Bishops Executive Secretaries Together (B+E+S+T) is a professional association of executive secretaries of bishops in The Episcopal Church that empowers members through networking, education, and an annual conference.
This year’s conference was held in St. Louis, Missouri, May 5-9. Eighty-five executive assistants from all nine Episcopal Church provinces gathered for the event, which opened with an annual banquet and a keynote address from Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe.
Included in the event’s agenda was an election for the secretary of the B+E+S+T board. Nichol Free, Executive Assistant to Bishop Scanlan, was elected to serve as Secretary to the Board for the next two years.
“Being a secretary isn’t just a role for me — it’s a ministry, a way to use the gifts God has given me,” Nichol shares. She discovered her passion for taking minutes and ensuring accurate recordkeeping in college and has continued working in this capacity in the years since. Among her most meaningful experiences was serving as minutes writer for the House of Bishops at the 2024 General Convention in Kentucky. “I am honored to bring my dedication and experience to the role of secretary for B+E+S+T.”
B+E+S+T will regather next year in Alexandria, Virginia, May 4-8, 2026, where participants will focus on the theme “Celebrate and Discover Your BEST.” As a Province III member, Nichol will join with other bishops’ executive assistants to plan a conference that will support and nurture attendees in their ministries.