ALCOA, Tenn. (March 10, 2019) -- Bishop Mary Virginia Taylor announces the projected appointments of district superintendents, effective July 1.

The Rev. Ann Robins will serve as Tennessee Valley District superintendent, following the Rev. Brenda Carroll, who is retiring.

The Rev. Jane Taylor will serve as Clinch Mountain District superintendent, following the Rev. Sandra Johnson, who is retiring. 

"The cabinet is still in the initial phase of appointment making. All appointments receive consideration by the bishop, the district superintendent(s), and the cabinet as a whole until a tentative decision is made. 2016 Book of Discipline, paragraph 428.4. Contacts will be made at the appropriate time when our work is completed. Any previously announced schedule has been revised. Thank you."

Ann Robins

I grew up in Nashville and moved to Knoxville with my husband and one-year-old daughter after seminary. I had served God in churches in another denomination and found I no longer belonged. It was with deep joy, I found a place to love Jesus, grow, and lead in The United Methodist Church. 

I have an undergraduate degree from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, with a major in psychology and religion; a master’s degree in counseling from Vanderbilt University in Nashville; and a master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theology Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. I have completed additional coursework at Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina. 

I have served on the staff of two United Methodist churches before being appointed in 2001 to Logan’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee; and in 2005 to Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. I have served as the chair of the Holston Conference Evangelism Team. I have served on both the conference and district Board of Ordained Ministry. 

My husband, Tom (a retired trial lawyer and elder in Holston Conference) and I have been married for more than 38 years. We have two adult children and one grandson. I enjoy spending time with my family, playing golf, reading a good book at the beach, and spending time with friends. I look forward to meeting, loving, and being apart of the lives of the people of the Tennessee Valley District.

Jane Taylor

I am a native of Bristol, Tennessee, and a graduate of East Tennessee State University (music); the University of Tennessee (M.A. in audiology); and Candler School of Theology (M.Div).

I am currently serving First United Methodist Church, Johnson City where I was appointed in 2013. Other appointments I have served include: Pleasant Grove UMC, Clear Springs (seminary), 1998-1999; State Street UMC (associate pastor), January 2000-2003; Boones Creek UMC, 2003-2007; and First United Methodist Church, Gatlinburg, 2007-2013.

I have also served on the Holston Conference Council on Finance and Administration and on the Holston Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. I am currently serving as secretary of the Board of Ordained Ministry and on the Three Rivers District Committee on Ministry.

I have two children and four grandchildren. I love Jesus and the church. I love to read and love my three dogs. I am excited to be serving the Clinch Mountain District and look forward to getting to know the pastors, the people, and the communities.