The Rev. Richard L. Stone III, pastor of Fuquay-Varina UMC, will become the Elizabeth City District Superintendent on July 1, Bishop Al Gwinn has announced. The Rev. R. Carl Frazier, Jr., the current district superintendent, will received a local church appointment which will be announced later.
In addition, following consultation with the Burlington District Committee on Superintendency and the Cabinet, Bishop Gwinn is extending the appointment of the Rev. William H. Gattis for one year as Burlington District superintendent because of missional needs. Gattis is currently in his sixth year as district superintendent.
Following the practice of previous years, Stone will sit with the Cabinet during the appointment process.
“I feel extra affirmation and appreciation from Bishop Gwinn with this appointment,” Stone said.
He earned his bachelors degree at UNC-Pembroke and M.Div. at Duke Divinity School.
In addition to serving 2006-present as pastor at Fuquay-Varina, Stone served as a student pastor 1980-81 in the Bahama area at Ellis Chapel, and then full-time pastorates 1981-97 in the Laurinburg area at Caledonia-Jones, in 1987-93 at Wendell in Wake County, 1993-98 at Horne Memorial in Clayton, 1998-2001 at St. Andrews in Garner, and 2001-2006 at Kitty Hawk.
He and his wife Diane have celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. They have two adult children and six grandchildren.
“Diane and I lived in Kitty Hawk for five years. We feel it is a wonderful opportunity to go back to an area we love,” Stone said.
“I look forward to serving with the pastors of the Elizabeth City District and to be a part of the ministerial team of that district. My plans are to visit pastors and worship with them on a regular basis and offer them encouragement in their ministry.”