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February 15, 2026
Dear Members and Friends of Birmingham & Berkley First United Methodist Church:
As Chairperson of the Staff Parish Relations Committee, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Rev. Elizabeth Hurd to Birmingham and Berkley First as our new Associate Pastor, effective July 1, 2026. Rev. Hurd will serve both campuses with a primary focus on leading the Berkley congregation. Rev. Hurd was introduced to our Staff Parish Relations Committee by our District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Darryl Totty, on behalf of Bishop David Bard, who set this new appointment. We are excited about the spirit, gifts, and abilities that Rev. Hurd will be bringing to our congregation.
Rev. Elizabeth Hurd is an Ordained Elder in the Michigan Conference of The United Methodist Church. She currently serves as Pastor of West Bloomfield United Methodist Church.
Rev. Hurd is particularly energized by opportunities to create, plant, or lead new ways of being church together, and is open to reimagining what it means to live as a parish in today’s world. She looks forward to serving our congregation made up of people from very diverse backgrounds, alongside spiritual seekers, and delights in ministry that brings together long-time members and those exploring faith for the first time.
She holds a Master of Divinity from Boston University School of Theology and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry in Church Leadership Excellence at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.
Fun Fact: When Dr. Totty called Rev. Hurd to inform her that Bishop Bard appointed her to this church, she was in California recording a show called Jeopardy! Yes, Rev. Hurd is a contestant on the show which airs February 26, 2026, on WDIV-Detroit.
We will be planning a warm welcome for Rev. Hurd after her arrival in July, when we will begin our shared ministry with her.
We are so pleased to make this announcement to you and know that you will enjoy meeting Rev. Hurd. Please hold her in prayer during these months of transition. Please also hold in prayer the whole Cabinet, including Bishop David Bard, as they continue to meet, pray, and discern God's will through the appointment-making process.
Trusting God’s amazing grace, Christ’s faithful love, and the presence and power of the Holy Spirit as we move into the future.
Serving Christ with you,
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