South East District of Florida - 18th Annual Meeting Journal

SOUTH EAST DISTRICT OF THE FLORIDA CONFERENCE UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH

EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING

Saturday, October 28, 2023 Merrell United Methodist Church

SOUTH EAST DISTRICT OF THE FLORIDA CONFERENCE UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH

EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING Saturday, October 28, 2023 1:00 p.m. Call to Order Welcome and Introductions Presiding: Dr. Nora Hernandez Hendrix, President Secretary: Patricia A. Tabois Parliamentarian: Dr. Sharyn Ladner, Past President Reciting of the Purpose of United Women in Faith We are a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.

Daily Prayer Guide Marva J. Franklin, CLM, Spiritual Growth Liaison Scripture Reading - John 5: 39-40 “You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” (NRSV) Haitian Creole: Anne Pierre Louis, Haitian Outreach Coordinator Spanish: Angela Kim, Hispanic Outreach Coordinator English: Deborah Woolsey, Committee on Nominations Adoption of the Program Book Dreena Robinson, Vice President Remembrance of Our Departed Sisters Marva J. Franklin, CLM Prayer for our Departed Sisters: Lord God, Father, Mother, parent of all living things, the fruitful work of our departed sisters for Your kin-dom is complete. Comforting God, we thank You as we share in the pain of their departure; yet it is with joy and deep gratitude that we celebrate the journey of their lives in the fruit of their labor for women, children, and youth. As 1

Jesus says: “In all truth I tell you, unless a wheat of grain falls into the earth and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest” (John 12:24). May the fruit of the Spirit continue in us as we remember:

Reading of the Names Burton Memorial United Methodist Church: Dorathea Tewes Cason United Methodist Church: Susan Casela Ebenezer United Methodist Church: Silverstein Blake, Delaine White Bois First United Methodist Church of Boca Raton: Becky Sanders, Gay Voss Merrell United Methodist Church: Winsome Allen, Una Anderson, Helen Earle, Cecile Francis, Joyce Lewis, Ceceline Marriot Miramar United Methodist Church Mabel Bizzell, Ruthlyn Earle, Dulcie Yates Plantation United Methodist Church: Charlotte Hardy, Marie Stersic Closing Prayer: Creator God, our Birthing Mother, we bless Your Holy name; for no eye have seen, nor ear heard, what God has prepared for those who love God. Thank You for the wisdom of soul, a soft heart open to newness, and sensitivity to the pain in our world, as we live for the love revolution that changes lives, break down barriers, while achieving and experiencing the fruitfulness of our labors to the next generation. Thank You God for Holy comfort. Amen.

Report of the Committee on Nominations Deaconess Ruth Pierre Jean-Pierre, Chairperson, Committee on Nominations Slate of Nominees for 2024 and 2025 Nominees to be Elected: President: Dr. Nora Hernandez Hendrix (First UMC of Coral Gables) Vice President: H. Leigh Toney (Ebenezer UMC) 2

Secretary: Cassandra Pitter (Norland UMC) Treasurer: Jan H. Peel (First UMC of Coral Gables) Chairperson, Committee on Nominations: Deborah Woolsey (First UMC of Boca Raton) Committee on Nominations Class of 2027: Lianna Joseph (Hallandale Haitian UMC) & Sonia Passley-Rhule (Miramar UMC) To be Confirmed for the position of Haitian Outreach Coordinator: Anne Pierre Louis (Fulford UMC) Installation of 2024-2025 Leaders: Deaconess Ruth Pierre Jean-Pierre Special Recognitions Dr. Nora Hernandez Hendrix Special Mission Recognition of former District Leader: Kim Youngblood Special Mission Recognition of current District Leaders concluding their terms of office: Dreena Robinson Patricia A. Tabois Angela Kim Marvia Aitken Gift to Mission: Merrell United Methodist Church United Women in Faith Unit Special Mission Recognition of Rev. Dr. Cynthia Weems Rev. Dr. Cynthia Weems was born in Mississippi and raised in Kansas City by her father, a pastor; and her mother, a public school teacher. She graduated from Millsaps College and Yale Divinity School, and later earned her Doctor of Ministry degree from Saint Paul School of Theology. Following graduation from seminary she served two years as a missionary in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

Dr. Weems has also served various congregations in Connecticut, Kansas, and Florida. From 2009 to 2015 she served as senior pastor of First United Methodist of Miami, a church with an extensive ministry to the diverse homeless population of downtown Miami. In 2015 she was appointed District Superintendent of the South East District and served in that capacity until July of this year. She is trilingual, speaking English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and has a teenage daughter. Rev. Dr. Weems is currently serving in the Florida Conference as Assistant to the Bishop for Congregational Mission. But what makes her extra special to us, United Women in Faith, is her family’s history and her own personal relationship with United Women in Faith. Her mother, Emily Weems served as president of the Kansas City District United Methodist Women in the Great Plains Conference. Her grandmother, Harriett Lou Weems was a long-time, active member of United Methodist Women in Mississippi. And Rev. Dr. Cynthia Weems has continued that legacy by consistently demonstrating her ongoing support of United Women in Faith.

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Mission Giving and Legacy Video Presentation by Sally Vonner, CEO of United Women in Faith Legacy Moment: Pam Davis, FL Conference Legacy Liaison Financial Report and Proposed 2024 Budget Jan H. Peel, Treasurer Mission Giving 2022 Mission Giving 2023 to Date Proposed 2024 Budget Mission Giving Offering

Five-Star Units in 2022 Burton Memorial United Methodist Church First United Methodist Church of Boca Raton First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables Fulford United Methodist Church

Key West United Methodist Church Merrell United Methodist Church Miramar United Methodist Church

Rainbow Givers in 2022 Burton Memorial UMC: Mary Lou Wilkinson Kim Youngblood Edith Zewadski-Bricker First UMC of Coral Gables: Nora Hernandez Hendrix Angela Kim Fabie Moody Merrell United Methodist Church: Uliet Black Gwenneth Gayle Jacqueline Goodall Marcia Legg

Miramar United Methodist Church: Geneta Codner Ola Duhaney Vinessa Edwards Joyce Hemmons Lorna McKenzie Judith Pierre-Okerson

All Access Member: Natacha Etienne Joseph

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Merrell UMC cont’d.: Thelma McGeachy Cecelia McIntyre Joan Nichols

Michelle Ranger Florence Ricketts Patricia Tabois Mission Today Units Gold Level (met 17-19 criteria): First United Methodist Church of Boca Raton Merrell United Methodist Church Miramar United Methodist Church Silver Level (met 9-16 criteria): Burton Memorial United Methodist Church Cason United Methodist Church First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables Key West United Methodist Church Miami Lakes United Methodist Church Mission Studies

Burton Memorial UMC – “Who Can We Be Together?”

First UMC of Boca Raton – “Who Can We Be Together? A Biblical Exploration of Luke 13” Kendall United Methodist Church –“Practicing Resurrection” Merrell UMC – “Bearing Witness in the Kin-dom” & “Who Can We Be Together?”

Miramar United Methodist Church – “Bearing Witness in the Kin-dom” Charter for Racial Justice Local Unit Certification Edith Zewadski-Bricker and H. Leigh Toney, Conference and District Social Action Liaisons Burton Memorial United Methodist Church – Level I (3 criteria) First United Methodist Church of Boca Raton – Level II (8 criteria) First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables – Level I (3 criteria) The Reading Program Plan I (5 books; one per category) Burton Memorial United Methodist Church: Barbara Koch Mary Lou Wilkinson Edith Zewadski-Bricker 5

First United Methodist Church of Boca Raton: Fran Bertotti Christine Best Lisa Coles Jane Dent Carol Dolcemascolo Juanita Goode

Cathy Herschelman Darlene Kostrub Stacy Lysengen Barbara Woodmore Debbie Woolsey

Merrell United Methodist Church: Uliet Black Lenora Christy Clare Dixon Dorothy Gaynor Pauline Hughes Beverly Johnson

Thelma McGeachy Cecelia McIntyre Martha Royes Yvette Smith Avis Duhaney Walcott

Miramar United Methodist Church: Marvia Aitken Vinessa Edwards Joanne Rutland Plan II (10 books; two per category) First UMC of Boca Raton: Susan Edmondson Janie McMillan Rosie Service

First UMC of Coral Gables: Angela Kim

Plan IV (20 books) First UMC of Boca Raton: Pamela Davis Announcements Patricia A. Tabois, Secretary Closing Prayer and Sending Forth

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Biographical Information on Nominees for the 2024-2025 South East District Leadership Team Dr. Nora Hernandez Hendrix is currently completing her first two-year term of office as president of the South East District. She was also recently elected to serve as Dean of Mission u 2024 for the FL Conference. Nora was born and raised in Miami and has been active with United Women in Faith (formerly United Methodist Women) her entire adult life. She is a retired former college administrator and full professor and holds Bachelor’s, Master’s and Specialist degrees from the University of Florida, plus a Doctorate degree from the University of Miami. She is mother to three wonderful adult children and grandmother to three precious grandchildren.

H. Leigh Toney is CEO of Ellavations LLC, a social equity consulting firm specializing in higher education, workforce development, community development and public policy. She has held numerous responsible roles in public policy, higher education and entrepreneurship, public affairs, community development and state and local government in Florida, Georgia and the District of Columbia. A native Miamian and a graduate of the University of Miami with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Marketing, Ms. Toney earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia. Prior to returning to Miami in 2002, Ms. Toney served as Chief of Staff and Research Director for the Deputy Mayor for Children, Youth and Families in Washington, D.C. She is married to Fredric Toney and they have one daughter, Savannah, a senior at the University of Southern California.

Cassandra Pitter is currently Lay Leader and Co-Worship Leader at Norland United Methodist Church. She also serves on Norland’s Mission and Outreach Committee and Finance Committee. Cassandra is active in United Women in Faith and currently serves as her unit’s Chairperson of the Committee on Nominations.

Jan Harrison Peel was born in Miami and went to school there. She has two sisters, 15 nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews, and one God-son. Jan attends the church her family joined in 1955 , First UMC of Coral Gables, and facilitates the Grief Support Group. She serves as United Women in Faith unit secretary and has been serving since July 2023 in the position of South East District Treasurer to complete the remaining months of the 2022-2023 term of office. Throughout her professional career she managed many businesses and most of her career was as a multi-line insurance agent. In 2022 Jan retired after working her favorite job as the general manager of a tropical plant nursery. She loves to travel and meet new friends.

Anne Pierre-Louis is a Licensed Practical Nurse. She is an active member of the Fulford United Methodist Church unit of United Women in Faith, and currently serves as the South East District Haitian Outreach Coordinator. In addition to her service, Anne enjoys her evening walks.

Lianna Joseph is 23 years old and has been attending events for United Women in Faith for as long as she can remember. She plays soccer and loves to read. She shared that she is nervous but excited to serve, and hopes to increase her knowledge and encourage as many people as possible to join her on this mission. She is looking forward to working with us all.

Sonia Passley-Rhule was born in Jamaica, W.I. where she worked in both the private and public sectors. She is a widow, the mother of three children, and has six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. In 2000 she immigrated to Florida and was an active member of Merrell United Methodist church before transferring to Miramar United Methodist Church eight years ago. She sings in the choir, assists with the food pantry and food distribution, and is still active in her United Women in Faith unit. What she would most like to be known for is that she is a child of God, and she is trying to walk in the footsteps of Jesus her savior.

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Year End Mission Giving - 2022 Date Prepared 10/04/23 Submitted by Jan H. Peel, South East District Treasurer PLEDGE TO MISSION MISSION GIVING Pledge to Mission Special Mission Recognition Gift to Mission Gift in Memory World Thank Offering

$ $ $ $ $

23,688.66 1,340.00 844.00 421.00 1,996.59

Total Mission Giving $

28,290.25

DESIGNATED GIFTS Call to Prayer & Self-Denial $ Mission Giving thru FL Conference $ Mission Giving thru Nat'l Office $ Others

1,496.00 838.08 25.00

Total Designated Gifts $

2,359.08

$

35,000.00

TOTAL GIVING REMITTED $

30,649.33

REMITTED to PLEDGE Difference

(4,350.67)

% of PLEDGE FULFILLED

$

87.57%

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Mission Giving - 2023 Year to Date as of 09/30/23 Submitted by Jan H. Peel, South East District Treasurer PLEDGE TO MISSION MISSION GIVING Pledge to Mission Special Mission Recognition Gift to Mission Gift in Memory World Thank Offering

$ $ $ $ $

20,867.90 9,000.00 750.00 292.00 517.13

Total Mission Giving $

31,427.03

DESIGNATED GIFTS Call to Prayer & Self-Denial $ Mission Giving thru FL Conference Mission Giving thru Nat'l Office Others - UMCOR & Love Offering $ Total Designated Gifts $

$

35,000.00

TOTAL GIVING REMITTED $

32,517.29

REMITTED to PLEDGE Difference

(2,482.71)

785.26

305.00 1,090.26

% of PLEDGE FULFILLED

$

92.91%

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SOUTH EAST DISTRICT OF THE FLORIDA CONFERENCE UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH 2024 Proposed Budget Total Mission Giving Pledge

$35,000

Membership Development Leadership Development Soul Care Retreat Creation Care/Climate Justice Event Building the Beloved Community Event Annual Meeting

$1,800 200 600 450 400 150

Administration FL Conference Spiritual Retreat * Copies & Postage Literature Supplies Travel – Mileage Annual Audit Website & Zoom National UWFaith Assembly & SEJ Event *

$1,700 500 100 25 25 100 250 300 400

Total A & MD (10% of District Mission Giving Pledge)

$3,500

Total South East District Budget

$38,500

* These budget items and amounts are set for all districts by the FL Conference United Women in Faith Finance Committee.

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South East District United Women in Faith 2023 Leadership Team

President

Dr. Nora Hernandez Hendrix

Vice President

Dreena Robinson

Secretary

Patricia A. Tabois

Treasurer

Jan H. Peel

Haitian Outreach Coordinator

Anne Pierre Louis

Hispanic Outreach Coordinator

Angela Kim

Chairperson of the Committee on Nominations

Deaconess Ruth Pierre Jean-Pierre

Members of the Committee on Nominations: Class of 2023 Class of 2024 Class of 2025 Class of 2026

Marvia Aitken Vinessa Edwards and Fabie Moody Dr. Sharyn Ladner and Deaconess Ruth Pierre Jean-Pierre Nancy Reames and Deborah Woolsey

Spiritual Growth Liaison Social Action Liaison Legacy Liaison

Marva J. Franklin, CLM H. Leigh Toney Jane Cole

Florida Conference United Women in Faith Leaders who reside within the South East District: Conference President Conference Haitian Language Coordinator Conference Committee on Nominations Conference Committee on Nominations Conference Social Action Liaison Conference Legacy Liaison

Deaconess Dr. Judith Pierre-Okerson Natacha Etienne Joseph Deaconess Paulet Royes-Neale Ciliane Louis Edith Zewadski-Bricker Pam Davis

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2024 South East District United Women in Faith Calendar of Events Fri..-Sun., January 5-7

Conference Leadership Development

WWUMCCC

January 14-19

Children’s Advocacy Week at the Capitol

Tallahassee, FL

Mon., January 15

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Sat., January 20

SE District Leadership Development & Leadership Team Meeting

TBD

Sat., February 10

Conference Leadership Team Meeting

Zoom

Mon., February 19

Presidents Day El Shadai Wesley Mem. UMC, Ft. Myers

Sat., March 16

Haitian Convocation

Sat., March 23

Annual Day of Giving – Legacy Endowment

Fri.-Sun., March 29-31

Good Friday - Easter Creation Care/Climate Justice Work Day & SE District Leadership Team Meeting Conference Leadership Team Meeting

Sat., April 6 Sat., April 13

TBD 6:00 – 9:00p.m. via Zoom

Fri..-Sun., April 19-21

Southeastern Jurisdiction UWFaith Quadrennial Event

Chattanooga, TN

Tues, Apr. 23-Fri, May 3

General Conference of the United Methodist Church

Charlotte, NC

Mon., May 27

Memorial Day

Thurs.-Sat., June 6-8

Florida UMC Annual Conference

Wed., June 19

Juneteenth Freedom Day

Sat., June 22

SE District Finance Committee & Leadership Team Meeting

Thurs., July 4

Independence Day

Sat., July 6

Conference Leadership Team Meeting

Lakeland 9:00-11:00 a.m. via Zoom Zoom

Wed.-Sun., July 10-14

Southeastern Jurisdictional UMC Conference

Fri.-Sun., July 19-21 Tues./Thurs., July 23, 25, 30, & 8/1 Sat., August 31

Mission u/Spiritual Enrichment Event

TBD

Mission u - virtual

Zoom

SE District Soul Care Retreat & Leadership Team Meeting

TBD

Mon., September 2

Labor Day

Sat., October 5

Conference Leadership Team Meeting

Sat., November 9

“Building the Beloved Community” Event & SE District Annual Meeting Conference Annual Meeting

Mon., November 11

Veterans Day

Thurs., November 28

Thanksgiving

Sat., October 26

Lake Junaluska, NC

Zoom TBD TBD

Key: Black: Holidays; Purple: Conference/National; Blue: SE District •

• Conference UWFaith committee meetings not included.

TBD: Location to be determined: either in-person on-site or virtual via Zoom Approved by the SE District Leadership Team 9-16-2023

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When you are ready to discard this program book, please do not throw it in the garbage.

Remove the staples and discard the pages in a paper recycling bin.

South East District of the Florida Conference