During their virtual meeting Thursday, Aug. 19, the Southeastern Jurisdiction’s College of Bishops appointed Dr. Brad Brady to serve as the Southeastern Jurisdiction Conference Secretary, effective upon current secretary Anne Travis’ retirement Sept. 1.
This is not a new role for Dr. Brady, who retired in June as senior pastor of Perry United Methodist Church in the South Georgia Conference. In 2008, he was elected to serve as the 2009-2012 Jurisdictional Conference Secretary, with primary responsibilities being the planning and implementation of the 2012 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference Session. He assisted Joetta Rinehart during the 2008 Jurisdictional Conference and began serving through the quadrennium in preparation for the 2012 Conference session. He also assisted Travis during the 2016 session and 2021 virtual session.
“Dr. Brady is well known and highly respected throughout the Southeastern Jurisdiction for his leadership,” said Bishop R. Lawson Bryan, president of the College of Bishops and episcopal leader of the South Georgia Conference. “He has previously served as the SEJ secretary, and we know his background and experience will be especially valuable at this time.”
Dr. Brady’s years of experience and leadership will be an asset during these challenging times, Bishop Bryan said.
“The 2008 session approved a new structure for the Jurisdiction,” Dr. Brady said. “It was a time of transition and ‘building the plane while we were flying it.’ It was a pleasure working with leaders across the jurisdiction to support the ministries of our connection. I see this next quadrennium as another time of transition. No one knows what the future holds. In the meantime, I am committed to doing all I can to support the jurisdictional leaders as they carry out their work, and to fulfill the administrative functions necessary for our shared life together.”
The College of Bishops also expressed its appreciation to Travis for her nine years of service to the SEJ. She served as Assistant Secretary in 2012 and Secretary from 2012-2021. A lay person from the Holston Conference, Travis also served as the Director of Connectional Ministries in Holston from 2000-2013.
During the 2021 Special Session of the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference, held virtually July 21, Bishop James Swanson, who presided over the conference, thanked Travis for her many years of service and how she has helped the jurisdiction navigate conference life.
“She has helped us create a conference experience that is thoughtful, beautiful, and meaningful,” he said. “Her attention to detail and protocol is matchless. If you place that beside her deep love of Christ and her deep love of The United Methodist Church and her many years as a preacher’s kid, Anne has faithfully served an important role.
“Anne, thank you. You are worthy of recognition and honor for all you have done.”
Dr. Brady also acknowledged Travis for her servant leadership to the jurisdiction and The United Methodist Church.
“I have known Anne Travis since late 2000 as we both served as Directors of Connectional Ministries in our respective Annual Conferences,” he said. “Anne has always been a wonderful colleague and a treasured friend. Anne brought significant gifts and experiences to her role as Jurisdictional Secretary. She is a person who sees the big picture and the many minute details required for this role. Anne has served our Jurisdiction with distinction and each of us should be grateful for her tireless efforts.”
During the meeting, the SEJ College of Bishops also announced that beginning Sept. 1, Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson will serve as president of the College and Bishop Jonathan Holston will serve as Secretary.
