WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church will meet November 6-11, 2023, at Lake Junaluska Assembly, North Carolina, in the United States to discuss the future of the denomination, prepare for the General Conference to be held in April/May 2024, elect new officers and address other timely topics.
More than 100 bishops from Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America will be in attendance during the meeting that will also include honoring departed colleagues, continuing work to dismantle racism, promote discipleship; and strengthen mission strategies in the global denomination.
The bishops will also continue discussions about the future of the episcopacy in an ever-changing landscape, preparations for presiding at General Conference and reviewing key legislative items such as the regionalization proposals.
“This is an important time for the bishops of the church to discern together the direction our leadership will take as we consider the upcoming General Conference and beyond. Now is the time for deep listening, earnest prayer, and deliberate action as we focus on what the next expression of The United Methodist Church will be,” said COB President Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton of the New York Area.
The meeting opens on Monday, Nov. 6, with a Memorial Service to remember and honor bishops and spouses who have died since the bishops met last time May of this year. Among those to be memorialized are Bishop Marshall L. Meadors, Mrs. Etta Mae Mutti, Mrs. Zoe Wilson, Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar, Bishop Melvin Talbert and Bishop Thomas B. Stockton. Others will be memorialized at the Spring 2024 meeting.
The plenary session will open on Tuesday, November 7, with the Worship Service of Hope and Healing that will incorporate the presidential address by Bishop Bickerton.
Election of officers
The bishops will elect a new president, president-designate, and secretary of the Council. The current officers are Bishop Thomas Bickerton, president; Bishop Tracy Smith Malone, president-designate; and Bishop L. Jonathan Holston, secretary. The new officers will take office at the end of the April 2024 COB meeting during the General Conference and will serve for two years.
Also to be elected will be the COB executive secretary and the COB ecumenical officer. The executive secretary serves as the operations officer of the Council and collaborates closely with the president to monitor actions of the Council and Executive Committee. The ecumenical officer is responsible for relationships with other denominations and/or ecclesial bodies. Both serve four-year terms and take office on September 1, 2024. Bishop Bruce Ough and Bishop Sally Dyck are the current holders of the positions, respectively.
The COB meeting will be livestreamed via COB Facebook.
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