I am sure that we all would like to extend our congratulations to: Rev Dr. Wilfred Messiah,Rev. Paul J. M. Kawimbe, Rev. Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Rev. James L. "Butch" Davis, Rev. Samuel L. Green, Sr, Rev. Sarah Frances Davis, Rev. David R. Daniels, Jr, Rev Dr. Earl McCloud with their election to the Bishopric. There is no doubt that we in the overseas districts are more than overjoyed at the election of those who are from the "other" side. This is extended to the general officers elected to serve as well.

I hope that this is not due to the amount of Bishops elected that Africa has not been overlooked, but that the church at large is really serious about an inclusive bench of Bishops.

Though we do not know the background to Rev Lewin's withdrawal, it does however come as a surprise considering the given facts. One day as changes have slowly crept in, perhaps our elections will be more God-inspired than man maneuvered

Love

Clive

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2004

Answers

My Dear Brother While our prayers for greater inclusion of Africa has been achieved our new prayer is for greater unity around the global Church as the Global Church and the Local Church are now the same. Best Wishes to you, Rev. Mwandu and others who stay on the battlefield. God Bless You

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2004

COONGRATULATIONS TO EACH PERSON ELECTED. BUT PLEASE TELL ME WHY WE CAN NEVER GET A BISHOP ELECTED FROM THE EIGHTH DISTRICT. ARE WE STEP CHILDREN? and by the way in our area of the country women preachers are not excepted including women bishops, so please do not send them to the 8th.

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2004

Sister Steverson:

1) Maybe you all have not elected a bishop because of your views on Women in the ministry.

2) It's 50-50 that the 8th will get a woman as a Bishop.

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2004

Bishop-elect Guidry referred to her home state of MS in her speech on Monday night/Tuesday morning.

-- Anonymous, July 07, 2004

Note that there were TWO from Atlanta Georgia. Two exceptionally qualified candidates. Just an observation!

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2004

I agree that Rev. Lewin was an excellent candidate, but I suspect that he will be the candidate of choice in the next quadrennial. He was very impressive to many delegations. Rev. Daniels was better known because of his service in the seventh and I also think that many believed that we needed to elect bishops from each of the broad geographic areas. We had Messiah from the South, Kawimbe from South Central and Daniels from the West. And I think the church is very supportive of the church in Africa evidenced by the fact that the first bishop of the class of 2004 is from Africa. His work as a pastor and teacher administrator shows that we respect the work of our African leaders.

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2004