Bishop Peggy A. Johnson is pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev. We Hyun Chang as Director of Connectional Ministries for the New England Conference effective July 1, 2023. 
 
Rev. Chang, who serves as Superintendent of the Commonwealth East District, will continue to serve the district and as Acting DCM during these next few months. 

Rev. We Hyun Chang

“I am deeply grateful to Rev. Chang for his willingness to accept this new role, which is vital to the life of our Conference,” Bishop Johnson said. “He brings the gifts of visionary and collaborative leadership that will help New England embody our connectional vision and mission fully and boldly.” 

“Steward of the vision” for the Annual Conference is how The Book of Discipline characterizes the work of the Office of Connectional Ministries, ensuring “connections among the local, district, annual conference, and general church ministries.” (Read ¶608, BOD, 2016).
 
“We is an experienced leader and strategic thinker who has the deep appreciation for and commitment to our connectional identity that is essential in our Director of Connectional Ministries,” the bishop said. 

Rev. Chang will succeed Rev. Ashley Johnson, who served as DCM from July 1, 2021 to Dec. 31, 2022.

"On behalf of the Conference, I would like to thank Rev. Johnson for her faithful work and willingness to share her many gifts as DCM," Bishop Johnson said. "She truly has a servant's heart."

Since his ordination in 1996, Rev. Chang has strived to live out the connectional identity and mission as a United Methodist clergy and leader in New England Conference. He has coordinated with many partners to launch a number of connectional mission and ministry teams and initiatives — including the Conference Healthcare for All task force, Mission Possible, and New England Justice for Our Neighbors. 
 
He worked collaboratively with Conference leaders and partners as the chair of the Board of Church and Society and the Conference Vision Table. Rev. Chang has been a delegate to three General Conferences; twice serving as the first-elected clergy member of the delegation.  
 
Rev. Chang became a district superintendent in 2017, and made “reclaiming our connection as a spiritual and missional identity and practice” a top priority in the Commonwealth East District. 
 
In 2022, he worked collaboratively with two local congregations, Conference boards and agencies, the United Methodist Foundation of New England, and individual leaders to launch New England’s Community Development Corporation. 
 
Rev. Chang is married to the Rev. Dr. Yoo-Yun Cho-Chang; they are the grateful parents of Hope Chang. 

Please join us in praying for Rev. Chang and his family, the clergy and laity of the Commonwealth East District, and our entire Conference during this time of transition.