4 NOVEMBER 7, 2008 Louisiana Conference UMW Special Section Hurricanes ‘Gustav’ and ‘Ike’ may have stopped several things but not the connection between members of UMW. With the rescheduling of our 2008 Annual Meeting came the cancelled visit of our Deputy General Secretary, Harriett Jane Olson. However, through the wonders of technology, we still connected. Through the continued caring and inno- vative thinking of President, Harriette Elrod who suggested this as a possibility, I started the task of making this very special request of our then scheduled guest speak- er. After contacts with more than one of the staff assistants and a very hurried week of preparing for our rescheduled Annual Meeting and DELT, our request was com- pleted with receipt of a DVD of Ms. Olson’s address to the ladies of Louisiana Conference on the topic of “Living Simply to Resurrect the Earth”. Having spoken with Ms. Olson’s assis- tants concerning our upcoming district annual meetings, we are able to provide a copy of this address to each of our seven districts of the Louisiana Conference. It is our hope that all of our District Annual Meetings will be a time of work and celebration and that having the encouragement, support and contact from Women’s Division will help renew and sustain our energies for the many tasks ahead. Note: See message from President-elect Edna B. Hickman on page 5 Carrie Roy resides in Harvey, La. and attends Boynton UMC in Gretna. She is cur- rently the District Spiritual Growth coor- dinator for the New Orleans District UMW. In her local church she has held numerous offices, including Administrative Council chair, youth coordina- tor,and Vice President. Laurie Seeger attends Fitzgerald United Methodist Church in Covington. She has taught Sunday school coordinated VBS and has held many church positions at Fitzgerald. She first got involved in UMW over 12 years ago and has actively participated ever since. She has held lead- ership positions in her local unit and has been the New Orleans District Education & Interpretation coordinator for the past year. She has also been a volunteer treasurer for the PTA. She is married to Tom and they have 2 children: Tommy,17 and Camille,13. She has worked in the dental field for over 27 years and has been employed as a Registered Dental Hygienist for 20 years. Laurie has received a certifi- cate in Microsoft programs and accounting. Laurie is the newly elected treasurer for LA Conference UMW. Barbara W. Ferguson is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana and a mem- ber of St. Luke’s UMC in New Orleans. She has served as the local unit president and is starting her second term as the Louisiana Conference Social Action Coordinator. Barbara is a lay delegate to the United Methodist Annual Conference and has also taught in the School of Mission, Louisiana Conference. Professionally, she is a former teacher, public school principal, and is cur- rently, university professor and practicing attorney. She is a very active mother grandmother and stays very active with involvement in her family. Juanita LaGard is a member of Mason UMC in Berwick, LA. She serves as the President of her local unit. Juanita is former president of the Acadiana District United Methodist Women and recently rotated off of the Conference Board of Trustees. In addition to currently being a member of the Conference Ministry Team, Juanita is cur- rent chairperson of the Acadiana District Daughenbaugh-Matheny Scholarship Fund Program. Juanita is married to Arthur LaGard and they are the parents of one daughter, Evita LaGard. Juanita is a retired educator with the St. Mary Parish School System. Ouida Smith has lived in Louisiana all her life, born in Allen Parish, and has spent most of her life in the Lake Charles/ Moss Bluff area. She has been active in United Methodist Women for many years and attends Moss Bluff United Methodist Church. She retired from Conoco Refinery, Westlake, as an accountant after 25 years of service. She is a widow with three children and three grandchildren. Having served on many committees of her local church, including chairperson of the Finance Committee, Chairperson of the PPR Committee, Lay Reader and Usher, she is an active member of the Young at Heart group and leader of the Adult Sunday School Class. Ouida has been treasurer of her UMW Unit for many years. She has served as District MNO Mission Coordinator and Nominating Committee member. She is presently serving on the Conference Nominating Committee. Ouida is very active in her community. She has participated in service at Abraham’s Tent. She is a Moss Bluff rep- resentative on the Calcasieu Parish Retired Senior Volunteer Services Board. Taylor Phillips is a member of Mallalieu United Methodist Church, Jennings, Louisiana. She is a member of a five gen- eration family of Methodists which include her 97 y/o mother down to great- grandchildren, all of whom she is actively involved. Having been a United Methodist Woman has kept her active in many capaci- ties. Taylor has been a UMW officer for 25 years, and has served as Dean and Assistant Dean of the School of Christian Missions; attended two national seminars, three juris- dictional meetings, and three assemblies. She is immediate past Lake Charles District president and chair of the 2008 UMW Annual meeting. Taylor will again join the conference team as a member of the Committee on Nominations for the class of 2009. Shannon Rachal is a native of Vinton, Louisiana and currently resides in Jefferson, Louisiana where she teaches 10th grade English at John Ehret High School. Currently attending Munholand UMC in Metarie, Shannon is one of several women involved in starting a new circle there. Shannon has also been a member of the Louisiana Conference School of Mission team as the technical support and media operations person for the school. She has been a member of UMW for over five years and looks forward to serving on the Conference Committee on Nominations as well as becoming involved in the New Orleans District activities. Doret Gilbert Wilson is a native of Hanover, Jamaica and resident of Monroe, Louisiana. She is a U.S. citizen. Professionally she has worked with the General Motors Corporation in Michigan and Louisiana and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business. Doret is a member of Hope United Methodist Church in Monroe and is former local unit president. She has held offices in the Monroe District UMW, taught the youth studies for the Louisiana Conference School of Mission. Doret is married to Mr. Jessie Wilson and has two children, a son and a daughter and one grandson. Doret joins the Conference team as a member of the Conference Committee on Nominations for the class term of 2012. Judy Willis is mar- ried to Rev. Terry C. Willis. They have three children, five grand- children and one great- grandchild. They also recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniver- sary. Judy was an active UMW member of several churches across our Conference. She has served as Vice- President and President of her local church, First UMC of Homer and was elected President of the Shreveport District in 2005. She has been a member of the Conference Executive Team and has attended Conference School of Missions and Annual Meetings for several years. Judy is the newly elected Conference Vice- President for 2009-2010. Meet the 2009 La. Conference UMW Executive Team Carrie Roy Nominations Laurie Seeger Treasurer Barbara W. Ferguson Social Action Judy Willis Vice-president Doret Wilson Nominations Juanita LaGard Spiritual Growth Shannon Rachal Nominations Harriett J. Olson Ouida Smith Nominations Chairperson Taylor Phillips Nominations By Lana P. Lathan, Communications Coordinator Olson shares message with La. Conference UMW Harriette Tucker Elrod, President, LA Conference UMW For the loss of her husband Lieutenant Colonel Robert F. Elrod, Retired 412 Engineer Command U.S. Army who passed on Monday, October 13, 2008 Memorial Service held October 16, 2008 First UM Church of Tallulah, La. Georgie Lee Roberson, Monroe District UMW President For the loss of her husband Mr. Bennie M. Roberson who passed on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 Funeral Service held September 26, 2008 Epps UM Church of Epps, La. of which he was a long time member and officer Mr. Roberson was a retired Farm Manager after forty years of employment. CONDOLENCES God will surely bless and sustain you during this time in your lives. The members of the Louisiana Conference United Methodist Women extend their heartfelt sympathy and prayers to their own: