The Rev. Mary Ellen Blouch, new minister of the Panther Valley United Methodist Church, was welcomed to the congregations of the Lansford and Summit Hill churches at a reception Friday night in the social hall of the Lansford church.

Pastor Blouch was appointed to her first charge by Bishop Herbert Skeete after her graduation from the Lancaster Theological Seminary. She succeeds the Rev. James Goudie, who is now serving a Mount Gretna parish.

Irma Babnetz, president of the Lansford Methodist Women, and Phyllis Dankel, chairwoman of the church council board, welcomed the new pastor, as did the Rev. Robert Williams, president of the Panther Valley Ministerium.