The United Methodist Church continues its long tradition of having an itinerant-based clergy system. All Methodist clergy are appointed to one-year terms by the bishops through a consultative process laid out in the Book of Discipline. This process includes input from the clergy, input from the local Staff Parish Relations Committee, and the mission needs of the entire United Methodist Church. Itinerancy – the commitment clergy make to go wherever sent – through new Appointments – one-year terms at a mission or church – mean that change is inevitable. Today is the day that the North Georgia Conference announces the new clergy appointments for the upcoming year starting July 1.
As I announced previously, our senior minister, Rev. Dr. Julie Boone, was called by the Bishop to serve as the District Superintendent for the Southwest District. We will celebrate Pastor Julie’s wonderful service to our congregation on June 1, her last Sunday at FUMC. Pastor Julie will attend the Annual Conference in June and continue to serve as our Senior Minister through June 30.
I am very excited to report that Rev. Blair Tolbert will continue in her role as Associate Minister at Marietta First for the upcoming year. We are so blessed to have Rev. Tolbert serve our congregation, and she will be an incredible resource for our new clergy.
It is with bittersweet feelings, however, that I announce that Rev. Ryan Young will be moving on from Marietta First effective July 1. Rev. Young has been a key member of our clergy for the last four years. His insightful sermons, infectious smile, and sense of humor will be missed by us all. Rev. Young will be taking an appointment as an Associate Minister at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Marietta. We thank Rev. Young for his time serving at Marietta First and wish him, Rachel, Iris, and Henry much joy, happiness, and fulfillment in the future. We will celebrate Rev. Young’s service to our congregation on June 22, his last Sunday at FUMC.
With two clergy departing at the end of June, we will have two new appointments starting in July.
Rev. Dr. Hopper
I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Rev. Dr. Harden P. Hopper III (EMAIL) as our new Senior Minister. Rev. Dr. Hopper comes to Marietta First after serving as the Senior Minister at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in East Cobb for the last eight years. Rev. Dr. Hopper grew up in Cobb County and graduated from Campbell High School. He attended The University of North Georgia and was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army upon graduation. During his 22 years of active duty and reserve service, he earned a Master of Strategic Studies at the US Army War College. Rev. Dr. Harden ultimately retired from the US Army as a Lieutenant Colonel.
With two clergy departing at the end of June, we will have two new appointments starting in July.
Rev. Dr. Hopper served as a Regional Director for the Department of Family and Children Services in a 13-county area of Northeast Georgia. After answering the call to full-time ministry, he served as Minister for Cartecay United Methodist Church in Ellijay as a Licensed Local Pastor. During this time, he attended Asbury Theological Seminary to earn a Master of Divinity and then a Doctorate of Ministry. Rev. Dr. Hopper served as Minister at Bascomb United Methodist Church in Woodstock before his current appointment at Mt. Zion United Methodist. Rev. Dr. Hopper has been a Methodist minister for 20 years.
Rev. Dr. Hopper is married to Karen, and they have 2 grown children. They like to travel and especially like to take classes through the New Orleans School of Cooking. They reside in East Cobb and are looking forward to becoming part of the FUMC family. Rev. Dr. Hopper’s first Sunday serving in the pulpit as our new Senior Minister will be Sunday, July 13.
Rev. Dr. Lahronda Little
I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Rev. Dr. Lahronda Little (EMAIL) as our new Associate Minister. Like Rev. Dr. Hopper, Rev. Dr. Little has come to the ministry after a start in the corporate sector. A native of Forest Park, Rev. Dr. Little has an undergraduate degree in Integrative Studies from Clayton State University in Morrow. Beginning in 2015, Rev. Dr. Little left the corporate world with a desire to utilize her rich cultural heritage to nurture and guide others back to wellness and wholeness.
She began her studies at the Candler School of Theology in Atlanta in 2015 and received a Master’s Degree in Theological and Ministerial Studies. She then continued her studies at Emory University and graduated with a Doctorate in Spiritual Care and Pastoral Theology. She teaches Spirituality, Health, and Vocational Discernment at the Candler School and is a published author as well. She is passionate about leading programs in spiritual formation and women’s ministry and is very excited about her upcoming ordination as an Elder in Full Connection in June.
Rev. Dr. Little is currently serving as the Senior Pastor at Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Conyers. She is married to Tommy, and they have two sons who attend her alma mater, Clayton State University. They currently reside in Ellenwood, Georgia. She enjoys reading, writing, yoga, and tending to her house plants. Rev. Dr. Little’s first Sunday as our Associate Minister will be July 13.
Please join me in welcoming Rev. Dr. Hopper and Rev. Dr. Little to our church and to the surrounding Marietta community!
With Rev. Dr. Hopper, Rev. Tolbert, and Rev. Dr. Little, I am confident we will have the clergy team to uphold our proud traditions, represent us well in the community, and lead our congregation forward in the ministry of the Lord. It is a great day to be part of the First United Methodist Church of Marietta!
Sincerely,
Ken Bittinger
Chair, Staff Parish Relations Committee