Bishop Lindsey Davis recently appointed the Rev. Liza T. Marler associate pastor of Thomson First United Methodist Church at the North Georgia United Methodist Annual Conference held in Athens.
Rev. Marler was sent to fill the vacancy created when the Rev. Brian Davis was assigned to serve as pastor of Dawnville United Methodist Church in Dalton.
Rev. Marler is a recent graduate of the Candler School of Theology at Emory University and has had a great deal of experience working at other United Methodist churches. The church she most recently served at was Tucker United Methodist Church, where she served as director of programs.
She, her husband, Michael, and their 14-year-old daughter, Taylor, will join the community this week and attend services Sunday, July 4. A welcoming reception will be held at 9:30 a.m. July 11, in the church's Family Life Center.
The Rev. Marler will preach her first sermon in Thomson July 11, at Power Encounter, a contemporary worship service held at 7 p.m. She will also bring the message at both the 8:45 and 11 a.m. services July 18.
In addition to her preaching duties and serving as Liturgist, she will also provide leadership to the Nurturing Committee and assist with Christian education and small group ministry of the church.
"Liza is excited about having been appointed to Thomson FUMC and we are excited too," Senior Pastor Dr. George Freeman said. "She has much experience that will benefit our church and its ministry here. We all look forward to her and her family's arrival and hope the community will join us in welcoming them to Thomson."
