On April 19, 2021, Bishop Swanson announced the formation of the 10-person District Realignment Task Force to evaluate whether our current configuration of 11 districts and 11 district superintendents is our best structure for the future. This group was also charged with examining the relationship of the district superintendent with local churches. In short, the group is seeking to ask two questions:
This work is sorely needed since the last district alignment took place in the early 1990s when the conference had over 1,300 churches versus the over 885 churches we have now. To read the initial announcement about the work of this group click here.
Since August 2021, this group has met monthly to study and reflect upon this work. The task force is conducting several interviews and surveys to help inform their work. The group envisions making its initial recommendations by November 30, 2022 for consideration at the 2023 session of the annual conference next summer.
During June 2022, a series of surveys were conducted to obtain feedback from clergy, laity, current & former DSs, and conference/district staff. The results of those surveys will be shared after the session of the 2022 session of the annual conference.
This group's work will be informed by the experiences and organization of the other annual conferences in the southeastern jurisdiction-many of which have initiated reorganizations in the past few years.
Task Force Member Names listed in alphabetical order
Name | Status |
Donna (DK) Baria | Lay person, Greenwood District |
Paulette Buford-James | Starkville District Superintendent |
Stephen Cook | Dean of the cabinet and district superintendent |
Cheryl Denley | District secretary |
Mike Hicks | Retired clergy and former district superintendent |
Smith Lilley | Associate pastor, Tupelo First UMC |
Sandra Rasberry | Lay person and clergy spouse of former district superintendent |
Andrew Richardson | Lay person, Meridian District |
Emily Sanford | Pastor, Wesley UMC, Tupelo |
Vera Thomas | District lay leader, Seashore District |
Ex-Officio Members | |
James Mason | Lay Person and conference facilitator |
LaToya Redd-Thompson | Conference lay leader |
David Stotts | Lay person, Conference treasurer and chief benefits officer |
Love |
Generosity |
Justice |
Apprenticeship |