On behalf of the Southeast District, I welcome the pastors and families moving into the District and those taking on appointment in the District for the first time. On July 10, 2010 clergy families will gather at a District outing at The Science in Faith and Technology (SIFAT) campus to welcome the new clergy families and to celebrate and pray for those pastors and families that are moving within the District or taking on an additional church.
 

Pastors moving into the District are Dr. Randy B. Kelley at Goodsell UMC, Rev. David Bailey at Goodwater/Liberty Hill charge, Rev. Belinda Rives at Powell Chapel/Sardis charge, Rev. David Carboni at Red Ridge UMC, Rev. Hunter "Blue" Vardaman at Waverly First UMC and Rev. Russell Hestley at Wedowee First UMC.

Liberty Hill UMC and Sardis UMC along with Hopewell UMC, Sunny Level UMC and Trinity UMC changed their worship time to make new charges become a reality. Change is the key to reaching new people and the flexibility of these churches show their willingness to adapt to situations where the Cabinet can appoint the best pastoral fit available.

There are five pastors and families moving to local churches within the Southeast District. We are pleased to continue in ministry with them in the District. These pastors are Rev. Michael Samuels at Lafayette/Sandy Ridge charge, Rev. Frank Korb at Rock Mills UMC, Rev. Horace Blount at St. Thomas UMC, Rev. Bill Boggan at Wadley First/Almond charge and Rev. Alfred Cooper at Jones Chapel UMC.

As alluded to in the case of churches changing worship time, it is critical for churches to have the right pastor that can work with lay people for effective leadership. Quite often, this means "sharing a pastor," having more than one church under one pastor. We are grateful to the pastors and the churches for working with the Cabinet in reconfiguring some charges and creating some new multiple point charges.

In addition to new charges mentioned earlier, there are eight other new charges for this conference year in the District. Duncan Memorial/Sunny Level has Rev. Michael "Mike" Densmore as pastor. Haven Chapel/Mt. Godfrey/Bell's Chapel charge has Rev. Mary Fernandez as pastor. Huguley/Hopewell charge has Rev. Albert Smith. Cool Springs/Morrison's Chapel charge has Bro. John Terry as pastor. Plant City/Harrington Heights charge has Rev. James Milton Newton as pastor. St. John/Mitchell Springs charge has Sis. Julia Marbury as pastor. Trinity/Parkdale charge has Rev. Bridget Dowdy as pastor. Union Chapel/Mt. Lebanon charge has Rev. Clarence Foster as pastor.

Bishop Willimon and the Cabinet are confident of the leadership these pastors are bringing to the churches. We anticipate that the pastors and churches working together will bear fruit in the areas of Growth in New Disciples, Growth in Average Attendance, Growth in Church Health  - utilizing Natural Church Development diagnostic tool, Growth in Stewardship and Growth in Mission Involvement. For a reflection on the appointment making process, click here. I am grateful to serve with these and the other pastors in the Southeast District.

The reader is encouraged to lift up these pastors and their families in prayer and to pray for the local churches they are appointed to serve.