With hearts full of gratitude and celebration, the North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church honored its retiring clergy during the retiree recognition ceremony held on Friday, June 13, at 1:30 pm, as part of the 2025 Annual Conference at the Greenville Convention Center. Earlier that day, the retirees were celebrated at a special retiree luncheon at 12:00 pm in the Carolina Ballroom. The luncheon provided an intimate setting for reflection and recognition before the formal ceremony. This year’s retiree recognition continued the tradition of offering heartfelt thanks to those who have dedicated their lives to ministry.

A Time of Celebration and Gratitude

The recognition ceremony began with a warm welcome and introduction by Rev. Donna Banks, Chair of the Board of Pension. Rev. Banks expressed deep appreciation for the faithful service, leadership, and spiritual dedication each retiree brought to their ministry over the years.

Annual Conference delegates joined in acknowledging the tremendous impact of this year’s class of retirees. Each name was read aloud, honoring the unique stories, ministries, and milestones represented in their years of service. The gathering served as a reminder of the profound ways these individuals shaped congregations, communities, and the life of the Conference.

Bishop Connie Shelton invited the attendees to extend their hands toward the retirees and join her in singing the Doxology. Shelton concluded the ceremony with a final blessing.

The 2025 Class of Retirees:

David Beck
Mark Brotherton
Rhonda Campbell
Joe Casteel
Laurie Hays Coffman
Christopher Fair
Bettie Francis
David Girod
James Henderson
Duke Lackey
Cheryl Lawrence
Yuko Miller
George Jerome Smith
Bruce Stanley
Denise Waters
Terry Michael Williams, Sr