United Methodist ministers across New England are packing up their households and moving this week. About a dozen pastors in northern and eastern Maine are starting new assignments.

Like Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox clergy, United Methodist pastors are appointed to their positions by their superiors. The Rev. Susan Hassinger, bishop of the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church, announced the appointments at the June annual conference.

The Rev. Elizabeth Vernon, formerly pastor at the Easton and Mars Hill United Methodist congregations, will succeed the Rev. Joan Desanctis at North Brewer-Eddington United Methodist Church.

The Rev. Bethann Black, formerly of the Howland United Methodist Church, will succeed Vernon. Black’s replacement has not been named.

The Rev. Susan Davenport will leave Brown Memorial United Methodist Church in Clinton for a post at Bangor Theological Seminary. She will run the seminary’s small-church leadership program and serve as director of administrative services and human resources. Davenport earned her master’s degree in divinity from BTS in 1988.

Hassinger reprimanded Davenport two years ago after the minister admitted performing a same-sex union service in violation of church law. The Rev. Nancy DePoe, formerly of Trinity United Methodist Church in Bloomsburg, Pa., will succeed Davenport.

Other appointments:

. The Rev. Chuck Langbein to Ellingwoods Corner United Methodist Church, Winterport, from Orono United Methodist Church.

. The Rev. Nancy J. Collins to Centenary United Methodist Church, Skowhegan, from South Athol, Mass.

. The Rev. George E. Darling to People’s United Methodist Church, Newport, from Lisbon United Methodist Church and Lisbon Falls United Methodist Church.

. The Rev. Kathleen H.N. Towns to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Rockland, from First United Methodist Church, South Portland.

. The Rev. Brenda Leclerc to Ellsworth United Methodist Church and Franklin United Methodist Church, from Ellingwoods Corner United Methodist Church, Winterport.

. The Rev. Joseph L. Beardsley to Waldoboro United Methodist Church and Damariscotta United Methodist Church, from Littleton, N.H.

. The Rev. Robert E. Dorr Sr. of Waldoboro United Methodist Church and Damariscotta United Methodist Church, retired.