Connect Empower Engage
Staff
Rev. Mary Nelson
Bridge Conference Minister
Rev. Mary Nelson comes to us with a wealth of experience across the Church. Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, Rev. Nelson attended Grinnell College and earned a BA in Religious Studies, then attended the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, for her MDiv. A lifelong member of the United Church of Christ, she served as a pastor in UCC congregations in Atlanta and in Colchester, Vermont, and during that time became the first Treasurer of the 2030 Clergy Network of the UCC. She served as a Regional Minister in the Connecticut Conference (later Southern New England Conference) from 2014 to 2021, and then became the Transitional Conference Minister of the Missouri Mid-South Conference from 2021 through 2025. Since the beginning of 2026, Rev. Nelson has served as Bridge Pastor of First Congregational Church UCC of Williamstown, Massachusetts.
Rev. Nelson has served on several committees and task forces for the national setting of the United Church of Christ over the years; most notably, co-chairing the Giving Task Force, which reimagined OCWM and proposed a “new plan of giving” adopted by General Synod in 2017. Currently, she serves on the Board of Trustees of Chicago Theological Seminary, and on the Board of Directors of United Church Funds; she is Chair of UCF’s Sustainable and Responsible Investing Committee.
Contact Rev Nelson for:
conference-minister@uccfla.org
- Guest preaching and worship leadership
- Conflict resolution
- When your church is exploring possibilities for its future
- Church closures
- Stewardship and Generosity Issues
- Governance restructuring – Rewriting Bylaws and Constitutions
- Fitness Reviews
- Installations, ordinations, church anniversary celebrations, etc.
Rev. LaTrell Harrison
Associate Conference Minister for Search and Call, and Congregational Care
Rev. Harrison provides leadership to churches in transition through the search and call process and resources congregations and cares for them. Rev. Harrison embraced her call into ministry on Nov. 22, 1992. Since then she has served in multiple denominations. She believes the blueprint for a beloved community starts with ecumenical partnerships. She earned a B. A. in English from Johnson C. Smith University, a Master of Divinity from Payne Theological Seminary, and a Master of Theology from Candler School of Theology (Emory University). Rev. Harrison has served as interim pastor at Fort Myers Congregational UCC, associate pastor at Windermere Union Church, and as a member of the Committee on Ministry for the Western region. She participated in Sacred Conversations to End Racism Facilitator Training and is currently a member of the Justice and Advocacy Network.
LaTrell enjoys creating monologues, specifically on unnamed and “notorious” women from biblical narratives. Her happy places are quaint bookstores and the beach.
Contact Rev Harrison for:
- All things related to Search and Call
- When your pastor resigns or retires
- Ministerial profiles, settled and Interim
- Local church profiles
- Call agreements and compensation guidelines
- Sending clergy profile to a local church
- Congregational resources and care
- Church mergers and collaboration
- Guest preaching and worship leadership
- Installations, ordinations, church anniversary celebrations, etc.
Neal Watkins
Minister of Church Vitality and Vision
Neal provides leadership to our congregations who seek to discern their vision and mission, their purpose and calling, and resources our youth ministry and some of our prophetic justice teams.
Neal grew up in the Coral Gables Congregational UCC in Miami, attended the University of South Florida majoring in religious studies and served the Chapel on the Hill UCC and the Community Church of Vero Beach UCC. As a youth minister, Neal helped design and lead “C2”, an attempt at a worship style that embraces dynamic energy, informal structure and progressive theology. Neal attended Chicago Theological Seminary, where he successfully defended his thesis, “Millennial Ecclesiology: Merging and Reconciling the Church’s Latest Great Divide.”
Neal and his wife, Pam, live in Vero Beach with their children, Casey and Caleb. Neal enjoys playing fetch with his dog (Tillich), doing logic puzzles, and eating French fries with his exercise buddies.
Contact Neal for:
- All things related to church vision and mission, purpose and calling
- Prophetic Justice Ministry teams
- Youth Ministry
- Faith Formation Ministry
Beth Shedden
Financial Administrator
Beth Shedden has served as the Financial Administrator for the Florida Conference for many years, providing steady and trusted leadership for nearly four decades. Her deep institutional knowledge and unwavering commitment make her an invaluable resource to our churches, clergy, and the wider Conference community. In her role, she handles a broad range of responsibilities, including inquiries related to OCWM (Our Church’s Wider Mission) and Per Capita Giving, church-requested financial statements, gifts and payments to the Conference, and questions about pastoral benefits, including matters involving the Pension Board. Whether addressing complex financial matters or providing guidance to local congregations, Beth approaches every task with clarity, care, and professionalism. Beyond her extensive expertise, she brings a personal warmth and dedication that is deeply appreciated by all who work with her. Beth continues to be a cornerstone of the Florida Conference—offering not only financial leadership but also a legacy of service, integrity, and compassion.
Contact Beth for:
- Questions about OCWM giving and Per Capita Giving
- Church-requested financial statements
- Basic financial questions, gifts and payments to the Conference
- Issues regarding pastoral benefits including Pension Board questions
Mary Allen Briceno
Administrative Specialist
Mary Allen Briceno serves as Administrative Specialist and Registrar for the Florida Conference of the United Church of Christ, managing key communications, records, and systems that support congregations, Conference leadership, and clergy. She provides administrative assistance for the Search and Call process, Congregational Care, and Committee on Ministry, and oversees the Conference calendar, website, and weekly e-newsletter. With a background in organizational communication, corporate training, youth ministry, and spiritual direction, Mary Allen brings both structure and soul to her work. She’s committed to building communities where people feel welcomed, valued, and connected. Outside of work, she enjoys life’s big questions and small joys with her family, often while crafting, cooking, or listening to a great podcast.
Contact Mary Allen for:
- All Things concerning The Sunshine Connection Newsletter, Conference Calendar, and website updates
- Church and Clergy Information Updates
- Event logistics and document support
- Any other questions you may have, she will refer you to the appropriate staff or resources
John Ristow
Disaster Response Ministry Coordinator
John’s interest in disaster response stems from personal experiences and connections within the faith community. It began when John, as a young newspaper reporter, covered a Northern Michigan village destroyed by a tornado, where he documented in writing and photos the town’s recovery and rebuilding for two years. Later, in South Florida, he managed communications and response for 15,000 teachers during eight hurricanes in five years. Presently, while I prepare for and work in faith-based education in Haiti and attend seminary, I find myself drawn to studying natural disasters and recovery due to the island’s frequent destructive storms. This curiosity led me to further studies with the International Red Cross and at university which continues to deepen my knowledge. I welcome all who feel the call to this ministry to reach out to me so we can continue to prepare for future challenges.
Contact John for:
- All things related to disaster ministries
- When your church needs help concerning a disaster
- If you feel the call to serve on the response team
The Florida Conference United Church of Christ is a community of congregations around Florida that partner in covenant to engage in the ministry of Jesus Christ to be the Church in the 21st century. In the power of the Holy Spirit, the congregations of the Florida Conference UCC join together to be a prophetic voice of the Good News of God’s love for all and to work for peace and justice for all.
