Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church
For Immediate Release
March 13, 2026
COB names Interim Committee on Organization for the New U.S. Regional Conference
Washington, D.C. — The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church has named a 25-member Interim Committee on Organization to guide the establishment and initial functioning of the new United States Regional Conference, which will encompass the five U.S. jurisdictions.
This action follows the ratification of the Regionalization Amendment to the Constitution of The United Methodist Church, as contained in the Book of Discipline.
Committee membership was determined using proportionate representation from the five U.S. jurisdictions, with a minimum of three members from each. In addition, three members from regional conferences in the Philippines, Africa, and Europe — selected by their respective regional bodies — will serve as advisors and consultants to the Interim Committee on Organization, ensuring global perspective and collaboration.
"The formation of the Interim Committee on Organization marks a historic and hopeful step in the life of our church. As we move forward with the implementation of regionalization, this committee will help ensure that the United States Regional Conference is launched with clarity, collaboration, and a deep commitment to our shared mission," said Bishop Tracy S. Malone, president of the Council of Bishops.
"We are grateful for the faithful leadership, diverse gifts, and world-wide partnership represented in this group, and we trust that their work will strengthen our witness and our unity across the connection," she said.
According to the enabling legislation from the 2020/2024 General Conference, the Interim Committee on Organization is charged with:
- Selecting the time and place for the initial gathering of the United States Regional Conference.
- Collaborating with the Secretary and Business Manager of the General Conference to plan the first gathering of the United States Regional Conference.
- Recommending to the United States Regional Conference, in consultation with the appropriate committees of the Commission on the General Conference, the committees and officers needed to ensure the effective functioning of the new regional body.
- Concluding its work at the close of the first gathering of the United States Regional Conference, unless the new regional body authorizes the committee to continue for a defined time and purpose.
Interim Committee on Organization Members
| Name | Gender | Role | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jenny Arneson | Female | Clergy | NCJ |
| Derrek Belase | Male | Clergy | SCJ |
| Stephen Cady | Male | Clergy | NEJ |
| April Casperson | Female | Clergy | NCJ |
| Sung Chung | Male | Clergy | NEJ |
| Johnson Dodla | Male | Clergy | NEJ |
| Nitza E. Dovenspike | Female | Lay | NCJ |
| Jeff Furtado | Male | Clergy | SEJ |
| Paul Gomez | Male | Lay | WJ |
| Anish Hermon | Male | Lay | NCJ |
| Kim Jenne | Female | Clergy | SCJ |
| Emily Kincaid | Female | Clergy | SEJ |
| Ramonica Malone-Wardley | Female | Clergy | SCJ |
| Mallory Miles | Female | Lay | NEJ |
| Bennie Grace Nabua | Female | Clergy | WJ |
| Priscilla Patterson | Female | Lay | SCJ |
| Karli Pidgeon | Female | Clergy | SCJ |
| Alice Rogers | Female | Clergy | SEJ |
| Phil Rogers | Male | Clergy | WJ |
| Derrick L. Scott III | Male | Lay | SEJ |
| Amy Shanholtzer | Female | Clergy | NEJ |
| Kim Simpson | Female | Lay | SCJ |
| LaNella Smith | Female | Lay | SEJ |
| Monalisa Tu'itahi | Female | Lay | WJ |
| Laura Witkowski | Female | Lay | NCJ |
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Media Contact:
Rev. Dr. Maidstone Mulenga
Director of Communications, Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church
(202) 748-5172