Clear opens as of November 17, 2023

Bishop Lanette Plambeck, resident bishop for the Dakotas-Minnesota Area of The United Methodist Church, announces the following appointments. All appointments begin July 1, 2024 unless otherwise noted. The newest announcements are in bold text. Please note that posts to this page often lag behind local church announcements because of paperwork and other requirements. Thanks for your patience!

Leisa Richards (Full Elder) to Extension Ministry: East River Legal Services (Northeast District) fulltime, from Extension Ministry: legal services located in New Mexico fulltime, effective June 1, 2022.

Mark Ehrmantraut (Full Elder) to Extension Ministry: Community Engagement & Donor Developer at The God’s Child Project (Northwest District) fulltime, from Minot: Vincent UMC (Northwest District) fulltime, effective September 16, 2024.

Justin Iverson (Full Elder) to Extension Ministry: St. Louis University Hospital Chaplain (0.5) and Mascoutah: Bethel UMC (Illinois Great Rivers Conference) (0.5) from Mascoutah: Bethel UMC (Illinois Great Rivers Conference) fulltime, effective September 30, 2024.

Jordan Buchholz (Licensed Local Pastor) to no appointment (remaining certified candidate, Southeast District), from Sioux Falls the Collective (New Church Start) less than fulltime (0.25), effective July 1, 2024.

Andy Early (Licensed Local Pastor) to no appointment (discontinued), from Bismarck Calvary UMC (Northwest District) less than fulltime (0.5), effective September 3, 2024

Ray Baker (Full Elder) appointed to Fargo Faith and Hillsboro United (Northeast District) fulltime, from Fargo Faith (Northeast District) fulltime, effective September 1, 2024.

Andy Early (Licensed Local Pastor) appointed to Bismarck Calvary UMC (Nortwest District) less than fulltime (0.5), from Bismarck Legacy South/Bismarck Calvary (Northwest District) fulltime, effective July 15, 2024.

Cindy Heidelberger (Provisional Deacon at Annual Conference Session) appointed to Sioux Falls Wesley and Ground Works Connect (Southeast District) fulltime, from no appointment, effective August 1, 2024

Teri Johnson (Full Elder) appointed to White Sterling and Extension Ministry- SDSU (Southeast District) fulltime, from Extension Ministry- SDSU fulltime, effective July 15, 2024

Annie Carlson (Provisional Elder at Annual Conference Session) appointed to Washburn UMC and Bismarck Legacy UMC as Pastor of Discipleship (Northwest District) fulltime, from Washburn/Center, fulltime, effective July 1, 2024

Justin Trent (Newly Licensed Local Pastor) appointed to Wall/Wasta UMC (Southwest District) fulltime, from same appointment as Certified Lay Minister.

Laura Isakson Cook (Other Denomination – Evangelical Covenant) appointed to Wheatland Parish: Gettysburg, Onida (Southwest District) fulltime, from no appointment, effective July 1, 2024

Becca Hafner (Licensed Local Pastor) appointed to Ellendale United/Edgeley Wesley/Jud (new alignment) (Northwest District) fulltime, from Edgeley Wesley/Jud (Northwest District) less than fulltime (.75), effective July 1, 2024.

Teresa Whetsel (Provisional Elder) appointed to West Fargo Flame of Faith (Northeast District) fulltime, from Miller First (Southwest District) fulltime, effective July 1, 2024.

Jen Tyler (Full Elder) appointed to Extension Ministries: Regional Strategist (Southeast District) fulltime, from Watertown First (Northeast District) fulltime, effective July 1, 2024. Jen will transition to be appointed to Brookings First (Southeast District) fulltime, effective January 1, 2025, replacing Pete Grassow (other denomination).

Allison Galbreath (Provisional Elder upon approval at clergy session) appointed to Harrold, Highmore, Miller (New Parish Alignment - Southwest District) fulltime, from no appointment (attending seminary), effective July 1, 2024.

Sara McManus (Full Elder) appointed to Watertown First (Northeast District) fulltime, from West Fargo Flame of Faith (Northeast District) fulltime, effective July 1, 2024.

Barbara Krumm (Licensed Local Pastor) moving to retirement (discontinued LLP) status, from Ellendale Presbyterian UMC/ PCUSA (Northwest District) less than fulltime (.75), effective July 1, 2024.

Cory Thrall (Licensed Local Pastor) appointed to Bismarck Legacy (Northwest District) fulltime, from Bismarck Mission – New Church Plant and Bismarck Legacy (Northwest District) less than fulltime (.75), effective July 1, 2024.

Brandon Vetter (Full Elder) appointed to Extension Ministries: Southeast District Superintendent fulltime, from Bismarck Legacy (Northwest District) fulltime, effective July 1, 2024.

Rebecca Trefz (Full Elder) appointed to Extension Ministries: Assistant to the Bishop for Connectional and Communications Ministries fulltime, from Extension Ministries: Director of Ministries and SE District Superintendent (Southeast District) fulltime, effective July 1, 2024.

Paul Lint (Full Elder) appointed to Spearfish (Southwest District) fulltime, from Extension Ministries: Wesley Acres Camp/Dakotas Camping, effective TBD.

Brenda Wicks (Licensed Local Pastor) appointed to Carpenter and Extension Ministry: Regional Care Coordinator (Southeast District) less than full time (.25), from Carpenter (Southeast District) less than fulltime (.25), effective January 1, 2024.

Marilyn Spurrell (Retired Elder) appointed as interim to White-Sterling (Southeast District) less than fulltime (.25), from retirement, effective January 15, 2024.

Howard Grinager (Retired Elder) appointed as interim to Sioux Falls Wesley (Southeast District) less than fulltime (.25), from retirement, effective February 12, 2024.

John Price (Retired Elder) withdrawn from UMC from retirement (Southwest District), effective January 1, 2024.

Juwle Nagbe (Retired Elder) withdrawn from UMC from Streeter/Napoleon (no longer UMC – formerly Northwest District), effective December 31, 2023.

Eric VanMeter (Full Elder) appointed to Extension Ministry: Kentucky Conference, Loucon Camp Director fulltime, from Extension Ministries: Dakotas Staff as interim project coordinator for churches and clergy (.50) and Sioux Falls Wesley (.50) (Southeast District) fulltime, effective January 1, 2024.

Rey Colon (Provisional Elder) withdrawn from UMC from Tulare (no longer UMC – formerly Southeast District), effective December 31, 2023.

Taryn Ragels (Licensed Local Pastor) appointed to Mitchell Fusion (.75) and Extension Ministry: DWU Campus Minister (.25) (Southeast District), from Mitchell Fusion (Southeast District) less than fulltime (.75), effective October 15, 2023.

Richard Bensinger (Licensed Local Pastor Other Conference – Virginia) appointed to Rapid City First (Southwest District) fulltime, from Howellsville, Cool Spring (Virginia Conference) less than fulltime (.50), effective January 1, 2024.

Mary Morgan (Licensed Local Pastor) to no appointment (remaining certified candidate, Southeast District), from White/Sterling (Southeast District) less than fulltime (.50), effective December 1, 2023.

Melanie Reiners (Retired Licensed Local Pastor) withdrawn from UMC from retirement (Northeast District), effective November 1, 2023.

Allen Finger (Other denomination – NAB) to no appointment, from Elgin Bethesda UMC (will be closing, formerly Northwest District) and Ebenezer UCC, effective October 16, 2023.

John “Jack” Erickson (Retired Elder) to no appointment from Aberdeen Faith (Northeast District) less than fulltime, effective November 1, 2023

Darwin Kopfmann (Retired Elder) withdrawn from UMC, from retirement (Southwest District), effective November 7, 2023.

Thanael Certa-Werner (Provisional Elder) appointed to Burke/Herrick & Gregory (Southwest District) fulltime, from Burke/Herrick (Southwest District) fulltime effective November 1, 2023.

George Keehner (Certified Lay Minister, Lay Supply) assigned to Prairie View (Southwest District) less than fulltime (.50), from no assignment, effective November 1, 2023.

Kippy Udehn moving to retired LLP status from LLP approved/not appointed (Southwest District), effective November 19, 2023.

Alyssa Quade (Lay Supply – in license reinstatement process) assigned to Velva (Northwest District) less than fulltime (.25), from no appointment/assignment, effective November 1, 2023.

John Bergh (Retired Licensed Local Pastor) withdrawn from UMC, from retirement (Northeast District), effective October 23, 2023.

Jeff Adel (Full Elder) moving to retired status, from Gettysburg/Onida (Wheatland Parish) (Southwest District) fulltime, effective July 1, 2024.

Chet Cataldo (Retired Elder) withdrawn from UMC, from retirement (Northwest District), effective October 3, 2023.

Denise Van Meter (Other Denomination – UCC) assigned to Virgil/Alpena (Southeast District) less than fulltime (.50), from no assignment, effective September 1, 2023.

Melissa Rowenhorst (Licensed Local Pastor – approved but not appointed, certified candidate) to no appointment (Lay Speaker at Frankfort), from Redfield – no longer UMC/ Frankfort (Southeast District) less than fulltime (.50), effective September 1, 2023.

Paul Kimball (Licensed Local Pastor) withdrawn from UMC, from extension ministry (Southeast District), effective September 18, 2023.

William Hoffman (Retired Elder) withdrawn from UMC, from retirement (Southeast District), effective September 21, 2023.

Sarah Herman (Retired Elder) withdrawn from UMC, from retirement (Southwest District), effective September 26, 2023.

Elmo Herman (Retired Elder) withdrawn from UMC, from retirement (Southwest District), effective September 26, 2023.

Steve Behrens (Retired Elder) withdrawn from UMC, from retirement (Southeast District), effective September 11, 2023.

Zach Kingerey (Licensed Local Pastor) withdrawn from UMC, from Wessington Springs/Alpena (disaffiliating September 30, 2023 – formerly Southeast District) less than fulltime (.75), effective September 1, 2023.

Arlyn Coalter (Retired Elder) withdrawn from UMC, from serving Olivet (formerly Southeast District) until their disaffiliation on July 1, 2023, effective August 22, 2023.

Rick Andrus (Certified Candidate from Southeast District) withdrawn from UMC, effective August 23, 2023.

Marvin Winstryg (Retired Associate Member) withdrawn from UMC, from serving Kindred Calvary and Walcott Zion – no longer UMC as of 8-31-23 (formerly Northeast District), effective August 24, 2023.

Mark Britton (Full Elder) withdrawn from UMC, from Marion Grace and Dickey – no longer UMC (formerly Northwest District), effective August 31, 2023.

Elmo Herman (Full Elder) to retirement, from Gregory (Southwest District) fulltime, effective August 1, 2023.

Sandee Prouty-Cole (Provisional Deacon) appointed to Attend School (secondary: The Sanctuary Online Church Start) (Northeast District) fulltime, from Transitional Leave, effective August 15, 2023.

Rob Salmonson (Full Elder) appointed to Clark (Northeast District) fulltime, from Clark/Garden City (Northeast District) fulltime, effective August 16, 2023.

Molly Leger (Licensed Local Pastor) to no appointment (discontinued), from Webster/Bristol-Butler (Northeast District) fulltime, effective August 1, 2023.

Justin Trent (Certified Lay Minister- in licensing process) assigned to Wall/Wasta (Southwest District) fulltime, from no assignment, effective July 15,2023.