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2019-2020 Clergy Appointments

Clergy in The United Methodist Church are individuals who serve as elders, deacons, commissioned ministers, and local pastors under appointment of a bishop (full and part-time), who hold membership in an annual conference, and who are commissioned, ordained or licensed. 

Wondering how clergy appointments are made? Click here to read about the process!

June 17, 2020

Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference intend to make the following appointments, effective July 1, 2020:

Albany

• Noel John as a part-time local pastor to South Bethlehem UMC effective July 1, 2020.

Cornerstone

• Joseph Osborne as a part-time local pastor to North Harmony UMC effective July 1, 2020.
• Candy Scarem as a part-time local pastor to Delevan and West Valley: St. Paul’s UMCs effective July 1, 2020.
• Cynthia Hull as a part-time local pastor to Machias UMC effective July 1, 2020.

Crossroads

• Diane DiLuzio as a retired elder as coordinating pastor of Phoenix UMC in addition to her current appointment at Bridgeport UMC effective July 1, 2020.
• Joseph Kim as a full elder adding coordinating pastor at Borodino UMC in addition to his current appointment at Manlius UMC effective July 1, 2020.

Genesee Valley

• Kernon Ransom as a part-time local pastor to Covington UMC effective July 1, 2020.

Mohawk

• Robert Kolvik-Campbell as coordinating pastor for Perryville/Peterboro UMC’s in addition to his current appointment at Sherill UMC effective July 1, 2020.
• Jack Ford as coordinating pastor for Middleville in addition to his current appointment at Boonville and coordinating pastor at Salisbury Center/Stratford/ Constableville, Glenfield, Greig, Turin and Hawkinsville effective July 1, 2020.
• Abigail Browka to personal leave of absence effective July 1, 2020.
• Cindy Makarchuk as a full-time local pastor as the coordinating pastor of Clockville UMC and coordinating pastor of East Schuyler in addition to her current appointment at Floyd/Stittville UMC effective July 1, 2020.

Niagara Frontier

• Wayne Mort as a retired elder to Batavia: First UMC effective July 1, 2020.

Bishop Webb announces the following retirements pending approval of clergy session:

• Barbara DeAngelis effective July 1, 2020
• Peter Agnew effective July 1, 2020
• David Masland effective December 31, 2020
• Holly Coty effective December 31, 2020

June 3, 2020

Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference intend to make the following appointments, effective July 1, 2020:

Binghamton

• Sean Chanthasone as a part-time local pastor to Endwell UMC effective July 1, 2020.
• Hyun Joon Kim as a full elder to Marathon UMC in addition to the Finger Lakes District Appointment of Truxton/E. Homer and McGraw UMC effective July 1, 2020.

Crossroads

• Raymond Lange as a retired elder from the NY Annual Conference to Cazenovia & Nelson UMC’s effective July 1, 2020.

Finger Lakes

• Hyun Joon Kim as a full elder to Truxton/E. Homer and McGraw UMC effective July 1, 2020 in addition to the Binghamton District Appointment of Marathon UMC.

Mountain View

• Brian Diffenbacher as an elder of another denomination to Jasper UMC effective July 1, 2020.

May 26, 2020

The Rev. Susan Ranous has been appointed to the Upper New York Conference Office of Connectional Ministries. Click here to learn more.

May 20, 2020

Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference announce the following ad interim appointments:

Binghamton

• Leon Jicha as a part-time local pastor to Windsor UMC effective June 1, 2020.

Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference intend to make the following appointments, effective July 1, 2020:

Finger Lakes

• Geri Judd as a full-time local pastor to Newfield UMC in addition to her appointment to Jacksonville Community Church effective July 1, 2020.
• Timothy Gleason as a full elder to Waterloo UMC and Varick UMC effective July 1, 2020.

Northern Flow

• Nancy Stanley as a retired elder to Beaver Falls UMC effective July 1, 2020.

May 6, 2020

Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference intend to make the following appointments, effective July 1, 2020:

Albany

• Rusingizwa John Bizimana as a part-time local pastor to Troy: Pawling Avenue UMC in addition to his current appointment at Albany: Emmaus UMC effective July 1, 2020.

Binghamton

• Jeffrey Hale as a retired elder to Maine Federated Church as of July 1, 2020.

Finger Lakes

• Darrell Brown as a part-time local pastor to Wolcott: Faith UMC in addition to his appointment at Alton UMC effective July 1, 2020.
• Kathleen Wade as a part-time local pastor to New Hope: Midlakes UMC effective July 1, 2020.

Mohawk

• Joelle Faulks as a full-time local pastor to Morning Star UMC in addition to her current appointment at Herkimer: First UMC and coordinating pastor at Paines Hollow and Middleville/Newport UMC’s effective July 1, 2020.

April 22, 2020

Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference intend to make the following appointments, effective July 1, 2020:

Cornerstone

• Dawn Quesenberry as a part-time local pastor to Olean Trinity UMC & River’s Edge UMC effective July 1, 2020.

Niagara Frontier

• Scott Johnson as a part-time local pastor to Joshua Connection in addition to his current appointment at Buffalo: First UMC effective July 1, 2020.
• Ruth Rosa Warner as a full elder to Alexander UMC effective July 1, 2020.

Northern Flow

• Elizabeth Quick as a full elder to appointment to attend Drew Theological School effective July 1, 2020.

Bishop Webb announces the following retirements pending approval of clergy session:

• Valerie Valentine to Retired Honorable Location July 1, 2020.

April 8, 2020

Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference announce the following ad interim appointments:

Genesee Valley

• Jennifer Streeter as a full elder less than full time to Pastor of Discipleship at Camp Hill UMC in the Susquehanna Conference effective April 1, 2020.

Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference intend to make the following appointments, effective July 1, 2020:

Albany

• Eric Kerwath as a retired local pastor to Niverville-Chatham Center UMC effective July 1, 2020.
• Natalie Bowerman as a provisional elder to Schenectady: Eastern Parkway UMC effective July 1, 2020.

Cornerstone

• Joseph Pascoe as a full-time local pastor as lead pastor to Bemus Point UMC in addition to his appointment as lead pastor at Sinclairville: Park UMC effective July 1, 2020.

Finger Lakes

• Robert Dean as a full elder to Trumansburg UMC effective July 1, 2020.

Northern Flow

• Rachel Jordan as a full-time local pastor to Gouverneur & North Gouverneur UMC’s effective July 1, 2020.

Bishop Webb announces the following retirements pending approval of clergy session:

• Marion Luce
• Nancy Stanley

March 25, 2020

Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference announce the following ad interim appointments:

Adirondack

• Meredith Vanderminden as an elder as coordinating pastor for First UMC of Lake George effective March 15, 2020.

Genesee Valley

• Margaret Morin as a retired local pastor to Asbury: First UMC effective March 10, 2020.

Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference intend to make the following appointments, effective July 1, 2020:

Mohawk

• Robert Wollaber as a full elder to Oneida: First/Oneida: St. Paul’s and coordinating pastor at East Schuyler UMC’s effective July 1, 2020.

Niagara Frontier

• Cathy Hall Stengel as a full elder to Joshua Connection (Pendleton Center and Niagara Falls: First Churches) effective July 1, 2020.
• Yohan Moon as a full elder to Clarence Center UMC effective July 1, 2020.

Northern Flow

• Christiane Depestre as a provisional elder to Lake & River Parish effective July 1, 2020.

Bishop Webb announces the following retirements pending approval of clergy session:

• Matthew Golibersuch effective July 1, 2020.

March 11, 2020

Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference intend to make the following appointments, effective July 1, 2020:

Adirondack

• Meredith Vanderminden as a retired elder as coordinating pastor for Whitehall UMC and West Fort Ann UMC effective July 1, 2020.

Crossroads

• Justin Hood as a full-time local pastor to Skaneateles UMC effective July 1, 2020.
• Raymond Gilman as a provisional elder to Liverpool First UMC effective July 1, 2020.

Mountain View

• Lee Capodagli as a full-time local pastor to Tyrone UMC effective July 1, 2020.

Niagara Frontier

• Lawrence Eastlack as a retired local pastor to Oakfield UMC in addition to his current appointment at Medina: The Grove UMC effective July 1, 2020.
• Karen McCaffrey as a full elder to Indian Falls UMC effective July 1, 2020.

Bishop Webb announces the following retirements pending approval of clergy session:

• Evelyn Woodring
• Stephen Andrews
• Westley Tessey

February 26, 2020

Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference announce the following ad interim appointments:

Adirondack

• Caspar Green is appointed as an elder of another denomination to Lake Luzerne/South Corinth effective February 12, 2020.

Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference intend to make the following appointments, effective July 1, 2020:

Adirondack

• Richard Weihing as a full elder to Glens Falls: Christ United Methodist & Regional/District Associate effective July 1, 2020.

Niagara Frontier

• John Loeser as a full elder to East Aurora: Baker Memorial UMC effective July 1, 2020.
• Lisa Taylor as a provisional elder to Elma UMC effective July 1, 2020.

Northern Flow

• Laura Calos as a full elder to Watertown: Asbury UMC effective July 1, 2020.

Bishop Webb announces the following retirements pending approval of clergy session:

• Duane F. Watson effective July 1, 2020.
• Manilla Owen effective August 1, 2020.

February 12, 2020

Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference announce the following ad interim appointments:

Albany

• Paul Sweet is appointed as a part-time local pastor to Troy: Christ UMC effective February 5, 2020

Finger Lakes

• Darrell Brown is appointed as a part-time local pastor to Alton UMC effective February 5, 2020.

Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference intend to make the following appointments, effective July 1, 2020:

Finger Lakes

• Kristen Allen as a full elder to Penn Yan UMC effective July 1, 2020.

Genesee Valley

• William Allen as a full elder to Canandaigua UMC effective July 1, 2020.

January 29, 2020

Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference announce the following ad interim appointments:

Binghamton

• Jeffery Hale as a retired elder interim to Marathon UMC effective January 16, 2020 – June 30, 2020.
• Barbara Green as a retired local pastor as associate to Windsor UMC effective January 12, 2020.

Genesee Valley

• Cathy Hall Stengel as an elder to extension ministry as Chaplain Resident, Department of Spiritual Care, University of Colorado Health System, Anschutz Hospital effective January 1, 2020.

Mountain View

• Brian Diffenbacher as an elder in the Wesleyan Church to United Church of Jasper effective January 1, 2020 – June 30, 2020.

Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference intend to make the following appointments, effective July 1, 2020:

Mountain View

• Abigail Browka as a full elder to Pine City Pennsylvania Avenue UMC effective July 1, 2020.

Bishop Webb announces the following retirements pending approval of clergy session:

• Larry Eastlack
• Penni Farrington
• Karen Grinnell
• Joanne (Jodi) Haier 
• David Herrmann
• Karyl Hopp
• David Kofahl
• Beth Kottemann
• Thomas Kraft
• DeeAnne Lowman
• Wayne Mort
• Richard Peters
• Jeffrey Smith
• Joellyn Tuttle
• David Underwood
• William Vallet
• Meredith Vanderminden
• Stephen Wiggers

January 1, 2020

Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference announce the following ad interim appointments:

Adirondack

• Bruce Hazard as a part-time local pastor to Willsboro and Reber UMC’s effective November 4, 2019.
• Chrysalis Beck as a full elder as coordinating pastor at Harkness & Keeseville UMC’s in addition to her current appointment at Wilmington Whiteface Community UMC effective January 1, 2020.
• Stephen Andrews as a part-time local pastor as coordinating pastor of Lake George: First UMC in addition to his current appointment at Warrensburg and North River UMC’s effective December 8, 2019.

Niagara Frontier

• Garry McCaffery is appointed as a part-time local pastor to Medina: UMC of the Abundant Harvest effective December 13, 2019.

Northern Flow

• Christian Remick is appointed as coordinating pastor at Nicholville in addition to his appointments at West Stockholm and Norwood UMC’s effective October 1, 2019.
• Frederica Webb as a retired local pastor is appointed as coordinating pastor at Redwood UMC in addition to her current appointment at Wellesley Island UMC effective October 1, 2019.

New Faith Communities

• Osmar Guerra is appointed as an elder from the Cuba Methodist Church to Amsterdam: Restoration Ministry NFC effective December 13, 2019.
• Diczan Gonzalez is appointed as an elder from the Cuba Methodist Church to Casa De Dios effective January 1, 2020.

Bishop Webb announces the following retirements pending approval of clergy session:

• Katherine Merriman effective July 1, 2019.
• Carol Finke effective July 1, 2019.
• Margaret Morin effective September 24, 2019.
• Everett Bassett effective January 1, 2020.
• Jeff Losey effective January 1, 2020.
• Carol Jubenville effective January 1, 2020.
• Janet James effective January 1, 2020.
• Diane WoodworthWright effective January 1, 2020.

October 1, 2019

Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference announce the following ad interim appointments:

Adirondack

• Jason Proctor is appointed as a full-time local pastor to Corinth: First and Middle Grove UMC’s effective August 5, 2019.

Binghamton

• Joseph D. Sellepack is appointed as an elder of the Wesleyan church to Sanitaria Springs UMC effective July 26, 2019.

Cornerstone

• Stan Scoville is appointed as a retired elder to River’s Edge UMC effective August 1, 2019.
• Joan Zimmerman is appointed as a retired elder to Olean: Trinity UMC effective August 1, 2019.

Crossroads

• Raymond Lange is appointed as a retired Elder of the New York Conference to Apulia UMC effective July 14, 2019.
• Colleen Preuninger is appointed as a Full Elder to extension ministry as Associate Minister and Director of Student Engagement in the Office for Religious Life at Stanford University effective August 1, 2019.

Finger Lakes

• Rebecca A. Laumeier as a retired elder of the Illinois-Great River Conference to Dundee UMC effective July 14, 2019.

Genesee Valley

• Sinnathamby Thevanesan as a retired elder to Webster: New Life UMC effective September 1, 2019.
• Ruthellen Hoyle as a retired elder to Webster: New Life UMC effective September 1, 2019.
• Jennifer Streeter as a full elder to transitional leave effective September 1, 2019.

Niagara Frontier

• Lal Fak Mawia is appointed as an elder of the Upper Myanmar Conference to Buffalo: Ontario Street UMC effective August 20, 2019.

Northern Flow

• James Foote is appointed as a part-time local pastor to Brasher Falls & Norfolk UMC’s effective July 29, 2019.
• Rachael Jordan is appointed as a full-time local pastor to Massena: First & NFC: The Well only effective September 1, 2019.