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    United Methodists of Upper New YorkLiving the Gospel. Being God's Love.


    news

    2018-2019 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!

    May 29, 2019

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

    Mohawk

    • Melanie Simmons as a part-time local pastor to South Otselic UMC effective May 22, 2019.

    Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference intend to make the following appointments, effective July 1, 2019.

    Adirondack

    • Derek Hansen as a full elder to Whitehall UMC in addition to his current appointment at Lake Placid: Adirondack Community Church effective July 1, 2019.
    • Philip Richards as coordinating pastor at Willsboro and Reber UMC in addition to his current appointment at Plattsburgh UMC effective July 1, 2019.
    • Scott Tyler as a full elder to Crown Point UMC in addition to his current appointment at Ticonderoga UMC effective July 1, 2019.
    • Meredith Vanderminden as a full elder as coordinating pastor to Lake Luzerne/South Corinth UMC’s in addition to her appointment at Glens Falls: Christ UMC and her extension ministry to Art Divina effective July 1, 2019.
    • Ted Trevail as a part-time local pastor to Mooers UMC in addition to his current appointment at Lyon Mountain: Memorial UMC effective July 1, 2019.

    Albany

    • David Smith as a retired elder to Mayfield & Northampton at Fish House UMC’s effective July 1, 2019.

    Cornerstone

    • Susan Hadley as a full elder to Jamestown: Christ First UMC effective July 1, 2019.

    Crossroads

    • Brian Homan as a retired elder to Kirkville UMC effective July 1, 2019.
    • Robert Sherburne as a retired elder to Oran UMC effective July 1, 2019.

    Finger Lakes

    • Brett Johnson as a provisional elder to Lyons UMC in addition to his current appointment at Seneca Castle UMC effective July 1, 2019.

    Mohawk

    • Wendy Morrison as a part-time local pastor to Camden/Cleveland UMC’s effective July 1, 2019.
    • Robbin Harris as a part-time local pastor to Cold Brook/Ohio UMC’s effective July 1, 2019.
    • Anthony Bradseth as an elder of another denomination to St. Johnsville in addition to his current appointment at Dolgeville/Oppenheim UMC’s effective July 1, 2019.
    • Jack Ford as a full-time local pastor as coordinating pastor at Salisbury Center/Stratford in addition to his current appointment at Boonville UMC and coordinating pastor at Hawkinsville UMC effective July 1, 2019.
    • Melanie Simmons as a part-time local pastor to Georgetown UMC in addition to her current appointment at South Otselic effective July 1, 2019.

    New Faith Communities

    • Richard Howard as a part-time local pastor as Associate to Vestal: Foundation UMC effective July 1, 2019.

    Oneonta

    • Eda Dorosky as a part time local pastor to Guilford UMC in addition to her current appointment at Bainbridge UMC effective July 1, 2019.

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

    • Kim Smith

    May 15, 2019

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

    Mohawk

    • Marilyn Baissa as a retired elder as associate at First UMC of New Hartford effective May 1, 2019.

    Northern Flow

    • Carl Chamberlain as a retired elder to extension ministry, Chaplain @ NYSDOC Upstate Correctional Facility in addition to his appointment at Brushton UMC & coordinating pastor of SALT effective April 29, 2019.

    Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference intend to make the following appointments, effective July 1, 2019.

    Albany

    • Robert J. DeFelice as a part-time local pastor to Melrose UMC effective August 1, 2019.
    • Christian Jewell as a full-time local pastor to Scotia UMC in addition to his current appointment at Schenectady: Faith UMC effective July 1, 2019.

    Binghamton

    • Gladys Fortuna-Blake as a retired elder of Susquehanna Conference to Windsor UMC effective July 1, 2019.

    Cornerstone

    • Tom LeBeau as a full elder to Jamestown: Kidder Memorial UMC effective July 1, 2019.

    Crossroads

    • Rhonda Chester as a full-time local pastor to Fayetteville UMC in addition to her extension ministry as Chaplain at Syracuse University effective July 1, 2019.

    Finger Lakes

    • Patience Kisakye as a full elder to Newark: First UMC effective July 1, 2019.
    • Jane Sautter as a retired elder to Penn Yan UMC effective July 1, 2019.
    • Sandra Perl as a part time local pastor to Penn Yan UMC in addition to her current appointment at Bluff Point effective July 1, 2019.
    • Matthew Rowe as a full-time local pastor to North Rose UMC effective July 1, 2019.
    • Rebecca Dolch as a retired elder to Ithaca: Forest Home Chapel effective July 1, 2019.

    Genesee Valley

    • Nadine Graham as a full elder to Director & Developer of Mukizi Community Ministries in Houston, TX and Co-Director of Mukozi Communities in Burgiri Uganda effective July 1, 2019.

    Bishop Webb announces the following retirements July 1, 2019 pending approval of clergy session:

    • Judith Johnson-Siebold
    • Natalie Scholl
    • Richard Kempton

    May 1, 2019

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

    Albany

    • Noel John as a part-time local pastor to Voorheesville UMC effective April 11, 2019.

    Cornerstone

    • Molly Golando as a full deacon to Functional Literacy Ministry/Haiti and additional to United Presbyterian Church of Randolph effective February 8, 2019.

    Crossroads

    • Shawn Porter as an elder of another denomination to Mount Pleasant UMC effective April 24, 2019.

    Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference intend to make the following appointments, effective July 1, 2019:

    Albany

    • Judith Humphrey-Fox is appointed as a full elder to Amsterdam UMC & Restoration Ministry effective July 1, 2019.

    Cornerstone

    • Clara Wilder as a full-time local pastor to Brocton Tri: Church effective July 1, 2019.

    Northern Flow

    • Eilene Susan Wenner as a full elder to Potsdam UMC & Colton UMC’s effective July 1, 2019.

    April 17, 2019

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

    Cornerstone

    • Bruce Fish is appointed as a retired local pastor to Napoli UMC effective April 10, 2019.

    Oneonta

    • John Buddle is appointed as a part-time local pastor to Davenport UMC effective April 5, 2019.

    Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference intend to make the following appointments, effective July 1, 2019:

    Adirondack

    • Amy Winnie as a full-time local pastor to Malta Ridge & Round Lake UMC’s effective July 1, 2019.

    Albany

    • Joel Holcomb as a full-time local pastor to Troy: Center Brunswick in addition to his current appointment at Berlin UMC effective July 1, 2019.

    Binghamton

    • Ronald E. Wenzinger as a retired elder part time to Centenary-Chenango Street UMC effective July 1, 2019.

    Crossroads

    • Roosevelt Baums as a retired elder to Amboy Belle Isle United Church effective July 1, 2019.
    • Samuel More as a part-time local pastor to Warners UMC effective July 1, 2019.

    Genesee Valley

    • Christine Mitchell as a part-time local pastor to Honeoye Falls UMC effective July 1, 2019.

    Mountain View

    • Leanne Zeck as a full elder to Bath: Centenary UMC effective July 1, 2019.
    • Michaela St. Marie as a full elder to Caton & Presho UMC’s effective July 1, 2019.
    • Patricia Hubman as a full elder to Elmira: New Beginnings UMC effective July 1, 2019.

    Northern Flow

    • Nancy Hale as a full elder to Canton UMC effective July 1, 2019.

    Oneonta

    • Jeffrey M. Smith as a part-time local pastor to Sharon Springs UMC effective July 1, 2019.
    • John Buddle as a full-time local pastor to Morris/Edmeston UMC’s effective July 1, 2019.
    • Dana Horrell as a full elder to Cooperstown UMC in addition to his current extension ministry appointed to Faithful Citizen. effective July 1, 2019.

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

    • Brian Homan

    April 3, 2019

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

    Adirondack

    • Patricia Molik to medical leave effective April 1, 2019

    Cornerstone

    • Nancy Preston as a retired local pastor interim to South Dayton and Hamlet UMC’s effective April 1, 2019 – June 30, 2019.

    Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference intend to make the following appointments, effective July 1, 2019:

    Adirondack

    • Brooke Newell as a full elder to Queensbury UMC effective July 1, 2019.
    • Natalie Bowerman as a provisional elder to Salem UMC & Greenwich: Centenary UMC effective July 1, 2019.
    • Kim Reed as a full elder less than full time to Hudson Falls UMC effective July 1, 2019.

    Crossroads

    • Robert Vizthum as a full elder from Susquehanna Conference to Liverpool: First UMC effective July 1, 2019.
    • Gregory DeSalvatore as a full elder to Cicero UMC effective July 1, 2019.

    Genesee Valley

    • Robin Blair as a full elder to East Bloomfield and Ionia UMC’s effective July 1, 2019.

    Mountain View

    • Eleanor Collinsworth as a full elder to the New England Conference Mid-Maine District to Union Church of Belgrade Lakes UMC effective July 1, 2019.

    March 20, 2019

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

    Crossroads

    • Randall Cooke as a part time local pastor to Oswego: Trinity UMC effective June 1, 2019.

    Niagara Frontier

    • Cesar Galarza as a part time local pastor to Buffalo: Community Church Jehovah Jireh effective February 1, 2019.

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

    • Deborah Hamlin- effective January 1, 2019

    Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference intend to make the following appointments, effective July 1, 2019:

    Genesee Valley

    • Philip Phaneuf as a full elder to North Chili UMC effective July 1, 2019.
    • Jeffrey Nowak as a full elder to East Rochester & West Walworth Zion UMCs effective July 1, 2019.

    March 6, 2019

    Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference intend to make the following appointments, effective July 1, 2019:

    Adirondack

    • Penny Brink as a full elder to South Glens Falls UMC effective July 1, 2019.

    Albany

    • Charlie Yang as a full elder to West Sand Lake: Salem UMC in addition to his appointment at Castleton: St. Paul’s UMC effective July 1, 2019.

    Binghamton

    • Carolyn Stow as a full elder to Sarah Jane Johnson Memorial UMC effective July 1, 2019.
    • Harold Wheat as a full elder to Binghamton: Tabernacle UMC effective July 1, 2019.

    Cornerstone

    • Chad Sayers as a full elder to Olean: Christ UMC effective July 1, 2019.

    Oneonta

    • Anna Blinn-Cole as a Provisional Elder to Cobleskill UMC in addition to her appointment at Warnerville UMC.

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

    • W. Alan Delamater - effective July 1, 2019
    • Mary Drake - effective July 1, 2019
    • Daniel Carr - effective July 1, 2019
    • Barbara Brewer - effective July 1, 2019

    February 20, 2019

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

    Albany

    • Janet James is appointed as a full elder to Family Leave effective February 16, 2019.

    Niagara Frontier

    • Alberto Lanzot is appointed as a full elder to Akron: First UMC effective February 1, 2019.
    • David Wickins is appointed as a full elder to medical leave effective February 1, 2019 – June 30, 2019.

    Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference intend to make the following appointments, effective July 1, 2019:

    Albany

    • Andrew Sperry as a full elder to Latham: Calvary.

    Binghamton

    • David R. Wickins as a full elder to Castle Creek/Glen Castle UMC’s.
    • William L. Puckey as an Associate Member to Candor: McKendree/Germany Hill UMC’s.

    Finger Lakes

    • Mary Rublee as a full elder to Christ UMC of Locke & Moravia.

    Genesee Valley

    • Todd Goddard as a full elder to Rush UMC.
    • Cathy Hall Stengel as a full elder to attend school.

    Mohawk

    • Michael H. Terrell as a full-time local pastor to Clinton UMC.
    • Casey Bradley as a full-time local pastor to Richfield Springs Christ Uniting Federated Church.

    Northern Flow

    • Anne Bey Canfield as a full elder to Watertown: First UMC.

    Febraury 13, 2019

    Bishop Mark J. Webb announces the extension of two District Superintendents' terms, which incldes extensions for the Rev. Rich Weihing and the Rev. Dr. David Kofahl. 


    February 6, 2019

    Bishop Mark J. Webb announces the following appointments:

    Binghamton

    • James Collins is appointed to medical leave effective February 1, 2019.
    • Gladys Fortuna-Blake is appointed as a retired elder of another conference interim to Castle Creek and Glen Castle UMC’s effective Feb 1, 2019 – June 30, 2019.

    Genesee Valley

    • Sherri Rood is appointed as a full elder to Penfield UMC effective July 1, 2019.

    Oneonta

    • David Pritchard is appointed as an elder of another denomination to Sherburne UMC effective January 28, 2019.

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

    • Lynn Lockwood – effective January 1, 2019
    • Joy Lowenthal – effective May 1, 2019
    • Jacque Ruth – effective July 1, 2019
    • Mark Harrison – effective July 1, 2019
    • Jeffrey D. Hale – effective July 1, 2019
    • Susan Townsend – effective July 1, 2019
    • Patricia Ann Bush – effective July 1, 2019
    • Jackie Ann Rose Kraft – effective July 1, 2019
    • William Prentice – effective July 1, 2019
    • Diane Prentice – effective July 1, 2019
    • Lauren Swanson – effective July 1, 2019
    • David C. Derk – effective July 1, 2019
    • Frank Loan – effective July 1, 2019
    • Jeffrey Childs – effective July 1, 2019
    • Beth O. Benham – effective July 1, 2019
    • Diane E. DiLuzio – effective July 1, 2019
    • Hyun Joo Yang – effective July 1, 2019
    • Stephen G. Maddox, Sr. – effective July 1, 2019
    • Jessie M. Marafioti – effective July 1, 2019
    • Denise M. Bowen – effective July 1, 2019
    • Eric Kerwath – effective July 1, 2019

    January 21, 2019

    Bishop Mark J. Webb announces the appointment of the Rev. Suzanne Block as a Conference Superintendent to the Cornerstone District effective July 1, 2019.


    January 1, 2019 Appointment Announcement

    Bishop Mark J. Webb announces the following appointments:

    Binghamton

    • David A. Larson is appointed as a retired elder from the Wesleyan Church to the Candor: McKendree & Germany Hill UMC’s effective October 7, 2018.
    • Debra Arnold is appointed as a part-time local pastor to Deposit and Hale Eddy UMC’s effective October 12, 2018.

    Cornerstone

    • John Dedloff is appointed as a part-time local pastor to Cherry Creek-Leon UMC effective December 6, 2018.

    Crossroads

    • Elizabeth (Betty) Morey is appointed as a retired elder interim to Fayetteville UMC effective January 1 – June 30, 2019.

    Finger Lakes

    • Patience Kisakye is appointed as a full elder to Port Gibson UMC in addition to her appointment at Lyons and Palmyra UMC’s effective January 1, 2019.

    Mohawk

    • Christiane Depestre is appointed as a part-time local pastor to Perryville/Peterboro effective November 8, 2018.
    • Martha Fischer is appointed as a retired elder as coordinating pastor for Middleville/Newport UMC’s effective January 1, 2019.

    Oneonta

    • Jongdeok Park is appointed as a full-time local pastor to Esperance-Sloansville, Gallupville, and Cobleskill UMC’s effective November 26, 2018.

    September 30, 2018

    Bishop Mark J. Webb announces the following appointments:

    Adirondack

    • John Iseman is appointed as a full time local pastor to Schuylerville and Quaker Springs UMC’s effective September 24, 2018.
    • Nina Dickinson is appointed to Long Lake: Calvary UMC in addition to her current appointment at Indian Lake and Blue Mountain Lake effective September 23, 2018.

    Albany

    • Rusingizwa John Bizimana is appointed as a part time local pastor to Albany: Emmaus UMC effective August 1, 2018.

    Binghamton

    • Leon Jicha is appointed as a part time local pastor to Abbott: West Chenango UMC effective July 13, 2018.

    Cornerstone

    • Rebecca Ward is appointed as a part time local pastor to Ripley and South Ripley UMC’s effective August 1, 2018.
    • Westley Tessey is appointed as a part time local pastor to Wesley UMC in addition to his current appointment at East Otto UMC effective August 1, 2018.
    • Linda Harris is appointed as a retired elder to Minetto UMC in addition to her current appointment at Oswego: Trinity UMC.

    Crossroads

    • Sung Ah Choi is appointed as a provisional elder to Marcellus UMC effective September 10, 2018.
    • Roselynn Kingsbury is appointed as a part time local pastor to Onondaga Nation UMC effective September 24, 2018.
    • Rev. Linda Harris, retired elder is appointed Minetto.

    Finger Lakes

    • John Lanni is appointed as a part time local pastor to Vine Valley UMC effective July 23, 2018.
    • Debra Roher is appointed as a part time local pastor to Benton UMC effective July 23, 2018.
    • Robin Blair is appointed as a full elder to Harmony UMC in addition to her current appointment at Ithaca: Forest Home UMC effective August 1, 2018.
    • Marsha King is appointed as a retired local pastor to Moravia UMC effective September 30, 2018.
    • Rebecca Laird is appointed to personal leave of absence as of September 1, 2018.
    • Sung Jun Park is appointed as an elder from the Sam Nam Conference to Homer: First UMC effective September 1, 2018.

    Genesee Valley

    • Cindy Toenniessen is appointed as a full elder to extension ministry as Palliative Care Chaplain at Rochester General Hospital effective July 9, 2018.

    Mountain View

    • Holly Strickland is appointed as a part time local pastor to Elmira: Westside & Webb Mills UMC’s effective September 25, 2018.

    Oneonta

    • Eda Dorosky is appointed as a part time local pastor to Bainbridge UMC effective July 23, 2018.
    • Fred Albrecht is appointed as a retired elder part time to Otego UMC effective September 1, 2018.

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

    • Jan Hubbard effective October 1, 2018
    • Gary Freeland effective July 1, 2019

    United Methodists of Upper New York is comprised of a vibrant network of 677 local churches and active new faith communities in 12 districts, covering 48,000 square miles in 49 of the 62 counties in New York state. Our vision is to “live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places."