Seventeen new appointments were made in the Northwest District of the United Methodist Church’s North Georgia Conference at the regional body’s annual meeting recently in Athens.
They included:
* Danny Ralph Barton (First, Ellijay) — He comes to the church from Senoia UMC in Senoia, Ga., in the LaGrange District of the conference.
* David Blackwood (Trinity, Dalton) — He was most recently at Mount Pleasant UMC in Calhoun. He replaces the Rev. Rhoda Howell.
* Roger Douglas Burrell (Blue Ridge) — He comes from North Fayette UMC in Fayetteville, Ga., in the LaGrange District, where he served since 2004. He replaces Dr. John Brantley.
* Tamlyn Porter Collins (Woodstation) — She replaces Joe Harrington III, who served the church since 2009.
* Gary Eastridge (Cassville) — He replaces Stephen Home at the church in Bartow County.
* Lori Lewis Ethridge (Williamstown) — Prior to coming to the Mineral Bluff church, she served at First UMC in Rome. She replaces Chris Andrew Branscomb, who had served the Fannin County church since 2005.
* Ruby Ford (Kaigler Chapel) — She replaces Tremain Davis at the Adairsville church.
* Jimmy Gainey (Emerson) — A part-time local pastor, he replaces Emily Case, another part-time local pastor.
* Gerry Gleason (Oak Hill, Ellijay) — He replaces Peggy Puckett, a retired pastor who was serving as supply clergy for the church.
* Geoffrey Grubbs (Pine Log) — He comes to the Rydal church in Bartow County from First UMC in Griffin, where he was associate pastor since 2008.
* Kathy Howard (Smith Chapel, Tunnel Hill) — She comes to the church from Faith Creek UMC in Newnan, Ga. She replaces Hugh Hendrickson.
* Shannon Elizabeth Karafanda (associate, The UMC at the Well) — She comes to the Cartersville church from Lighthouse UMC in Peachtree City in the LaGrange District, where she also was associate pastor.
* Tom Martin (Mount Zion, Chatsworth) — He replaces Larry Hannah, a retired pastor who was serving as supply clergy for the church.
* Ann Mann (Mount Pleasant, Calhoun) — She replaces David Blackwood.
* Christopher W. Mullis (Pleasant Grove, Dalton) — He comes to the church from Mount Zion UMC in Smarr, Ga. He replaces Raymond Camp.
* Maria Elwin Newsum (Center Valley, Chatsworth) — She comes to the church from Aldersgate UMC in Augusta, where she was associate pastor. She replaces Thomas Lanford, a retired pastor who was serving as supply as the church.
* Craig Paul (Kensington-Cedar Grove Circuit) — He replaces Richard Clark at the Chickamauga churches in Walker County.