The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Bishop Tracy Smith Malone to preach at Henrietta United Methodist Church
Bishop Tracy Smith Malone, president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, will preach at 9:30 a.m., April 7, at Henrietta United Methodist Church, 52148 Telegraph Road in Henrietta Township.
As a recent resident bishop of the East Ohio Annual Conference, Malone is one of the most influential people in the United Methodist Church, from being a teenage preacher to serving as president of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women, according to a news release.
The Rev. Theresa Carter, pastor of Henrietta United Methodist Church, said she invited Malone simply because she wanted her to be introduced to the small church and to have a platform for her message to be spread further.
“This visit is a wonderful opportunity to introduce my community at Henrietta to Bishop Malone, and Bishop Malone to our community,” Carter said. “We’re a rural church and we’re excited to have to bishop come and visit us.
“We’re looking forward to the opportunity to share some of the missions that we’re involved with her.”
Carter said Malone’s mission for the East Ohio Conference is to support local congregations and the overall mission of the United Methodist Church.
“Bishop Malone is always willing to be a part of that and encourage her churches in the work that they’re doing,” Carter said.
Including serving as a district superintendent and a published author, Malone most recently was honored with the presentation of the Bishop Tracy S. Malone Hall of Residence for female students at Africa University in Zimbabwe, the release stated.
“Her message of connectionism, especially in regard to united Methodism being a worldwide denomination, none of us are ever alone as local churches, as districts, as conferences,” Carter said.
“We are part of one big connectional mission and ministry for making disciples of Jesus.”
The church also will unveil a new project that has been in the works, and Malone will be in attendance to see it, Carter said.