Deb,
Thank you for bringing a smile to my face and heart this afternoon as I read your email and saw the pictures. I rejoice with you for how inspiring your annual meeting celebration was and that you replicated the anointing from my installation service. I pray and trust that everyone that attended will keep the fire of hope alive as you and they move into the world as the presence of Jesus Christ. God’s mission through us will be blessed indeed.
I’m so glad that our national president could be with you, along with her daughter. ‘Ainise is an inspiration to all who encounter her.
Thank you and your leadership team for all you do on behalf of United Women in Faith.
Blessings,
Sally
Sally Vonner
General Secretary/Chief Executive Officer
United Women in Faith
Deb Avery with newly elected conference officers: President; Stell Wallace, Vice President; Jan Catrell and Melissa Bortnick, Nominations Committee Members; Sophia Agtarap, Spiritual Growth; Jenny Bygland, Secretary and Communications; Linda Key, Treasurer; Marsha Aufenkamp, Nomination Committee Chair; Gail Simpson, Membership Nurture and Outreach. (Not pictured: Sara Krum, Chidi Okoros, Education and Interpretation)
We Received a Warm Welcome from Olympia First UMC United Women In Faith
Donna Gaddy and Linda Mills at the registration table. Collection for Olympia First UMC’s outreach programs
The first-night attendees all had their photos taken at the dinner by their missional district.
We Offered Our Thanks to Retiring Officers
Committee on Nominations Chair, Linda Key, offered thanks to our retiring officers.
Conference Treasurer, Kendra Smith, lighting the Mission Magic Candle.
Sharon McDaniel
Spiritual Growth Mission Coordinator
Linda Mills, SeaTac Missional District President
Stell Wallace, National Director
Inspiring Worship with Music and Communion, Anointing with Oils, and a Stirring Message
Deb Avery, Polyana Isama’u, and ‘Ainise ‘Isama’u raised their voices in song.
Patty Mitchell Upton led our music.
Deb Avery invited the District Presidents up to decorate the altar with items that represented their districts.
Crest to Coast District President, Bev Thomas
SeaTac District President, Linda Mills
Seven Rivers District President, Barb Stout
Puget Sound District President, Jeannine Lish
We celebrated communion & remembered those lost since we last gathered.
Marsha Aufenkamp and Linda Mills led us in a memorial service for those lost since our last annual meeting.
Rev. Heather Sparkman led us in communion.
Lining up for communion.
Sue Raymond give the communion elements to ‘Ainise ‘Isama’u.
Sue Raymond give the communion elements to ‘Polyana Isama’u.
National President, ‘Ainise ‘Isama’u, led us in an inspiring message and introduced us to her daughter.
‘Ainise ‘Isama’u and daughter, Polyana Isama’u.
The newly elected conference officers were anointed, then everyone came forward to be anointed
District Presidents, Jeannine Lish, Barb Stout,
Bev Thomas, Linda Mills, and, filling in for Judy Dirks, Patsy Charlson
Anointing with oils.
Jeannine Lish anointing Kendra Smith with oil.
Stell Wallace giving the closing benediction.