Southeast District UMW Welcomes Pastors

On July 16th, the Southeast District United Methodist Women treated the newly assigned pastors and their families to a welcome brunch. The UMW held the brunch at Trinity United Methodist Church in Alexander City.

The warm and relaxing atmosphere gave the incoming pastors the opportunity to meet and fellowship with people in their new district. After an ice-breaking mixer time in which each person had to find a biblical counterpart, District Superintendent Richard Stryker welcomed the pastors and shared with them his excitement and joy at being able to work with them.

Rev. Mike Densmore, Assistant to the DS, led with an opening prayer and offered prayer for the pastors. Pastoral families and other guests were treated to a festive brunch including a variety of casseroles and desserts.

Mrs. Laura Campbell, president of the Southeast District United Methodist Women (UMW), congratulated the pastors on their new assignments. She spoke of the leadership=s campaign to activate UMW in many of the churches.

Joyful Sound of Wedowee First UMC provided the beautiful music.

The pastors, their guests and members of the UMW had a good time. Among the newly assigned pastors were:

• Rev. Dorothy Ann Webster and her husband, Rev. Fred Webster. Dorothy Ann is the new pastor at Lineville First/Oak Grove UMC and moved into the Southeast District.
• Rev. Ian Conerly and wife, Susan and son, Luke. Ian is new to the Southeast District and is the new pastor at Fairfax UMC.
• Rev. Belinda Rives is the new pastor at Bradford/Bethany UMC. She moved within the District from Powell Chapel/Sardis UMC
• Rev. Rick Talley and wife, Kathy. Rick is the new pastor at Hopewell/Oak Bowery UMC. He moved within the District from Lineville/Oak Grove UMC.
• Rev. Shirley Meddick and husband, David. Shirley is the new pastor at Lowell UMC in Roanoke.
• Rev. Bridget Dowdy and husband, Rev. Dee Dowdy. Bridget is pastor of Trinity UMC where the brunch was held. Kellyton First UMC is the new appointment added to her pastoral responsibility. 
• Dr. Randy Kelley and wife Gelanie. Randy is pastor of Goodsell/Powell Chapel. Powell Chapel was added to his responsibility this year. 
• Rev. Bob Owens is pastor of Wesley Chapel/Parkdale UMC. Bob is new to Parkdale UMC. 
• Rev. Clarence Foster and wife, Penny. He is pastor of Mt. Lebanon/Mt. Pleasant/Mt. Zion UMC. Mt. Pleasant and Mt. Zion were recently added to his pastoral duties. He previously served Union Chapel/Mt. Lebanon UMC.

This was truly an exciting Saturday morning for the pastors, the District leadership and the United Methodist Women.