Bishop John L. Hopkins intends to appoint to the East Ohio cabinet the Rev. Gail F. Angel, who will serve as superintendent of the Southern Hills District.

“Gail loves rural congregations and appreciates how they can make a difference in their communities.  She thinks globally and works locally to encourage and develop people for ministry.   Gail is a servant leader with excellent administrative skills and a non-anxious, pastoral heart—a perfect fit for the Southern Hills District.”

Angel is pastor of Cardington First United Methodist Church, where she has served since 2008.  Her husband, Andrew S. Angel, is a United Methodist Elder serving as chaplain at Hospice of Knox County.  The couple met at Duke Divinity School.

“Having witnessed Christ at work through many different lay and clergy leaders, I hope to build on what Steve Court, Wanda Wilson, and others have done,” Angel said.  “When my sister-in-law, the late Esther Angel, was director of the Bethesda Learning Center, we enjoyed getting to know the Southern Hills area from her vantage point. Andy and I share her love for rural churches and her appreciation of Local Pastors.”

Angel grew up in Virginia, where she was ordained a Deacon in 1985.

Her first appointment in East Ohio was the two-point charge Dellroy/Leavittsville United Methodist Churches.  Angel was ordained an Elder in 1988 and that year began serving with her husband in the Perrysville Charge of Perrysville/Pleasant Hill/Mt. Pleasant UMCs.  Four of Andy’s appointments during his 25+ years in East Ohio ministry were to multi-point charges.

In the 20 years between her ordination and her appointment to Cardington First UMC, Angel served Caledonia United Methodist Church, Tiro United Methodist Church, Tiffin St. Paul United Methodist Church and Shelby First United Methodist Church.

Angel currently serves on the Mid-Ohio District committee on ordained ministry, one of many leadership positions she has held in East Ohio.

“One of my joys is cultivating ministries with children, youth and across generations in churches, at camp, and in the community,” Angel said.

She will succeed the Rev. Steven D. Court as superintendent of the Southern Hills District effective July 1.