Bishops

Bishop Judith Craig was the first woman bishop to be assigned to the West Michigan and Detroit Conferences, serving from 1984 to 1992. UMNS file photo.

Judith Craig, pioneering woman bishop, dies at 82

Bishop Judith Craig, the third woman elected as a United Methodist bishop, died Jan. 18 at 82 in Columbus, Ohio.

Bishops pray with representatives from the unofficial advocacy group Love Prevails during the Council of Bishops meeting in November. The group asked the bishops to address the LGBTQ community. Pictured from left are Bishops Grant Hagiya and Linda Lee praying with the Rev. Amy DeLong and her wife, Val Zellmer. Photo by the Rev. Maidstone Mulenga, Council of Bishops.

LGBTQ churchgoers wary of bishops' letter

The Council of Bishops addressed the global LGBTQ community. But the letter disappointed a number of its intended readers.

General Church

Bishop William B. Oden grew up on an Oklahoma farm, and would eventually travel the world as a representative for The United Methodist Church, advocating for ecumenical and interfaith cooperation. Photo courtesy of the Council of Bishops.

Bishop Oden, ecumenical leader, dies at 83

He led two annual conferences, served as Council of Bishops president and helped strengthen United Methodist ties with the Episcopal Church.

General Church

Bishop Ben R. Chamness was the rare bishop to serve in two U.S. jurisdictions. Photo courtesy of the Council of Bishops.

Bishop Chamness, calm leader, dead at 78

The rare United Methodist bishop to serve in two U.S. jurisdictions, he also helped guide the denomination’s pension agency through some big decisions.

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