The United Methodist Church in North Alabama has moved around many of its clergy who will preach their first sermons in their new churches today.

The Rev. Robin Crews Wilson became senior pastor of Tuscaloosa First United Methodist Church effective July 1 and will preach her first sermon today at the 11 a.m. service.

Wilson has been serving since July 1, 2024, as executive director of stakeholder relationships for the United Methodist General Board of Discipleship.

A native of Prattville, Alabama, Wilson has a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and a master of divinity degree from Duke University.

An ordained elder, Wilson has been pastor of congregations in Mobile, Dothan, Opelika and Phenix City.

She has also served as director of the Healthy Clergy and Congregations Initiative.

She is the author of the 2016 devotional, “God is With Us: An Advent Study Based on the Revised Common Lectionary,” published by Abingdon Press.

She will succeed the Rev. Clinton Hubbard Jr., who became the first Black pastor of Tuscaloosa First United Methodist Church in 2019. Hubbard will be district superintendent of the East District in the North Alabama Conference, effective July 1.

The Rev. Kevin Thomas, pastor of Forest Lake United Methodist Church in Tuscaloosa became the new senior pastor of First United Methodist of Birmingham effective July 1. He’ll preach his first sermon today as pastor at First Birmingham.

Thomas has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama and earned a master of divinity degree from Memphis Theological Seminary and a doctorate from Asbury Theological Seminary.

He has been in pastoral ministry for 30 years, the last decade at Forest Lake.

The Rev. Stephanie York Arnold, the first woman senior pastor at First United Methodist Church of Birmingham, stepped down from that role in February to take a CEO-level post at a denominational agency.

Arnold, who had been on staff at First United Methodist since 2010 and senior pastor since 2018, accepted a job as general secretary of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women of the United Methodist Church, effective March 1.

Here are some other clergy who are moving to new pulpits today:

The Rev. Andy Curtis is the new senior pastor at Jacksonville First United Methodist Church.

The Rev. Mike Butler is the new senior pastor at Red Ridge United Methodist Church.

The Rev. Earl Freeman is the new senior pastor at Sylacauga First United Methodist Church.

The Rev. Chris Cone is the new senior pastor at Centre First United Methodist Church.

The Rev. Elizabeth Crosby is the new senior pastor of Long Memorial United Methodist Church.

The Rev. Andy Yarnell is the new pastor of Mosaic Church in Gadsden and in charge of junior college ministry.

The Rev. Don Barnett is the new senior pastor at Red Bay United Methodist Church.

The Rev. Megan Morris-Barber is the new senior pastor at Section/Dutton/Upper Sand Mountain parish, with the Rev. Stephen Barber as associate pastor.

The Rev. Arthur Harrison is the new senior pastor of Aldersgate United Methodist Church.

The Rev. Brittany Camp is the new senior pastor at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church.

The Rev. Dale Capron is the new senior pastor at Tanner/Green Hill.

The Rev. Belinda Freeman is the new senior pastor at Columbiana United Methodist Church.

The Rev. Belinda Rives is the new senior pastor at Forest Lake United Methodist Church.

The Rev. Joe DeWitte is the new senior pastor at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church.

The full list of new appointments can be found here.