Bishop Grant Hagiya intends to appoint the following pastors as of July 1, 2021:

Rev. Mark Sturgess as Lead Pastor for San Luis Obispo UMC. Pastor Mark will succeed the Rev. Rick Uhls who will become the new Lead Pastor of Shepherd of the Hills UMC in Mission Viejo.

Rev. Sandie Richards as Lead Pastor for Los Altos UMC. Pastor Sandie will succeed Rev. Mark Sturgess who will become the new Lead Pastor for San Luis Obispo UMC.

Rev. Paul Tangonan as Lead Pastor for First UMC of San Fernando. Pastor Paul succeeds Rev. Sandie Richards who will become the new Lead Pastor for Los Altos UMC.

Rev. Denyse Barnes as Lead Pastor for Crescenta Valley UMC at 50%, succeeding Rev. Paul Tangonan who will become the new Lead Pastor for First UMC of San Fernando. Pastor Denyse will also serve as Associate Director of Justice and Compassion Ministries at 50% for the Conference Connectional Ministries Team.

Pastor Katherine Hunter as Lead Pastor for Eastern Sierra Cooperative Parish made up of the congregations of Bishop First UMC, Big Pine Community UMC, and Independence: Pioneer Memorial UMC. Pastor Kate succeeds the Rev. Anna Camphouse who moves to dual standing with the UCC denomination in an appointment outside the California-Pacific Conference, and the Rev. David Camphouse who will enter Leave status with the California-Pacific Conference.

Rev. Eric Schimdt as the new Lead Pastor for Placentia UMC at 75%, and taking on the role of West District Union Assistant Director at 25%. Pastor Eric will succeed Rev. Broghan Hunt who will become a full time Associate Pastor for First UMC of Escondido.

Rev. Susan Juergensen as Lead Pastor for Corona UMC. Pastor Susan will succeed the Rev. Eric Schmidt, who will become Lead Pastor for Placentia UMC at 75% and West District Union Assistant Director at 25%.

Rev. Hee Jung Yu as the new Lead Pastor for Chino UMC. Pastor Hee Jung will succeed the Rev. Matthew Seargeant who will become the new Lead Pastor for Mesa Verde UMC.

Rev. Lea Booth as the new Lead Pastor for Trinity UMC in San Diego. Pastor Lea will succeed Pastor Matt Hambrick who will become the new Lead Pastor for Costa Mesa First UMC.

Pastor Sylina Kidd as the new Lead Pastor for Community UMC of Julian. Pastor Sylina will succeed the Rev. Cindy Arntson who will enter Retired status with the California-Pacific Conference.

Pastor Sejin “Kaleb” Oh as the new Lead Pastor for El Segundo UMC. Pastor Sejin will succeed the Rev. Lee Carlile who will enter Retired status with the California-Pacific Conference.

Rev. Stephanie Rice as the new Associate Pastor for Glendale First UMC. This is a newly created position.

Pastor Kitione “Gideon” Tu’itupou as the new Associate Pastor for Santa Ana UMC (Tongan Fellowship). Pastor Kitione will succeed the Rev. Dr. Siosaia Tu’itahi who will become the new District Superintendent for the East District.

Eric Iki who will be Commissioned a Provisional Member on Elder Track at Annual Conference this June, and become the Rev. Eric Iki. He will become Lead Pastor at Chatsworth West UMC. Pastor Eric will succeed the Rev. Karen Murata who will enter Leave status with the California-Pacific Conference.

Jaehong Jeon, who will be Commissioned a Provisional Member on Elder track at the Annual Conference this June, and become the Rev. Jaehong Jeon. He will become Associate Pastor for Korean Language Ministry at Ontario First UMC.

Derek Nguyen, who will be Commissioned a Provisional Member on Elder track at Annual Conference this June, and become the Rev. Derek Nguyen. He will be appointed as Associate Pastor at La Jolla UMC.

Ervin Aguilon as Lay Person Assigned, will lead the ministry at North Hills Hispanic Mission. Ervin will succeed the Rev. Frederick Morris who will return to Retired status with the California-Pacific Conference.

Let us hold every congregation in prayer as the body of Christ rises again!