SLS 12RS-2723 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 3
Regular Session, 2012
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 78
BY SENATOR ADLEY
COMMENDATIONS. Commends William W. Hutchinson, Bishop of the Louisiana Area
of the United Methodist Church, upon his retirement.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To commend William H. Hutchinson, Bishop of the Louisiana Area of the United Methodist2
Church and Episcopal Director of the Foundation for Evangelism, for his many years3
of leadership and to congratulate him upon the occasion of his retirement.4
WHEREAS, William Hutchinson, Bishop of the Louisiana Area of the United5
Methodist Church, has been a driving force for innovative change within the conference by6
setting ideas in motion, moving forward beyond mere rhetoric to overt acts of evangelism7
and enlightenment, and has been a blessing to all who have been touched by his kindness and8
spirit of generosity; and9
WHEREAS, Bishop Hutchinson has provided spiritual direction to congregations and10
conferences of the United Methodist Church for nearly fifty years; and11
WHEREAS, born in Hobbs, New Mexico, on November 11, 1941, he came of age12
within that community, and attained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of13
Oklahoma in 1963; and14
WHEREAS, it was at this time that Bishop William Hutchinson began his devotional15
odyssey as an ordained deacon and elder, and later became a pastor after completion of his16
divinity school studies at Duke University in1966; and17
WHEREAS, he has also garnered honorary doctorate degrees of divinity from18 SCR NO. 78
SLS 12RS-2723 ORIGINAL
Page 2 of 3
McMurry University in Texas and Centenary College in Louisiana; and1
WHEREAS, Bishop Hutchinson had pastorate assignments at Aldersgate United2
Methodist Church in Hobbs, New Mexico, First United Methodist Church of Marfa, Texas,3
First United Methodist Church of Artesia, New Mexico, St. Paul's United Methodist Church4
in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and Central United Methodist Church in Albuquerque,5
New Mexico; and6
WHEREAS, before his ordination, Bishop Hutchinson was the Odessa, New Mexico7
District Superintendent and also Executive Director of the New Mexico Conference of the8
Methodist Foundation; and9
WHEREAS, his abiding faith, stewardship, and powerful preaching skill have10
allowed him to accomplish sizable ecclesiastic achievements within the hierarchy of the11
church; and12
WHEREAS, Bishop Hutchinson has taken part in all manner of church sanctioned13
ministerial training programs as delegate, team leader, chairman, officer, board member, or14
coordinator; among which were the Board of Discipleship, the National Association of15
United Methodist Foundations, Board of Higher Education and Ministry, the National16
Clergywomen's Consultation, College of Bishops, the Jurisdictional Committee on the17
Episcopacy, The New Mexico Annual Conference Cabinet, Council on Ministries, the New18
Church Development Committee, Council on Finance and Administration, the Bishop's19
Ministry Cabinet, the Board of Church and Society, the Board of Ordained Ministry, and the20
Institute for World Evangelism; and21
WHEREAS, in the chaotic aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, and the22
trials and tribulations that followed, Bishop Hutchinson and the Louisiana Conference23
instituted innovations within the ministry, including a new initiative to re-commit to the24
tenets of Methodist discipleship and apostolic service; and25
WHEREAS, Bishop Hutchinson has heart and passion fused into new spiritual26
directions and his visionary leadership has opened doors for renewal of purpose within the27
Louisiana Conference, both in clergy and laity, that affirms God's call to worship in the five28
hundred United Methodist churches in Louisiana; and29
WHEREAS, the accolades lavished upon Bishop Hutchinson have been most30 SCR NO. 78
SLS 12RS-2723 ORIGINAL
Page 3 of 3
deserved and representative of his spirit of fellowship and charity; and1
WHEREAS, Bishop Hutchinson and his wife, Kay, established their Christian home2
on August 30, 1964, and reared two fine sons, John, a music ministry director, and Mark, a3
teacher, and have always strived to be an exemplary Christian family; and4
WHEREAS, he is a man of unshakable faith, a servant of God with a deep respect5
and profound love for his fellow man, and an effective communicator of the ideals of6
understanding, tolerance, and brotherhood; and7
WHEREAS, Bishop Hutchinson is a teacher and a scholar blessed with a compelling8
commitment to the betterment of humankind, whenever and wherever possible; and9
WHEREAS, although Bishop Hutchinson relinquishes his official duties in 2012, he10
does not rest on his laurels, but moves forward into his next phase of God's work, for each11
day brings fresh opportunities for service and compassion.12
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby13
commend and congratulate William H. Hutchinson, Bishop of the Louisiana Area of the14
United Methodist Church and Episcopal Director of the Foundation for Evangelism upon the15
occasion of his retirement.16
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to17
Bishop William H. Hutchinson.18
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Susan P. Montague.
DIGEST
Adley SCR No.
Commends Bishop William H. Hutchinson upon the occasion of his retirement.