DSC Communications
In October 2014 Julie O’Neal, Administrative Assistant to Bishop Robert Hoshibata, will be leaving the Desert Southwest Conference to take a position as the Executive Assistant to Rev. Dr. Susan Henry-Crowe, General Secretary of the General Board of Church and Society (GBCS). Rev. Dr. Henry-Crowe was the Bible study leader at the 2014 Desert Southwest Annual Conference session. The General Board of Church and Society is one of the four program agencies of The United Methodist Church and has offices on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC and at the Church Center for the United Nations in New York, NY.
Julie is no stranger to United Methodism. She comes from a long line of United Methodists and her great-great grandfather Lewis J. Hedgpeth, was instrumental in bringing Methodism to the territory of Arizona. She has been with the Bishop’s office since 2010 and previously worked at the Division on Ministries with Young People (General Board of Discipleship) in young adult ministries in Nashville, TN from 2005-2009. Her interest in social justice issues, especially related to environmental stewardship, has been a presence in her life since junior high. She has assisted Bishop Bob not only in his role as Bishop, but also as the President of the General Board of Church and Society and has found great satisfaction in the ways in which her calling to the ministry of church administration has played out within the office. Her knowledge of the church, theological understanding, and insight to the work of various constituencies within The United Methodist Church have prepared her well.
I am excited to work for the GBCS and I eagerly anticipate the ways that my faith and my work will intersect. While I am thrilled about the opportunities in this new chapter of life, I also carry a heavy heart as I leave the amazing people and ministry that are a part of the Desert Southwest Conference. It has been a great honor and privilege to work for both Bishop Carcaño and Bishop Hoshibata. They are both tremendous leaders and I am immensely grateful for all that I have learned from working with them. – Julie O’Neal
The current role of the Assistant to the Bishop serves as the first contact of the office, often balancing roles as a business manager, public relations administrator, event planner, meeting support person, and relationship builder. Julie elevated the position further as a trusted and reliable partner in ministry.
The transition to this episcopal area would have been much more difficult for me without the strong support and assistance of Julie O’Neal. She brings her experience with The United Methodist Church with all its complexities and couples that with her many skills for the ministry of the church with her and adds a very positive, caring spirit of hospitality and joy for all as she has supported my office. I will miss working with her, but I also know that Dr. Susan Henry-Crowe, the General Board of Church and Society, and the wider church community will be richly blessed by her considerable talent, her knowledge and experience, and her support. I wish her the very best as she moves into this new venue of service and leadership. – Bishop Bob Hoshibata
The Episcopal office of the Desert Southwest Conference will be accepting resumes and job applications from interested candidates beginning Wednesday, August 13 through Wednesday, September 10, 2014 with a preferred hiring date of September 29, 2014. Prayerfully consider if you or someone you know may be a potential candidate for this role of Administrative Assistant to the Bishop. Please visit http://desertsouthwestconference.org/jobs to find a complete job description and application form. Questions may be submitted to Julie O’Neal via e-mail at joneal@dscumc.org and résumés and applications are to be submitted to Bishop Bob at bishop@dscumc.org.
