South Central Jurisdiction

A lawsuit over United Methodist control of Southern Methodist University in Dallas has reached the Texas Supreme Court. The South Central Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church filed the lawsuit in 2019 after the university’s board of trustees voted to change the university’s articles of incorporation without the jurisdictional conference’s approval. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons.

High court: Church can sue for SMU control

A Texas Supreme Court ruling deals a setback to Southern Methodist University’s move to gain independence from The United Methodist Church’s South Central Jurisdictional Conference.

Theology and Education

High court hears case over church control of SMU

The Texas Supreme Court heard arguments to determine if Southern Methodist University could change its articles of incorporation without a United Methodist jurisdiction’s approval.

Bishops

In an episcopal election that saw several firsts, the Rev. Delores Williamston (left), the first Black female bishop elected to the South Central Jurisdiction; the Rev. David Wilson (right), the first Native American bishop in The United Methodist Church; and the Rev. Laura Merrill stand during their consecration service. The South Central Jurisdiction’s service of consecration was Nov. 5 at Houston First United Methodist Church. Photo courtesy of the Louisiana Conference via Facebook.

Jurisdictions see shift in bishops, more cooperation

Even as The United Methodist Church faces mounting disaffiliations, those who plan to remain United Methodist are working together more across jurisdictional lines. Jurisdictional conferences also elected more women and more people of color as bishops.

Bishops

Newly elected Bishop Robin Dease thanks the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference upon her election on Nov. 3. Dease, a South Carolina pastor and former district superintendent, was elected on the 25th ballot with 206 votes. She was the third and final bishop to be elected at the Nov. 2-4 conference, held in Lake Junaluska, N.C. Photo by Matt Brodie.

Southeastern elects Robin Dease as bishop

The Rev. Robin Dease, who was a write-in candidate on the first ballot for bishop in The United Methodist Church’s Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference, was elected Nov. 3 on the 25th ballot at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. She received 206 votes, the exact number needed.

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