In a special meeting Saturday in Houston, the Episcopal Diocese of Texas elected the Right Rev. Don A. Wimberly, assistant bishop of the diocese since 1999, the bishop coadjutor.

Wimberly, 65, a native of Louisiana currently living in Tyler, will replace the Right Rev. Claude E. Payne in June 2004, when Payne plans to step down as bishop. At a Diocesan Council meeting in February this year, Payne asked for a coadjutor, ultimately announcing his plans for retirement.

"Before he (Payne) retires, he has to call for a new bishop to take his place, who will be elected by the clergy and by our council. In the interim between the new bishop's election and the current bishop's retirement, the elected bishop is referred to as the bishop coadjutor," said Jewel McGraw, Wimberly’s administrative assistant.

"I'm very happy for him, because I think he will make an excellent bishop of this diocese. He was my bishop when I lived in Lexington," Mrs. McGraw said.

Wimberly served as bishop of Lexington, Ky., for 15 years before coming to Tyler and also serves as chancellor of the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn., a seven-year position he has held since 1997, and has been on the university’s board of regents since 1991.

As assistant bishop, Wimberly offers congregational development as well as confirmation of new members and clergy pastoral care. He also aids any bishop who is in town and clergy who need assistance.

"He's very personable and compassionate—just a wonderful person. Everybody has fallen in love with him,” Mrs. McGraw said.

"People have been wonderful, gracious and loving to us," Wimberly said after returning from Houston Sunday night. "They have been so wonderful…and I think, in some sense, this is a compliment to them for me to be elected, and I treasure that."

Lamenting his imminent departure from the area—and covering East Texas from Marshall to the Gulf Coast—Wimberly is also “extremely excited” about the move to Houston, which he expects to make near the end of summer with his wife, Wendy.

"It's a double-edged sword," he said, "always sad, but excited about the future and possibilities ahead.

"It's a tremendous privilege and honor to be elected."

Wimberly was one of seven candidates vying for the position, and delegates cast ballots three times before he received the minimum number of votes needed to be elected.

He called his children, Julie and Brent, both from Atlanta, Ga., from the council floor to share the news as soon as it was announced.

Another bishop will replace him in East Texas, but there is no hint yet as to who it might be or when.

"I hope it will be soon," Wimberly said.

When asked if he was surprised by the election, Wimberly said, "You're always surprised, I think, at the kind of support and privilege that's offered to you. "You're never sure how the Holy Spirit will move in your life."

Originally published by the Tyler Morning Telegraph.