The 2004 Florida Annual Conference authorized a new structure for the districts. Between July, 2004 and July, 2005 there will be a transition from the present structure of 14 districts to a new structure of 9 districts. In order that there will be a smooth transition, it is necessary for me to announce who will be the Superintendents of the new districts beginning in July, 2005.

Choosing the persons to be the Superintendents has not been an easy task because each of the 14 Superintendents is effective in her or his work. The primary criterion I have used in choosing the persons to be the Superintendents of the new districts is continuity. I sought to maintain continuity of leadership in the geographical regions of Florida and also continuity of interest and skills in the Cabinet. There are some Superintendents who have developed interests and skills in certain aspects of their work, and their contributions to the Cabinet are needed during this time of transition. Examples of interest include developing policy or procedural proposals for the Cabinet, providing leadership in developing cooperative parishes, and strengthening the mission of the Church to ethnic minorities, etc. I wish to affirm the work of all of the 14 Superintendents, and I acknowledge that each of them could have served well as the Superintendent of a new district in the new structure.

There are five persons whose service on the Cabinet will end in July, 2005. The Rev. Dr. Jim Maxfield and the Rev. Dr. E. Keith Ewing will complete their service as interim Superintendents of the Lakeland and Miami Districts, respectively. I am deeply appreciative of their service as retired persons to the Cabinet and the Conference. The Rev. Dr. Kevin James will complete seven years of service as the Superintendent of the St. Petersburg District. I am grateful for Kevin's leadership of this large district and his service as the past Dean of the Cabinet. The Rev. Dr. Sharon Patch will complete five years of service as Superintendent of the Ft. Myers District. I am grateful for Sharon's energetic service to the Ft. Myers District and her work as the Secretary of the Cabinet. The Rev. Dr. Terry Markins will complete three years of service as Superintendent of the Leesburg District. I am a grateful to Terry for his achievements during his years on the Leesburg District and for his contributions to the deliberations of the whole Cabinet.

The appointments of Superintendents to the 9 new districts in July, 2005 will be as follows:

North West District The Rev. Antonio Fernandez
North East District The Rev. Dr. Rick Neal
North Central District The Rev. Dr. Geraldine McClellan
Gulf Central District The Rev. Wayne Curry
South Central District The Rev. Dr. Bert Blomquist
East Central District The Rev. Dr. Jeff Stiggins
Atlantic Central District The Rev. Mike Oliver
South West District The Rev. David Herman
South East District The Rev. Deborah McLeod

During this year of transition the Superintendents will be working closely together to make preparations for the new district structure, including seeking opportunities for the Superintendents of the new districts to become acquainted with the parts of the new districts where they have not served as Superintendents.

I am grateful to all of these persons for their commitment to Jesus Christ and their willingness to be appointed where they will be needed to strengthen the mission of the whole Church.

Timothy W. Whitaker
Resident Bishop, Florida Area