Congratulations to Bishop-elect Rev. Tracey Breashears, the next Bishop of our RIC partner, Gulf Coast Synod! 
On Saturday, May 17, at the Synod Assembly, Bishop’s Associate Tracey Breashears Schultz was elected as the 4th bishop of the Gulf Coast Synod. On the first ballot for bishop, 26 pastors were nominated. Pastor Tracey Breashears Schultz, Bishop’s Associate for Leadership, received 127 votes, a majority, but not the 75% required. Following that vote, nominees have the right to withdraw. All did with the exception of nine. Those nine appeared on the second ballot. Tracey received 159 votes, but did not achieve the 75% required. After speeches, Pastor Tracey was elected on the third ballot. Bishop Michael Rinehart is grateful for all who carefully discerned this call, whether they withdrew or continued on through the process.
This summer, Bishop-elect Tracey Breashears Schultz will attend New Bishop Formation and the ELCA Churchwide Assembly. She and Bishop Michael Rinehart will begin the gradual process of handing over the duties of the office, and she will officially begin as Bishop on September 1. Sunday, September 7, at 4:00 pm, Bishop Tracey Breashears Schultz will be installed at Living Word Lutheran Church in Katy, Texas, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton presiding. A reception on Saturday may take place in conjunction with the Lutherhill Gala.
Read original post on the Gulf Coast Synod facebook page.