GNW Appointment Express – Feb. 29, 2021

Appointment Express | Feb. 29, 2021

We are announcing the following intended appointment this week for the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Conferences. Clear appointment openings, those open due to retirements and other changes, are updated regularly on the Greater Northwest Area website.

Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky intends to appoint the Rev. Jim Doepken as pastor of the United Methodist Church of Chugiak, Alaska, beginning July 1, 2021.

Rev. Doepken is an ordained elder from the Oregon-Idaho Conference and is currently serving the Seward Memorial and Moose Pass United Methodist Churches in Alaska.

Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky intends to appoint Rev. Christy Dirren as pastor of Jason Lee Memorial UMC in Blackfoot, Idaho, beginning July 1, 2021.

Rev. Dirren currently serves West Portland UMC. She replaces Rev. Amanda Gayle Reed, who has served as interim pastor there since Dec. 1, 2020.

Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky intends to appoint the Rev. John Mars as pastor of Central United Protestant Church in Richland, Washington, beginning July 1, 2021.

Rev. Mars is an ordained elder from the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference currently serving as pastor of Meridian UMC in Meridian, Idaho and as the supervising elder of Middleton UMC in Middleton, Idaho.

Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky intends to appoint the Rev. Joel Aosved as pastor of the United Church of Ferndale, Washington, beginning July 1, 2021.

Rev. Aosved is currently serving as Executive Director of Winds of Grace, Inc. which he founded in 2007. He will be replacing Rev. Bobbi Virta, who is retiring.