SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2012 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 309
Commending Bishop Charlene Payne Kammerer.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 10, 2012
Agreed to by the Senate, February 16, 2012

 

WHEREAS, Bishop Charlene Payne Kammerer, after faithfully living out her holy calling in the United Methodist Church, has announced her plans to retire; and

WHEREAS, called to the ministry at a young age, Charlene Kammerer received a bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan College, a master of arts of Christian education and a master of divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and a doctor of ministry degree from United Theological Seminary; and

WHEREAS, Charlene Kammerer gained valuable administrative and ministerial experience as a campus minister at Duke University and district superintendent of the Tallahassee District, Florida Conference; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Kammerer, ordained the first woman elder in the Florida Conference, became the first woman bishop in the Southeastern Jurisdiction upon her election as Bishop and appointment to the Charlotte Area; and

WHEREAS, throughout her service to the church, Bishop Kammerer has devoted considerable time and energy to mentoring other women in the clergy; and

WHEREAS, in July of 2004, Bishop Kammerer was assigned to the Virginia Conference and has led the Cabinet of the United Methodist Church in Virginia with grace, deep spiritual insight, and commitment to family; and

WHEREAS, as pastor of the many pastors in the Virginia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, Bishop Kammerer has shown warm, compassionate care as well as keen understanding and empathy in this vital area of her supervisory responsibility; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Kammerer has been a strong advocate for ecumenical relationships and has built stronger connections among the churches of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, a valued member of the United Methodist Church Council of Bishops, Bishop Kammerer serves as president of the General Board of Discipleship and member of the In Defense of Creation task force; she also serves on the denomination’s Connectional Table; and

WHEREAS, a woman of vision, Bishop Kammerer has wisely recognized the value for the future of the church in encouraging young people as they investigate and pursue spiritual lives and theological education; and

WHEREAS, admired for her commitment to church and community service, Bishop Kammerer has received several honorary doctorates in addition to Outstanding Alumnae Awards from Wesleyan College and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Kammerer looks forward to spending more time with her family during retirement while also continuing to influence the future of the United Methodist Church through her work with theological students at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend Bishop Charlene Payne Kammerer for her exceptional devotion to the United Methodist Church in Virginia; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Bishop Charlene Payne Kammerer as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her service and best wishes in her future endeavors.