MACON — Expect to see some new leaders in United Methodist churches throughout Statesboro and the region.
    This week, more than 1,200 Methodists, including clergy and lay representatives from local churches, gathered at the Macon Centreplex to vote on new legislation, volunteer for mission work in the Macon area, and appoint pastors to new assignments. It was part of the annual meeting of the South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church.
    The event, held Sunday through Tuesday, included several changes that will affect the Statesboro District, including the appointment by Bishop James R. King Jr., of a new district superintendent.
    The Rev. R. Chris Ramsey will move into the district parsonage in Statesboro on Wednesday. His responsibilities will include supervision of churches from Jesup to Wrens, Bellville to Newington, and all United Methodist churches in between those areas.
    Ramsey will move with his family from Vienna, Ga., to assume his new work in Statesboro. He has been senior pastor of the Vienna/Shiloh churches for the past five years. Ramsey and his wife, Jane, have three children. The youngest recently graduated high school and will attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton in the fall. The Ramseys’ two older children are married, and the Ramseys have three grandchildren.
    “Chris was really surprised to receive the announcement of his new appointment but has adjusted well,” said Cathy Thompson, Ramsey’s present secretary. “I have seen a peace come over him and his enthusiasm has blossomed. He will be a great leader for the Statesboro District.”
    Other appointments in the Statesboro area include the Rev. Joey Holloway, who will assume duties of Buck Creek United Methodist in Screven County, moving from the Cobbtown/Langston Chapel charge. The Rev. Sandra Conley will return from a leave of absence and will serve Cobbtown/Langston Chapel churches. The Rev. David Willett will become the new pastor at the Millen United Methodist, and the Rev. William Key “Bill” Bagwell will be the new leader at the Pittman Park United Methodist, moving from Trinity United Methodist in Warner Robins.
    Other Statesboro-area churches will not see changes in leadership, including Statesboro First United Methodist, which will continue to be led by the Rev. James A. Cason.
    During the annual conference, United Methodists volunteered and packaged 30,312 meals for the “Stop Hunger Now” program, which will benefit outreach ministries in the Macon area. Methodists also voted to reduce the number of districts in south Georgia from nine to six beginning in June 2014. This is a money-saving effort to help combat a continued loss of annual revenues in the conference.
    An invitation was accepted by Bishop King to hold the next two conferences in Savannah at the Civic Center. The next conference will be June 1-3, 2014.