SEJ Bishops Meet in Birmingham
United Methodist connectionalism was alive in Birmingham this week as the Southeastern Jurisdiction College of Bishops and Southeastern Jurisdiction Annual Conference Lay Leaders both held meetings in the city.
As President of the Southeastern Jurisdiction College of Bishops this year, Bishop Will Willimon served as host for the historic meeting of the SEJ College of Bishops in Birmingham, January 13-16. North Alabama Conference Lay Leader Ellen Harris, also hosted the SEJ Conference Lay Leaders.
The bishops met from Wednesday through Saturday. During their meeting they were joined by all SEJ Annual Conference Treasurers and finance officers for a full day of discussion of the looming crisis in pension funding. This is the first meeting of the bishops in Birmingham in many years and an unprecedented meeting with the bishops and the treasurers.
While in the Birmingham area, the Bishop’s, their spouses and lay leaders were treated to North Alabama hospitality. The United Methodist Foundation sponsored a dinner for the bishops and lay leaders on Wednesday. Patsy Willimon led a full schedule of activities for the bishops’ spouses – trips to the Botanical Gardens, Vulcan, and a lunch at the Episcopal residence and a presentation on Alabama author Harper Lee. Bishop Willimon led the bishops on a tour of the Civil Rights Institute and dinner at the United Methodist Center.
“This was a wonderful opportunity to share some of the great things that are going on in North Alabama,” said Bishop Willimon. “I want to thank the District Superintendents, the pastors and congregations of Vestavia, Asbury, Riverchase, and Canterbury for their generosity in helping us host these guests. Jilda Hulsey and Sandy O’Kelly did a marvelous job in planning these events.”
Comments