LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — "Jurisdictional conference is about electing bishops," said Mary Alice Massey, chairwoman of the Florida Conference’s delegation to the 2000 Southeastern Jurisdictional (SEJ) Conference July 12-15 and a member of Jacksonville’s Southside United Methodist Church. "We receive the reports of the bishops, elect new bishops and assign the bishops."

Three new bishops were elected, replacing three who retired. Dr. Larry M. Goodpaster of First United Methodist Church in Tupelo, Miss., was elected on the fifth ballot; Dr. Benjamin Michael Watson of Dauphin Way United Methodist Church in Mobile, Ala., was elected on the 10th ballot; and the Rev. James R. King of Brentwood United Methodist Church in Brentwood, Tenn., was elected on the 19th ballot. The retiring bishops are Marshall L. (Jack) Meadors, Mississippi Area; Robert C. Morgan, Louisville Area; and Richard C. Looney, South Georgia Area.

Although disappointed that the Rev. David Brazelton, superintendent of the Tampa District and the Florida Conference’s nominee for bishop, was not elected, "the three people elected are good people," Massey said.

"You take the qualities you’re looking for in a bishop, you try to look for who has those qualities and you vote for them," she said.

Massey was also pleased with the diversity of the nominees, which included two African-Americans and one woman. Of the three men elected King is African-American.

United Methodist-owned Emory University in Atlanta also received much attention. Charles W. Bush, a member of First United Methodist Church in Montgomery, Ala., submitted nine petitions that dealt with Emory University and its leadership and policies.

In one petition, Bush sought to ensure that three-fifths of the university’s board of trustees are United Methodists. Others called for United Methodists to serve as Emory’s board of trustees chairman and president.

"… It is a Methodist institution owned by the Southeastern Jurisdiction, and there are certain rights that come with ownership that aren’t presently being exercised," Bush said.

Bush also took aim at Emory’s policies on same-sex unions and benefits for same-sex partners, asking that SEJ delegates rescind both measures.

Five of Bush’s petitions were ruled out of order because the SEJ has no control over Emory’s policies, Massey said.

The conference unanimously approved a covenant with Emory that included provisions for improved communication between university leadership and the jurisdiction, a renewed effort to have strong United Methodist representation on the board of trustees, and an invitation to church leaders to review the makeup of the board and discuss "current issues facing the Church that are important to Emory and to its relationship."

Russ Tabbert, from First United Methodist Church, Inverness, was elected to the General Council on Ministries. John Dowell, from Port Tampa United Methodist Church and president of the Florida Conference’s United Methodist Men, was elected to the General Board of Church and Society. William Richardson, from Old Town United Methodist Church in Old Town, was elected to the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns. Judith Pierre-Okerson, from Grace Haitian United Methodist Church in Miami, was elected to the General Commission on Religion and Race.

For more information on the SEJ, visit the conference’s Web site at http://www.sej2000.org.