The Rev. Dr. Robin Lee Lindsey, superintendent of the Athens-Elberton District of the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church for the past two years, has been appointed pastor at First United Methodist Church in Dalton.

First UMC, with around 1,800 members, is the largest congregation in the Northwest District of the North Georgia Conference.

He replaces the Rev. Dr. Joe Peabody.

Other new appointments to Chattanooga area churches within the Northwest District:

* Tony Abernathy (Casey Springs) -- He replaces Kenny Bailey at the Chatsworth church.

* Kenny Bailey (Graysville) -- Previously pastor at the Casey Springs and Five Springs churches, he replaces Dr. John Page, who was appointed minister of discipleship at First UMC in Athens.

* Leslie Daniels (Five Springs) -- A part-time local pastor, he replaces Kenny Bailey at the Dalton church.

* Art Graves (Eton) -- A retired supply pastor, he replaces retired supply pastor Kenneth Phillips at the Eton church.

* Joe Harrington -- Formerly pastor of Mount Zion UMC in Ellenwood, he replaces the Rev. Randall Massingill at the Ringgold church.

* Kenneth Phillips (Pine Chapel) -- A retired supply pastor, he replaces Walter Jack Bunkley at the Resaca church.

* Owen Skinner (Mount Vernon) -- Previously minister of visitation and missions at Snellville UMC, he replaces the Rev. James William Curington II at the Rocky Face church.

* Andy Witt (Wesley Chapel) -- Previously associate pastor at Acworth UMC, he replaces the Rev. Larry Gray Naylor at the Calhoun church.