Starting on September 1, 2025, Provisional Elder, Lisa Jo Bezner will serve FUMC-Raton (3/4 time) and Trinidad UMC (1/4 time.) Trinidad UMC is part of the Mountain Sky Conference. Raton is located in the northernmost part of the New Mexico Conference area.

One of our Conference missional priorities is Collaboration for Connection in Community, and this appointment is example of how we might cross the human-imposed lines that divide us and lean into a larger model of connectional relationships. Trinidad UMC needed hymnals and Lisa Jo adopted a connectional way to solve the problem. “We have hymnals from closed churches in California, Massachusetts, and Texas. FUMC-Los Alamos offered to purchase any we needed after others arrive!”

Our Bishop, Carlo A. Rapanut also serves across two Conferences – New Mexico and Desert Southwest. He was very enthusiastic about the opportunity to continue this alteration of the traditional model. Bishop Carlo said, “I am glad that we can make this cross-conference/cross-jurisdictional appointment happen!”

Please keep the two congregations and Pastor Lisa Jo in your prayers as they navigate this new arrangement and serve their communities.