The NCC delegation announced Friday that the nominee for the office of bishop is the Rev. Leonard E. Fairley. Annual Conference members stood to endorse Fairley as nominee for the office of Bishop in the Southeastern Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church. Election of bishops takes place during the SE Jurisdictional Conference this summer at Lake Junaluska.
In his acceptance, Fairley shared,
“There are no words to even begin to let you know the sense of great humility and honor that is coursing through my spirit right now. The closest I words I can come to are the words that Bishop Palmer used last night, ‘What is it that you have that you have not received?’”
“You are my family. You are the hands that have made miracles work in my life and in the life across this annual conference. I know that there are many difficult days ahead and many obstacles that we must face, but I just have the audacity to believe that the best years of the church are not behind it. It is in front of us. I have the audacity to believe this: in the words of my wife, Priscilla, ‘If we can just see the possibilities and live the promise, because even a miracle needs a hand.’ You have no idea of the miracles God has worked in my life, and this is one of them.”
“Again, I am honored and blessed beyond measure to know of a generous God whose grace is so abundant that he would give his life for somebody like me and then afford me this honor and this privilege. ….. This is a time that God’s will shall be done.”
Welcome back, Bishop Hope! And a question: Will videos of these sessions be posted on the conference Website?
Hey Carol, there will not be any video posted of these sessions. Feel free to attend a different session if you aren’t able to make your district’s!