August 22nd, 2025

Kevin Guthrie
Executive Director
Florida Division of Emergency Management
2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard
Tallahassee, FL 32399

Re: Request to Provide Chaplaincy Services

Dear Director Guthrie,

We are writing today as ordained clergy in 6 faith traditions representing hundreds of thousands of people
in Florida, located in proximity of the newly constructed detention site at the Dade-Collier Training and
Transition Airport, known publicly as “Alligator Alcatraz.” As clergy, we have taken sacred vows to offer
spiritual care to all people, regardless of race, nationality, religion, or legal status. It is in that spirit that
we respectfully request official access to the facility as chaplains.

We are encouraged to hear of Catholic Mass services now being held at the facility. Our goal is to offer
individual, nonpartisan spiritual care, prayer, and presence to any people held at the site who wish to
receive such support. We are fully willing to comply with all necessary security procedures, including
background checks and visitor screening, and to abide by any protocols required by the facility. Our
presence would be solely for the purpose of providing compassionate pastoral care and honoring the
religious rights of those in detention.

Micah 6:8 tells us, “God has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of
you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Our faith teaches us that every
person is made in the image of God and deserving of dignity and mercy. The ability to practice one’s faith
and receive spiritual support is not only a matter of conscience — it is a constitutional right protected
under the First Amendment. Please advise us on the appropriate steps to receive visitation clearance and
to ensure coordination with facility chaplaincy staff or administration.

Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to your response.

In grace and peace,

Most Rev. Willard A. Heller, Bishop, Diocese of St. John XXIII, Reformed Catholic Church
Rabbi Robyn Fisher, Beth Or, Miami, FL
Rabbi Rachel Greengrass, Temple Beth Am, Miami, FL
Rev. Melanie Marsh, Pastor of Riviera Presbyterian Church, Miami, FL
Cantor Carol Robbins-Garrett, Spiritual leader for Congregation L’Dor Va-Dor
Rev. Aaron James Lauer, United Church of Christ, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Most Rev. William R. Cavins, Pastor Abiding Presence Faith Community, Orlando, and Auxiliary Bishop,
Diocese of St. John XXIII, Reformed Catholic Church
Rev. Sarah Robinson, Pastor of Audubon Park Covenant Church, Orlando, FL
Rev. Roy M Terry IV, Cornerstone United Methodist Church, Naples, FL
BJ Saul, Madrikha, Congregation Beth Adam, Humanistic Judaism
Rev. Dr. Andrea C. C. Byer-Thomas, Senior Pastor, Community UMC, Ft. Pierce, FL
Rev. Sherlain Stevens, Ebenezer United Methodist Church, Miami, FL
Rabbi David Siff, PhD, Kol HaLev, Lake Worth, FL
Rabbi Anthony Fratello, DD, Temple Shaarei Shalom, Boynton Beach, FL
Rev. Wesley Snedeker, Church of the Isles United Church of Christ, Indian Rocks Beach, FL
Rev. Dr. Hedy Collver, Senior Pastor, First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables, FL
Rabbi David Steinhardt, Boca Raton, FL
Rabbi David Baum, Congregation Shaarei Kodesh, Boca Raton, FL
Rev. Tony Fisher, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples, FL
Rabbi Cheryl Miller, Bethesda Hospital, Boynton Beach, FL
Rev. Dr. Laurinda Hafner, Coral Gables United Church of Christ, Coral Gables, FL
Rev. David Range, Miramar United Methodist Church, Miramar, FL
Rev. Kipp Nelson, St. John’s on the Lake United Methodist Church, Miami Beach, FL
Rev. Vidalis Lopez, Southeast District Superintendent, FL UMC
Rev. Tim Barton, First United Methodist Church of Fort Pierce, FL
Rev. José Nieves, First United Methodist Church of Kissimmee, FL
Rev. Rachel Paul Hartman
Rev. Sarah Robles Wise, Grace United Methodist Church, Venice, FL
Most Rev. Christopher M. Carpenter, Presiding Bishop, Reformed Catholic Church (USA)
Rev. Carey Taylor, St. Pete First UMC, St. Petersburg, FL
Rev. Pierre L Exantus, St John UMC, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rev. Richard J. Wilson, Retired, The United Methodist Church, Tallahassee, FL
Rev. Dr. Linda W. Simmons, LMHC, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Rev. Scott Andrews, Englewood, FL, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Rabbi Cantor Danielle Bensimhon, Temple Beth David, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Rev. Michael LeBlanc, Shepherds Community United Methodist Church, Lakeland, FL
Pastor Johnny Outing, Quest Church (PCUSA)
Pastor David Jahn, Spirit of Joy Church (ELCA)
Rev. Kathy Schmitz, Unitarian Universalist
Rabbi Rachael Jackson, Congregation of Reform Judaism, Orlando, FL
Kaylee Vance, Synodically Authorized Minister of The Hearth, Orlando, FL
Rev. Dr. Jorge A.Texidor, El Redentor Presbyterian Church, (PCUSA) Oviedo, FL
Rev. Kari Niedermaier, All Saints Lutheran, Port Orange, FL
Rev. Dawn Worden, Christ United Methodist, St. Petersburg, FL
Rev. Jayne Rideout, St. Andrew’s UMC Brandon, FL
Rev. Adam Balduff, St. Andrew’s UMC Brandon, FL
The Rev. Dr. Keith A.Spencer, Trinity Lutheran Church, Pembroke Pines, FL
Rev. Leah Gaughan, First United Methodist Church of Winter Park, FL
Rev. Erwin Lopez, UCF Wesley and Faith United Methodist Church of Orlando, FL
Rev. Dr. Nancy Graham Ogne, Hope Presbyterian Church at Lake Nona, Orlando, FL
Rev. Meghan Killingsworth, First United Methodist Church of Sanford, FL
Rev. David Killingsworth, First United Methodist Church of Sanford, FL
Rev. Dr. Helen M. DeBevoise, Park Lake Presbyterian Church, Orlando, FL
Rev. Jody Mask, Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, Orlando, FL
Rev. Jeremy Green, FLUMC
Rev. Katy Cuthill, First Presbyterian of Daytona Beach, FL
Rev. Heather Harding, UMC
Rev. Charles M. Taylor, Universal Truth Center, Miami Gardens, FL
Rev. Tawnicia F. Rowan, Universal Truth Center, Miami Gardens, FL
Rev. Missy Turbeville, First United Methodist Church of Bartow, FL
Rev. Melana Scruggs, Peace River Presbytery, Port Charlotte, FL
Rev. Angel Ortiz, Pastor and Moderator of First Spanish Presbyterian Church of Miami and El Cordero
Presbyterian Church
South Florida Muslim Federation, Sunrise, FL
Rev. Candace Thomas, Pastor, Christ Congregational United Church of Christ, Palmetto Bay, FL
Rev. David Gill, United Methodist Church
Rev. Dr. Janice Mynchenberg, Pastor, Epiphany Lutheran Church, Oviedo, FL
Jes Martinez-Hunt MLIS, Unitarian Universalist Community Minister Aspirant, Lake Mary, FL
Rev. Peytyn Tobin, Fulford United Methodist Church, North Miami Beach, FL
Rev. Kristina Spaude, Unitarian Universalist, Leesburg, FL
Rev. Dr. Latricia Scriven, Anona United Methodist Church, Largo, FL
Rev. Fred L Hammond, Manatee Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Bradenton, FL
Rabbi Debre A. Eisenman, D.D. Temple Beth David, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Rev. William C Hamilton Jr., Retired (ELCA), Jacksonville, FL