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2017-2018 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!

April 19, 2017 Appointment Announcement

Bishop Mark J. Webb announces the following appointments:

Albany

• Rev. Judith Johnson-Siebold is appointed as a full elder, less than full time at Christ UMC, Troy effective July 1, 2017.
• Christian Jewell is appointed as a full time local pastor to Schenectady: Faith UMC effective July 1, 2017.

Binghamton

• Robert J. Clark is appointed as a provisional elder of another conference to Chenango Bridge UMC effective July 1, 2017.
• Michele K. Clark is appointed as a full elder of another conference to Greene UMC and North Fenton UMC effective July 1, 2017.
• Wilfredo Juan Ricardo Baez is appointed as a full elder to Endicott First UMC, in addition to his extension ministry as Chaplain, at Greater Binghamton Health Center effective July 1, 2017.

Genesee Valley

• Kimberley Ferrel is appointed as an elder, less than full time, to Macedon Center UMC and South Perinton UMC effective July 1, 2017.

Mohawk

• Denise Bowen is appointed as a full deacon less than full time to Oneida: St. Paul’s and Oneida: First UMC’s effective July 1, 2017.
• Abigail Browka is appointed as a full elder to Oneida: St. Paul’s in addition to her current appointment at Oneida: First UMC effective July 1, 2017.
• Patricia Hubman is appointed as a provisional elder to Delta and Verona UMC’s effective July 1, 2017.

Niagara Frontier

• Yvonne Vredenburg is appointed as a retired elder of another conference to Arcade UMC and Protection UMC effective July 1, 2017.

Oneonta

• Rebekah Solar is appointed as a full time local pastor to Morris/Edmeston UMC’s effective July 1, 2017.

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

• Carol Dill
• Joy Leet

April 5, 2017 Appointment Announcement

Bishop Mark J. Webb announces the following appointments:

Albany

• Moon Ho Kim is appointed as a full elder to Gloversville: Foothills UMC effective July 1, 2017.

Binghamton

• Jeffrey Aiosa is appointed as a full elder to Park Terrace Community UMC in addition to his current appointment at Vestal Center UMC effective July 1, 2017.
• Wilfredo Juan Ricardo Baez is appointed as a full elder to First Endicott UMC in addition to his extension ministry appointment at Greater Binghamton Health Center effective July 1, 2017.

Finger Lakes

• David Bergner is appointed as a retired elder interim to Rushville UMC effective March 28, 2017 – June 30, 2017.
• Hyun Joon Kim is appointed as a full elder to Red Creek: Westbury/Sterling UMC’s effective July 1, 2017.
• Sonya Mauser is appointed as a full elder to Gorham UMC and Middlesex UMC effective July 1, 2017.
• Anne Bey Canfield is appointed as a full elder to North Rose UMC effective July 1, 2017.

Genesee Valley

• Hoyt Brown is appointed as a full elder to Livonia UMC effective July 1, 2017.
• Matthew Finch is appointed as the Pastor of Young Adults & Youth at Geneseo UMC in addition to his appointment at Hemlock UMC effective July 1, 2017.

Niagara Frontier

• Nathanael Lange is appointed as a part time local pastor to Middleport UMC effective July 1, 2017.

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

• Richard W. Neal

March 22, 2017 Appointment Announcement

Bishop Mark J. Webb announces the following appointments:

Cornerstone

• Matthew Rowe is appointed as a full time local pastor to Jamestown: Christ First UMC effective July 1, 2017.

Mohawk

• Brian Lothridge is appointed as a provisional elder to Rome: First UMC effective July 1, 2017.
• Cindy Makarchuk is appointed as a full time local pastor to Floyd/Stittville UMCs effective July 1, 2017.

Niagara Frontier

• Pamela Klotzbach is appointed as a full elder to Attica Trinity & Darien UMCs effective July 1, 2017.
• Daven Oskvig is appointed as a full elder to Amherst: Christ UMC effective July 1, 2017.
• Rebekah Sweet is appointed as a full elder to Kenmore UMC effective July 1, 2017.

Oneonta

• Nancy Hale is appointed as a full elder to Cobleskill UMC effective July 1, 2017.
• Rachel Morse is appointed as a full elder to Norwich: Broad Street UMC effective July 1, 2017.

March 8, 2017 Appointment Announcement

Bishop Mark J. Webb announces the following appointments:

Adirondack

• Penny L. Brink is appointed as a provisional elder as coordinating pastor to Porter Corners UMC in addition to her appointment at Malta Ridge/Round Lake UMC effective February 12, 2017.

Albany

• Amy Gregory is appointed as a full elder to First UMC, Delmar effective July 1, 2017.
• Mark Ledbetter is appointed as an elder of another conference paragraph 346.1 to Eastern Parkway UMC, Schenectady effective July 1, 2017.

Binghamton

• Roger L. Frederick is appointed as a full elder per paragraph 346.1 to Cornerstone UMC, Peninsula-Delaware Conf, Wilmington District, effective July 1, 2017.

Finger Lakes

• Brian Fellows is appointed as a full elder to Clifton Springs UMC effective July 1, 2017.

Genesee Valley

• Kimberly Ferrel is appointed to family leave effective February 1, 2017.
• Amy Beth W. Jones is appointed to Family Promise as Manager of Volunteer Engagement effective February 1, 2017, in addition to her interim church appointment in Greater NJ.

Mohawk

• Jack Ford is appointed as a full time local pastor to Boonville UMC effective July 1, 2017.

Mountain View

• Veronica Seeley is appointed as a full time local pastor to Campbell UMC in addition to her current appointment at Risingville UMC effective July 1, 2017.

Niagara Frontier

• Karen L. Smith is appointed as a Full Elder to North Tonawanda: First UMC effective July 1, 2017.
• Rebecca Naber is appointed as a Provisional Deacon to Hospice of Buffalo in addition to her appointment at East Aurora: Baker Memorial UMC effective January 9, 2017.

Oneonta

• Jan Lacey-Markle is appointed as a part time local pastor to Central Bridge UMC effective March 1, 2017.
• Richard Anderson is appointed as a retired local pastor to New Berline UMC effective March 1, 2017-June 30, 2017.
• Duane D. Buddle is appointed as a retired elder of another annual conference to Davenport UMC effective March 1, 2017- June 30, 2017.

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

• James Fletcher, effective 3/28/17

Effective July 1, 2017:

• John Aukema
• Dale Austin
• Jon Austin
• Katharine Benton
• Gregory Crispell
• Daniel Finch
• George Gallandorm
• Janet Gleason
• Edward Hackett, Jr.
• Natalie Hanson
• Charles Hayes
• Frances Hemstreet
• Doug Hess
• David Hotchkiss
• Alan Jones
• Alan Kinney
• M. Martin McCarey
• Cynthia Beth Klopfer McCune
• Pamela Mikel Hayes
• Robert Mitchell
• Deborah O’Connor-Slater
• Rebecca Parry
• Bernard Possee
• Geri Rapino
• Dorthea Schweitzer
• Leon VanWie
• Susan Walters
• Frederica Webb

January 23, 2017 Appointment Announcement

Bishop Mark Webb announces the appointment of Rev. Michael Weeden as Conference Superintendent to the Northern Flow District effective July 1, 2017. Click here to read more. 

January 11, 2017 Appointment Announcement

Bishop Mark J. Webb announces the following appointments:

Adirondack

• Debra Peacock is appointed as a retired local pastor to Argyle UMC effective October 1, 2016.

Albany

• Judith Johnson Siebold is appointed as an elder less than full time to Bleecker UMC in addition to her current appointment at Gloversville: North Main Street UMC effective November 14, 2016.

Cornerstone

• Joan Zimmerman is appointed as a retired elder interim at Olean: Trinity UMC effective December 3, 2016- June 30, 2017.

Crossroads

• Rhonda Chester is appointed as a full time local pastor to Fulton State Street UMC 50% and Ecumenical Chaplain at Syracuse University 50% effective December 2, 2016.
• Suellen Acker is appointed as a part time local pastor to Extension Ministry as Pastoral Care Counselor at Michaud Health Center effective December 12, 2016.

Finger Lakes

• Kimberly Lyons is appointed as a part time local pastor to Branchport UMC effective November 18, 2016.

Genesee Valley

• Melanie Ollett is appointed as a part time local pastor to West Barre UMC in addition to her current appointment at Carlton UMC effective October 16, 2016.
• Karen Snyder is approved for medical leave effective October 6, 2016.
• Amy Jones is appointed as a full deacon to transitional leave effective October 15, 2016.

Mohawk

• Susan Jones is appointed as a part time local pastor to East Schuyler UMC effective November 1, 2016.
• Debra Wollaber is appointed as a full time local pastor to Taberg and coordinating pastor at Lee in addition to her current appointment at Lee Center/Point Rock effective January 1, 2017.

Niagara Frontier

• James Laun is appointed as a retired elder to Colden UMC effective October 16, 2016 thru June 30, 2017.

Oneonta

• Rebecca Parry is appointed as a full time local pastor as coordinating pastor for Sand Hill and Unadilla Center UMC’s in addition to her current appointment at Morris/Edmeston UMC’s effective November 1, 2016.

Bishop Webb announces the following retirements pending approval of The Board of Ordained Ministry and clergy session:

• Debra Peacock effective October 1, 2016
• Ann Blair effective January 1, 2017
• Martha Robinson effective January 24, 2017

October 1, 2016 Appointment Announcement

Bishop Mark J. Webb announces the following appointments:

Adirondack

• Benjamin Lalka is appointed as a full time local pastor to Quaker Springs/Schuylerville UMC’s effective August 13, 2016.
• Robert DeFelice is appointed as a part time local pastor as the coordinating pastor at Rock City Falls: Simpson UMC in addition to his current appointment at Ballston Spa UMC effective September 1, 2016.

Albany

• Laurel Westover is appointed as a full elder to Extension Ministry at Chaplain at St. Mary’s Hospital, Amsterdam, NY effective June 23, 2015.
• Joy Lowenthal is appointed as a part time local pastor to Center Brunswick UMC effective September 1, 2016.
• George Richards is appointed as a full member of another denomination to Fonda Fultonville & East Stone Arabia Salem UMC’s effective August 1, 2016.

Crossroads

• Brandin Greco is appointed as a part time local pastor to Lycoming UMC effective July 7, 2016.

Finger Lakes

• Della L. Ludwig is appointed as a part time local pastor to Milo Center UMC effective July 7, 2016.

Genesee Valley

• Nadine Graham is appointed per ¶346.1 to the Texas Conference less than full time to the University of Houston, Wesley Foundation effective July 1, 2016.

Mohawk

• Robert Kolvik-Campbell is appointed as a full elder as coordinating pastor to Lairdsville in addition to his current appointment to Sherrill: Christ UMC
• Joan Dunn is appointed as a part time local pastor to Remsen UMC in addition to her current appointment at North Western UMC effective July 24, 2016.
• Jane Sautter is appointed as a retired elder to Whitesboro: Trinity UMC effective October 1, 2016.

Niagara Frontier

• William Edmister is appointed as a part time local pastor to Royalton UMC effective August 24, 2016.
• William Edmister is appointed as a part time local pastor to Joshua Connection effective September 1, 2016.
• James Brown is appointed as a full time local pastor to Bowmansville and Lancaster: Faith UMC’s effective September 26, 2016.
• Michael Breunig is appointed as a retired elder as associate pastor at Oakfield UMC effective September 11, 2016.

Northern Flow

• Tom Nichols is appointed as a part time local pastor to Kendrew UMC in addition to his appointment at Galilee UMC effective August 1, 2016.
• Christian Remick is appointed as a part time local pastor to West Stockholm and Nicholville UMC’s effective September 29, 2016.

Oneonta

• Dale Schneeberger is appointed as a retired local pastor to Delanson UMC effective September 12, 2016.

Bishop Webb announces the following retirements pending approval of The Board of Ordained Ministry and clergy session:

• Stephen T. Deckard effective September 1, 2016