We had a wonderful program at our annual meeting presented by Barbara Dadd Shaffer on Jamaa Letu. Sue Raymond, District MNO Crest to Coast District, installed our officers. The gathering ended with communion led by Rev Carol Mariano, Dean, Mission u. We had 30 women and 10 churches represented. The United Women in Faith Fairwood Community UMC in Renton hosted the gathering. Our pianist had a family emergency, so we used music videos.
Our theme was “Sharing and Serving the Lord with Joy.” Barbara was appointed to the Bishop’s Task Force on Hope for the Children of Africa in 2006. The bishop appointed her as Chair two years later, a position she filled for ten years. She continues to be a part of the Task Force, which supports the ministry of the two Jamaa Letu orphanages in the DR Congo. This is the topic of her speech today. She focuses on the post-secondary education of former residents in the orphanages. Barbara has been a member of United Women in Faith and its predecessor organizations since she was a freshman in high school. She was a conference officer twice during her thirty-three years in Alaska and was elected a conference officer in the Pacific Northwest Conference soon after moving to Spokane. She was president of the Western Jurisdiction UMW and served as a Director of the Women’s Division. She now lives with her husband, John, at Wesley Lea Hill in Auburn.
We gave out awards. We had 2 Mission Today Gold Units, 3 7-Star Units, and 8 Readers who read 51 books. At our Remembrance Ceremony, we reported that 23 members were deceased during the last year.
We have recruited a new SeaTac District secretary for the board. We have a prospective Social Action Mission Coordinator. We are still looking to fill positions on the board.
Diana Wilson, President
SeaTac Missional District
How You Help Support the Jamaa Letu Orphanages
Donate Online
You can help support the orphans and students by going to their website JamaaLetu.org and clicking on the Donate links.
Donate Through Your Local UMC
Local UMC Instructions: Mark donation to Jamaa Letu Orphanages & note if it’s for a Child & Youth Sponsorship, Education Scholarship, or general Jamaa Letu support. Talk with your coordinator.
Donate Directly to the Pacific Northwest Conference
Send Donations to Jamaa Letu Orphanages Pacific Northwest Conference Office P.O. Box 13650 Des Moines, WA 98193-1009. Mail donation or direct your bank to send the funds & note if it’s for a Child & Youth Sponsorship, Education Scholarship, or general Jamaa Letu support.
2024-2025 Officers
President: Diana Wilson
Vice President: Marilyn Hoff
Secretary: Pam Cunningham
Treasurer: Rachel Hall
Communications Coordinator: Diana Wilson
Education & Interpretation: OPEN
Membership Nurture & Outreach: Linda Mills
Program Resources: Carol Sprague
Social Action: OPEN
Spiritual Growth: Janice Bronkema
Committee on Nominations: OPEN