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 pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev. Wanda Santos-Perez as Superintendent of the Seacoast District, effective July 1, 2022.
 
Rev. Santos-Perez follows the Rev. Dr. David Calhoun, who will complete eight years on the Cabinet on June 30.

Rev. Santos-Perez comes to our leadership team with a deep spirituality and experience serving both as a local pastor and as an elder

in our Conference. I could not be more pleased and grateful that she has agreed to join the Cabinet. Rev. Santos-Perez’s passion for global mission and discipleship formation will only enhance our commitment to these areas.

 
When Wanda traveled with me on pilgrimages to the Holy Land and Taizé, I had the opportunity to see, first-hand, her passion for the inclusion of all God’s children, especially youth and young adults, at the Table of God.

Since 2020, Rev. Santos-Perez has served Faith UMC in Chicopee, MA. Prior to that she served Quinsigamond UMC in Worcester, Charlton City UMC in Charlton, and Oxford UMC, all in Massachusetts.
 
Rev. Santos-Perez serves as co-chair of the Entrance Committee of the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and is on the Commonwealth West District Committee on Ordained Ministry; she is also a member of the Aldersgate Camp and Retreat Center’s Board of Directors.
 
Rev. Santos-Perez served as assistant dean and dean of UMW’s Mission u between 2013-2016; she called that experience and pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Taizé, and South Korea “life transforming.”  
 
When I met with the District Committee on Superintendency, they expressed their gratitude for Rev. Santos-Perez's appointment, and lifted up her practical and assertive leadership as well as her optimism, courage, and energy as some of the qualities they feel are important in their superintendent. 
 
Born in Puerto Rico and raised in New York City, Rev. Santos-Perez received her bachelor’s degree from Temple University in Philadelphia and a Master of Divinity from Lancaster Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania.
 
Rev. Santos-Perez is married to the Rev. René Perez. They have four children: Kayla and her husband, Nathaniel Kilmonis; Isaías, and Ezekiel.
 
I also want to express my deep gratitude to Dr. Calhoun; and recognize the excellent leadership and pastoral care David brought to the former Connecticut-Western MA District and now the Seacoast District. I also appreciate his diligence in serving as our Cabinet secretary.
 
Please join me in prayer for Rev. Santos-Perez and her family, the Calhoun family, the congregation of Faith UMC, and the clergy, laity, and staff of Seacoast District, as they prepare for this transition in leadership.
 
In Christ’s love, 

Bishop Sudarshana Devadar