected by each Annual Conference in 2011. Each Annual Conference has twice as many delegates to Jurisdictional Conference as they did to General Conference in the spring. The delegations are made up of an equal number of clergy and laity.The North Alabama Conference will have 24 delegates voting at the SEJ Conference – 12 clergy and 12 laity.

Clergy
• Mark Parris, senior pastor of Northport First UMC
• Bill Morgan, senior pastor of Canterbury UMC in Birmingham
• Kelly Clem, senior pastor of Holmes Street UMC in Huntsville
• Robert Sparkman, senior pastor of Hartselle First UMC
• Paul Hillard, senior pastor of St. Thomas and Haven Memorial UMCs in the Southeast District
• Robin Scott, Mountain Lakes District Superintendent
• Julie Holly, senior pastor of Discovery UMC in Hoover
• Tommy Gray, senior associate pastor of Asbury UMC in Madison
• Glenn Conner, senior pastor of Huntsville First UMC
• Dale Cohen, Northeast District Superintendent
• Alan Head, senior pastor of Pleasant Hill UMC in Bessemer
• Wade Griffith, senior pastor of Liberty Crossings UMC in Birmingham

Clergy Alternate Delegates to SEJ
• Steve West, senior pastor of Saint Mark UMC in Birmingham
• Rudy Guess, senior pastor of Decatur First UMC
• Dave Barnhart, new church start pastor in the South Central District

Lay Delegates
• Gloria Holt, member of ClearBranch UMC in Trussville
• Scott Selman, member of Vestavia Hills UMC and Conference Treasurer
• Pat Meadows, member of Pleasant Hill UMC in Bessemer
• Steve Lyles, member of Alexander City First UMC and Conference Lay Leader
• Neal R. Berte, member of Canterbury UMC in Birmingham
• Ellen Harris, member of Crumly Chapel UMC in Birmingham
• Carol Toney, member of St. Paul UMC in Triana
• Zac Riddle, member of Canterbury UMC in Birmingham
• Reid Turner, member of Alabaster First UMC
• Eric Owens, member of Brownsville UMC in Birmingham
• Charlie Carlton, member of Asbury UMC in Birmingham
• Terry Walker, member of ClearBranch UMC in Trussville

Lay Alternate Delegates to SEJ
• Judy Poole, Deaconess and member of Pleasant Grove UMC
• Paulette West, member of Trinity UMC in Homewood
• Scott Stone, member of Hartselle First UMC