Western Jurisdictional Conference
The 2024 Western Jurisdictional Conference will be held in the Greater Northwest Area on July 10-13, 2024. As we gather we will have traveled from the eastern edge of Colorado, the islands of Hawaii, Guam, and Saipan in the west, from Alaska in the north, from Arizona in the south, and all places in between to reach the middle of the Salt Lake region.
We gather to live out and model our Western Jurisdiction vision: A home for all God’s people, gathered around a table of reconciliation and transformation: the Western Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church is multicultural and inclusive, engaged in the life of its communities, with confident, effective lay and clergy leadership who, in diverse ministry settings, form disciples who live out the Good News of Jesus as global citizens. We gather Where Love Lives.
We gather to consider what values we share as a jurisdiction, celebrate retirements, elect new bishops to serve in our jurisdiction, and consider legislation that moves us toward living into our values and vision.
Latest News
Bridgeforth brings experience, collaborative mindset into new role as bishop
Raised in rural Alabama, Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth brings a wealth of experience in diverse ministry settings, clergy coaching, teaching, writing, and work in the non-profit world to his role as a newly-elected and consecrated bishop in the Western Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church. He will serve the Greater Northwest Episcopal Area (which comprises the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Conferences) beginning Jan. 1, 2023.
Bishop Rapanut ready to be an authentic leader within the church
As he begins his journey as a bishop in the Western Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church, Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut reflects on how his roots as a Filipino American impacted his call to ministry and the leadership he’ll provide the people of the Desert Southwest Conference beginning Jan. 1, 2023.
Escobedo-Frank grounds herself in ministry, outreach as a bishop
As she begins the work of an episcopal leader in The United Methodist Church, Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank hopes to remain grounded in humility as she serves Christ through the local churches and communities in her new episcopal assignment: The California-Pacific Conference.
Episcopal assignments announced, bishops consecrated, inclusive legislation passed
After electing three new bishops, delegates learned assignments to episcopal areas for the remainder of the 2020-2024 quadrennium. Significant pieces of legislation were approved helping the Western Jurisdiction work toward a more inclusive, de-colonized church.
On Day 3 the WJ selects three new bishops
After 19 rounds of votes, just before dinner, the Western Jurisdiction happily celebrated the election of its third new episcopal leader. While the focus of the day was the election, pieces of legislation were introduced, discussions over racism were held and the day ended with retirement celebrations for two of bishops.
WJ 2022 elects Dottie Escobedo-Frank as bishop
The Rev. Dottie Escobedo-Frank, senior pastor of Paradise Valley United Methodist Church in Paradise Valley, Arizona, has been elected a bishop by The United Methodist Church’s Western Jurisdiction on the 19th ballot.
WJ 2022 elects Cedrick Bridgeforth as bishop
The Rev. Cedrick D. Bridgeforth, director of innovation and communication in the California-Pacific Conference, has been elected a bishop by The United Methodist Church’s Western Jurisdiction on the 18th ballot.
WJ 2022 elects Carlo A. Rapanut as bishop
The Rev. Carlo A. Rapanut, assistant to the bishop in the Greater Northwest Episcopal Area, has been elected a bishop by The United Methodist Church’s Western Jurisdiction. He is the first Filipino American bishop in The United Methodist Church, and the first U.S. bishop who was ordained in a central conference — a United Methodist region outside the U.S.
Statement after executive session
Near the close of the plenary time on Thursday, November 3, the Western Jurisdiction Conference held an executive session. On the following morning (Friday), Rev. Brad Laurvick, Secretary of the Western Jurisdiction, read the following statement about and from the executive session.
Saints honored and no elections on day 2 of WJC2022
The first day of Western Jurisdictional Conference in Salt Lake City began with an episcopal address, introduction of the 33 episcopal candidates, one certifying ballot and two other ballots, speeches, scenarios and more. Read today’s re-cap.