At 9 PM last night and 10 AM this morning, the Northeastern Jurisdiction elected its two expected new bishops, two African American clergywomen, the first elected in this jurisdiction since 2000. Until last night the Rev. Cynthia Moore-Koikoi was a district superintendent in the Baltimore-Washington Conference, serving in the city of Baltimore. And the Rev. LaTrelle Easterling, just elected this morning, was a district superintendent in the New England Conference.
Moore-Koikoi finally ascended to the required number of votes, 108, on the 11th ballot. She led the field of about two dozen endorsed and write-in candidates through all the ballots, followed by Easterling all the way. “My heart is so full,” said the first African-American female bishop-elect since Bishop Violet Fisher was elected 16 years ago. “I don’t have the words. All I can say is glory, hallelujah!”
Before balloting continued this morning, several more candidates followed others from last night in withdrawing their names from consideration, increasing the likelihood of a second election soon. Both new bishops gave passionate remarks about their faithfulness to God and eagerness to serve God’s people. They also ensure that African Americans will remain present among active members of the NEJ College of Bishops, a concern arising from the retirement this week of Bishop Marcus Matthews.”On this day, you have given me an honor and a sacred trust,” said Easterling, adding that wherever God sends her to serve, “I will go and never look back….In the name of Jesus, there is work for us to do. Hallelujah!”All bishops will receive their episcopal area assignments Friday morning. Two other jurisdictions reported elections last night, including an historic election of the first African-American clergywoman as bishop in the Southeastern Jurisdiction and another African-American clergywoman who was elected first in the North Central Jurisdiction. Read the following UMNS stories to learn more…
Moore-Koikoi elected bishop in Northeastern
LANCASTER, Pa. (UMNS) — The Rev. Cynthia Moore-Koikoi of the Baltimore-Washington Conference was elected as a bishop in The United Methodist Church on the 11th ballot of the 2016 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference. The jurisdiction has one more bishop to elect and continues voting on July 14. Melissa Lauber and Erik Alsgaard report. Read story
New Southeastern bishops include historic first
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (UMNS) — United Methodist delegates made history July 13 by electing the denomination’s first African-American woman bishop for the Southeastern Jurisdiction. Sharma Lewis (North Georgia Conference) was the first of five bishops elected, followed by David Graves (Holston), Leonard Fairley (North Carolina), R. Lawson Bryan (Alabama-West Florida) and Sue Haupert-Johnson (Florida). Delegates are electing 15 bishops at five U.S. jurisdictional conferences this week.
North Central elects three bishops
PEORIA, Ill. (UMNS) — Delegates to the North Central Jurisdictional Conference elected three of four new bishops on the conference’s first day. The Revs. Tracy Smith Malone (Northern Illinois) and Frank Beard (Indiana Conference) were elected on the sixth ballot, followed by the Rev. David Bard (Minnesota) on the 10th ballot.
Photo: The Rev. Cynthia Moore-Koikoi held the hand of her husband– the Rev. Rafael Koikoi — as she accepted her election as bishop by the Northeastern Jurisdiction. Her bishop, Baltimore-Washington Episcopal Area Bishop Marcus Matthews, left, applauds. Boston Episcopal Area Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar stands behind her.