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    United Methodists of Upper New YorkLiving the Gospel. Being God's Love.


    news article

    LaTrelle Miller Easterling Elected Bishop

    July 18, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    LaTrelle Miller Easterling, Metro Boston Hope district superintendent in the New England Conference, has been elected a bishop of The United Methodist Church. She was elected Thursday morning, July 14, on the 17th ballot of the 2016 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference in Lancaster, Pa.

    “I always, always, always stand on the side of justice,” she said after she was introduced to the gathering by Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar, “but I draw the circle wide enough for all of us to be there and when I say all, I mean all.”

    Devadhar called Easterling “a prophetess, a pastor who leads the church from her spiritual center, and above all, a beloved sister in Christ who always, always has a passion for the marginalized.”

    Originally from Indianapolis, Rev. Easterling, 51, received her call to ministry while a member of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, where she was ordained a deacon in 1995 and an elder two years later. She graduated from the Boston University School of Theology Summa Cum Laude in 2004.

    When asked about inclusivity during the episcopal interview process, Rev. Easterling said, “I know what it feels like to be excluded. I know what it feels like to be present but ignored.” But getting to know one another can change that, she said. “Once we get to know each other, it’s almost impossible to hate, it’s almost impossible to continue excluding, it’s almost impossible to remain where you were. We are changed when we hear one another’s story.”

    Rev. Easterling served Union UMC and Old West UMC in Boston and Pearl Street UMC in Brockton, MA. She was a delegate to General Conference in 2012 and 2016, and served on the NEJ’s Multi-Ethnic Center Board. She also served on the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry.

    When asked about her self-care practices, Rev. Easterling said that along with keeping the Sabbath, she visits to the beach and writes “prayers, litanies, liturgies, songs, laments,” Rev. Easterling said, “I read the word of God. I am inspired by it. It gives me new life, it gives me energy. It’s one thing to be read- ing the word of God for sermon preparation, or Bible study preparation, but I’m still a disciple of Jesus Christ. My relationship with Christ is still growing. I need to have my own firm rootedness and connectedness. Some- times when I read it, I get so excited I have to walk around the room a little bit ...”

    Rev. Easterling has a law degree, and before entering full-time ministry worked as a mediator and as a Human Resources Manager and Director. She is married to the Rev. Marion Easterling, Jr., the pastor of Parkway United Methodist Church in Milton, MA. They are the parents of two sons, Garrett Walter and Miles Teronza.

    Editor’s Note: This information originally appeared in the Daily Christion Advocate Volume 20, Issue 6, Friday, July 15, 2016.

    TAGGED / NEJ 2016


    With more than 100,000 members, United Methodists of Upper New York comprises of more than 675 local churches and New Faith Communities in 12 districts, covering 48,000 square miles in 49 of the 62 counties in New York state. Our vision is to “live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places."