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2014-2015 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. 

Click here for the full list of the 2014-2015 Clergy appointments 
(Updated July 29, 2014)

May 13, 2015 Appointment Announcement

Bishop Mark J. Webb announces the following appointments:

Adirondack

• Wilifredo Juan Ricardo Baez is appointed as a full elder to Wilmington: Whiteface Community UMC effective July 1, 2015.

Albany

• Patrick James Dupont is appointed as a full time local pastor to Delmar UMC effective July 1, 2015.

Binghamton

• Cynthia Wenzinger is appointed as a full elder less than full time to Apalachin and Whittemore Hill UMC’s effective July 1, 2015.
• R. Brown Naik is appointed as a retired elder to Marathon UMC effective July 1, 2015.

Cornerstone

• Dena A. Stevens is appointed as a full elder to Clymer and North Clymer United Methodist Churches effective July 1, 2015.\
• Carrie S. Wolfe is appointed as a provisional deacon to Olean: Christ UMC effective July 1, 2015.

Crossroads

• Naomi Annandale is appointed as a full elder to extension ministry: Director of Research and Evaluation at Discipleship Ministries of the UMC effective July 1, 2015.
• Robin Blair is appointed as a full elder to Marcellus UMC effective July 1, 2015.
• Robyn Hays is appointed as a full elder less than full time to Amboy Center UMC effective July 1, 2015.
• Elizabeth Quick is appointed as a full elder less than full time to Apple Valley UMC effective July 1, 2015.

Finger Lakes

• Geri Judd is appointed as a part time local pastor to Trumansburg UMC effective May 6, 2015.

Genesee Valley

• Amy Beth W. Jones is appointed as a full deacon to Drew University: Interim Director of Theological Lifelong learning; Interim Associate Director of the D-Min program & UMC Liaison effective July 1, 2015.
• Manilla Owen is appointed as a full elder to Dansville and Sparta Center UMC’s effective July 1, 2015.

Mohawk

• Robert Lindsay is appointed as a retired local pastor to Newport & Middleville UMC’s effective July 1, 2015.

Mountain View

• Eilene Susan Wenner is appointed as a full elder to Big Flats and Corning Grace UMC’s effective July 1, 2015.

New Faith Communities

• Nancy O’Connor Raca is appointed as a provisional elder less than full time to a new faith community, Sophia Community, in addition to her appointment at Rochester: Covenant UMC effective July 1, 2015.

Niagara Frontier

• Wayne Mort is appointed as a full elder to Elma UMC effective July 1, 2015.

Northern Flow

• Sung Ah Choi is appointed as a part time local pastor to Carthage & Champion UMC’s effective July 1, 2015.
• Joyce Woodcock is appointed as a retired elder to Martinsburg UMC effective July 1, 2015.

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

• Robert Peters retired honorable location effective May 1, 2015.

April 29, 2015 Appointment Announcement

Bishop Mark J. Webb announces the following appointments:

Adirondack

• Deborah Waldron is appointed as a retired local pastor to Bolton Landing: Emmanuel UMC effective July 1, 2015.
• William L. Puckey is appointed as an associate member to South Glens Falls UMC effective July 1, 2015.

Binghamton

• Mary Jean Simonin is appointed as a full elder to Nichols UMC, Tioga Center UMC, and Smithboro UMC effective July 1, 2015.

Cornerstone

• Raymond Gilman is appointed as a full time local pastor to Frewsburg: Trinity UMC effective July 1, 2015.
• Carolyn Stow is appointed as a full elder to Jamestown: Kidder Memorial UMC effective July 1, 2015.

Crossroads

• Michaela St. Marie is appointed as full elder to Phoenix UMC, in addition to her current appointment to Warners and Little Utica effective July 1, 2015.
• Caroline Simmons is appointed as a full elder to Bridgeport UMC, in addition to her current appointment at Collamer UMC effective July 1, 2015.

Genesee Valley

• Nancy O’Connor Raca is appointed as a provision elder less than full time to Rochester: Covenant UMC effective July 1, 2015.

Mohawk

• Moon Ho Kim is appointed as a full elder to Hamilton Park UMC in addition to his current appointment at Waterville UMC effective July 1, 2015.

Mountain View

• Vincent Howell is appointed as an elder of another denomination to Webb Mills in addition to his current appointment at Elmira: Westside effective July 1, 2015.

New Faith Communities

• Devin Lyles is appointed as a provisional elder less than full time to The Pillar effective July 1, 2015.

Niagara Frontier

• Kevin Costner is appointed as a full time local pastor to Springville: First UMC effective July 1, 2015.

Northern Flow

• David B. Herrmann is appointed as a full elder less than full time to Lowville UMC and Beaver Falls UMC effective July 1, 2015.

Oneonta

• Daniel Martin is appointed as a full time local pastor to Worcester/Westford UMC’s effective July 1, 2015.
• Donna Taylor Martin is appointed as a part time local pastor to Elm Park UMC effective July 1, 2015.
• Brandi Lynne Craver is appointed as a part time local pastor to Unadilla & Otego UMC’s effective July 1, 2015.

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

• Ellen Williams Robinson

Appointment Announcement – April 15, 2015

Bishop Mark J. Webb announces the following appointments:

Albany

• Brenda Tompkins is appointed as a part-time local pastor to the Mechanicville UMC effective July 1, 2015.

Cornerstone

• Annette Puleff is appointed as a full-time local pastor to the Fredonia First UMC effective July 1, 2015.

Genesee Valley

• Carlos Rosa-Laguer is appointed as a full elder as Co-Director of Hispanic-Latino Planting in addition to his current appointment at the Rochester: Emmanuel UMC effective July 1, 2015.

Niagara Frontier

• Darryl R. Barrow is appointed as a full elder to Amherst: Christ UMC effective July 1, 2015.

Oneonta

• Gary Kubitz is appointed as a provisional elder to the Sidney UMC in addition to his current appointment at the Afton/Bainbridge UMC’s effective July 1, 2015.

Appointment Announcement – April 1, 2015

Bishop Mark J. Webb announces the following appointments:

Albany

• Alan Delamater is appointed as a Full Elder to medical leave effective April 6, 2015.
• Terrence M. O’Neill is appointed as a Retired Elder interim to Shenendehowa UMC effective April 6, 2015- June 30, 2015.

Binghamton

• David McKinney is appointed as a Full Time Local Pastor to Union Center and Wesley effective July 1, 2015.

Cornerstone

• Victoria Hedlund is appointed as a Full Time Local pastor to extension ministry at Olean General Hospital as Pastoral Care Coordinator effective April 6, 2015.

Crossroads

• Emily Huyge is appointed as a Full Elder to Mexico First UMC effective July 1, 2015.
• Douglas Mackey is appointed as Full Elder to Tully United Church effective July 1, 2015.
• Robert J. Norrix is appointed as a Full Elder to the Syracuse City UM Churches (Bellevue Heights, Brown Memorial, Erwin First, Gethsemane, Hope Korean, James Street, St. Paul’s and University UMCs) effective July 1, 2015.
• Andy Anderson is appointed as a Provisional Elder to the Syracuse City UM Churches (Bellevue Heights, Brown Memorial, Erwin First, Gethsemane, Hope Korean, James Street, St. Paul’s and University UMCs) effective July 1, 2015.
• Alicia Wood is appointed to the Syracuse City UM Churches (Bellevue Heights, Brown Memorial, Erwin First, Gethsemane, Hope Korean, James Street, St. Paul’s and University UMCs) effective July 1, 2015.
• Jee Hae Song is assigned to the Syracuse City UM Churches (Bellevue Heights, Brown Memorial, Erwin First, Gethsemane, Hope Korean, James Street, St. Paul’s and University UMCs) effective July 1, 2015.
• Benjamin O’Connor is appointed as a Full Time Local Pastor to Fulton: State Street UMC in addition to his appointment at Lycoming UMC effective July 1, 2015.

Genesee Valley

• Richard LaDue is appointed as a Full Elder to Webster UMC effective July 1, 2015.

Mohawk

• Bradley Chesebro is appointed as a Full Time Local Pastor to New Hartford UMC effective July 1, 2015.
• Jeffrey Stratton is appointed as a Full Elder to Rome: First UMC effective July 1, 2015.

Northern Flow

• Brooke Newell is appointed as a Full Elder to Potsdam UMC and coordinating pastor at West Stockholm UMC effective July 1, 2015.

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

• Virginia S. Deyo
• Dale Fryer to retired honorable location

Appointment Announcement – March 18, 2015

Bishop Mark J. Webb announces the following appointments:

Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding as the new Executive Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Connectional Ministries effective July 1, 2015. DETAILS

Albany

• Leland J. Carlson is appointed as a full elder to Shenendehowa UMC effective July 1, 2015.

Binghamton

• Barbara Green is appointed as a retired local pastor to Brookvale UMC effective Nov. 20, 2014.
• James W. Stevens is appointed as a full elder to Owego UMC effective July 1, 2015.

Niagara Frontier

• Alan Howe is appointed as a full elder to Eden UMC effective July 1, 2015.

Appointment Announcement – March 4, 2015

Bishop Mark J. Webb announces the following appointments:

Binghamton:

• Natalie Scholl is appointed as a full elder to an Extension Ministry as a Life Coach from Feb. 1, 2015- June 30, 2015 in addition to her interim appointment at Owego UMC.

Bishop Webb announces the following retirement pending approval at clergy session:

• Craig French
• Marilyn Wood

Appointment Announcement – Feb. 19, 2015

Bishop Mark J. Webb announces the following appointments:

Binghamton:

• Natalie Scholl is appointed as a full elder interim to Owego UMC effective Feb. 1, 2015- June 20, 2015.

Finger Lakes:

• Hyun Joo Yang is appointed as a full elder to Newark: First UMC effective July 1, 2015.

Genesee Valley:

• Burton Smith is appointed as a retired elder part time to Naples Trinity Federated Church effective Feb. 8, 2015 – June 30, 2015.

Niagara Frontier:

• Daven Oskvig is appointed as a full elder to Kenmore UMC effective July 1, 2015.
• James Barnes II is appointed as a full time local pastor to Clarence Center UMC effective July 1, 2015.

Bishop Webb announces the following retirement pending approval at clergy session:

• Keith Haverkamp effective March 15, 2015.
• Brown Naik effective July 1, 2015.

Appointment Announcement – Feb. 5, 2015

Bishop Mark J. Webb announces the following appointments:

Rev. Abel Roy as a Conference Superintendent assigned to the Mohawk District effective July 1, 2015. DETAILS
Rev. Nola Anderson as a Conference Superintendent assigned to the Crossroads District. DETAILS

Finger Lakes:

• Rev. Stephen Deckard is appointed as a full elder to Clifton Springs UMC effective July 1, 2015.

Mountain View:

• Rev. Beth Kottemann is appointed as a full elder to Tyrone UMC effective July 1, 2015.

Niagara Frontier:

• Rev. Sung Ho Lee is appointed as a full elder to Grand Island: Trinity UMC effective July 1, 2015.

New Faith Communities:

• Rev. Dee Lowman is appointed as a full elder to Extension Ministry as Program Development Associate at Capital Regional Theological Center in addition to her New Faith Community at Lark Street Together effective Oct. 6, 2014.

Appointment Announcement – Jan. 21, 2015

Bishop Mark J. Webb announces the following appointments:

Albany:

• David Heise is appointed as a retired local pastor to Rotterdam UMC effective Sept. 23, 2014.

Cornerstone:

• Stephen Wiggers is appointed as a full elder to extension ministry as Chaplain of the Halifax Health Hospice Team, Florida effective Nov. 17, 2014.
• Annette Puleff is appointed as a full time local pastor to Fredonia First UMC effective Nov. 13, 2014.
• Molly Golando is appointed as a provisional Deacon to Westfield UMC and to extension ministries: Functional Literacy Ministry/Haiti and BECALM (Barnabas Ecumenical Compassion and Life Ministry) effective July 1, 2014.

Finger Lakes:

• Ann Hicks is appointed as a retired local pastor to Middlesex and Rushville UMCs effective Jan. 1, 2015.

Genesee Valley:

• Devin Lyles is appointed as a provisional elder less than full time to Rush and the New Faith Community “The Pillar” effective March 1, 2015.
• Stephen Michael Cady II is appointed as a full elder to Rochester: Asbury First UMC as Senior Pastor effective July 1, 2015.

Mohawk:

• Janet Gleason is appointed as a full elder as coordinating pastor of St. Johnsville in addition to her appointment at Herkimer UMC effective Jan. 1, 2015.

Niagara Frontier:

• Sherry Mahar is appointed as a part time local pastor to Pendleton Center UMC effective Jan. 1, 2015.

Northern Flow:

• Joyce Woodcock is appointed as a retired elder to Martinsburg UMC effective Jan. 1, 2015-June 30, 2015.
• Joyce Woodcock is appointed as a retired elder to Lowville UMC effective Jan. 1, 2015-June 30, 2015.

Bishop Webb announces the following retirements July 1, 2015 pending approval at clergy session:

• Olu Harding
• Susan Shafer
• Peter LeValley
• Sharon Sauer
• Helen Hadley
• Stephen Loan
• David Snyder
• Larry Baird
• Patricia Brown
• Carol Ames
• Raymond Lighthall
• Rene Carrillo
• Mark Erway
• David Meade
• Marion Moore-Colgan
• Gary Wickard
• Daniel Knopf
• Margaret “Peggy” Knopf”
• Douglas R. McGaughey effective Sept. 1, 2015

Appointment Announcement – Nov. 6, 2014

Bishop Mark J. Webb announces the following appointments:

Adirondack:

• Casey Bradley is appointed as a part time local pastor to Lake Luzerne/South Corinth UMCs effective Oct. 1, 2014.
• Lee Capodagli is appointed as a part time local pastor to South Cambridge/Eagle Bridge/Easton/North Cambridge effective Oct. 1, 2014.
• Roger Waldron is appointed as a retired local pastor to Schroon Lake Community Church effective Sept. 1, 2014.

Albany:

• Judith Johnson Siebold is appointed as a full elder less than full time to South Bethlehem UMC effective Oct. 1, 2014.
• David E. Smith is appointed as a retired elder to Ravena: Grace UMC effective Sept. 1, 2014.

Cornerstone:

• Carol Dill is appointed as a part time local pastor to Hamlet and South Dayton UMCs effective Oct. 15, 2014.
• Brian Lothridge is appointed as a part time local pastor to Falconer UMC effective Oct. 1, 2014.
• Leslie Drayer is appointed as a retired Associate Member to South Ripley UMC effective Aug. 1, 2014.

Crossroads:

• Penelope Hart is appointed as a part time local pastor to Syracuse: Rockefeller UMC in addition to her appointment at Apple Valley UMC effective Sept. 1, 2014.
• Douglas Mackey is appointed as a Provisional Elder to Syracuse Erwin First UMC in addition to his appointment at Syracuse: James Street UMC effective Sept. 1, 2014.

Finger Lakes:

• Robin Blair is appointed as a full elder to Newark First UMC effective Nov. 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015.
• Roger J. Smith is appointed as a full elder to medical leave effective Nov. 1, 2014.

Mohawk:

• Jack Ford is appointed as coordinating pastor at Lassellsville in addition to his appointment at Dolgeville/Oppenheim and Coordinating Pastor at Paines Hollow.

Mountain View:

• Kevin J. Austin is appointed as a part time local pastor to Erin & Sullivanville UMCs effective Sept. 29, 2014.
• Jeffery A. Seeley is appointed as a Full Deacon to Elmira College: Director of Choral Activities and Horseheads UMC effective July 30, 2014.

Niagara Frontier:

• Daryl J. Bennett is appointed as a part time local pastor to an extension ministry as Chaplain at Erie County Medical Center.

Northern Flow:

• William Bond is appointed as a part time local pastor to Malone Centenary UMC only effective Sept. 1, 2014.
• Mary Drake is appointed as a full elder to Medical Leave effective Nov. 17, 2014.
• Earl LaLone is appointed as a Full time local pastor to Clayton/Depauville UMC effective Jan. 1, 2015.

Oneonta:

• Richard Howard is appointed as a part time local pastor to Hartwick/Mt. Vision UMCs effective Sept. 29, 2014.
• Kathy Brumbaugh is appointed as an elder of another denomination to Schenevus UMC effective July 1, 2014.

Bishop Webb announces the following retirement pending approval at clergy session:

• Edward Whited effective Oct. 5, 2014
• Diane Walker effective Nov. 30, 2014
• Linda J. Harris effective Dec. 31, 2014
• William Palmer effective Dec. 31, 2014
• Donald Briant effective Jan. 1, 2015
• Beth O’Neil effective Jan. 1, 2015
• Alan Jagger effective Feb. 1, 2015
• Ellen Knight effective June 30, 2015
• Lynn B. Spence effective July 1, 2015