MOVING FOWARD IN FAITH

The 49th Annual Meeting for the Florida Conference United Women in Faith was held in Lakeland on Saturday, November 19, 2022

At 9:45 the meeting opened with singing lead by Lyn Sears.

Conference President, Deaconess Judith Pierre-Okerson welcomed everyone and expressed her joy of meeting in person this year. 

 Alice Williams and Derrick Scott IIII ,Co-Lay leaders, FL Annual Conference talked about change. The South East Jurisdiction had 4 Bishops retire and 3 new ones appointed.  Bishop Carter had Western NC and Florida. Next year he will not have Florida only Western NC. The General Conference for the United Methodist Church will be held in 2024 in Charloette, NC. There is a question if the delegates that were to go to the 23 Annual Conference will go to the 24 or another election should be held.  

Reverend David McEntire is the Senior pastor at First United Methodist Church in Lakeland. He agreed that the layette is the strength of the church. At the invocation he stressed to keep going and keep our focus on what lies ahead. We are changing the world through the power of Jesus Christ. 

Bishop Carter spoke by video.

The Prayer Guide was read. The 2023 Prayer Guide could be purchased at the meeting. 

Proverbs 4:28 was the Scripture for this meeting, "let your eyes look straight ahead." It was read in 4 languages.

The memorial Service, Dawning of a New Day.  137 members have passed away this year, 17 of them from our district. 

There was a tribute to Ressie Mae Bass former Conference President. Different people spoke about her. She sounded like an amazing person to have known. Mentoring, being bold, taking action, helping others what a legacy she left. 

Telling our stories past and present.

 Donna Spears, conference Treasurer, talked about our giving. She held up a long list of things she was to do that day like helping farmers in Asia, working with human trafficking,  getting clean water to villages in Africa, and on and on. No one could do it by themself, but with giving of our pledges, prayer and self denial contributions and thanks offerings these needs are accomplished.

Edith Zewadski-Bricker, Conference Social Action Liaison, talked about how we change things through action. Cards were given to us mail to our Senator to promote action against school pushout. Mark April 22 at 9:30 on your calendar to see a 90 minute program on Love in Action: the Charter for Racial Justice.  

Pamela Sue Davis is the chair of the Legacy Committee. since she had no voice Donna Spears helped present building the next 150 years. Our legacy giving insures that work will continue to be done to help women, children and youth. 

Sally Vonner, Transformation Officer United Women in Faith National Office, was the speaker.  United Methodist women have embraced lots of changes; raised new leaders, learned new skills, zoomed meetings. " Keep life moving forward, looking back is only for time travelers". Be bold, show up and make a difference. Every generation has gone through changes, nothing new. We are bigger than ourselves.  Lot of research went into the new branding to United Women in Faith. 24,000 women were polled; members, nonmembers, churched, not church.  The new name allows for unity no matter what churches do and more women will feel welcome to join. Moving forward and letting go of the familiar allows for growth.  God in the past is the same God leading us into the future. 

After a very good lunch, Ruth Fleurimond, a member of United Women in Faith, South West District and Jennifer Noel, member , program Advisory Group, National Organization spoke on New Wineskin Celebration. Ruth is a confident young woman. She exemplifies how United Methodist  Women have inspired, influenced and had an impact on our youth.  

The business meeting was held. 

Paulette Monroe was installed on the Committee of Nomination class of 2026 by Sally Vonner.

Our District and Unit have accomplished a lot;  doing Mission Studies, being Five Star Unit, having Rainbow Givers, and active in the Reading Program. 

Looking forward,  Mission U will be held in Lake Mary at a hotel this year on July 14-16 and also on zoom July 18,20,25,27.

The first new unit as United Women in Faith. 

Reverend Debbie Keller Allen, South West District Superintendent and United Women in Faith Cabinet Liaison. She knew how important United Methodist Women had been in the churches she had pastored and is why she asked to be the cabinet liaison.  50 of the 75 churches in the SW District have been damaged by the hurricanes.

She lead us in communion,

Lyn Sears beautifully sang the Lord's Prayer during the communion  celebration.

The meeting ended at 3:00.