Delegation Endorses Amy Coles as Episcopal Nominee

The Western North Carolina delegation has endorsed the Rev. Amy Coles as their episcopal nominee. Kim Ingram, chair of the delegation, speaks on behalf of the delegates: "As a bishop, Rev. Amy Coles would bring a servant's heart, deep wisdom, strong faith and a clear calling to the work of the episcopacy. Her commitment to the Church and her openness to serving in "such a time as this" is a gift to us all. It is our honor to nominate Amy for the episcopacy."
 
Rev. Coles shares, “I am humbled by this nomination from the WNCC Delegation. I appreciate their affirmation of the gifts that God has placed within me, which have been nurtured and strengthened during the 27 years I’ve had the privilege of serving in the Western North Carolina Conference. Our denomination is at a crossroads. At stake is our relevancy and ability to impact future generations for God’s Kingdom. I believe that it is essential for The United Methodist Church to be open and embrace ALL of God’s children, for it is through this community of faith that they can encircled by God’s grace, formed as disciples of Jesus Christ, and sent out to share God’s love and mercy with the world.”
 
A life-long United Methodist, Rev. Coles currently serves as the Assistant to the Bishop in the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church.  A graduate of the University of North Carolina-Greensboro and Duke Divinity School, she was ordained as a deacon in 1992 and as an elder in 1994. She served in a variety of local churches before becoming a district superintendent in 2012. “Guided by the Wesleyan understanding of holiness of heart and life, I’ve understood my call as preaching, teaching, and modeling the interrelationship of discipleship and mission,” she says. This dual focus of discipleship and mission has been integral to each role she has held in the life of the United Methodist Church and has led her to this point as an episcopal nominee. 
 
Rev. Coles is an active participant with the denominational Connectional Table, the Board of Rural Faith Development CDC and the Thriving Rural Communities Initiative at Duke.  She is the guardian of her 22-year-old nephew, Specialist Brandon Estrada who serves in the United States Army, and she now cares for her 18-year-old niece, Mae. They both might describe her as “the cool aunt.”  She, on the other hand, describes it as an adventure in patience and prayer.