Judicial Council Election Results
On Wednesday, May 1, the General Conference elected a new Judicial Council. Some of those elected have experience on the Council and some do not. You can read their biographies below.
According to the data presented by the General Commission on Religion and Race and the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women on May 2, the May 1 elections (Judicial Council and University Senate) include 53.8% female and 46.2% male persons.
Clergy:
Angela Brown (8-year term)
Susan Henry-Crowe (8-year term)
Jonathan Ulanday (8-year term)
Øyvind Helliesen (4-year term)
Luan-Vu Tran (4-year term)
Clergy Alternates:
Tim Bruster
Taylor Walters Denyer
Paul Perez
Beverly Wilkes Null
Mark Grafenread
Kate Croskery-Jones
Laity
Harriet Jane Olson (8-year term)
Molly Hlekani Mwayera (8-year term)
Bill Wadell (4-year term)
Andrew Vorbrich (4-year term)
Laity Alternates:
Erin Hawkins
Jessica Vittorio
Kent Fulton
Thomas Lee
Thomas Starnes
Laurie Day
Judicial Council Biographies
All of these biographies have been copied from the ADCA for April 29 (Vol. 5, No. 6). You can download that document in English, French, Kiswahili, and Portuguese here.
Laity:
Harriet Jane Olson, Northeastern Jurisdiction (8-year term)
Harriett was CEO/General Secretary of United Women in Faith until retiring in May 2023. Previously, she was Vice President/Editorial Director at The United Methodist Publishing House (1996-2007). A Harvard Law School graduate, prior to working full time for the church she practiced environmental law in New Jersey and had various leadership roles in the previous Northern NJ Annual Conference, now part of GNJ, including serving as a General Conference delegate in 1988, 1992 and 1996. Her local church is Morristown UMC, Morristown, NJ.
Molly Hlekani Mwayera, Africa Central Conference (8-year term)
I am Hlekani Molly Mwayera, an adult African woman. Laity Delegate of the Zimbabwe Annual East Conference (ZEAC) and a professing member of the United Methodist Church, who has served and is still serving the church in different leadership positions including being a Conference Lay-Leader . I am a seating Supreme Court Judge of the Supreme Court of Zimbabwe.l am a registered legal practioner, a holder of the Bachelor of Law Honors(HBL) and Bachelor of Law degree (LLB), also a member of the International Women Judges of Association. I have 32 years experience as a Judicial Officer.
Bill Wadell, South Central Jurisdiction (4-year term)
Bill has served the UMC at all levels, including his local church’s lay leader, chair of church council and staff parish relations committee, church chancellor, Sunday School teacher, conference lay leader, VIM coordinator, conference chancellor and conference trustee. Since 2009, Bill has served as chancellor for the Council of Bishops. Bill and Patty are lifelong United Methodists and have three daughters, one serving as an ordained deacon. He will faithfully apply the Discipline to issues presented to the Judicial Council in a spirit that gives witness to the fullness of the truth and grace of Jesus Christ.
Andrew Vorbrich, North Central Jurisdiction (4-year term)
Chancellor of Michigan Conference since 2010; attorney since 1990; worships at Kalamazoo First.
Loves representing the legal issues of the church and its missions. Serves as President of the Chancellor’s Association, on UMC BSA Bankruptcy Committee, on GCFA Committee on Legal Affairs, on Disaffiliation Task Force, and served 10 years as Trustee at Garrett.
Traveling to 4 continents, 20+ countries, and all 50 US states, Andy has exposure to people and issues around the world. Favors regionalization and inclusion. Will work with the Judicial Council to make UMC efficient, offering salvation worldwide. Committed to finding creative solutions that preserve relationships.
Laity Alternates:
Erin Hawkins, Western Jurisdiction
• Laity, California - Pacific Annual Conference
• Executive Director of Connectional Ministries Cal-Pac 2020-present
• Served in multiple roles at the local, conference and general church levels
• Past General Secretary, General Commission of Religion and Race 2007-2020
• Current member General Board of Higher Education and Ministries
• A lifelong United Methodist committed to a new future in the UMC, I offer my understanding of the polity of the church and of governance issues to the application of the constitution in matters that will shape the future of our beloved denomination.
Jessica Vittorio, South Central Jurisdiction
Jessica Vittorio is a young adult and attorney, who serves as Senior Vice President of Legal for a publicly traded technology company. Throughout her career Jessica has worked to dismantle oppressive systems both in the courts and in institutions, and champion systems focused on justice that is both accessible and equitable. She has handled a variety of constitutional cases on topics including religious freedoms, women’s rights, immigration, and housing. With her extensive experience as a senior leader in positions related to legislative bodies, the courts, and corporate organizations, she offers a unique and vital perspective to the Judicial Council.
Kent Fulton, South Central Jurisdiction
Kent Fulton, a lay delegate from the Oklahoma annual conference, is an attorney who has practiced law and worked for the U.S. Department of Justice. Kent has 28 years of work as a Judge in the Oklahoma and United States governments. He was elected second laity alternate to Judicial Council in 2016 and has since served on the Judicial Council when needed including most recently on the Fall 2023 docket at Africa University. He has also served as Chancellor of the Oklahoma annual conference since June 2018, and helped navigate the conference through a very challenging disaffiliation season.
Thomas Lee, Southeastern Jurisdiction
Tom Lee has practiced government relations and high-profile dispute resolution in Nashville for nearly 30 years. An outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion, Tom is legislative counsel to the Tennessee Pride Chamber, pro bono counsel to RMN, and recently represented the Memphis Conference against a breakaway congregation. This spring, his lobbying stopped a discriminatory bathroom bill and legislation to ban Pride flags in public schools. A lifelong United Methodist, Tom is a member of West End UMC, a certified lay speaker, director of lay servant ministries, and the former district chancellor for the Nashville District, Tennessee Conference.
Thomas Starnes, Northeastern Jurisdiction
I am the son, brother, and uncle of Methodist preachers. I followed a different path, but have devoted much of my legal career to representing United Methodist institutions. Alongside serving as Chancellor of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, I have represented GCFA, GCORR, the Northeastern and Western jurisdictions, and the Greater New Jersey, Mountain Sky, North Texas, and Virginia conferences. I was appointed to serve on the Council of Bishops’ Disaffiliation Task Force and on GCFA’s Committee on Legal Responsibilities. I have frequently appeared before the Judicial Council, often as amicus curiae, and advocating for outcomes that ensure fidelity to bedrock principles of Methodist polity.
Laurie Day, Western Jurisdiction
Laurie Day, lay member of Fremont UMC (Portland, Oregon), earned a bachelor’s degree from Willamette (1999), master’s degrees from Iliff (2006), and Regis University (2014). She is Director of Connectional Ministries and Assistant to the Bishop (Oregon-Idaho) and served in finance and program positions with the Mountain Sky Conference. Laurie’s been a missionary on three continents, board member for Church and Society, Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry, and jurisdictional committees.
Laurie understands the importance of context, working in community, and that multiple opinions can be held simultaneously. Her diverse experience and faith will bring a needed perspective to the Judicial Council.
Clergy:
Angela Brown, Western Jurisdiction (8-year term)
My relationship with God and the church was nurtured in my home United Methodist Church, where I was given leadership roles and responsibilities.
I have served the church on the Local, District, Conference, and General Church levels.
At the 2008 General Conference, I was elected to the Judicial Council, resigning in 2016, when my status changed to clergy. I was ordained a Deacon, 2016, in the California-Nevada Annual Conference.
My education, profession, (Assistant District Attorney), and ministry have made me uniquely suited to serve the Church in this capacity at this time in the church’s history.
Susan Henry-Crowe, Southeastern Jurisdiction (8-year term)
Susan Henry-Crowe, Ordained Elder, member of the South Carolina Annual Conference is a retired General Secretary of the General Board of Church and Society. Previously, served on the Judicial Council (President 2008-2012). She has served at all levels of the UMC. As a pastor in 3 appointments, the Director of Connectional Ministries, Dean of the Chapel for 23 years at Emory University, Trustee of Claflin College, and on numerous boards and agencies of the UMC. Taught polity for many years. Life-long commitment to diversity and full inclusion.
Jonathan Ulanday, Philippines Central Conference (8-year term)
Ordained Elder (2000), East Mindanao Philippines Conference. He was a member of the Philippines Central Conference’s Judicial Court (2016-2022). Served as senior pastor of 6 churches, district superintendent, assistant to the bishop, adjunct seminary faculty, and national person-in-mission for labor advocacy and solidarity. Served on the board of the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, and the Commission of Churches for International Affairs - World Council of Churches. He earned the following academic degrees: Bachelor of Arts, University of Mindanao (1994), Master of Divinity, Union Theological Seminary-Philippines (1998), Juris Doctor, Mindanao State University College of Law (2020).
Øyvind Helliesen, Northern Europe and Eurasia Central Conference (4-year term)
Current member of the Judicial Council since 2016. Member and secretary of Norway AC. Appointed as a Hospital Chaplain and a professional Mentor/Supervisor. Former DS and dean of the cabinet. Graduated from UMC Seminary, MF Norwegian School of Theology, and University of Oslo. A delegate to General Conference 3 times. Former member of The General Council on Ministry, The Connectional Table, The European Methodist Council, The Northern Europe Conference Council and the Steering Committee of World Methodist Council. One of the editors of the adapted BOD for NECC. Has visited and worked with UMC in Zimbabwe, Liberia and Angola.
Luan-Vu Tran, Western Jurisdiction (4-year term)
Reverend Lui Tran is a member of the Judicial Council since 2016. Born in Vietnam and raised in Switzerland, he was a lawyer for the Swiss Government before serving as missionary in Africa. Ordained in the California-Pacific Annual Conference, Lui has been in ministry for over twenty years and is senior pastor of Garden Grove UMC, a growing multicultural and inclusive congregation in Southern California. Lui is fluent in Vietnamese, German, French, and English, graduated magna cum laude from the University of Bern, Harvard Law School, Claremont School of Theology, and holds a Ph.D. in Constitutional Law from McGill University.
Clergy Alternates:
Tim Bruster, South Central Jurisdiction
Dr. Tim Bruster retired in 2022 after nineteen years as Senior Pastor of First UMC in Fort Worth, TX, and currently serves as the Central Texas Conference Director of Finance and Administrative Services. He holds degrees from Centenary College of Louisiana and SMU.
Bruster has served on various boards and councils, including GCFA. He has been the lead clergy delegate to the past four General Conferences and serves in that capacity at the current General Conference.
Elected first clergy alternate to Judicial Council at the 2012 and 2016 General Conferences, Bruster has participated in 82 Judicial Council decisions.
Taylor Walters Denyer, Congo Central Conference
Taylor Walters Denyer (white, female, Rev. Dr.) is a pastor (North Katanga) and missiologist specializing in addressing toxic beliefs, structural oppression, and traumas that undermine relationships. Having lived in eight countries, she facilitates friendships between United Methodists across the globe. Born a UM preacher’s kid and serving in The UMC at all levels since her youth, Taylor has a deep understanding of the denomination and its history, as evidenced by her published writings. www.taylorwaltersdenyer.com
Degrees: BA/MA in International Development, MDiv, and ThD in Missiology
Appointment: Bishop Mande’s Executive Assistant, Adjunct Faculty at MTSO (Missiology and UM Studies)
Paul Perez, North Central Jurisdiction
Paul Perez is a Deacon in the Michigan Conference serving as Lead Minister at Detroit: Central UMC. He served as a Michigan Conference staff person with a portfolio of mission, justice, and young adult ministries and as Director of Connectional Ministries. Paul is a founding leader of Immigration Law & Justice Michigan and After the Storm Michigan. Past church experience: director of General Board of Higher Education and Ministry and 2004 General Conference delegate. Current church experience: director of General Board of Church and Society, co-chair of Michigan’s 2020 General Conference delegation and member of the NCJ Committee on Episcopacy.
Beverly Wilkes Null, North Central Jurisdiction
Endorsed by Illinois Great Rivers Conference
Relevant Experience
General Conference Delegate: 2000, 2004, and 2020
Connectional Table NCJ Rep 2004 to 2012
NCJ Court of Appeals Chair 2016 to Present
District Superintendent 2002 to 2009
Previously Served As
Human Relations Officer, EEOC for City of Decatur IL
Military Police MO National Guard Army
I humbly request your support as I respond to the call to serve on the Judicial Council. I view our Book of Discipline as a book of grace, it is our covenant, and our book of law.
Mark Grafenread, South Central Jurisdiction
Mark C. Grafenreed is an Elder in the Texas Annual Conference. He has served on the Boards of Church and Society and Ordained Ministry. Grafenreed is a Ph.D. Candidate in Religion and Culture through the Graduate Program in Religious Studies at Southern Methodist University. Grafenreed holds a B.A. in History ’98 from SMU, M.Div. (summa cum laude) ’18 from Perkins School of Theology, and a J.D. (magna cum laude) ’03 from Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Grafenreed has been a licensed Texas attorney since 2003, and owned his practice, The Grafenreed Law Firm, PLLC, from 2010-2020.
Kate Croskery-Jones, North Central Jurisdiction
Judicial philosophy: All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments (Love God and love your neighbor). (Matt 22:40)
Lead Pastor: Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church, Wauwatosa, WI (A Reconciling Congregation), www.WAUMC.org 2022-present.
• Practiced law 10 years before entering ministry;
• Served small, medium and larger churches in urban, suburban and rural settings;
• District Superintendent 2015-2022; cabinet dean 2019-2021;
• Jurisdictional delegate, First reserve general conference delegate;
• Counsel for the Church 2022-23;
• GCFA Committee on Corporate Governance and Legal Responsibilities 2016-Present;
• JustPeace volunteer/staff;
• Education JD, 1988; MDiv, MA (Pastoral Care & Counseling), 2002; PhD (Clinical Social Work) 2016.