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“Clergy shall be appointed by the bishop, who is empowered to make and fix all appointments in the episcopal area of which the annual conference is a part. Appointments are to be made with consideration of the gifts and evidence of God’s grace of those appointed, to the needs, characteristics, and opportunities of congregations and institutions, and with faithfulness to the commitment to an open itineracy.”

– The 2016 Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church. ¶425

Appointment List

The Desert Southwest Conference Appointment list is updated throughout the year. To view the current appointment list, click this link:

Appointment List 2023-2024 effective 2-15-24

Clear Openings Appointment Process

The Appointive Cabinet of the Desert Southwest Conference, are in prayer and discernment for the 2024/2025 Conference appointment year. Click here to learn more.

    Appointment Announcement December 26, 2023

    Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut intends to appoint the Rev. Sharon Ragland as the part-time interim pastor at Patagonia Community United Methodist Church in Patagonia, AZ, effective February 1, 2024 through June 30, 2024 per paragraphs ¶357.6, 338.2 and 338.3 of the 2016 United Methodist Book of Discipline. Rev. Ragland is a retired elder in the Desert Southwest Conference.

    Frick, Rev. PattyRev. Ragland follows Rev. Patty Frick, a retired elder in the Peninsula Delaware Conference who will be returning to retirement.

    This announcement is being made by Rev. Matt Ashley, Missional Strategist and Superintendent of the South District, who calls us to be in prayer for Rev. Ragland, Rev. Frick and Patagonia Community UMC during this transition.

    Appointment Announcements December 18, 2023

    Corella, Rev. AmandaBishop Carlo A. Rapanut intends to appoint the Rev. Amanda Corella as pastor of Prescott Valley United Methodist Church, less than full time, and to Fresh Expressions in the Quad Cities, less than full time, effective January 1, 2024 per 259.2 of the 2016 United Methodist Book of Discipline.

    This announcement is being made by the Rev. Javier Olivares, Missional Strategist and Superintendent of the West District, who calls us to be in prayer for Rev. Corella, Prescott Valley UMC, and Fresh Expressions during this transition.


    Azhikakath, Rev. Deanna DeeBishop Carlo A. Rapanut intends to appoint the Rev. Dee Dee Azhikakath as Registrar and Candidacy Coordinator for the Board of Ordained Ministry of the Desert Southwest Conference, from ¼ time to ½ time, effective January 1, 2024 per ¶344.1.a.1 of the 2016 United Methodist Book of Discipline.

    This announcement is being made by the Rev. Melissa Rynders, Missional Strategist and Superintendent of the East District and Cabinet liaison to the Board of Ordained Ministry.

    Appointment Announcement December 4, 2023

    The Rev. Javier Olivares, Missional Strategist and Superintendent of the West District announces that Bishop Carlos A. Rapanut intends to appoint the Rev. Cheryl Paulovich as Minister of Pastoral Care, less than full-time, at Dove of the Desert UMC in Glendale, AZ, effective January 1, 2024 per ¶346.2 and ¶357.6 of the 2016 United Methodist Book of Discipline. Rev. Paulovich is a retired ordained Mennonite Pastor.

    Let us be in prayer for Rev. Paulovich and Dove of the Desert UMC during this transition.

    Appointment Announcement November 13, 2023

    The Rev. Javier Olivares, Missional Strategist and Superintendent of the West District, announced that Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut intends to appoint Rev. Dr. Elizabeth LeMaster to serve as pastor of Sedona United Methodist Church, less than full-time, and continue at Chino Valley United Methodist Church, less than full-time, effective November 9, 2023 through June 30, 2024, per paragraph 346.1 of the 2016 United Methodist Book of Discipline. Rev. LeMaster currently serves Chino Valley United Methodist Church in Chino Valley, AZ

    Let us be in prayer for Rev. LeMaster, Sedona United Methodist Church and Chino Valley United Methodist Church during this time.


    The Rev. Matt Ashley, Missional Strategist and Superintendent of the South District, announced that Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut intends to appoint the Rev. Deborah Christine as interim pastor at Vista de la Montaña UMC in Tucson, AZ, effective January 1, 2024 through June 30, 2024 per paragraphs 357.6, 346.1 and 338.3 of the 2016 United Methodist Book of Discipline. Rev. Christine is a retired elder in the Mountain Sky Conference.

    Baum, Rev. FredRev. Fred Baum will enter retirement effective January 1, 2024.

    Let us be in prayer for Rev. Christine, Rev. Baum, and Vista de la Montaña UMC during this time.

    Appointment Announcement October 31, 2023

    Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut announces that the Rev. Javier Olivares, Missional Strategist and Superintendent of the West District, is now the pastor of record of Sedona United Methodist Church in Sedona, Arizona effective October 30, 2023 in accordance with ¶419 of the 2016 Book of Discipline. This is in relation to the withdrawal of Rev. Fred Mast from membership in The United Methodist Church to join the Global Methodist Church according to ¶360.1 and 360.4. Rev. Olivares will remain the pastor of record until a new pastoral appointment is made.

    We ask for prayers for Rev. Olivares, the Sedona UMC congregation and Rev. Mast during this time of transition.

    Appointment Announcement October 30, 2023

    Simons, Gary Gene

    St. Paul’s UMC, Globe, AZ

    The Rev. Melissa Rynders, Missional Strategist and Superintendent of the East District, announced that Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut has appointed Pastor Gary Gene Simons as the part time local pastor of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Globe, Arizona, effective November 1, 2023 per paragraph 318.2 of the 2016 Book of Discipline. Pastor Simons was serving as the Lay Person Assigned to St. Paul’s UMC.

    We celebrate with Pastor Simons and St. Paul’s UMC on his licensing as a local pastor.

    Appointment Announcement September 4, 2023

    The Rev. Melissa Rynders, Missional Strategist and Superintendent of the East District, announced that Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut has affirmed that Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson of the Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church, intends to appoint the Rev. Stephanie Bekhor as Associate Pastor (less than full time) at Mount Olivet United Methodist Church in Arlington, VA, effective September 1, 2023, per ¶346.1, of the 2016 United Methodist Book of Discipline. Rev. Bekhor is currently on transitional leave.

    Let us be in prayer for Rev. Bekhor, her family and Mount Olivet UMC at this time.

    Appointment Announcement August 17, 2023

    Ashton, LoyeUPDATE: The appointment start date for Rev. Loye Ashton is effective September 11, 2023.

    The Rev. Melissa Rynders, Missional Strategist and Superintendent of the East District, announced that Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut intends to appoint the Rev. Loye Ashton as Associate Pastor at Paradise Valley UMC, Paradise Valley, AZ effective September 11, 2023, per paragraph 346.1 of the 2016 United Methodist Book of Discipline. Rev. Ashton currently serves as Minister of Communication and Discipleship at Desert Skies UMC in Tucson, AZ.

    Previously published on June 26, 2023: The Rev. Dan Morley, Missional Strategist and Superintendent of the North District, announced that Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut intends to appoint Pastor Lauren Coffman as pastor at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church in Flagstaff, AZ, effective October 1, 2023, per paragraph 318.1 of the 2016 United Methodist Book of Discipline. Pastor Coffman currently serves as Executive Pastor at Paradise Valley United Methodist Church in Paradise Valley, AZ.

    Let us be in prayer for Rev. Ashton, Pastor Coffman, Paradise Valley UMC, Trinity Heights UMC and Desert Skies UMC during this time.

    Appointment Announcement July 10, 2023

    Ashton, LoyeThe Rev. Melissa Rynders, Missional Strategist and Superintendent of the East District, announced that Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut intends to appoint the Rev. Loye Ashton as Associate Pastor at Paradise Valley UMC, Paradise Valley, AZ effective October 1, 2023, per paragraph 346.1 of the 2016 United Methodist Book of Discipline. Rev. Ashton currently serves as Minister of Communication and Discipleship at Desert Skies UMC in Tucson, AZ.

    Let us be in prayer for Rev. Ashton, Paradise Valley UMC, and Desert Skies UMC during this time.

    Appointment Announcement July 3, 2023

    Williams, Rev. EveThe Rev. Dan Morley, Missional Strategist and Superintendent of the North District, announced that Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut intends to appoint the Rev. Eve Williams to full-time ministry position as Community Engagement Coordinator for United Methodist Social Ministries in Las Vegas, NV, effective July 1, 2023, per paragraph 344.1.d of the 2016 United Methodist Book of Discipline. Rev. Williams is currently serving at Advent UMC in Las Vegas, NV.

    Pastor C. Ash Dotson will begin his appointment to serve Advent UMC on July 1, 2023.

    Let us be in prayer for Rev. Williams, Pastor Dotson, Advent UMC, and United Methodist Social Ministries during this time.


    Fischer, Rev. CourtThe Rev. Daniel Morley, Missional Strategist and Superintendent of the North District, announced that Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut has affirmed that Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai of the Iowa Conference of The United Methodist Church, has appointed the Rev. Court Fischer as Pastor at First United Methodist Church in Mount Pleasant, IA, effective July 1, 2023, per ¶346.1 of the 2016 United Methodist Book of Discipline. Rev. Fischer is currently appointed as the Senior Pastor of Trinity Heights UMC in Flagstaff, AZ.

    Let us be in prayer for Rev. Fischer, his family, Trinity Heights UMC and First UMC at this time.


    The Rev. Matt Ashley, Missional Strategist and Superintendent of the South District, announced that Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut has affirmed that Bishop LaTrelle Easterling of the Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church, has appointed the Rev. Mark Conrad as Pastor at Calvary United Methodist Church in Great Cacapan, WV, less than full time, effective July 1, 2023, per ¶346.1, of the 2016 United Methodist Book of Discipline. Rev. Conrad is currently a retired elder in the Desert Southwest Conference.

    Let us be in prayer for Rev. Conrad, his family and Calvary UMC at this time.


    Kristopeit, Rev. Cynthia

     

     The Rev. Melissa Rynders, Missional Strategist and Superintendent of the East District, announced that Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut has affirmed that Bishop Larua Merrill of the Arkansas Conference of The United Methodist Church, has appointed the Rev. Cynthia Kristopeit as Pastor at Henderson United Methodist Church in Little Rock, AR, less than full time, effective July 1, 2023, per ¶346.1 of the 2016 United Methodist Book of Discipline. Rev. Kristopeit is currently a retired elder in the Desert Southwest Conference.

    Let us be in prayer for Rev. Kristopeit, her family and Henderson UMC at this time.