The community of Frankfort and St. Matthew United Methodist Church were joined by Hoosiers from across the region Thursday morning to welcome Bishop Tracy Malone to the community where she heard more about the mission of St. Matthew, including its ministry with Trinity Hope Center, and other regional churches.
Bishop Malone was recently assigned as the resident bishop for the Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church, which became effective on Sept. 1. Bishop Malone was elected to the episcopacy at the 2016 North Central Jurisdictional Conference and has served as the resident bishop of the East Ohio Conference ever since. She is currently serving as the President of the Council of Bishops and the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women while also being a member of the Board of Trustees of Africa University.
Bishop Malone visited St. Matthew Thursday morning to meet members of the church and hear about its mission, and she intends to continue visiting with communities in every district throughout the state that she oversees within the conference based upon the notion of being “all in and on the move.” North Central District Conference Superintendent Rev. Saneta Maiko welcomed the community members and those from out of the county, such as visitors from Zionsville and surrounding counties, to the breakfast with Bishop Malone where she spoke about her personal mission to understand the successes and the tribulations that the local churches experience.
“I was very intentional when I was assigned to the Indiana conference and really prayed about how will I onboard myself to this conference,” Malone said. “There were many suggestions and opportunities from people outside of the conference, even some ideas that came from some folk within the conference, but the Lord gave me a vision, and that vision was in my first 90 days, that I would work with the District Superintendents to create an itinerary for every single district for me to get out to all 10 districts in the first 90 days so that I could connect, so that I can listen, so that I can learn, so that I can be with and among you and to be able to offer some words of encouragement, some words of hope and even offer some vision.”
During the breakfast, attendees were able to share their own involvement in the ministry, and Bishop Malone and attendees were treated to presentations from the St. Matthew Preschool staff and the volunteers that orchestrate Brianna’s Hope every week to further illustrate the ongoing community-oriented vision present within the church.
Following the visitation with the members of St. Matthew and beyond during the breakfast, attendees traveled with Bishop Malone to Trinity Hope Center to listen and learn about the services offered at the facility, which was created with the partnership of St. Matthew and Healthy Communities of Clinton County to provide further recovery resources within the county while continuing the ministry experienced within the walls of Trinity United Methodist Church before it closed its doors.
During the visit to Trinity Hope, Bishop Malone was treated to presentations from Frankfort Mayor Judy Sheets, Chaplain Jim Farrer, Healthy Communities Director of Operations Kathy Martin and Trinity Hope Director Chris Ward. During the presentations, Sheets illustrated the continued support from the city for the recovery community, which was echoed by her fellow presenters. Farrer, Martin and Ward explained their roles within the ministry present at Trinity Hope, stating that those in the recovery community have regained their voices through the immense community support while also giving back to the community through volunteerism.
Following the presentations, Bishop Malone left the community with a message that promised continued ministry within the community, including those involved with the United Methodist church, those in recovery, those leading the way in the county and beyond.
“As I’m sitting here, my heart is feeling so overwhelmed and overwhelmed with joy,” Malone said. “When we talk about making disciples and being disciples of Jesus Christ, and when we talk about transformation and healing and holding in our role in our ministry in our work as disciples being a part of that transformation, this is what it looks like, and I am so thankful and grateful for all and any who have any part or have had any part in coming alongside the vision and recognizing the need and seizing the opportunity all for the glory of God.”
Bishop Malone continued to address those in recovery and those leading the way in the recovery community to support and prioritize those who are beginning and continuing their journeys to recovery.
“We all struggle with some form of addiction, but to have a place, a safe place, a refuge place where you can be guarded as God’s beloved and know that your life matters, where we can form loving community and be community together, that is the discipleship at its best,” Malone said. “This is kingdom right here.”
Bishop Malone’s message to the community (7:49 length):
Prior to departing, Bishop Malone led attendees in prayer as she blessed the work conducted by leaders and the community.
