United Methodist bishop finalizes clergy appointments for North Alabama

As the North Alabama Conference concluded its annual meeting at Asbury United Methodist Church in Birmingham this past Saturday, Bishop Jonathan Holston officially released the latest round of clergy assignments.

The announcement arrives on the heels of Friday's decision to close 15 churches across the conference. In the wake of these closures, several pastors have been reassigned to new congregations.

Among those moving is the Rev. Donna Godwin, formerly the final pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Center Point, who will now serve at All Saints UMC in Trussville. This new fellowship currently meets at the local Pump It Up and serves members from the former First Methodist Church of Trussville. Additionally, the Rev. Geary Hewett Jr. will transition from his role at the shuttered Panola and Aliceville First United Methodist churches to lead Macedonia United Methodist Church in Northport.

New Clergy Appointments

East District

• All Saints UMC, Senior Pastor: Rev. Donna Godwin
• Heflin First UMC, Senior Pastor: Rev. Delaney Wray Holloway
• Odenville UMC, Senior Pastor: Rev. David Teel
• Oxford First UMC, Senior Pastor: Rev. Amelia Sims
• Pell City First UMC, Senior Pastor: Rev Dr. Emmanuel Busambwa
• Red Ridge UMC, Senior Pastor: Rev. Scott Coats
• Vincent UMC, Senior Pastor: Rev. Sam Frazier

Mid Central District

• Arab First UMC, Associate Pastor: Rev. Ally Ohki
• Arley UMC, Senior Pastor: Rev. Jonathan Todd
• Double Springs UMC, Senior Pastor: Rev. Jonathan Todd
• Forrest Chapel UMC, Senior Pastor: Rev. Trent Salter
• Goshen UMC, Senior Pastor: Rev. Renae Perry
• Littleville UMC, Senior Pastor: Rev. Jonathan Todd
• Moss Chapel UMC, Senior Pastor: Rev. Trent Salter

North District

• Crosswinds (Athens), Senior Pastor: Rev. Tony Johnson
• Ford’s Chapel UMC, Senior Pastor: Rev. Staci Plonsky
• Grace UMC, Senior Pastor: Rev. Joy Morgan
• North Wood UMC, Senior Pastor: Dedra Campbell
• The Church at Stone River, Associate Pastor: Rev. Jesse Sloan
• Trinity UMC (Airport Road), Associate Pastor: Rev. Katie Dobbins

West District

• Asbury UMC, Associate Pastor: Rev. Griffen Cope
• Asbury UMC, Associate Pastor: Rev. Margaret Grubic
• Birmingham First UMC, Associate Pastor: Rev. Rae Green
• Canterbury UMC, Associate Pastor: Eleanor Christiansen
• Druid Hills UMC, Senior Pastor: Rev. Nedra Deerman
• Earnest UMC, Senior Pastor: Rev. Ryan Karr
• Grace UMC (Birmingham), Senior Pastor: Rev. Bryan Sisson
• Irondale UMC, Associate Pastor: Rev. Kiki Terry
• Macedonia UMC, Senior Pastor: Rev. Geary Hewett Jr.
• Montevallo First UMC, Senior Pastor: Rev. Reid Turner
• Morgan UMC, Senior Pastor: Rev. Ryan Karr
• Riverchase UMC, Senior Pastor: Rev Dr. Tyler Christiansen
• Riverchase UMC, Associate Pastor: Rev. Rachel Gonia
• Trinity UMC (Hoover), Campus Pastor: Jack Hinnen
• Tuscaloosa First UMC, Associate Pastor: Rev Dr. Wade Langer Jr.

While many clergy will return to their existing posts, those listed above mark the changes for the upcoming cycle. You can view the complete list of all conference appointments here.