GCSRW celebrates the election of Bishop Mujinga Kashala

The Rev. Mujinga Kashala, district superintendent and pastor in South Congo, has been elected as a bishop by the Mid Africa Central Conference.

She is the second woman elected a United Methodist bishop on the African continent, and the first in the former Congo Central Conference.

“It's exciting to see how the Holy Spirit is at work across our connection calling and empowering women to serve at every level of leadership with the denomination," says Stephanie York Arnold, GCSRW's general secretary. "All of us at GCSRW applaud the election of Bishop Kashala as a visible sign of hope for United Methodists everywhere, but particularly for young girls and women in Africa. Having diverse leadership within the Church at all levels invites others to see the possibility that God may very well be at work in their own lives, calling them to a life of service and ministry too."

Read the United Methodist News story.

Annual Conference COSROW Monitoring Forms

Download forms: AC COSROW Monitoring Forms
GCSRW provides standardized forms and tools to help the denomination, its members, and leaders hold the most inclusive sessions possible, where every voice is respected and given an opportunity to be heard. We encourage you to:

Review observer sheets and sample scripts
Understand how to report findings
Prepare to submit reports to your AC COSROW Chair and GCSRW

Meet GCSRW's newest team members!

Rev. Dr. Tyler Schwaller, an ordained deacon in the Iowa Conference, began his first day with GCSRW as Director of Sexual Ethics on July 14. He brings extensive experience in equity and justice work, previously serving as Student Equity Officer for Portland Public Schools in Maine. A former GCSRW board member (2008–2016), Schwaller chaired the Legislative Committee and represented the agency at General Conference.

Rev. Katrena King, a provisional deacon in the Louisiana Conference, will join GCSRW as Director of Monitoring and Resource Development on August 4. She brings expertise in leadership development, DEI strategy, and education, and previously served as Executive Director of the Leadership Institute of Acadiana. A former GCSRW board member, King co-chaired the Legislative Task Force for the 2020/2024 General Conference, helping pass 10 pieces of legislation.

Rev. Kelli Hitchman-Craig, an ordained elder in the Alabama-West Florida Conference, will join GCSRW as Director of Leadership Development and Community Engagement on August 14. She currently serves as Associate Pastor at Auburn UMC and as Monitoring Chair for her conference’s COSROW. A lifelong United Methodist, she understands the importance of revitalizing local ministries and equipping churches for transformation.