METHODIST CHANGES: The Rev. James Lyles, an...

METHODIST CHANGES: The Rev. James Lyles, an active clergyman in East Valley community affairs, is moving to another United Methodist pastorate and a woman pastor is replacing a Korean-American minister at Sherman Oaks United Methodist Church, according to new ministerial appointments announced by Bishop Jack M. Tuell of Los Angeles.

Lyles has been assigned to Crenshaw United Methodist Church, creating a temporary vacancy at Pacoima First United Methodist Church--”a small but significant African-American church,” said the Rev. Brandon Cho, the incoming district superintendent for the spread-out region that includes the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys.

Meanwhile, an earlier vacancy at El Mesias United Methodist Church in Pacoima has been filled by the Rev. Samuel Castro, who was pastor at a Baldwin Hills church.

Under the United Methodist system of annual appointments, most clergy stay in their pastorates but some changes are made to accommodate the desires of ministers and congregations and meet regional needs of the denomination, church officials said.

At the Sherman Oaks church, the Rev. Kathleen Binder, who has been at Hope United Methodist Church in Torrance, will replace the Rev. Cheol Hwan Kwak, who is moving to a church in Redondo Beach.

The Rev. Harry Adams, who has pastored churches in Burbank, the Knollwood area of Granada Hills and most recently the Friendly Valley Community Church in Newhall, is retiring. His replacement is the Rev. Howard Reeder, who comes from El Monte.

The new pastor at Chatsworth First United Methodist Church is the Rev. Marvin L. Kennon, who previously was an associate minister at Fullerton First. Kennon replaces the Rev. Kevin Smith, who has left the ordained ministry for personal reasons, according to Cho.

SEPARATED/DIVORCED: Auxiliary Bishop Carl Fisher will be the main celebrant of a Mass during a regional gathering for separated and divorced Catholics and their family and friends June 27 in Burbank.

The 2 p.m. Mass and the reception following will be at St. Francis Xavier Church, 3801 Scott Road. Participants must notify the church at (818) 767-7000.

BEL AIR: The country rock band Amodeus and comedian Robert G. Lee will be featured tonight in a three-hour variety program at Bel-Air Presbyterian Church, 16221 Mulholland Drive.

Described as “a night of Christian entertainment under the stars,” the church’s Solid Rock Cafe show will start at 6:30 p.m. The $5 tickets are available on arrival.