Western Jurisdiction

Bishops Elaine J. W. Stanovsky and Grant Hagiya UMNS Photo by Marta Aldrich

Bishop Grant Hagiya

Seattle Area (Pacific Northwest and Alaska Missionary Conferences)

Years to Serve as an Active Bishop: 12

 Birth date: Jan. 3, 1952

 Greatest Hope for The Church:  That we as United Methodists will be relevant to each new generation of our world, and especially reach out to the lost and least in our society.   

Greatest Challenge Facing The Church:  Managing the necessary transitional change that must occur if we are to be relevant to a new world. 

Primary Scripture Guiding Your Life and Ministry:  John 10:10: "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." 

Favorite Biblical Character: Next to Jesus, of course, Queen Esther, because she represents what many ethnic minority people face in their own journey. 

Favorite Hymn:  "This is the Day of New Beginnings." 

Ministry Setting that Has Been Most Meaningful to You and Why:  All of my ministry settings have been significant and meaningful.

Immediate Family: Spouse: Janet Hagiya; Children: Alexis Hagiya, 26; Jamie Hagiya, 23; and Trent Hagiya, 20.

Hometown:  Born in Chicago, Ill., and raised in San Jose, Calif.

Appointment When Elected:  Executive Director of Leadership, California-Pacific Conference, and the Center for Leadership Excellence, Claremont School of Theology.

Bishop Elaine J.W. Stanovsky

Denver Area (Rocky Mountain and Yellowstone Conferences)

 Years to Serve as an Active Bishop:  16

 Birth date: Oct. 12, 1953

 Greatest Hope for The Church:  That our institutional church will learn once again to be a movement through which the power of the Holy Spirit nourishes people who hunger and thirst for faith and righteousness.  

 Greatest Challenge Facing The Church:  Following Jesus without counting the cost.

 Primary Scripture Guiding Your Life and Ministry:   Hebrews 11: 1: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

Favorite Biblical Character: The boy who shared what he had (John 6).

 Favorite Hymn: "Bring Many Names" by Brian Wren, which was excluded from the current hymnal.

 Ministry Setting that Has Been Most Meaningful to You:  Whichever one I am in at the moment. I delight in finding the ministry opportunity in each setting: homeless ministry, local church, ecumenical council, district superintendent, conference office.

Immediate Family: Spouse: Clinton S. Stanovsky; Sons: Walker Stanovsky, 24; Micah Stanovksy, 21; and Axel Stanovksy, 19.

Hometown: I was born in Vancouver, Wash., raised in Bellevue, Wash., and have lived in Everett, Wash., for 13 years.  My ministry for 18 years has been in and around Seattle.

Appointment When Elected: Seattle District Superintendent.