By Rev. Sheila Miranda
Ronda Cordill was honored at Cheney United Methodist Church on Sunday, March 9, for her work with UMVIM (United Methodist Volunteers in Mission). Ronda recently retired from nine years of service as Coordinator of UMVIM—Western Jurisdiction. She is also a United Methodist Deaconess. Cheney pastor Rev. Damian Carruthers wanted Ronda’s work to be recognized and honored in her home church in Cheney, WA. Some of Ronda’s ministry colleagues were invited to share about her work and accomplishments.
In a video message, Rev. David Valera – PNW Director of Connectional Ministries Director, shared: “I want to honor her and thank her for all the many ways she has served on the field and in the Office of Connectional Ministries.” Speaking directly to Ronda, he said, “I want to thank you for all the years you have lived your life to the fullest by which you have given much of it to the service of Jesus Christ. I am grateful you have connected so many people to the work of volunteering, even giving their time and talent and their treasure, so the ministry of God continues to happen all over the world.”
Louise Kienzle, OR-ID UMVIM Coordinator, traveled from Oregon for the event. “Ronda has such a great wealth of knowledge about mission and missioners. She never stops, as you probably know! While attending conferences or meetings, she is always multitasking, working on new projects, looking for new ways to connect with people. Time is not wasted. Ronda is a visionary, an empathic listener, a problem solver, a fierce supporter, a leader and team player, a friend.”
Louise also shared words of appreciation from UMVIM Conference Coordinators across the Western Jurisdiction and from the UMVIM Board of Directors. They highlighted the special way Ronda has of embracing new mission participants, her work of educating and uplifting volunteers, and the work she has done to make UMVIM more visible to our congregations. However, it was identified that her biggest contribution has been to bring all the conference UMVIM coordinators together so that they could work as a team.
Rev. Sheila Miranda, PNW Associate of Connectional Ministries, talked about Ronda’s impact in north central Washington as UMVIM volunteers helped rebuild 49 homes in Okanogan County following fires. She also noted how the idea of youth mission trips to the Yakama reservation had its genesis in the Cheney UMC parking lot a few years ago as she and Ronda brainstormed mission possibilities after worship. That conversation led to UMVIM’s scholarship support for youth to attend S.L.A.M. Trips in cooperation with Mending Wings, a native-lead youth ministry in Wapato, WA. Sheila also thanked Ronda for the opportunity to travel to Hong Kong together to experience first-hand the work of Deaconess Joy Prim and the Mission for Migrant Workers who serve the needs of foreign domestic workers who find themselves in difficult employment situations.
Rev. Damian Carruthers concluded worship with a blessing for Ronda: “Eternal God, you hold times and seasons, endings and beginnings in your hands. Bless Ronda who now enters a new time in her life.”
Rev. Sheila Miranda serves as Assistant for Connectional Ministries for the Inland and Seven Rivers Missional Districts of the Pacific Northwest Conference of The United Methodist Church.
