Beloved in Christ:
 
Greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
 
Through prayerful discernment and having completed the proper consultations according to The United Methodist Book of Discipline, I am happy to announce the appointment of the Rev. Arlene Tully as Superintendent of the Many Waters District, effective July 1, 2022.
 
I am delighted and grateful that Rev. Tully has agreed to join the Cabinet of the New England Conference. I believe that she will strengthen and expand our commitment to seeking out and embracing new ways to be the church. Her collaborative spirit and deep listening skills will be blessings in our work together. 
 
Rev. Tully follows Rev. Dr. Karen Munson, who will complete six years on the Cabinet June 30.
 

Currently appointed to the Arnold Mills UMC in Cumberland, RI, Rev. Tully is no stranger to Maine, where she has served as pastor to Randolph and East Pittston UMCs, Pleasant Street UMC in Waterville, and First UMC in Bangor. In addition, she served as coordinating pastor for Mattawamkeag UMC, Howland UMC, and Bangor’s Grace UMC.

 
Rev. Tully is a member of the Seacoast District Committee on Ordained Ministry and the Committee on Episcopacy. She has been both a candidacy mentor and clergy mentor; she served as co-chair of the Conference Relations Committee on the Board of Ordained Ministry. She was registrar for the former Mid-Maine and Northern Maine District Committees on Ordained Ministry and served on the Mid-Maine District’s Ministry Team.
 
Rev. Tully received her bachelor’s degree in Resource Development from the University of Rhode Island and a Master of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School.
 
For the past 20 years, Rev. Tully has used a professionally trained and ADI-certified Facility Dog as part of her pastoral care. Her canine partner, Nali, is a 2-year-old Golden Retriever trained by Canine Companions. Rev. Tully says, “Nali’s ministry is to comfort those in pain, grief, or crisis, to be a goodwill ambassador in the community, and to offer unconditional love wherever she goes.”
 
After I met with the Many Waters Committee on District Superintendency and heard their desires for a superintendent, I prayerfully consulted and discerned with the Cabinet. Rev. Tully’s name rose to the surface quickly. I very much appreciate her integrity, connectional spirit, pastoral heart, and global vision. I am confident she is the right person to continue the initiatives that Dr. Munson has brought to the district.
 
In response to their prayerful wishes regarding the needs of the district, the Many Waters District Committee on Superintendency lifted up Rev. Tully’s strong leadership skills and administrative gifts. The committee expressed their joy and hopefulness about the district’s future course and their gratitude to Rev. Tully.
 
The strong lay leadership in the Many Waters District is part of our Wesleyan heritage. I believe Rev. Tully will support, encourage, and guide these lay leaders who are so vital to our work as a church.
 
Please join me in prayer for Rev. Tully, the Munsons, the Arnold Mills congregation, and the staff, laity, and clergy of the Many Waters District, as they prepare for this transition in leadership.

In Christ’s love, 

 
Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar