Florida Three
Three Florida clergy who signed incorporation papers for a "Florida Methodist Church" are (from left) the Rev. James J. Therrell Jr., superintendent of the North East District; the Rev. Dionne Hammond, superintendent of the Atlantic Central District; and the Rev. Rini Hernandez, director of new church starts and Hispanic/Latino Ministries for the Florida Annual Conference. Revs. Hammond and Hernandez have removed their names from the incorporation; Rev. Therrell will go on leave April 1. (Photos Courtesy of Florida Conference)
UPDATED 2-24
The president of the Wesleyan Covenant Association has disavowed an attempt by three members of the Florida Annual Conference cabinet to start a new "Florida Methodist Church" prior to the 2020 General Conference.
Sam Hodges of UM News has reported that the Rev. Keith Boyette, WCA president, denied that the attempt by the Revs. Jay Therrell, Dionne Hammond and Rini Hernandez to incorporate the "Florida Methodist Church" was an official WCA action.
Hodges wrote:
"Boyette said by phone that Therrell and Hammond are WCA members but had not been officers of the main group or its Florida chapter.
"He said he had “general knowledge that there was conversation that something was happening in Florida” but nothing more.
“'The WCA had absolutely no role in what these three individuals did,' Boyette said. 'We were not informed of their specific plans and did not review anything they may have done.'
"Boyette added, 'We’re not encouraging or supportive of individuals seeking to launch a new denomination that is geographically confined to an annual conference. That’s not our strategy or part of what we’re doing.'”
A document filed Feb. 7 with the Florida Division of Corporations lists the Rev. James J. Therrell Jr. as president, the Rev. Dionne Hammond as vice president, and the Rev. Rinaldo (Rini) Hernandez as secretary of “The Florida Methodist Church, Inc.” Rev. Therrell is superintendent of the Jacksonville-based North East District and Rev. Hammond of the Atlantic Central District based in Vero Beach. Rev. Hernandez is director of new church starts and Hispanic/Latino ministries at the conference office in Lakeland.
On Feb. 19, Florida Bishop Kenneth Carter issued a letter to clergy and lay leaders disclosing the superintendents’ action and explaining his response. The letter was forwarded to news outlets by some Florida clergy.
“After respectful conversation, spiritual discernment and deep prayer, the following is the substance of the cabinet response.
“Dionne Hammond and Rini Hernandez have removed their names from the document and agreed not to participate in the formation of a separate organization. They will continue as members of the cabinet.
“Jay Therrell has decided to conclude his tenure on the cabinet on July 1, 2020. In addition, he will go on renewal leave on April 1, 2020. A new elder from the Florida Conference will be appointed as superintendent of the North East District and coverage will be provided for the district in the interim period.
“As your bishop, I wanted to be transparent in the way we seek to have integrity in our leadership.
“I wish to express my respect for these three beloved colleagues, At the same, I am called to maintain the unity of the church and to strengthen the Florida Conference as we are on mission together, making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
United Methodist Insight attempted to contact the three principals by telephone and email for comment but has received no replies to date. UM News also attempted to interview those involved, saying that Bishop Carter and Rev. Hernandez declined to be interviewed, while Revs. Therrell and Hammond couldn't be reached.
In a Facebook post Feb. 20, the United Methodist Centrist Movement called on Bishop Carter to immediately suspend the three clergy and said it intended to file charges against the three. It wrote:
"In a strange turn of events, three DS’s in The Florida Conference get busted for trying to lay the groundwork for a non-WCA related traditionalist denomination. Two retreat from their actions while the other is permitted to remain on the Cabinet (on leave) until July. How are any of these DS’s still in good standing with the Florida Conference? We call for Bishop Carter to put all three Elders on leave immediately. Further, the UMCM intends to file formal complaints against all three of these Elders who have betrayed the trust of our connection."
Florida Incorporation
A public record of Florida incorporation shows the names of three clergy seeking to establish a "Florida Methodist Church." (UM Insight Composite)
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.