Rev. Barrie Tritle’s Episcopal Endorsement was affirmed nearly unanimously on Saturday evening of the 2016 Annual Conference Session. The First United Methodist Church Iowa City Pastor had received the recommendation as an episcopal candidate of the Iowa Annual Conference’s Jurisdictional Delegation.
Four episcopal assignments are due to come open in the North Jurisdictional Conference in the coming months.
Southeast District Field Outreach Minister Rev. Phil Carver addressed Saturday’s Conference Session on behalf of the Jurisdictional Delegation, making Rev. Tritle’s recommendation.
There were four basic qualities to be considered for the endorsement, Rev. Carver said; spiritual leadership, transformational leadership, administrative or executive leadership and adaptive leadership. Rev. Tritle possesses a unique set of gifts and graces, he stated, citing his experience as a local pastor, superintendent and serving on Board of Higher Education and Ministry.
Rev Tritle expressed thanks to the Jurisdictional Delegation, the Conference, and to God, saying he believed God has claimed him as one of his own beloved children.
Following a motion from the floor, Southeast District Superintendent Rev. Lillian Gallo Seagren was also endorsed as a candidate for the episcopacy by nearly two-thirds of the members of the 2016 Annual Conference. A member of the 2016 General Conference delegation Rev. Gallo Seagren served as vice-chair of one of the worldwide gathering's twelve legislative committees. She has been a member of the Bishop's Appointive Cabinet since 2016 and served as dean for a year.
Rev. Seagren told the assembly that the laity who would transform the denomination.
The 2016 North Central Jurisdictional Conference will take place July 13-16 in Peoria, Ill.
