It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar, who passed away unexpectedly on July 18.
A retired bishop who served the New England Conference from 2012 to 2022 and the Greater New Jersey Conference from 2004 to 2012, Bishop Devadhar was celebrated throughout the denomination as a man of deep prayer. He was a servant leader who possessed a gentle heart, and a deep and abiding faith and intellect. He preached in recent years in the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Conferences and led a Bible Study on the Ten Commandments at the latter in June.
He was the person Bishop LaTrelle Easterling referred to as “my bishop.” His philosophy of life and ministry, he said, was “love everybody.” One of the ways he embodied that ethos was leading sacred pilgrimages abroad. He firmly believed that holy pilgrimages broadened understandings, developed relationships and deepened discipleship. He led many to The Holy Land, and was instrumental in leading youth and young adults to Taize in France and on The Mission of Peace.
Bishop Devadhar was elected to the episcopacy in 2004 by the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church. He retired on Jan. 1, 2023. According to his official biography, Bishop Devadahr was born into a family of clergypersons and has been a follower of God all his life. The name "Devadhar" means "follower of God." Suda, as he was called, began his pastorate as a deacon at the Church of South India, Mercara Coorg, India. He held a B.Com. degree from Vijaya College, University of Mysore, Mulki, India; a B.D., degree from United Theological College, Bangalore, India; a M.Th. degree from Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University; and an M.Phil. and a Ph.D. from Drew University. Before 2004, he served for eight years as the district superintendent for the Ontario District of the North Central New York Annual Conference.
Speaking of his time in the episcopacy he said, "I envision a Church of the Pentecost in which the Holy Spirit is igniting, gifting and empowering God's children of all ages, backgrounds, colors and personalities to glorify their Creator as passionate witnesses for Jesus Christ. Such a church does not merely serve the poor, the left out, the different, but welcomes them warmly into its hearts, homes, and worship."
He is survived by his wife, Prema; his daughter, Trina; son-in-law Gage; and his grandchildren.
