World Officers

The elected World Officers for Quinquennium 2011-2016 are:

Born in Geelong, Victoria, Australia, 64 years ago, I was raised by my widowed mother following my father’s death when I was 2. She was a committed Methodist and the congregation to which we belonged had a strong commitment to missionary service. I trained as a Primary School teacher, becoming a passionate advocate for young children. I have taught Sunday School and led Children’s clubs for 47 years. That developed my abilities as a story-teller. With my clergy husband, John, I spent 12 years in missionary service with the Methodist Church in Tonga in the South Pacific. My four children, Nicholas – a pilot with the Flying Doctor Service in Australia; Kirsten – an obstetrician/gynaecologist; Hamish – a Federal Policeman; and Rowena – a Special Education Teacher and former Helen Kim Scholar, were all born in Tonga. After two years serving the First United Methodist Church in Alhambra, Los Angeles, the family returned to Australia to work in the Uniting Church.

I completed training as an integration teacher for disabled children, as well as gaining a Certificate in Children’s Ministry. I worked with the Council of Christian Education in Schools in Victoria for 20 years, training over 3000 volunteer teachers from all churches, to teach Christian Education in Government Schools. I currently teach 16 classes per week in one school. I have been involved with the Uniting Church Adult Fellowship in Australia since 1986, having been State President, 1998-99 and National Unit President 2000-2003. I have attended three World Assemblies of the Federation and four Area Seminars, serving as South Pacific Area Vice-President 2006-11.

I was one of three Uniting Church members of the World Methodist Council Executive 2001-11. I am a member of my state World Day of Prayer Committee, serving as President for two years. As part of the National Publications team, I currently prepare the annual Children’s and Youth Service/Programs. I am regularly involved in leading worship, as well as a frequent public speaker for women’s groups, service and community organisations. Since John’s retirement from active full-time ministry, I have worked with him in Tonga and have lectured in Christian Education at the Tongan church’s Theological College. I am passionate about the World Federation family. I am especially passionate about my South Pacific Federation family and work tirelessly to support the women’s work in fundraising and practical assistance. I have been responsible for a project of the past five years which has resulted in 5000 filled school backpacks being sent to Pacific children.

Outside of Church ministry, I am a volunteer with an organization called Legacy which supports widows and children of deceased ex- servicemen. I was cared for by Legacy as a child and it’s great to be able to give something back to this organization.

My other passions are singing with one of Melbourne’s leading choirs, The Melbourne Singers; minding grandchildren (I have 4) and my garden.

Regula Stotz lives in Basel. Trained as a teacher at the University Basel and Vienna, she has worked for more than 35 years in different schools with children between 11- 15 years of age. Regula has served her local church on several committees and followed an education as a lay preacher. In 2004 a new chapter in her life began when she retired and became the Co-ordinator of the Women’s Work of the United Methodist Church of the Central Conference of Central and Southern Europe. With the political changes in the Eastern European countries in the nineties, women had new opportunities. Regula’s position was in assisting for seminars in leadership- training, women’s retreats, fund raising and organising language courses of twenty languages. Regula is on the Board of the Swiss Methodist women’s network, mission and social work. With this wealth of experience and expertise Regula’s position as Vice-President in her words, “would mean to be on my way together with four members forming one team to serve the Methodist women in general and to promote the ideas of the WF in special”.

Leu was born and raised in Samoa. She came to New Zealand with her family in 1989 in support of her husband Reverend Utumau’u Pupulu in their ministry. She studied as a mature student in New Zealand and achieved her dreams. She gave thanks to the Lord for walking, running, falling and carrying her through everything she had gone through. Leu is a qualified accountant by profession. She played a lot of financial roles in her Mangere Central Methodist Parish, NZ Methodist Sinoti Samoa Synod and the NZ Methodist Women’s Fellowship Unit. They have two children; son Uaina who is married to Erin with two grandchildren to them; Phoenix and Summah, and daughter Sina. Leu acknowledges the unconditional love and patience of her late parents; Sina and Malagamaali’i Lui Filimoeatu who made her the woman she is today. With regard to her position she is elected into, in Leu’s words, “… Reliable and motivated …….proficiency and strong understanding in the areas of Budgeting, Taxation, Economics, Business Communications, reflects the passion I have for the field…to develop… to build….help others…..” well said Leu!!! VIIA IESU! (Praise Jesus!)

I have been a Methodist from my mother’s womb and as a youngster participated in different ministries of the Rio Abajo Methodist Church of the Conference of the Methodist Churches in the Caribbean and the Americas (MCCA). After exchanging wedding vows in 1990, I transferred my membership to the Spanish Methodist church, the “Iglesia Evangélica Metodista de Panamá, (IEMPA)”. In 1994 my husband Eduardo Smith was ordained presbyter and since then I have accompanied him in his ministry. I am a Sunday School teacher and Sunday School Superintendent, Executive Secretary for the Mission and Outreach Department and involved in camp ministry. In 2006 I chaired a committee in-charge of the 100th anniversary celebration of the IEMPA´s ministry in the Republic of Panama, I am the president of the local Women’s Society and the National President of the Women’s Federation. As a business teacher taught English as a Second Language and Translator/Interpreter from the Spanish to the English language and vice-versa. We have three daughters, Sharon, Karen and Carlyn. Sharon and her husband Marino have two year old twin girls, Amira and Allyss. I am desirous to be a servant of God in this new task he has bestowed upon me. I am open to learning as much as I can to function efficiently as the World Secretary.

Chita has just completed her term as World President and now holds the position of President Emerita for the Federation. She owns and is the Directress of two schools which offer basic education. Simultaneously, she is an active deaconess of the United Methodist Church in the Philippines, serving as the Coordinator of the Committee on Childhood Education & Development. She holds many positions within the faith community including Vice President of the Board of Women’s Work; member-at-large of the Philippines Coordinating Council; Secretary of the Committee on Episcopacy; and Chair of the PPAC Board of Discipleship. Her interests fall largely on guidance and counselling, women, literature and publication, and young children. She has authored several preschool work texts and story books. She is married to Arsenio and has three children: Ken Archie, and wife Val,Khristian Joy and Marc John and a new born grandson, Migo.