The Rev. Sharon Howell has an appreciation for the pioneers who fought for policies that gave women such as herself full clergy rights in the United Methodist Church.

Now, she’s hoping to do some pioneering of her own.

Howell, senior pastor at First United Methodist Church, 946 Vt., for more than six years, is leaving to become president of the Scarritt-Bennett Center in Nashville, Tenn. It’s a Methodist conference, retreat and education center that focuses on social justice issues.

“I’m an educator at heart,” Howell says. “I’ve always had a passion for education and an interest in education in social justice.”

The center, which has been in its current incarnation since 1988 but traces its roots back to 1892, focuses on such varied issues as poverty, health care, AIDS, hunger, race relations and gender equity. It presents conferences, prints publications and holds seminars.

Im an educator at heart," says Sharon Howell, senior pastor at First United Methodist Church. "Ive

Its board contacted Howell earlier this year about applying for its vacant president position. She starts Jan. 3.

“I think we bring a different perspective,” Howell says of faith-based organizations. “We’re always asking questions of justice. We’re not asking first, ‘How much does it cost?’ and ‘Where do we get the money for it?'”

Howell, a Kansas minister and administrator for 35 years, has overseen several major projects at the 1,600-member Lawrence church. Most recently, the church raised funds to purchase land and construct a building south of U.S. Highway 40 and west of K-10. The $2.8 million building is scheduled to open next year.

Meanwhile, a new pastor has been appointed to the Lawrence church. Thomas Brady, pastor at Heritage United Methodist Church in Overland Park for the past nine years, will begin the appointment Feb. 1.