The Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church has elected the Rev. Martin D. McLee bishop on the 21st ballot. McLee is superintendent of the Metro Boston Hope District in the New England Annual (regional)Conference. He received 140 of 224 votes.
“I told Jesus it would be alright if he changed my name.” Bishop-elect Martin McLee broke into song after being elected by the NEJ on the 21st ballot today. Photo: Adam Cunningham.
“It’s my honor to introduce one who loves Jesus, one who loves justice, who is contagious in joy, and invites anyone and everyone to rise from the dead,” said Boston Area
Bishop Peter Weaver.
McLee quoted Sly and the Family Stone in his remarks to the conference: “Thank you for letting me be myself,” he said.
The Northeastern Jurisdiction has to elect one more bishop during its April 18-20 in Charleston, W.Va. See ballot-by-ballot totals here.
16 comments
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William M. Finnin, Jr., Th. D.
July 19, 2012 at 10:07 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Blessings on you, dear friend! Congratulations on your election. I truly wish I could be present at your consecration. Great to see you in Tampa! All the best in your new vocational adventure! Peace and love, Will
Gil Caldwell
July 19, 2012 at 11:20 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
BISHOP MARTIN MCLEE, (MARTIN), CONGRATULATIONS, BEST WISHES AND MAY YOUR
CONTINUING MINISTRY AS A BISHOP OF THE CHURCH ALLOW YOU TO SHARE IN GREATER
WAYS YOUR MAGNIFICENT GIFTS. YOUR ELECTION HAS DONE MUCH TO ERASE THE
CLOUDS THAT HAVE HOVERED OVER ME AS I HAVE WATCHED MY BELOVED DENOMINATION
“MAJOR IN THE MINORS, AND MINOR IN THE MAJORS”
“GOD (CONTINUES) TO BE GOOD ALL THE TIME. ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD”
Gil Caldwell, Asbury Park, New Jersey
Steve Peck
July 19, 2012 at 12:59 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Congratulations, prayers, and rich blessings to you!
Grace & Peace
Steve Peck
ms. Rhodes
July 19, 2012 at 2:31 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thanks be to GOd who’s hand was upon you. …like David. brother, this task is to stand on the Lord side, not men’s side. Speak for the Lord, as if He would himself speak, do not please men, but teh LORD!
This is not about you as Dr…., but about CHRIST.
May your life and work give glory to and honor to God our father, apply his knowledge and wisdom. And if these things be in you, the church will be more fruitful again for His GLORY. i romise to praying always for you
Congratulations!
E. Rhodes
Bob Dutton
July 19, 2012 at 3:30 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Congratulations!
May the Spirit strengthen and empower you in your ministry.
Sharon and David Jackson
July 19, 2012 at 6:49 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Well congratulations, Rev. Martin David McLee! May the Good and Loving God that we serve guide you every step of the way in this new mantle of Bishop that has been bestowed upon you!
….and don’t forget the good and loving souls at Union United Methodist Church in Boston, MA – who loved and nurtured you for 8 years during your time here with us! Come back and praise God with us before you move along to new lands.
….finally, always know, that regardless of where you go, you will always remain beloved Union Family!
Sharon and David Jackson
David and Sharon Jackson
July 19, 2012 at 7:08 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Praise God and congratulations! Rev. Martin D McLee will now have a new name – Bishop! You go forward with our prayers, our love, our hope, and of course with our blessings! But what really counts is that God has and continues to be, and will always be “in the mix”. We are so proud of you, Martin. And when we see you again, we will joyfully call you Bishop! Peace and Love, David and Sharon Jackson
gary bailey
July 20, 2012 at 5:19 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Rev. Dr Martin McLee-
So very proud of you ! It is not many people who can say that they have been baptized by a Bishop! Your Simmons family will miss you and Rick and I will as well but you know where we are and all you have to do is call – cause you’ve got a friend !
Gary Bailey and Rick McCarthy and your Simmons family
REV ROBERT H PINTO (RET)
July 20, 2012 at 11:29 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
CONGRATULATIONS!
IT IS MY PRAYER THAT YOUR SPIRITUAL CONTENT OVERCOMES THE OVERBEARING AND MANY TIMES EMPTY EMPHASIS ON SECULAR POLITICS THAT TO MY THINKING HAS DIMINSHED THE INITIAL CALLING OF THIS WONDERFUL CONFERENCE.
BLESSINGS & PEACE
ROMANS 8:28-39
William M. Finnin, Jr., Th. D.
July 20, 2012 at 11:42 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Martin David McKlee’s deep personal spirituality and his palpable embodiment of Christ’s Gospel, nurtured in the prophetic Biblical tradition, proclaimed in pulpit and parish where he has served, and lived out in vital intersections of multiple professional competencies (law, social work, pastoral care, and ecclesial administration) provide a solid foundation for his effective leadership in his new role as spiritual leader and Bishop of the New York Conference of the United Methodist Church.
There is no doubt that he covets the prayers of the people of the New York Area UMC as together you move with boldness into the new quadrennium of service in Christ’s name. My prayers and confidence are with you and with him.
Johnnell P. Demery
July 20, 2012 at 11:13 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Congratulations Rev. Martin Mclee prayers be with you at this time.
Rev. Debra Moton Brown
July 21, 2012 at 7:06 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
God bless and strengthen you in your continue journey. I applaud social activist that stand boldly in the Lord for all of God’s people. You were chosen for who you are not who some may perceive you to be. Stand boldly and rooted in the Word of God. We are family, one in the body of Christ. When one rises we all rise.
Elder in the Texas Annual Conference
Rev Wilton tom
July 22, 2012 at 11:03 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Congrats, Bishop! Our God is always very faithful unto his word.its awesome to have been favored by Him to minister in the office of a Bishop in your conference. ( Swahili say:Hongera Sanaa)Congrats
Rev. Ralph Lord Roy
July 25, 2012 at 8:54 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
What a great story! Back in the late 60s I was Martin’s Pastor at Cuyler Warren St. Community Church, a federated Methodist and Presbyterian congregation in the Gowanus section of Brooklyn. He was a young teen at the time who served on our Youth Council. I recall an article he wrote for our church newspaper “Happenings” which we circulated (4000 copies) through the area. It was entitled “On Tenant Patrol” and began with this sentence: “The Tenants Patrol was formed when a few people of Gowanus got tired of the muggings and pocketbook stealing.” That gives an idea of the pitfalls that might have engulfed him. Instead, he now becomes my bishop – and what a privilege to welcome him. I was ordained in the Troy Conference 60 years ago – in May 1952 – by the great though controversial Bishop G. Bromley Oxnam. I served in the New York Conference and now live, retired, in Southington, CT, within the boundaries of this Conference.
God bless you, Bishop McLee.
Sharon D. Jackson
July 31, 2012 at 8:09 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Dear Rev. Ralph Lord Roy – please see my post on the attached link. God Bless you!
http://elections.umc.org/nej-elects-martin-mclee-bishop-on-ballot-21/#comments
Sharon D. Jackson
July 25, 2012 at 1:03 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Dear Rev. Ralph Lord Roy,
It was with emotion, and a deep sense of gratitude that I read your post above. Bishop McLee served as the senior minister of our church here in Boston – the Union United Methodist Church – from 2000 – 2008. During that time – I served under his leadership as church treasurer. I am sure that Bishop McLee would be among the first to agree with me that he has stood on the shoulders, and stands on the shoulders of the great women and men who came before him – and that would include YOU – and all of the vitally important groundbreaking work that you and other northern Methodist ministers did during the civil rights movement. Without your bold, courageous, and life-changing leadership and commitment – the wonderful story that you tell in your post above could not have transpired; nor – most likely – would I ( and many black professionals like me) be enjoying my current employment, in an industry where only a generation ago my parents could not have even imagined. On behalf of Bishop McLee ( I am certain that he will allow me to speak for him here), myself, and tens of thousands of people who were young, and hopeful in the early 60′s when YOU were literally on the front lines with Dr. Martin Luther King and Rev. Ralph Abernathy – I thank you, and may God continue to richly bless you in your much deserved retirement.
For those of you reading this post who need a background for my comments – go here: http://www.ministrywith.org/blog/view/115/
Sharon Jackson