Western Jurisdiction Conference July 16-19, 2008

Western Jurisdictional Conference Report Saturday

At 12:40 am Janet Forbes withdrew her name from the election process. Members of the conference stood during her announcement in recognition of her leadership and willingness to put her self forward for episcopal election. We lift Janet up in prayer and celebrate her ministry among us in the Rocky Mountain Conference and throughout the General Church.

Blessings.

Skip Strickland
Director of Mission and Ministry

Report of Ballot 25: Elaine Stanovsky is elected Bishop

Skip Strickland

More information to come.

Elaine Stanovsky is elected on Ballot 25 with 53 votes [only 79 ballots were valid]:

This is the information from the Western Jurisdiction web site about Elaine. The assignments of the Bishops will take place today, Saturday morning, July 19. Write again soon.

Skip Strickland
Director of Mission and Ministry
Rocky Mountain Conference

Elaine Stanovsky's Profile (PDF)

Sorry early this morning the server at the conference office went down and Ben and I were not able to send out this breaking news.

This morning, at the Western Jurisdictional Conference, it was announced and approved to send Bishop Elaine Stanovsky to the Denver Episcopal Area, which continues to include the Rocky Mountain and Yellowstone Conferences. Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr. is now assigned to the Sacramento Area. Our prayers are with Bishop Brown and Minnie in this time of transition.

May God bless Bishop Stanovsky and the Denver Area and may we all work together behalf for the Glory of God. We welcome her family: Husband Clinton, and her three sons.

Following is the Lay reflection about this mornings celebration provided by Ruth Wills, a Lay Reserve Delegate from the Rocky Mountain Conference.

Skip Strickland

Report from Delegate Ruth Wills

“O What Joy to be present at the choosing of our new bishops, and what sorrow to not have one of our own Rocky Mountain candidates elected. You need to know, people of the RMUCM, how gracious and strong our candidates were in the tiring hours of the long 25 ballot election process. You need to know what a powerful influence Rocky Mountain Conference is in our Western Jurisdiction!

Our first-elected bishop, Grant Hagiya, was elected early Friday evening, but it was after 12:00 am, Sat. morning when the final vote was taken and second bishop, Elaine J. Stanovsky was elected. Most of us were able to get to bed shortly after 2:00 a.m., but the Episcopacy Committee, those who would match up bishops with conferences, met for another two plus hours.

Now as we gather at breakfast, a relaxed yet anticipation filled atmosphere permeates the room. Most of the business is completed except for a few reports, and then we find out which bishop will be assigned to our area.

We have a new bishop! Elaine Stanovsky from the Pacific Northwest Conference, who now comes to the Denver Episcopal Area. Much hugging, singing and clapping as all of our conference representatives gather around her and welcome her, just as each conference gathers to greet their won returning or new bishop. Later this afternoon a Consecration Service and reception will be held.

Joy in the church and in the Western Jurisdiction. This conference is completed.”

Ruth Wills

Jurisdictional Conference Delegation Report July 19, 2008

Western Jurisdictional Conference concluded Saturday morning in the beautiful, green city of Portland, Oregon, with the dramatic announcement by the Episcopacy Committee that finally disclosed where our six bishops would be assigned for the next four-year period. Several assignments were expected: Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, who served the Rocky Mountain and Yellowstone conferences from 1992-2000, will continue in the Los Angeles Area another four years, for a twelve-year term. Bishops Bob Hoshibata and Minerva Carcano will serve second four-year terms in the Portland and Phoenix areas, respectively. Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr., will leave the Denver Area September 1 to assume Episcopal duties in the San Francisco Area that has offices in Sacramento, replacing Bishop Beverly Shamana, who will retire. Newly elected bishop Elaine Stanovsky will replace Bishop Brown in the Denver Area, serving both the Rocky Mountain and Yellowstone Conferences. Bishop Grant Hagiya, another newly elected leader, will serve the Seattle Area, with oversite responsibilities for churches and clergy in the states of Washington and Alaska. I was a seminary classmate of Bishop Hagiya, and roommate of Bishop Hoshibata, and have maintained enormous respect for each of them since our graduate school days. They will all serve with strong leadership and a passion for Christ.

Once the assignments , unknown until that moment to either bishops or delegations, were announced, all six bishops were escorted to the assigned seating areas of their respective new delegations. Dancing, songs, hugs and gifts of welcome and hospitality from sleep-deprived clergy and lay delegates flooded the new bishops.

As Reverend Stanovsky - now Bishop Stanovsky - stood amidst the Rocky Mountain and Yellowstone delegations, and delegates pressed in around her, it became very clear that her life was already beginning to change. I overheard someone remark, “Now her life will never be the same.” She will face enormous challenges, high expectations and, after many years in the Seattle area, a significant relocation effort to Denver.

How can we offer support and hospitality to our new spiritual leader? First, remember that she isn’t ours until September 1, and will need some time to make the move. Second, contact Jayne Adams, Administrative Assistant in the Denver Area Episcopal office, to invite Bishop Stanovsky to appear or preach at your church, and be patient as Jayne tries to coordinate such requests with all the other demands on the new Bishop’s time. Third, watch for further notices from Skip Strickland or our Conference Episcopacy Committee regarding ways you can meet and support our Bishop. Fourth, pray for Bishop Stanovsky during this time of transition as she and her family move to Denver.

Finally, remember that our colleagues in the Western Jurisdiction have affirmed her calling to this particular ministry. Many of Bishop Stanovsky’s gifts have already born fruit in a lifetime of ministry. Please give her a welcoming, positive regard. Let’s create a safe, sacred space where she can find grounding for the enormous challenges that await her. I am delighted with her assignment here, and know we will all benefit from her spiritual presence and leadership.

The Rev. Steve Burnett
Senior Pastor, First UMC Casper, WY

Forwarded by Skip Strickland
Apologies to Steve for sending this a few days after he wrote it. I have been attending the Western Jurisdiction Association of Directors of Connectional Ministries in a location that did not have internet access. Thank you to Steve for his thoughtful reflection and advice.
Skip

Correction; Photos

You will be interested to know that I have added some photos to the web. They will give you a good sense of what it was like here. You can see them linked at RMCUMC.org/wj/. As I get time, I will add more, particularly of the election of Bishop Stanovsky and her consecration. Linda Sullivan, Director of Communications at Oregon-Idaho, has generously shared some of her photos also. None of these photos are in galleries yet, so you are seeing the raw photos at their full size, which is a problem if you're on dial-up (they will take a long time to load).

I also will be adding a few highlights in audio format: The Episcopal Address, delivered by Bishop Ed Paup, opening music by a marimba band, Bishop Shemana's preaching, morning reflections, are some of the possibilities.

There are a few more stories to share, too...

Watch the web for more info from the Western Jurisdiction Conference.

Ben Roe
Information Administrator

Episcopal Assignments:

Denver - Elaine Stanovsky
Los Angeles - Mary Ann Swenson
Phoenis - Minerva Carcano
Portland - Robert Hoshibata
San Francisco - Warner H. Brown, Jr.
Seattle - Grant Hagiya