Many United Methodist churches in Kansas to have new pastors

WICHITA, Kan. -- Fifty-seven United Methodist churches in the eastern one-third of Kansas will have new pastors, July 1.

Pastors and the churches they will serve through next June were formally announced by United Methodist Bishop Scott J. Jones, June 7, at the Kansas East Annual (regional) Conference of The United Methodist Church. The conference met June 4 through June 7 at United Methodist related Baker University, in Baldwin City.

United Methodist pastors are appointed or assigned to local churches by the bishop and the five district superintendents in the conference. Appointments and assignments are made from January through May of each year and formally set during the Kansas East Annual Conference.

Among the new appointments are two planned new churches. Rev. Larry Barbarry is appointed to begin a new church in the Fort Riley area to serve military personnel and their families. Rev. Mitch Reece is appointed to begin a new church in northwest Johnson County.

Local areas that are receiving new pastors include: Hiattville, Mary Akins, first appointment; Moran - Bronson, David Shrum, first assignment and Pleasanton - Prescott, Gary Demott, first assignment.

Their first Sunday in their new pulpits will be July 6 unless otherwise noted.