Time passes quickly—it's hard to believe that a year has already gone by since the ordination and consecration of The Rt. Rev. Dr. Dorothy Sanders Wells as Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi. It feels like only months ago that we witnessed the inspiring ceremony. The sight of bishops from across the country, vested in robes and mitres (the tall peaked headdresses worn by bishops), each carrying a crozier—a ceremonial staff symbolizing pastoral authority—was both moving and enlightening. Conversations that day deepened our understanding of the tradition and significance of the moment.
Bishop Wells was ordained on July 20, 2024, at St. Andrew's Episcopal School in Ridgeland, and seated in St. Andrew's Cathedral the following day. She is the 11th Bishop of Mississippi, succeeding the Rt. Rev. Brian R. Seage, who served from 2014 until formally passing the crozier to her.
A true Southerner, Bishop Wells grew up in Mobile, Ala., in the Baptist tradition. Her education took her to Tennessee and Georgia before she settled in Mississippi. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in music from Rhodes College and her Juris Doctor from the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at the University of Memphis. For 18 years she practiced employee benefits law at FedEx Corporation and Waring Cox, PLLC before answering God's call to ordained ministry. She earned her Master of Divinity from Memphis Theological Seminary and her Doctor of Ministry from Candler School of Theology at Emory University.
In her first year as Bishop, she has traveled the state extensively and feels deeply connected to Mississippi. She is committed to fostering community dialogue, racial healing, justice, and equity for all of God's people. She has been impressed by the strong community engagement she's seen in congregations across the diocese, including the many food banks and feeding programs.
Bishop Wells leads by example. On a recent visit to a church serving 100 people daily, she arrived at 6 a.m. to help. With all duties assigned, she found her place serving syrup for pancakes—moving from table to table with a smile, asking, "More syrup?" It's a perfect reflection of her hands-on, servant-leadership style.
Her crozier is itself a sermon—crafted by Gullah artist Thomas Williams, it commemorates both the date of her ordination, chosen in honor of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Amelia Bloomer, Sojourner Truth, and Harriet Tubman, and four biblical women whose faith and courage inspire her ministry:
The Samaritan woman at the well (John)
The Canaanite/Syrophoenician woman (Matthew, Mark)
The hemorrhaging woman (Matthew, Mark, Luke)
Mary Magdalene, the first witness to the Resurrection
Symbols for each are incorporated into the design: a hand reaching for Jesus' garment, a well, a loaf of bread, and a road traveled by Mary Magdalene as she shared the Resurrection.
This past year, Bishop Wells hosted former Presiding Bishop Michael Curry for a powerful conversation on the 70th anniversary of Emmett Till's death. Together, they reflected on the lasting impact of his murder, perceptions of Mississippi, and the Episcopal Church's ongoing work as a source of healing.
Beyond her ministry, Bishop Wells is a member of Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority, dedicated to lifelong sisterhood, personal growth, and community service. A classically trained soprano, she enjoys classical and R&B music, baking, and playing the piano. With her two daughters grown and living in other cities, she and her husband are happily settled in Mississippi.
In only a year, Bishop Wells has brought energy, vision, and compassion to her role—a truly extraordinary woman serving God's people with grace and dedication.
Ora Reed is an international singer from Mississippi and a Northsider.
