LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. – Bishop Tracy S. Malone, the area bishop of East Ohio Conference, was today elected president of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church during the bishops’ meeting at Lake Junaluska Assembly.

She becomes the first Black woman to be elected to lead the more than 110 bishops in the global denomination that includes Africa, Asia, Europe and Americas.

Also elected were:

• President-Designate: Bishop Ruben Saenz
• Secretary: Bishop L. Jonathan Holston
• Executive Secretary: Bishop Gregory V. Palmer
• Co-Ecumenical Officers: Bishop Hope Morgan Ward and Bishop Rosemarie Wenner
• Past President: Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton

The current officer holders are Bishop Bickerton, president; Bishop Malone, president-designate; and Bishop Holston as secretary. The new officers will take office at the middle of the General Conference in 2024.

The executive secretary serves as the operations officer of the Council and works closely with the Secretary to monitor actions of the Council and Executive Committee. The ecumenical officer is responsible for relationships with other Churches and/or ecclesial bodies. Both serve four-year terms and take office on September 1, 2020. Bishop Bruce Ough and Bishop Sally Dyck are the current holders of the positions.

Read the Full Press Release.