A Letter from Pastor Gene

In what Bishop Bickerton has termed a “creative arrangement,” the New York Annual Conference and the New England Annual Conference have been brought together under his episcopal leadership in the New Hope Episcopal Area. This combination of two Annual Conferences is far from unheard of in Methodism, but it is new for both Conferences involved. To be clear, this does not mean that the NYAC and NEAC are now merged; they are not. What it does mean is that Bishop Bickerton will be splitting his time between two cabinets, two groups of clergy, and a very large geographic area. When Deacon Deb and I were recently with him in Stamford, Connecticut, the Bishop remarked that the furthest reaches of his new conference were some 12 and a half hours from where we were meeting. Wow!

As we all move forward, administrative responsibilities for the New Hope Episcopal Area are being split between the two Conferences. Any further changes, combinations, additions, or subtractions will be determined down the road.

Click here for Bishop Bickerton’s announcement of the New Hope Episcopal Area.

Questions? Feel free to reach out to me or Deacon Deb.

OTJ,
PG