- Timothy W. Whitaker
Timothy Wayne Whitaker is a
Bishop of theUnited Methodist Church , elected in 2001. Timothy distinguished himself as a U.M.Pastor , aCollege Lecturer , a member ofAnnual Conference and U.M. General Agencies andCommunity Organizations , a District Superintendent, anauthor , and as a Bishop.Birth and Family
Timothy was born 5 October 1948 in
Vicksburg, Mississippi , graduating from Warren Central High School,Warren County, Mississippi , in 1966. He ismarried to Melba J. Jarvis ofBrandon, Mississippi . They have two sons: Scott, married to Michele Wrobleski ofBuffalo, New York , and Eric.Education
Timothy earned an
Associate of Arts degree fromHinds Junior College , and aB.A. fromMillsaps College inJackson, Mississippi (summa cum laude , 1970). He earned aM.Div. degree fromCandler School of Theology ,Emory University ("summa cum laude ," 1973). He has been awarded numerousacademic honors , including admission toPhi Alpha Theta (history honorary society) andTheta Phi (theology society). He also received the "Award for Academic Excellence" from Candler in 1973.Ordained Ministry
He received a License to
Preach in theMississippi Annual Conference of theUnited Methodist Church in 1968. He wasordained a Deacon in 1971 and Elder in 1974. He served asPastor of the following U.M. churches: Carlisle-Rocky Springs (Student Pastor, 1967-70), Fayette Circuit (Student, July-August, 1970); Minister to Youth at Druid Hills U.M.C.,Atlanta, Georgia (1971-72); Forsyth Circuit, North Georgia Conference (Student, 1972-73); Spring Ridge U.M.C., Mississippi (1973-75). During the Fall Semester, 1974, Timothy also served as aLecturer on "American Religious Thought" at Millsaps College.Timothy transferred to the
Virginia Conference in 1975, where he served these appointments: St. Peter's U.M.C. (1975-78); Franktown-Johnsons (1978-83); Farmville (1983-87), also serving as a lecturer on "History of Philosophy" atEastern Shore Community College during 1983. He was the Pastor of the Mt. Pisgah U.M.C.(1987-93) and the Centenary U.M.C. (1993-97), both in the Richmond District. He was appointed Superintendent of the Norfolk District of the Virginia Conference (1997-2001), from which he was elected to the Episcopacy.In the Virginia Conference, Rev. Whitaker served on many Conference agencies: President of the Board of Discipleship, Vice President of the Board of Global Ministries, and Chair of the Division of Elders of the Board of Ordained Ministry. He was also involved in a number of community service agencies, including hospice, sheltered workshops, a
soup kitchen , and tutoring of inner city children.Episcopal Election
Bishop Whitaker was elected by a special called session of the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference of the U.M. Church, 26-27 February 2001 to fill the episcopal vacancy created by the death of Bishop
Cornelius L. Henderson , who died 7 December 2000 after a two-year battle with cancer. The session took place atLake Junaluska, North Carolina . Whitaker had been nominated on the first ballot on 26 February. However, he withdrew from the election in a 10-minute presentation to the delegates.He had not accepted nomination nor endorsement from his Annual Conference delegation prior to this special session because he did not want to go through the election process again. He said nomination would have been a distraction to his life and ministry during a time when he was becoming refocused. He had been a nominee and a strong contender during elections at the Jurisdictional Conference July 2000. When competition for the third episcopal position narrowed to him and one other candidate that time, he withdrew, paving the way for the election of Bishop
James R. King Jr. Nevertheless, his name re-emerged on the 13th ballot, taking a significant lead over the two leading nominees on the 15th ballot. Bishop Whitaker was elected on the 17th ballot, with 395 out of 497 valid votes. He needed only 299 votes to be elected. Bishop-elect Whitaker said in an interview following the announcement, "I am stunned by my election. I had decided I did not want to be a candidate."
elected Writings
*articles in "
The Christian Century ," "Circuit Rider," "Lectionary Homiletics " and the Richmond "Times-Dispatch."ee also
*
List of Bishops of the United Methodist Church References
* The Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church [http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=5855 ]
* InfoServ, the official information service of The United Methodist Church. [http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=1244]External links
* [http://www2.umc.org/umns/photos_headshots.asp?ptid=2&mid=2060&photo=hsw229 Photo of Bishop Whitaker]
*http://www.flumc.org/bishop_whitaker/mbtw.htm
*http://www.flumc.org/comline/revarchive/2001/031601s1.html#stuns
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