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Mary Brooke Casad
Mary Brooke Casad
DALLAS, Texas -- Mary Brooke Casad has resigned as top executive of The United Methodist Church’s Connectional Table, according to an announcement from the agency's chairman, Bishop John Hopkins.
Mrs. Casad has provided administrative leadership to the Connectional Table since 2007. The Connectional Table is comprised of United Methodist bishops, heads of general boards and agencies, and lay and clergypersons representing all areas of the global denomination.
“Mary Brooke's life and leadership expresses the fruit of the Holy Spirit--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control," said Bishop Hopkins.
"Her leadership of the Connectional Table has enabled our church to take giant steps in dealing with current realities while envisioning a future with hope that comes from a deep faith in Jesus Christ. She has given servant leadership by providing radical hospitality and seeking unity in diversity around the Connectional Table that is responsible for the vision and stewardship of the mission, ministries and resources of our Church,” said the bishop.
In a statement, Mrs. Casad says she feels privileged for the opportunity to serve the Connectional Table.
“As our denomination has taken on the adaptive challenge of creating, fostering and sustaining vital congregations, I have been prayerfully contemplating my role in this endeavor," she was quoted in the press release. "My resignation is based on a desire to be more engaged with my local church and community, and be a full ministry partner with my husband in his role as pastor.”
Mrs. Casad has relocated to McKinney, Texas, a community some 40 miles northeast of Dallas, with her husband, the Rev. Victor Casad, who was appointed to Stonebridge United Methodist Church in July 2011. In addition to supporting the ministry there, she says she plans to focus on writing. Mrs. Casad is a well-known author of children’s books developed around the character of “Bluebonnet,” a Texas-born armadillo.
Mrs. Casad comes from a staunchly Methodist heritage. Her late father was Bishop Ben Oliphint, who served in the South Central Jurisdiction, and her brother, the Rev. Clayton Oliphint, is a leader in the North Texas Annual Conference. She has been a delegate to both General and Jurisdictional Conferences and active at the denominational level for more than two decades.
Bishop Bruce Ough, incoming Connectional TableChair, said that Mrs. Casad will remain on staff until a new executive secretary for the Connectional Table is elected. Mrs. Casad will assist with the January 2013 organizational meeting of the 2013-16 Connectional Table. Details about the search process will be announced shortly.