At the December Synod Council meeting, NC Synod Vice President Diana Haywood announced the appointment of two committees for the purpose of accomplishing the important task of electing a bishop at the upcoming synod assembly. VP Haywood outlined the particulars of this important task earlier this fall.

The Bishop’s Transition Committee, chaired by Deacon Tammy Jones West, will manage pieces of the transition from one bishop to the next, including a celebration of Bishop Smith and the installation of the newly-elected bishop.

The Bishop’s Election Committee, co-chaired by Pastor Josh Copeland and Allison Runge, will manage the particulars of the bishop’s election at the 2025 NC Synod Assembly. The guidelines for the election of a bishop are much different than the other elections that will take place; those will be managed by the Assembly Elections Committee.

The members of each of these new committees are noted below.

Bishop’s Transition Committee

• Deacon Tammy Jones West, Chair
• Deacon Laura Buff Alexander
• The Rev. Karen Battle
• Mr. John Fleming
• Mr. Paul Phillips
• Ms. Donna Prunkl
• The Rev. Scott Suskovic

Bishop’s Election Committee

• The Rev. Josh Copeland, Co-Chair
• Ms. Allison Runge, Co-Chair
• The Rev. Mark Coulter
• Mr. Fred Black
• The Rev. Emily Graff
• Ms. Lisa Hamilton
• Mr. Mark Howell