“Clergy shall be appointed by the bishop, who is empowered to make and fix all appointments in the episcopal area of which the annual conference is a part. Appointments are to be made with consideration of the gifts and evidence of God’s grace of those appointed, to the needs, characteristics, and opportunities of congregations and institutions, and with faithfulness to the commitment to an open itineracy.” The 2016 Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church. ¶425

Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut; ABQ DS, Ross Whitheaker; El Paso DS, Pam Rowley serve as the New Mexico Conference Appointive Cabinet.  They have earnestly prayed over and discerned the following appointment changes.

Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut intends to appoint Michele Walton, a Provisional Deacon, to serve as Executive Director of the Wesley Foundation at the University of New Mexico (UNM) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, effective January 15, 2026.

The Wesley Foundation is the United Methodist campus ministry presence serving students connected to UNM (and the broader Albuquerque-area campus community).

This announcement is being made by Albuquerque District Superintendent, Rev. Ross Whiteaker, who invites us to be in prayer for Michele Walton, the Wesley Foundation community, and all partners in ministry as they enter this new season of leadership and mission.