Bishops

Burundi celebrates new bishop, episcopal area

United Methodists from Burundi and Rwanda united for the installation of the area’s first bishop and establishment of the East Africa Central Conference.

Bishops

The Rev. Knut Refsdal receives the episcopal pin from Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank after being elected a United Methodist bishop on April 4 at the Northern Europe and Eurasia Central Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark. Refsdal, a pastor in Norway, was elected on the 26th ballot. Photo by Karl Anders Ellingsen, UM News.

Knut Refsdal elected as bishop

The Rev. Knut Refsdal, a pastor in Norway, was elected a United Methodist bishop on the 26th ballot.

Bishops

Bishop Hans Växby, who served as a beloved leader in the Nordic and Baltic countries for 12 years before leading Eurasia for another seven, passed away on March 30 at age 80. Photo courtesy of the Council of Bishops.

Bishop Växby, post-Cold War leader, dies at 80

United Methodists remember Bishop Hans Växby as a servant leader who helped rebuild the church in Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine and Russia after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Central Conferences

Episcopal Elections of the Central Conference of The United Methodist Church. Graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Northern Europe and Eurasia Central Conference Balloting 2025

Voting has ended for episcopal elections in the Northern Europe and Eurasia Central Conference. UM News tracked the balloting as it happened and has coverage.

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