M. KAY DeMOSS
Senior Editor-Writer, Michigan Area
Retired clergy member, the Rev. Gary Dawes, directed the balloting process at the 2015 Detroit Annual Conference. mic photo/Jeremy Africa Despite initial problems with counting ballots, the Detroit Annual Conference went on to perfection and by Saturday evening the delegations for General and Jurisdictional conferences were elected. The election begins a 14-month journey. General Conference will be in session May 10-20, 2016 in Portland, OR. The North Central Jurisdiction will conference July 13-16 in Peoria, IL. General Conference delegates In order of election: Clergy: Rev. Dr. Charles Boayue, Rev. Joy Barrett, Rev. Melanie Carey
Laity: Jackie Euper, Wayne Bank, Diane Brown (Note…the Jurisdictional Conference clergy and lay delegates serve as alternates at General Conference.)
Jurisdictional Conference in order of election: Clergy: Rev. Megan Walther, Rev. Dr. Matthew Hook, Rev. Laura Speiran
Laity: Alexander Plum, Claudia Bowers, Ruby Anderson
Clergy Alternates to Jur. Conf.: Rev. Dr. Sherry Parker, Rev. Dr. Tara Sutton
Lay Alternates to Jur. Conf.: Ruth Sutton, Isaac Garrigues-Cortelyou Laity were elected with a total of eight ballots; clergy in 11 ballots. Clergy elected 7 elders and 1 deacon; Laura Speiran is the first Deacon iin Full Connection to be elected in the Detroit Conference. The total delegation numbers 5 men; 11 women; 4 African Americans; and 3 young adults. The Rev. Dr. Charles Boayue, delegation chair, said during introductions on Sunday morning, “God is The Lord of the Church and I believe, deep in my heart, that everything will be all right.” Jackie Euper will serve as vice chair of the delegation.
Last Updated on May 19, 2015