Bishop Paul L. Leeland is pleased to announce
Rev. Allen Newton has been appointed as the District Superintendent to the Demopolis District of the Alabama-West Florida Conference, effective July 1, 2016.
Currently serving as the senior pastor of St. James UMC in Montgomery, AL, Newton was ordained as an elder in the AWF Conference in 1991. His previous appointments include Covenant UMC (Dothan), Montgomery FUMC, Ashford UMC, St. Mark UMC (Pensacola), Gulf Breeze UMC, and Woodlawn UMC (Panama City).
Newton received his undergraduate degree from Huntingdon College and received his seminary degree from Asbury Theological Seminary. He is married to the former Stephanie Dunaway. They have three children, Riley, Sarah Kate and David.
Rev. Nancy Watson, pastor of Thomasville UMC, will be appointed as the Director of Connectional Ministries, also effective July 1, 2016. Watson has served Thomasville UMC since 2014. Her previous appointments include Trinity UMC (Ft. Walton Beach) and St. Mark UMC (Pensacola).
Watson was ordained as an elder in the Alabama-West Florida Conference in 2010. She is a graduate of Indiana University and Florida A & M University and received her seminary degree from Asbury Theological Seminary.
Bishop Leeland stated, “It is an honor to welcome Allen to the appointive cabinet and Nancy to our extended cabinet and conference staff. Both have shown tremendous leadership in our conference and will be outstanding assets to our ministry team. I am grateful to Chris and Cory for their service and faithfulness to the cabinet and staff. I know you will join me in extending your appreciation to them for their service in these leadership roles and we wish them well in their new appointments”
Dr. Chris Eckert, current Demopolis District Superintendent, and
Dr. Cory Smith, current AWF Director of Connectional Ministries, will be appointed to local churches at the upcoming annual conference session.
