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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodists together |
April 2004 |
Bishop bids farewell at Auburn
By Dave Kurtz
AUBURN, Ind. -- Bishop Woodie White's farewell tour stopped March 14 in Auburn.
White will retire in August after 12 years as bishop of Indiana's 230,000 United Methodists and their 1,300 congregations.
Each of his visits to Indiana's 18 United Methodist districts this year has turned into a celebration for White.
More than 120 people came to the reception at Auburn First United Methodist Church, where United Methodists of the Fort Wayne District honored him.
"Fort Wayne is probably one of our strongest districts," White said, because of the denomination's strength in the Fort Wayne area. He said United Methodists have addressed concerns of urban areas, such as Fort Wayne, during his years in Indiana.
Throughout the state, "We've done some work with young people especially, exposing them to opportunities in ministry," White added.
"Perhaps the most successful thing we've done is a project in Africa," with the new United Methodist-related Africa University in Zimbabwe, White said. "Indiana has built four dormitories, which was a major, major financial campaign, so we were very proud of that."
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Perhaps the most successful thing we've done is a project in Africa, with new United Methodist-related Africa University in Zimbabwe. |
Bishop and Mrs. White plan to move to Atlanta in their retirement. "My wife is from New England, I'm from New York and we're going to retire in Georgia. Figure that one out," he said. White will become Bishop-in-Residence for the Candler School of Theology at United Methodist-related Emory University in Atlanta. "I'll teach a couple of classes and essentially relate to the students, advising them and being available to them," he said.
Moving to Georgia will be a homecoming of sorts for White. He earned his bachelor's degree at Paine College in Augusta, Ga. He began his ministry in 1960 as a pastor in Worcester, Mass.
White served as bishop in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference from 1984 to 1992 before moving to Indiana. He presided over the United Methodist Council of Bishops from 1996 to 1997.
Dave Kurtz is managing editor of The Evening Star in Auburn, Ind.
Last updated on 04/19/2004