Bishop Graves and Bishop Wallace-Padgett form task group for Episcopal transition

Bishop David Graves and Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett have collaboratively established a task group to begin shaping the future of the United Methodist annual conferences in South Georgia, Alabama West-Florida, and North Alabama. 
 
This forward-thinking initiative sets the stage for a comprehensive and strategic pre-work plan over the coming year to ensure a seamless transition for the assigned bishop, set to begin on September 1, 2024.
 
In January, the Southeastern Jurisdiction (SEJ) Committee on Episcopacy announced a recommendation for new episcopal areas to take effect September 1, 2024. In the recommendation, South Georgia, Alabama West-Florida, and North Alabama Conferences would become one episcopal area served by one bishop. This recommendation must still be voted on by the SEJ delegates, who will meet July 10-12, 2024, at Lake Junaluska, NC. At that meeting, bishops will also be assigned by the SEJ Committee on Episcopacy to the areas that are approved by the delegates. 
 
This is not a merger, explained Bishop Graves, who is currently serving the South Georgia and Alabama West-Florida conferences, and Bishop Wallace-Padgett, who is currently serving the North Alabama and Holston conferences; it is one episcopal area that will share one bishop. And, while the recommendation for these three conferences to be one episcopal area is not official until approval by delegates in July, the bishops indicate that they believe doing the pre-work now ensures a solid foundation if the SEJ Committee on Episcopacy recommendation is approved at Jurisdictional Conference.  
 
As the task group begins their work, Bishop Graves and Bishop Wallace-Padgett express their confidence in the ability of the team to pave the way for a bishop who will serve all three annual conferences, recognizing each conference’s unique identity as they collaborate together in one episcopal area. 
 
The task group comprises members selected from the three annual conferences, bringing together diverse talents and perspectives to foster unity and collaboration. Rev. Rick Owen, clergy person from North Alabama, will facilitate the group.
 
Representing South Georgia are: Dr. Jimmy Asbell, Rev. Rebecca Duke-Barton, Meredyth Earnest, Rev. Doreen Smalls, Patsy Thomas, and Rev. David Wood.
 
Representing Alabama West-Florida are: Clara Ester, Rev. Emily Kincaid, Pat Luna, Dr.  Cory Smith, Rev. Richard Williams, and Dr. Jeff Wilson.
 
Representing North Alabama are: Rev. Sherill Clontz, Rev. Dedric Cowser, Rev. Brian Erickson, Lisa Keys-Mathews, Rev. Ron Schultz, and Scott Selman.

Recognizing the pivotal role of effective communication in the process, the task group will also include seasoned communicators Danette Clifton (North Alabama), Mary Catherine Phillips (Alabama West-Florida), and Kelly Roberson (South Georgia).
 
“We are thankful for these individuals who will join us in this work over the coming months to prepare our annual conferences to become one episcopal area,” said Bishop Graves and Bishop Wallace-Padgett in a joint statement. “We have great hope for the future of United Methodism in this region and are excited to see the roadmap created by this task group that leads us into a successful transition. Please join us in prayer as we continue to make the mission of disciple-making a priority in these conferences and in our denomination while giving space for the necessary work that has to be done to move us forward together in this journey.” 
 
The initial directive for this task group will be to focus on all facets of the bishop’s transition, including office logistics, housing arrangements, travel, administrative help, and cabinet structure. The group's work will help guide the assigned bishop towards a successful beginning.
 
The goal for this work is to have a report ready in early April in order to include any recommendations needing the vote of the annual conferences in each conference’s Book of Reports. Any vote at the three Annual Conferences would be contingent upon the official vote to set the episcopal areas during the Jurisdictional Conference in July. The South Georgia Annual Conference meets June 2-5; the Alabama West-Florida Conference meets June 16-18; and the North Alabama Conference meets May 30-June 1.