Haselden named new bishop’s executive assistant

Lollie Haselden, Rock Hill District administrative assistant for the past five years, is succeeding Bettye Rivers as executive assistant to Bishop L. Jonathan Holston.

Rivers is retiring after 15 years in the episcopal office of the South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church, where she also worked with two other bishops: Bishop Lawrence McCleskey and Bishop Mary Virginia Taylor.

Haselden, who is pursuing her Master of Arts degree in practical theology with a concentration in church administration at Pfeiffer University in Charlotte, began work March 7.

“As we say goodbye to a dear and loyal friend in Bettye, we welcome Lollie—already a member of our conference family—into her new role,” Bishop Holston said.

Before her time in the Rock Hill District office, Haselden was a math and science teacher, most recently at Indian Land Middle School in Lancaster County. She holds a Bachelor of Science in biology from Wofford College.

“It has been a great privilege to work with Rock Hill superintendents Joe Long and Sara White, and Chris Lynch, the congregational specialist for the Rock Hill District, as well as all of the pastors and local churches and lay leadership in our local churches,” Haselden said. “The people are really what make this district wonderful.

“And I am excited to begin working in the episcopal office, serving the South Carolina Conference as we all work to make disciples of Christ.”

Haselden has helped the Rock Hill District office, committees, clergy gatherings and lay trainings improve ministry, Long said.

“The Rock Hill District and I have been truly blessed by Lollie's effective and cheerful service,” Long said. “As our administrative assistant, she is an extension of ministry. Always positive and gracious, Lollie exemplifies Christian service. We will miss her, but I am delighted for her to continue important administrative ministry in this new capacity.”

In addition to her role as district administrative assistant, Haselden has been a certified lay servant since 2013, served as a first reserve lay delegate to the 2016 General Conference and was the Rock Hill District coordinator for the conference’s Million Book Effort in 2014.

Haselden is an active member of St. John’s UMC, Rock Hill, where her husband, the Rev. Rett Haselden, is the associate pastor. They have two sons: Wyatt, 5, and Thomas, 2. She is a lifelong United Methodist, having grown up at First UMC, Marion.

“I am passionate about our connection as United Methodists and the mission and ministry that is possible when we work together,” she said.