April 15, 2018

Bishop David Graves is pleased to announce a projected appointment for the role of Director of Connectional Ministries & Conference Secretary. Rev. Ashley Davis, current associate pastor at Woodland UMC in Pike Road, AL, will be appointed in this new role effective July 1, 2018. 

“After an extensive interview process with several highly qualified lay and clergy candidates, a team of seasoned professionals determined that Rev. Davis was the best selection for this appointment. Ashley is very gifted and will bring a multitude of talents to the conference office. The role of conference secretary is quite time consuming and we felt it was best if it was combined into an existing leadership staff position. She will be able to make an immediate, positive impact on our conference and I am looking forward to working with her. I am most grateful to Dr. David Saliba for his leadership in the conference secretary role. He will now be able to focus on the rapidly growing Perdido Bay UMC where his valuable time is needed.” Davis follows Rev. Nancy Watson, current Director of Connectional Ministries, who will receive an appointment back into the local church. 

Rev. Davis is a life-long United Methodist and is a native of Luverne, AL. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Auburn University and a Master of Divinity degree from Emory University's Candler School of Theology. Prior to her service at Woodland UMC, she served in campus ministry at the Troy University Wesley Foundation for eight years. Following her time in campus ministry, she served the Trinity-Wallsboro charge for three years. She is the mother to her 15-year-old son, Will. 

Graves previously announced the appointments of Director of Congregational Development & Vitality and Director of Multicultural Ministries, along with additions to the extended cabinet. He continued, “Our staff is to be commended for staying focused on mission and ministry. We have experienced turnover in several areas and I am so proud of how they chose to look to the future. I believe our brightest days as a conference office and staff are upon us and I cannot wait to see how we can best resource our local churches."

Other local church appointments will be announced at annual conference on June 6, 2018, at the sending forth service.