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e-Review Florida United Methodist News Service | ||
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Bishop Whitaker takes renewal leave June 26, 2007 News media contact: Tita Parham* LAKELAND — Florida Conference Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker is on a three-month renewal leave this summer, and while that may conjure up images of vacation and relaxing on the beach, it couldn’t be further from the truth. Like all other United Methodist bishops, Whitaker is required to take leave. According to the 2004 United Methodist Book of Discipline, or book of church law, “Every bishop in the active relationship shall take up to three months’ leave from his or her normal episcopal responsibilities for purposes of reflection, study, and self-renewal during each quadrennium (Paragraph 411.2).” Whitaker’s renewal leave began June 9, immediately after the 2007 Florida Annual Conference Event ended. He is expected back in Lakeland around Labor Day. That does not mean Whitaker is unaware of what is occurring throughout the conference during his absence, however. While on leave, he is in regular contact with staff in the episcopal office. The idea behind a renewal leave is to remove a bishop, as much as possible, from the stress and strain of being an episcopal leader, said the Rev. Charles Weaver, assistant to Whitaker. Weaver, along with Bishop J. Lawrence McCleskey of the Western North Carolina Conference, are “on call” during the bishop’s leave. “The bishop studies regularly,” said Weaver. “He is a very disciplined learner and reader, even when he is here in Lakeland amid all the duties of being bishop. While he is on renewal leave, he will be engaged in systematic study and enjoying some family time.” Following established guidelines, Whitaker’s leave was approved by the Southeastern Jurisdiction College of Bishops in January 2006. It was then reported to the Council of Bishops as informational at the group’s fall 2006 meeting. When the bishop returns from leave, he will file a report to the College. The College of Bishops is composed of every active bishop serving in a geographic region, called a jurisdictional conference, and every retired bishop who was elected out of that jurisdictional conference. The Southeastern Jurisdiction includes the states of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Florida. The Council of Bishops consists of every active and retired bishop in The United Methodist Church. ### This article relates to the Episcopacy. *Parham is managing editor of e-Review Florida United Methodist News Service. |
