GNW Appointment Express – Monday, May 15, 2023

Appointment Express | May 15, 2023

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

Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth intends to appoint the Rev. Murray Crookes half-time as associate pastor of Anchor Park United Methodist Church in Anchorage, Alaska, beginning July 1, 2023. In addition, he will continue half-time in his current appointment to Every Nation UMC.

Rev. Crookes is a provisional elder in the PNW Conference who anticipates ordination in June. He will join Rev. Dan Wilcox whose appointment as lead pastor of Anchor Park UMC was announced earlier this spring.

Sage District Superintendent, Rev. Karen Hernandez, announces the assignment of Paul VanAntwerp as the pastor of New Meadows UMC in New Meadows, Idaho, beginning July 1.

VanAntwerp is ordained in The United Church of Christ and has most recently served in nearby Mountain Home, Idaho. It was previously announced Rev. Jon Umbdenstock will be leaving to take an appointment in the Mountain Sky Conference.

Rev. Karen Hernandez also announces a new experimental interim year of discernment between St. Paul's and Trinity UMCs in Idaho Falls, Idaho, beginning July 1.

Rev. Kathy Neary, PNW Conference's transitional ministry developer, Genesis Christian Mediation (including Andrew Arthur and Rev. Brian Shimer of the OR-ID Conference), and various cabinet members will be leading worship, engaging Christian formation, offering leadership development and seeking God's call for United Methodists in Idaho Falls.

St. Paul's UMC has had pulpit supply leadership since 2022. It was previously announced Rev. Ruth Marsh from Trinity UMC will be appointed to Dallas UMC and Polk County Cooperative Ministry in Oregon.

Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth intends to appoint the Rev. Ben Moore as Pastor of Riverview United Methodist Church in Pasco, Washington, beginning August 1, 2023.

Rev. Moore is currently serving at West Highlands United Methodist Church in Kennewick. Rev. Kathy Makus will complete her service in retirement to Riverview at the end of June.

Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth intends to appoint the Rev. Cody Natland as Pastor of Ellensburg United Methodist Church in Ellensburg, Washington, beginning July 1, 2023.

Rev. Natland currently serves at Moran United Methodist Church in Spokane, Washington. It was previously announced that Rev. Austin Adkinson, Ellenburg UMC's current pastor, would begin an appointment to Light of the Hill UMC in Puyallup in July.