Community
After Ten Years, a Pastoral Change at Marengo United Methodist
Saturday, June 27, 2026
Marengo United Methodist Church is marking a change in leadership this summer. After ten years leading the congregation, the Rev. Howard "Doc" Newcomb, known to the congregation as Pastor Doc, will give a final service on Sunday, June 28, and the church will welcome a new pastor, the Rev. James Fu, the following week.
The church says Pastor Doc has been "called to lead a new congregation" and thanked Pastor Doc for ten years at Marengo United Methodist. According to Northern Illinois Conference appointment records, that new congregation is First United Methodist Church in DeKalb. A farewell service is set for 10 a.m. Sunday, June 28, at the church, 119 E. Washington St., followed by a cake-and-punch reception.
Pastoral changes are a normal part of United Methodist life. In the denomination's tradition, which the church traces to Methodism's founder, John Wesley, pastors are appointed to congregations and reassigned over time rather than staying in one place indefinitely. (The church points readers to a United Methodist explainer on the practice at umc.org.)
Taking over is the Rev. James Fu, who begins his ministry in Marengo on July 1. Fu comes from Elmhurst, where conference appointment records show he served the city's two United Methodist congregations, Christ United Methodist Church and First United Methodist Church. The church says he also holds several roles in the Northern Illinois Conference, including vice-chair/chair of daily proceedings for the Annual Conference and seats on the Board of Ordained Ministry and a district church-building committee.
The community is invited to welcome him at a service and luncheon reception at 10 a.m. Sunday, July 5, at the church.
Both services are open to the public.