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Regular Session, 2012 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 78
BY SENATOR ADLEY
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To commend William H. Hutchinson, Bishop of the Louisiana Area of the United Methodist
Church and Episcopal Director of the Foundation for Evangelism, for his many years
of leadership and to congratulate him upon the occasion of his retirement.
WHEREAS, William Hutchinson, Bishop of the Louisiana Area of the United
Methodist Church, has been a driving force for innovative change within the conference by
setting ideas in motion, moving forward beyond mere rhetoric to overt acts of evangelism
and enlightenment, and has been a blessing to all who have been touched by his kindness and
spirit of generosity; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Hutchinson has provided spiritual direction to congregations and
conferences of the United Methodist Church for nearly fifty years; and
WHEREAS, born in Hobbs, New Mexico, on November 11, 1941, he came of age
within that community, and attained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of
Oklahoma in 1963; and
WHEREAS, it was at this time that Bishop William Hutchinson began his devotional
odyssey as an ordained deacon and elder, and later became a pastor after completion of his
divinity school studies at Duke University in1966; and
WHEREAS, he has also garnered honorary doctorate degrees of divinity from
McMurry University in Texas and Centenary College in Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Hutchinson had pastorate assignments at Aldersgate United
Methodist Church in Hobbs, New Mexico, First United Methodist Church of Marfa, Texas,
First United Methodist Church of Artesia, New Mexico, St. Paul's United Methodist Church
in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and Central United Methodist Church in Albuquerque,
New Mexico; and
WHEREAS, before his ordination, Bishop Hutchinson was the Odessa, New Mexico SCR NO. 78 ENROLLED
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District Superintendent and also Executive Director of the New Mexico Conference of the
Methodist Foundation; and
WHEREAS, his abiding faith, stewardship, and powerful preaching skill have
allowed him to accomplish sizable ecclesiastic achievements within the hierarchy of the
church; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Hutchinson has taken part in all manner of church sanctioned
ministerial training programs as delegate, team leader, chairman, officer, board member, or
coordinator; among which were the Board of Discipleship, the National Association of
United Methodist Foundations, Board of Higher Education and Ministry, the National
Clergywomen's Consultation, College of Bishops, the Jurisdictional Committee on the
Episcopacy, The New Mexico Annual Conference Cabinet, Council on Ministries, the New
Church Development Committee, Council on Finance and Administration, the Bishop's
Ministry Cabinet, the Board of Church and Society, the Board of Ordained Ministry, and the
Institute for World Evangelism; and
WHEREAS, in the chaotic aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, and the
trials and tribulations that followed, Bishop Hutchinson and the Louisiana Conference
instituted innovations within the ministry, including a new initiative to re-commit to the
tenets of Methodist discipleship and apostolic service; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Hutchinson has heart and passion fused into new spiritual
directions and his visionary leadership has opened doors for renewal of purpose within the
Louisiana Conference, both in clergy and laity, that affirms God's call to worship in the five
hundred United Methodist churches in Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, the accolades lavished upon Bishop Hutchinson have been most
deserved and representative of his spirit of fellowship and charity; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Hutchinson and his wife, Kay, established their Christian home
on August 30, 1964, and reared two fine sons, John, a music ministry director, and Mark, a
teacher, and have always strived to be an exemplary Christian family; and
WHEREAS, he is a man of unshakable faith, a servant of God with a deep respect
and profound love for his fellow man, and an effective communicator of the ideals of
understanding, tolerance, and brotherhood; and SCR NO. 78 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, Bishop Hutchinson is a teacher and a scholar blessed with a compelling
commitment to the betterment of humankind, whenever and wherever possible; and
WHEREAS, although Bishop Hutchinson relinquishes his official duties in 2012, he
does not rest on his laurels, but moves forward into his next phase of God's work, for each
day brings fresh opportunities for service and compassion.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend and congratulate William H. Hutchinson, Bishop of the Louisiana Area of the
United Methodist Church and Episcopal Director of the Foundation for Evangelism upon the
occasion of his retirement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Bishop William H. Hutchinson.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES