Bishop Peggy A. Johnson is pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev. Nizzi Santos Digan as Commonwealth East District Superintendent effective July 1, 2023.

Rev. Digan currently serves as pastor of Good Shepherd UMC in Malden, MA, where she was appointed in 2011.

“I am so pleased that Nizzi will be joining the Appointive Cabinet,” Bishop Johnson said. “Nizzi understands how to grow urban churches and is skilled at developing and using community partnerships to foster outreach. She will be a great asset to the Commonwealth East District.”

Rev. Digan will follow the Rev. We Hyun Chang, who, after six years on the Cabinet, will become the fulltime Director of Connectional Ministries.
 
“I am grateful to We for his service to the Commonwealth East District, and excited that he will continue to serve our Conference as DCM,” the bishop said.

Rev. Digan is a fourth-generation Methodist from Manila, Philippines, where her grandfather and father were United Methodist pastors and her grandmother and sister Beulah were deaconesses. When she was ordained by Bishop Peter Weaver in 2006, Rev. Digan became the first Filipina elder in the New England Conference.
 
“My mother always said, ‘Find a UMC wherever you go and you’ll find a home there,’” Rev. Digan said.
 
A teacher for nearly 15 years, Rev. Digan is a self-described “late bloomer,” saying she first heard the call to ministry in college, but only “had the courage to follow it” 17 years later. 
 
“My mission is to let people know and experience the amazing grace and love of Jesus that changed me and continues to work in my life,” Rev. Digan said.
 
She currently serves on the Board of Ordained Ministry and as a Candidacy Mentor. She is also the Clergy Spiritual Director for the Crossroads Emmaus of New England.
 
Rev. Digan is no stranger to the Commonwealth East District. Her previous appointments include Lynn, Everett, and East Saugus, MA, as well as serving 10 years as the Port chaplain with Boston Seafarers Friend for the Port of Boston.
 
“Nizzi’s vast experience with mission work and her heart for working with young people will be tremendous for the district and will enrich the gifts our Cabinet offers to the entire Conference,” Bishop Johnson said.