Bishop Peter D. Weaver of the New England Conference of The United Methodist Church has appointed The Reverend LaTrelle Miller Easterling as the new District Superintendent for the Metro Boston Hope District. Rev. Easterling will succeed Martin D. McLee, who has served as District Superintendent for the past four years. McLee was elected as Bishop at the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference on July 19th and will serve the New York Annual Conference.
Rev. Easterling has served the Union United Methodist Church in Boston’s historic South End for the past four years. She will transition from the church to her new appointment as District Superintendent by September 24, 2012.
“Under LaTrelle’s leadership, Union Church in Boston has deepened its ministries in spiritual formation, evangelism, and community involvement,” Bishop Weaver stated. “She has a passion for social justice and for leading and encouraging others in following Jesus. I am confident that her dynamic yet grace-filled presence will serve the district and the New England Conference well.”
Previously, Rev. Easterling served as pastor of Pearl Street UMC in Brockton, MA, and Old West Church, United Methodist in Boston, MA. She was born and raised in the United Methodist Church, and received her call to ministry while a member of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church, where she was ordained a deacon in 1995 and an elder in 1997. She attended Boston University School of Theology, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2004 with a Master of Divinity, transferring into the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church that same year. She is a published author and frequent teacher and speaker.
Her ministry includes being an active member of the community and the Conference, serving on the District Committee of the Metro Boston Hope District, the Board of Ordained Ministry of the New England Conference, the Board of Directors of the Hattie B. Cooper Community Center, and the Anna Howard Shaw Board at Boston University School of Theology.
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Rev. Martin McLee (left) with Rev. LaTrelle Easterling at the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference in July 2012. McLee was elected as one of the three news Bishops in the Jurisdiction. Photo by Karen Munson.
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In 2012, Rev. Easterling served as Delegate to the General Conference and the Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church. She serves on the Northeastern Jurisdiction’s Multi-Ethnic Center Board, and is also a member of the Programs and Arrangements Committee for the 2016 Jurisdictional Conference.
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“LaTrelle already has a deep connection with the Metro Boston Hope District. Through her local church, district and conference work, and community involvement, she has contributed significantly to the spirit of the district,” Bishop Weaver said. “I am grateful to the District Committee on the Superintendency for their discernment and affirmation in this process, and to Rev. Easterling for her commitment to serve Christ and the Church in this new role.”
Rev. Easterling is married to the Rev. Marion Easterling, Jr., the pastor of Old West Church, United Methodist, in Boston, MA. They are the proud parents of two teenage sons, Garrett Walter and Miles Teronza.
Rev. LaTrelle Miller Easterling will serve as District Superintendent. Photo courtesy of Union UMC.
