Salisbury District December 13, 2017 Volume 6 Issue 24 T o Sharing Life e t h e r Christmas Greetings to the Mighty Salisbury District!! Last Sunday one of the lectionary readings for the Second Sunday in Advent was from Isaiah 40 where the prophet says, Prepare the way for the Lord. Of course, he was talking about the coming Messiah to the nation of Israel. We Christians also believe that he was referring to Messiah, whom we believe is none other than Jesus the Christ. As I thought about this statement ( Prepare the way for the Lord ) I thought about all the ways we might be preparing, not only our homes with decorations for the Christmas celebration, but also how we might prepare our hearts to receive Jesus once again. Some of the ways I thought of were by performing acts of not only piety (prayer, worship, sacraments, etc) but also acts of mercy, like volunteering at a homeless shelter, helping ring the bell at those red kettles for the Con nued on Page 3 Being the Hands and Feet of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
Inside This Issue: Bethel UMC 2 Grace - All You Can Eat Breakfast Mt. Pleasant Christmas Cantata Quantico-Hebron Charge Cantata Wesley-Temple Candlelight Service Bethany - Christmas Eve Candlelight Washington - Christmas Eve Service 7 9 11 12 12 13 Salisbury District Office Christmas Hours The District Office will be closed on Thursday, Dec 21, and re-opening on Tuesday, Jan 2. Transforming Lives Through Jesus Christ In The The congregation of Bethel UM Church, led by God, in His vision for our church, pledge to represent God s word and love to the community of Walston Switch and to the whole world. Covenant/Vision Bethel UMC 31810 Old Ocean City Road Parsonsburg, MD Rev. Cathy Lucas, Pastor
Con nued from Page 1 Salvation Army, visiting nursing homes and hospitals, writing cards and letters to folks who live alone or are shut-in or home-bound. There are lot s of ways we can prepare the way for the Lord if we just slow down and think and pray about it. Last Saturday, we experienced a fairly significant snow storm here in The Bury (as I like to refer to it). Seven inches according to my unofficial snow gauge (that would be my bird bath!). Anyway, we had planned weeks ago to have my wife s niece and family come and have dinner with us the first time ever! All week, Pat had been planning for the day with the family shopping for gifts, food, etc. Now, if you know anything about my wife, you know she s a planner and organizer extraordinaire, as well as the queen of hospitality. Well, when the forecast was for 4-8 inches of snow Friday night into Saturday, we were both very concerned, thinking we would probably never get them over before Christmas with everything else going on. Needless to say, lots of prayers were said, asking that it might not be quite as bad as it was forecast. And thanks be to God, it wasn t! The whole family was able to come down all the way from Ellendale, Delaware and enjoy a delicious meal, hours of joyful fun with the two infants, and lots of sharing stories and gifts with the niece and grand nieces and husbands. It was truly a great day in the Duncan home that day! Thanks be to God! I share all this to remind us all to remember to prepare the way for the Lord by spending time with family as much as you can. Preparing the way for the Lord means mending broken relationships, helping one another, loving one another, reaching out to one another and being willing to take the first step in restoring what is broken. You know, you really don t appreciate family until you ve lost a child, which, as you know, we did two years ago Christmas. This restored relationship with Pat s niece is the best Christmas gift she could have ever received. In closing, Pat and I want to thank you, the Salisbury District, for almost five years of service as your District Superintendent. We want to thank you for your thoughts and prayers, your generosity, your hospitality when we visit your churches, and of course, your faith. As I always say in my annual Christmas letter Have a Jesus, Joseph, and Mary (MERRY) Christmas! Rev Fred Duncan
Calendar of Events Dec 15, 2017 Dec 16, 2017 Dec 16, 2017 Dec 17, 2017 Dec 17, 2017 Dec 17, 2017 Dec 24, 2017 Dec 24, 2017 Dec 31, 2017 Jan 5-7, 2018 Jan 20, 2018 Feb 17, 2018 Feb 25, 2017 Mar 17, 2018 Apr 9, 2018 Apr 13-15, 2018 May 16, 2018 Grace UMC (Salisbury) - All You Can Eat Breakfast 8:00-10:00 am (F) Gather to Grow...Scatter to Serve 9 am - 12 pm at Whatcoat, Dover Mt Pleasant UMC (Willards) - Christmas Cantata 5:00 pm (F) Hebron-Quantico Charge - Cantata 9:00 am at Mt Zion (C) Bethany UMC (Berlin) - Dark Night Worship Service 7:00 pm (C) Wesley Temple UMC (Salisbury) - Annual Candlelight Service 5:00 pm (C) Bethany UMC (Berlin) - Family Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship (C) Washington UMC (Salisbury) - Christmas Eve Service 1:00 pm (C) Bethany UMC (Berlin) - New Year s Eve Day Worship 10:00 am (C) Youth Rally Marathon (C) Salis District UMW Officers Training at Mt Nebo UMC 9:00-11:30 am (F) Salisbury District Leadership Training Salisbury Urban Ministries - Care for the Cause 3:00 pm at Christ UMC (F) Salisbury District Conference Spring Lay Academy - Opening Night Young Adult Summit - Don t Leave-LEAD! Save the Date (F) Order of Elders Meeting (F) - See Flyer in this Newsletter (C) - See Clip in this Newsletter
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CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION The Pastoral Care Department at Peninsula Regional Medical Center is pleased to offer a Spring 2018 class in Clinical Pastoral Education. Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is clinical education for ministers, seminarians and lay pastoral leaders to develop pastoral care skills. Attention is given to meeting the spiritual needs of patients, families, staff and CPE members. This program is a minimum of 400 hours of supervised learning per unit of training. The Spring program unit is from January 19,2018 ending May 25, 2018. with 6 hours of seminar weekly on Fridays from 10-3. Three hundred clinical patient visitation hours are required. The educational approach used in CPE is described as action-reflection-action. Students provide pastoral care to patients, family members and staff, and then use their experiences for reflection and learning. Students participate in seminars that provide direct supervision, peer interaction, or accountability for one s professional functioning. While seminary courses provide the basis for the theology of pastoral care, CPE provides the clinical component of theological education by emphasizing learning by doing. Peninsula Regional Medical Center is affiliated with Community Care Chaplains of Arizona, and is a satellite training center,, under direction of Training Supervisor Rev. Geoff Tio, accredited by the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy, (CPSP). Classes are under the instruction of a Supervisor-in- Training. More information about Clinical Pastoral Education is available through the Pastoral Care Department at Peninsula Regional Medical Center, by calling 410-543-7202, or email joyce.lecates@peninsula.org. Applications are being taken now. Deadline for application is Jan. 1, 2018 Class size is limited to 6. Tuition for the full unit, 16 week class is $400 plus textbook fees. Application fee is $25 (non refundable) which will be applied to tuition if accepted into the program.
Just Sharing... Somewhere in your silent night Heaven hears the song your broken heart has cried Hope is here, just lift your head For love has come to find you Somewhere in your silent night Somewhere In Your Silent Night - Casting Crowns - CCLI 296167 One of Life s Little Lessons... If we keep Christ in our heart, Christmas has no end. Please share your events and activities at your church. E-mail/send/call your info, flyers, etc. to: salisburydistrict@comcast.net or call 410-749-3331
God is Everywhere The Whole World is Full of His Glory Isaiah 6:3 From Rev. Andy Frick: I believe this is the true meaning of Christmas. I used this crèche as the communion table last year (at Whatcoat UMC, Snow Hill). So Beau ful!! Thank you Rev. Andy for sharing!! Camera People!! We need your help! God is all around us and in our busyness we don t often stop to appreciate what He has given us. If you have a picture of something that you feel is a beautiful gift from God, please share it by e-mailing it to: salisburydistrict@comcast.net Please let us know your name and church and where you took your picture. Be creative! NEWSLETTER If you or anyone that you know would like receive the District Newsletter by e- mail, please call the district office (410-749-3331) or send the e-mail address to: salisburydistrict@comcast.net
Hebron-Quantico Charge Friendship, Mt. Zion, St. Luke Presents "O Come All Ye Faithful" Cantata December 17th at 9:00 am Mt. Zion UMC, Quantico, MD The service includes Holy Communion and will be followed by a Christmas brunch Rev. Lawrence Purnell, Pastor Dark Night Worship Service, Sunday, December 17, 7:00 p.m. For those who are coping with troubles and loss, a special service of prayers, scripture, and music. All are welcome. Bethany United Methodist Church, 8648 Stephen Decatur Highway, Berlin, Maryland. More information: 410.641.2186 or bethany21811@gmail.com
Wesley Temple UMC Annual Candlelight Service Sunday, Dec 17 at 5:00 pm Rev. Dr. Bernadette Beckett 1322 West Road Salisbury, MD ALL ARE WELCOME Family Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Bethany United Methodist Church, 8648 Stephen Decatur Hwy Berlin, MD. Sunday, Dec 24, 2017, 7:00 pm Children's nativity pageant, carols, candle-lighting and message. All Are Welcome For more information, call 410-641-2186. Rev. Connie Paulson, Pastor
Washington United Methodist Church 28240 Riverside Drive Ext 1:00 pm Salisbury, MD Featuring the Amazing Voice of Kathy Blackburn Pastor Courtland Cropper New Year's Eve Day Worship Sunday, Dec. 31 at 10:00 a.m., Bethany United Methodist Church, 8648 Stephen Decatur Hwy., Berlin, MD. Celebration of carols, seasonal readings, John Wesley's Covenant Service, and Holy Communion. All are welcome. For more information, call 410-641-2186. Rev. Connie Paulson is Pastor
What s Happening! Thanks to our United Methodist Men for another job well done at their All Male Fashion Show November 18 th. They were joined by other UMM from the area. Thanks to all participants for an outstanding performance. Thank you also to the exercise through Dance ladies from the Salvation Army who entertained during quiet spots J! Season s Greetings! St. Luke United Methodist Church in Hebron, MD will be celebrating Christmas December 24 after morning worship. Fellowship with us at 9am. Joint New Year s worship service Sunday December 31 at St. Luke UMC, 9am, members of the Quantico Hebron Charge will close out 2017 in praise together! Save The Date January 28, 2018 Annual Color Pageant 3pm Ecclesiasticus 43:11 Look upon the rainbow, and praise him that made it; very beautiful it is in the brightness thereof. Presidents Day Dinner Feb. 19, 2018 Chicken and Dumplings Greens, Candied Sweets Cornbread And MORE! St Luke United Methodist Church 8034 Levin Dashiell Road Hebron, MD Rev. Lawrence Purnell, Pastor
Clergy Pension & Insurance Payments Due 15th of the Month Arrearages occur after the 15th.
Register on the Pen-Del Website: www.pen-del.org
Comin Up - Mark Your Calendar! More info on Pen-Del Website
WINTER SILENT RETREAT Come experience a daily rhythm of prayer, simple meals, communing with God in nature, communion, and spiritual direction at Pecometh. Our Winter Silent Retreat is February 18 th -23 rd, 2018. Like river water in a jar in which the sediment falls to the bottom, revealing the clear water, allow your spirit to settle and clear by resting in God. The cost varies from $50 for one day to $449 for the full 6 days, 5 nights. All costs are per person, and include the program fees, single occupancy overnight accommodations, and meals from lunch on your first day through lunch on your final day. Optional Christian yoga and massage therapy are also available for an additional fee. To see all program options and to register, please visit our website at www.pecometh.org/ winter-silent-retreat or by calling 410-556-6900. SUPPORT PECOMETH Your gift will help provide God-inspired, life-changing experiences. www.pecometh.org If you have had a special event at your church, send a couple of pictures to the Salisbury District Office. We would love to share your events in the District Newsletter. E-mail to: salisburydistrict@comcast.net
L U K E Luke 2:11 Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. Next Newsletter January 10, 2018 Salisbury District Office Peninsula-Delaware Conference salisburydistrict@comcast.net 211A Phillip Morris Drive Salisbury, MD 21804 410-749-3331 District Superintendent Rev. Fred Duncan District Administrator Charlotte Hastings Office Hours M-T 8:00am - 4:30 pm Fri - Closed