Easton District Newsletter V I C T O R I E S D O N T H A P P E N B Y A C C I D E N T Newsletter Date: August 15, 2018 Hand to the Plow Early on a cloudy morning, as I sat on a balcony immersed in the beauty of God s creation I noticed a farmer. This was not just any farmer, but a man with his hand to the plow. A plow being pulled by a mule and the farmer concentrating on the task at hand. The task of: Answering the Call: Moving Forward! As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, I will follow you wherever you go. Jesus replied, Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head. He said to another man, Follow me. But he replied, Lord, first let me go and bury my father. Jesus said to him, Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God. Still another said, I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family. Jesus replied, No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God. John 9: 57-62 In this time of reflection on my call, I notice the farmer s commitment, determination and faithfulness. This was 5:30am, early in the morning before the heat of the day and God was working it out. The hotel was overlooking this farm, a busy road and stores where located nearby. There was noise, yet the farmer stayed focused, with the hand on the plow. In the business of ministry, we must stay focused on the task at hand. Being committed to service unto Christ. As I sat there immersed in the image, I knew my call was different that anyone else s. A call that is not better, just unique. As we answer our call, we strive daily to remain faithful to that call. How many mornings does the farmer get up early? What is the daily motivation to continue the work? Why is this his life s vocation? Is the smile on his face a manifestation of the joy of living? Does the farmer listen to instructions and heed the time of rest? As disciples for Jesus Christ do we awake early in the morning with our minds stayed on Jesus. Are we focused on the spiritual work at hand? Is our hand firmly on the plow? Answering our Call: Moving forward. We shall study, pray, partake of Holy Communion, be in public worship, live out acts of piety and mercy. If I/ We concentrate on Jesus, with our hand to the plow and block out the Noise that can distract our spiritual journey, we won t turn back. We move forward in our call, with a smile of gladness. Amen. Thought for the day: Keep on hand to the plow. Pastor B
~Around the District~ St. Mark s UMC, Easton Vacation Bible Camp Bishop Violet Fisher preaching at Faith Community UMC Homecoming New Members join New UMC, Chester Kent Island UMC Rock Hall UMC Charge Rev. Amor Woolsey Rev. Bob Timms I Can Only Imagine Immanuel UMC Grasonville St. Luke s UMC Denton New Zion UMC Cordova Shoe Ministry Rev. Amor Woolsey
District Events August 18 United Methodist Women, Fun Day in the Park, Idlewild Park, Easton. 18 Mt. Vernon UMC, Church Hill, Fish Fry, 11am-4pm. 19 Union UMC, St. Michaels, Annual Homecoming Celebration, 3:30pm. Guest Speaker: Professor Dale Glenwood Green, Morgan State University. Music Selection by: Mt. Olive AME Praise & Worship Team, Worton. 19 Asbury UMC, Smyrna, DE, welcomes Rev. Gary Meekins, A Musical Service based on Eileen Guenther s Book In Their Own Words: Slave Live and the Power of Spirituals, 4pm. 22 District SPRC Training, St. Mark s UMC, Easton, 6pm. 24 Mt. Calvary UMC, Preston, Fried Fish Dinner 11:00 am until. Fried Fish Fried Potatoes Stewed Tomatoes, String Beans & Cornbread. Donation: $12 25 Board of Child Care, Denton, Open House to learn about our programs and take a tour of our campus, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Please feel free to bring members of your congregation, family and friends. It would be very helpful if you could let me know by Wednesday, August 22nd if you plan to attend and the number of guests you will be bringing with you so we can plan accordingly. Light refreshments will be served. 25 St. Daniels UMC, Barclay, Women s Conference, 8:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Centreville Fire Hall Cost $10.00 per person Registration Available On or Before: Aug. 17th 25 St. Daniels UMC, Barclay, Joy Night, 6:00 p.m. 25 Scotts UMC, Trappe, Praise in the Park - 11-5. The activity will be held at the church. Singing and praise dancers, groups and community vendors and food. 26 St. Daniels UMC, Barclay, Camp Meeting, 3:30 p.m. 26 Scotts UMC, Trappe, 4th Annual Chase's Family and Friends Day at 3:30 p.m. - Guest Speaker Rev. Darlene Dixon, Preston-Hurlock Charge. Theme: "The Joy and the Fellowship of God" 30 Clergy Gathering, Union at Coleman s Corner, 10am 12 Noon. Birthday Corner~ Aug. 17 - Vernetter Pinder (Union at Coleman s Corner) Aug. 18 - Ed Kuhling (St. Mark s, Easton) Aug. 19 - Tonya McClain (St. Luke s, St. Michaels) Aug. 24 - Pam Bockart (Christ, Federalsburg) Aug. 25 - Jerome Tilghman (St. Luke, Cambridge) Aug. 28 - Kelly Conner (Immanuel, Grasonville) Aug. 28 - Larry Hanifee (Worton: St. James & Salem) Aug. 31 - Dan Gustafson ( St. John s, Crapo)
September 2 Scotts UMC, Trappe, Annual Homecoming, Theme: "You Can Always Come Home" - 9 a.m. Morning Worship Service - Rev. Dartanyon Hines - 3:30 Afternoon Worship Service - Guest Preacher will be Senior Pastor Anton Hackett, Sr., Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Linwood, PA. 4, 11, 18, 25 Waters UMC, Oxford, Pre Homecoming Revival. Guest Speakers: 9/4 - Rev. Roland Brown; 9/11 - Rev. Lester Justice; 9/18 - Demetrio Beach; 9/25 - Rev. Leonard Palmer. 8 Pen-Del UMM 61st Annual Connection Day (formerly the UMM Annual Retreat), Pecometh, 8am 8 St. Luke s UMC, St. Michaels, Used Book Sale, 9 am to 3 pm, rain or shine. Meet author Robyn Brown, author of Ben. For further information call the church office at 410-745-2534. 10 Board of Child Care Auxiliary Meeting, 1:30pm, Denton Site. 15 St. Paul s UMC, Cambridge, Community Yard Sale and Tag Sale, 8am. For information contact: allan.gorsuch@gmail.com OR events@stpaulscambridge.com, call or text: 410-924-3320. 15 Waugh Chapel UMC, Cambridge, 4th Annual "Evening of Total Praise", 5:00 p.m. Rev. Keith Cornish will be guest speaker. For more information, call the church at 410-228-5189. 22 Wesley Chapel UMC, Rock Hall, Worship Leaders Workshop, led by Rev. Lester Justice, 9am - 12pm. Email Questions & registration to info@yourrockhall.church. October 21 Waters UMC, Oxford, 135th Annual Homecoming. 10am Preacher: Rev. Richard Molock. 3:30pm Preacher: Rev. Dartanyon Hines. Out and About on the District~ Taniya of Hurlock UMC ministered in dance at Barratt s Chapel Peach Festivals Bethesda UMC, Preston Antioch UMC, Cambridge
Easton District Office Mailing Address: PO Box 547 Denton, MD 21629 Physical Address: 100 S. 5th Ave., Denton, MD 21629 Office Phone: 443-448-4012 Office Email: eastondistrictoffice@goeaston.net Web Presence: www.pen-del.org Rev. Dr. Shirlyn H. Brown Easton District Superintendent DS email: dspastorb@gmail.com DS Phone: 410-924-2530 Beth Stevens Administrative Assistant Office Hours: Monday thru Thursday: 9:00 am 4:00 pm Friday: CLOSED Peninsula-Delaware Conference The United Methodist Church Bishop Felton Edwin May Resource Center 139 N. State Street, Dover, DE 19901 Website: www.pen-del.org Phone: 302-674-2626 Toll Free: 1-877-736-3351 Presiding Bishop Bishop Peggy A. Johnson PO Box 820 Valley Forge, PA 19482 Stay Connected! If you would like to receive the weekly Conference Newsletter, please let the District Office know your e- mail address. Chestnut Grove UMC Snow Cone booth at the Thresherman s Show, Federalsburg Bloomery UMC Church Picnic Kimball Spinet Piano For Sale $100 Contact Pastor Howard Embert 410-556-6108 The Ridgely-Thawley s Charge is looking for UMC Hymnals for both Thawley s UMC and Bridgetown UMC. If you have extras that you would like to donate, please contact Rev. Howard Hoffman, 443-521-6361.