A Letter from the Staff Parish Relations Committee

Dear Glenn Family,

It is my pleasure to announce that Rev. Dr. Byron Thomas has been appointed to Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church as our senior pastor, effective July 1. His first Sunday in the pulpit will be July 13, and we will welcome him with a reception following the 11 a.m. worship service.

Rev. Dr. Byron Thomas, photo courtesy of North Georgia UMC

Dr. Thomas is a native of Pennsylvania and a veteran of the United States Air Force. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion and Philosophy from Virginia Union University, a Master of Divinity degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, and a Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from McCormick Theological Seminary, where he also earned a Certificate in Executive Leadership.


Currently the District Superintendent of the Southwest District of the North Georgia Annual Conference, Dr. Thomas served as senior pastor of Ben Hill United Methodist Church, Central United Methodist Church, and Fort Street United Methodist Church, all here in Atlanta. Also, he served as the Associate Director of Connectional Ministries for the North Georgia Annual Conference.

 

His ministry has extended to numerous leadership roles in the Annual Conference, the Southeastern Jurisdiction, and the General Conference of the UMC. Dr. Thomas served as the leader of the NGA delegation to General and Jurisdictional Conferences in 2024 and as a Clergy Delegate to the 2016 General and Jurisdictional Conferences, as well as the 2019 Special Session of the General Conference. He was endorsed as a candidate for bishop by the Annual Conference. Dr. Thomas now serves as a member of the Connectional Table, which works with the Council of Bishops to shape the vision, mission and ministry of The United Methodist Church based on decisions of the General Conference.

 

Dr. Thomas is a recipient of the Malone Dodson Award, given by the Foundation of Wesley Woods, to a clergyperson who best exemplifies visionary and committed leadership with respect to older adults. He has twice served as Chaplain and Educational Liaison at the United Methodist Children’s Home (now Wellroot) and has chaired the Board of the Interfaith Children’s Movement (ICM). He has served as President of Black Methodists for Church Renewal in North Georgia and as Coordinator for the Southeastern Jurisdiction Black Methodists for Church Renewal.

 

Throughout his ministry, no matter the setting, his focus has been on strengthening the link between spiritual formation and missions, between discipleship and justice. To this end, Dr. Thomas teaches the Six Marks of Discipleship as foundational principles and practices that support the vision and mission of the church.
 

Dr. Thomas is married to DuWanna Thomas and they are the proud parents of two adult sons. Please pray for the Thomas family as they prepare to join our ministry at Glenn.

 

All the best,

 

Mary Lou Greenwood Boice, Chair

Staff Parish Relations Committee