Bishop Announces Superintendent Appointment

Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey announces the appointment of the Rev. Tracey Beadle as the district superintendent of the new North District. Details of new districts are available online at riotexas.org/new-districts. Tracey is currently serving as the senior pastor at Austin Westlake UMC and has served there since 2017. This appointment will become effective July 1, 2025.

"I am so thankful for the steady leadership of Rev. Beadle. Her outstanding leadership in the church, district, and conference levels has prepared her for this season of supervisory ministry. We welcome her with excitement to the work of the cabinet!” said Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey. 

Rev. Beadle walks alongside those seeking to follow God’s call to serve and love God’s people. It is one of the most meaningful and rewarding aspects of her ministry. Her new role as district superintendent will allow her to continue to challenge herself and others to grow. She will learn alongside the clergy and laity of the newly formed North District by discerning together God’s dreams for the beloved communities of the district and conference.

Rev. Dr. Marcus Freeman, the current superintendent says, “Rev. Beadle is already an excellent leader of this district and I am so grateful someone of her gifts will lead this amazing district here in the Austin area!”

Dr. Freeman will be rolling off the cabinet after eight years of distinguished service to the conference and episcopal office. “Marcus has a deep level of commitment to God and the church. His wisdom and integrity enhanced the workings of the cabinet,” shared Bishop Harvey.

Tracey is a 1991 graduate of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Theatre and Radio, Television, and Motion Pictures. Before discerning a call to ministry, Tracey worked in business and finance. In 2008, she discerned a call to ministry and graduated in 2011 from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity. 

Tracey’s husband James works in logistics for the Lower Colorado River Authority. He loves golf, ice hockey, and being a girl-dad. James plays guitar (and several other stringed instruments) and sings in the church’s praise band.

James and Tracey have two adult daughters. Michaela graduated from Texas A&M last year with a degree in Communications and Business. She works in Austin in Public Relations. Zaye is a sophomore at Texas A&M pursuing a degree in education and aspires to be an elementary school teacher. They also love rescuing animals and currently parent two fat and happy orange cats, a sweet black lab mix, and a miniature poodle with an adorable underbite.

Tracey loves to travel. She also enjoys gardening, jogging, playing Spades with her family, and recently ran her first trail race. She experiences God in nature, especially meditating on the sky’s many transitions and mood—seeing the Aurora Borealis Northern Lights is at the top of her bucket list!