Annual Conference

2025-2026 Clergy Appointment Announcements

The following appointments and assignments are listed in reverse chronological order based upon their announcement to the conference. 

Appointments effective July 1, 2026 or later can be found at this link.

All appointments effective as of January 15, 2026 can be found on the Quarterly Appointment List.

Rev. Lenora Rousseau as Associate Pastor to Korean UMC of San Diego
 
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Lenora Rousseau as Associate Pastor, English Language Ministry to Abundant Life Community, Korean UMC of San Diego at ¼ time and as Pastoral Director at Pointe of Grace at ¾ time in the South District as of May 1, 2026. The Rev. Lori Doyle will return to the retirement relationship as of May 1, 2026.

Rev. Catie Coots as Pastor to Community UMC of Pacific Palisades and as East District Union Change Manager

 

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Rev. Catie Coots as pastor at ½ time to Community UMC of Pacific Palisades in the West District and at ¼ time as Change Manager, East District Union, as of March 1, 2026. She is serving in retirement.  

Mr. David Ofahulu as Lay Pastor Assigned at Yucca Valley UMC

Bishop Escobedo-Frank assigned Mr. David Ofahulu as lay person assigned at ¼ time to Yucca Valley UMC in the East District as of February 1, 2026.

Rev. Lori Doyle as associate pastor to Korean UMC of San Diego

Bishop Escobedo-Frank appointed Rev. Lori Doyle as associate pastor at ¼ time to Korean UMC of San Diego, Abundant Life Community (English Ministry), in the South District as of January 1, 2026. She is serving in retirement.

Pastor Ayodele Ode as pastor to University UMC of Redlands and Banning UMC 

Bishop Escobedo-Frank appointed Pastor Ayodele Ode as pastor at ½ time to University UMC of Redlands and as interim pastor at ½ time to Banning UMC in the East District as of January 1, 2026.

Rev. Melinda Teter Dodge as pastor to Belmont Heights UMC
 
Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Rev. Melinda Teter Dodge as pastor to Belmont Heights UMC in the West District as of January 1, 2026.

Ms. Kiana Jean Hertogh-Nicholson as pastor to West Los Angeles UMC  

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint Pastor Kiana Jean Hertogh-Nicholson as pastor to West Los Angeles UMC in the West District as of January 1, 2026. The Rev. Keith P. Inouye will enter the retirement relationship in the California-Nevada Conference as of December 31, 2025.

Ms. Hanna Jang as lay person assigned to Ojai UMC

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to assign Ms. Hanna Jang as lay person assigned at ¾ time to Ojai UMC in the North District as of January 1, 2026.

Rev. Bomi Kim as pastor to Shepherd of the Hills UMC of Monterey Park

Bishop Escobedo-Frank intends to appoint The Rev. Bomi Kim as pastor to Shepherd of the Hills UMC of Monterey Park in the East District as of January 1, 2026. The Rev. John Wen-Pin Wang will return to the retired relationship as of January 1, 2026.