INVITATION TO PEACEMAKING CIRCLES  

The Holy Season of Advent and Christmas is ahead of us. In this profound season of peace, hope, joy, and love, I pray that all of us may be mindful of “building peace” and expanding “peacemaking work” when we sit in circles at the tables of fellowship with our family members, the extended family members of churches and with the members of our communities.

We may find difficult people at those tables—gruff, impatient, opinionated, and contentious. Some of us might have experienced shut down due to difficult people who made us small and angry. However, I heard some powerful stories on how we can find a way to be grateful for such difficult people. I have had some difficult people in my life and learned how to perceive them through an emotional filter of fear and defensiveness. I learned to pray for them. When I begin to pray for them, I often feel God’s special touch to lead me to approach them with openness. Through the process of engaging them to build peace, I found that difficult people often put out subtle cries for help. Also I picked up some insights from them that I might have missed if I didn’t engage them.

The image of circle is always very powerful to me. It reminds us of how we as human beings are so pro-foundly interconnected and interdependent. It reminds us of “the covenantal relationship that we en-tered with Jesus and with one another.” Circles also remind us that everyone has voice and has his/her part to play in the webbing of human life. I am not going to miss this valuable truth when I sit at the table for food and conversation this holiday season. What about you?

I am grateful for the difficult people in my life who have allowed me to go from being defensive to pre-sent, from shut down to available. Peacebuilding in our tainted human relationships can happen when we listen deeply with an open heart or mind. Let us pray and find a way to give thanks for the difficult people in your life. Let’s take time to examine what is in the way of our being fully present.

May we share with people all around us our full spiritual powers by our full presence and deep listening with open hearts. May we praise God in such peacebuilding circles, saying, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth PEACE to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)

PEACE-FILLED CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!

Rev. Dr. Kyung Hee Sa

Peninsula Delaware Conference Easton District

Administrative Assistant Job Description

The ministry of the District Administrative

Assistant is part of the over-arching mission of The United Methodist Church to “make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” The Administrative Assistant will have rela-tionship with God, practicing United Methodist with basic understanding of The United Method-ist Church procedures and policies. In a variety of ways, the District Administrative Assistant represents the joy, compassion, and grace of Jesus Christ. ACCOUNTABILITY:

God District Superintendent

JOB QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

Preference given to college degree or related experience, with minimum of a regular or equiv-alency diploma from high school.

Maintain confidentiality Strong oral and written communication skills Work with District Superintendent to coordinate the calendars of District Superintendent,

District Office, and Conference. Co-ordinate with persons or locations concerning scheduling for District events or Conference

events being held on the District. Present a friendly, hospitable, and helpful attitude. Self-motivated and able to work independently, taking initiative as needed but seeking con-

sultation from the District Superintendent when appropriate. Excellent time management skills (the ability to prioritize) to ensure that work is completed

by required deadlines. Manage and organize the office to run efficiently and effectively;

Provide basic office functions including but not limited to: Answering the telephone; Greeting those who come to the District Office in person; Preparing written correspondence and other documents requested by the District Su-

perintendent; Prepare and distribute a periodic district newsletter; Maintain the Designated District Office files and records pertaining to the district;

Communicate with clergy & laity as needed to provide proper dissemination of information;

Be able to multi-task, set goals, deadlines, and handle interruptions with courte-sy and kindness;

Appropriately account for financial responsibility associated with the office such as payment of bills, event registrations, etc., as directed by the District Super-intendent

Knowledge of Office 16 and programs such as Word, Publisher, Adobe PDF, Ex-cel, and Outlook.

Knowledge of preparing Power Point presentations. Be familiar with Internet searching and social networking such as Facebook. Such other duties as required for the efficient operation of the District Office to

benefit the clergy and laity of the Easton District.

A candidate being considered must undergo a background check. Ability to lift objects up to 25 lbs.

EMPLOYMENT HOURS: The standard workweek is Monday-Thursday, 9am -4pm, Monday through Thursday. Some weekend or evening work may occasionally be required (weekday hours will be flexi-ble when this occurs). Office hours will be based on the general needs of the District. OFFICE LOCATION: St. Luke’s United Methodist Church 100 5th Ave Denton, MD 21629 Salary: Based upon experience Email cover letter and resume by December 3, 2018 to: Rev. Bernadette Wright bnice57w@atlanticbb.net

Members from Goshen and Harbeson UMC blessed each other in a circle at their cluster charge conference with their newly appointed pastors, Jeff Dulis and Casey Houtz.

The mime ministry and praise dance group by the youth group of Centennial Smyrna opened the wor-ship at their charge conference.  

The youth group of Centennial Smyrna presents a beautiful praise dance at the charge conference.

The Minutes of your Church Conference shall serve as the guide for reporting. Please submit the “Minutes of the Charge/Church Conference” form (available at www.pen-del.org) no later than 30 days following the Church Conference. Please include a list of those attending by name.

Zoar UMC, Millsboro shouts to the Lord with such joy after the Spirit and love-filled worship and charge conference. The worship, led by Dr. Harold Backus the newly appointed pastor, was inspiring and joyous. 

Harmony UMC and Friendship UMC mem-bers get together for their 2018 charge con-ference with their pastors Charlotte Nichols and Janet Herman.

St. Paul's in Laurel celebrated their growing out-ward mission and ministry at their 2018 charge conference with their pastor Rebecca Rollins

Grace UMC, Millsboro celebrates their vital ministries at the annual charge conference with many par-ticipants and their newly appointed pastor Karin Tunnell. Go, Grace in the power of the Holy Spirit!

 

What a joyful sound there was as the Zoar Millsboro choir sings!

Rev. Peggy Briggs and her 2 congregations, Mount Hope and John Wesley, pose themselves after the charge conference. There was a good spirit there as always!!!

The 4 congregations--Little Creek, Roby, Kenton and Hartley--got together at Lit-tle Creek for their 2018 charge conference to share 2019 goals while celebrating the fruit of their ministries with their pastors Vernette White and Rita Fry

DOVER DISTRICT

LEADERSHIP TRAINING

Leadership Training will be held on February 23, 2019 from

8:30 - 11:30 am at Avenue U.M. Church in Milford

CLASSES THAT WILL BE OFFERED:

THE STAFF/PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

NOMINATIONS & LEADERSHIP DEVELPOMENT

EVAGELISM

MISSIONISITE/Strategic Planning Process

WORSHIP

PRISON OUTREACH

RACE RECONCILIATION WITH JUSTICE

YOUTH MINISTRIES

PRAYER & HEALING MINISTRY

THE LAYLEADER

SAFE SANCTUARY

The Dover District Prayer Team gathered at White's Chapel in Milton to celebrate their amazing prayer ministry this year. They wanted to bless the leader Nancy Libertini who has since moved to NC, with the luncheon. It was arranged by Karen Lessey, the pastor of White's Chapel and Zion and Jane Smith, the pastor of Frankford UMC. The District Superintendent Dr. Sa appreciated their fruitful ministry and shared the future vision of the district's prayer revival.

Dover District Prayer Team

February 9, 2019 Authentic Relationships Workshop 8:30 am - 12:30 pm (registration opens at 8:00 am) - Seaford-Reliance Gethsemane UMC 

February 23, 2019 Lay Leadership Training 8:30 –12:00 - Avenue UMC Milford

Save the date! More details to come.

May 11, 2019 Passionate Worship as Lifestyle Workshop 8:30 am - 12:30 pm (registration opens at 8:00 am) - Angola Conley’s UMC 

October 12, 2019 Intentional Discipleship Workshop 8:30 am - 12:30 pm (registration opens at 8:00 am) - Kenton UMC 

January 18, 2020 Impactful Service Workshop 8:30 am - 12:30 pm (registration opens at 8:00 am) - Bridgeville Union UMC 

April 25, 2020 Extravagant Generosity Workshop 8:30 am - 12:30 pm (registration opens at 8:00 am) - Smyrna Centennial UMC 

March 23, 2019 Revival Prayer Day #7 - 9 am - 3 pm - Open to clergy and laity

Smyrna Centennial UMC

October 26, 2019 Revival Prayer Day #8 - 9 am - 3 pm - Open to clergy and laity

Seaford-Reliance Gethsemane UMC

District Events

Merry

Christmas

2018 Dover District Clergy Gatherings

December 13 Magnolia: Orchard

All gatherings start with Worship from 10:00 am to 12 noon with lunch to follow. We look forward to seeing all Dover District Pastors in attendance!

Special thanks to our host churches who make our District Clergy Gatherings possi-ble by cheerfully hosting with hospitality!

We will be looking for host churches for the 2020 Clergy Gatherings soon!

2019 Dover District

Clergy Gatherings

January 30, 2019 Smyrna - Asbury

February 27, 2019 Frederica - Trinity

March 27, 2019 Greenwood

April 24, 2019 Sellbyville - Salem

September 25, 2019 Seaford - Mt. Olivet

October 30 , 2019 Rehoboth Beach - Epworth

December 4, 2019 Laurel - Centenary

SAVE

THESE

DATES!!

Leadership Development Workshops

By: Dr. Phil Maynard

  Authentic Relationships - February 9, 2019 Passionate Worship as Lifestyle - May 11, 2019

Intentional Discipleship - October 12, 2019 Impactful Service - January 18, 2020

Extravagant Generosity - April 25, 2020

 

The Dover District Strategic Leadership 

Team is a gathering of disciples who pray, 

coach, and resource lay and clergy lead‐

ers to help churches cul vate healthier spiritual vitality. 

We help churches PRAY and PLAN. 

We offer a FIVE PHASE PROCESS that helps churches do their own Strategic Plan‐

The Dover District Strategic Leadership Team invites you to take Readiness 360, a web baed survey tool, to measure the capacity of your local congregation to multiply and bear fruit. It provides an evaluation of your church's readiness to grow in four areas: Spiritual Intensity, Dynamic Relationships, Missional Align-ment, and Cultural Openness. The tool also allows for two customized open-ended questions, to get feedback about a specific topic from your congregation. Designed to work alongside Mission Insight, Readiness 360 provides an inward evaluation and Mission Insight looks outward at the surrounding community. We can use these tools in tandem to examine how the strengths of the congregation can match the needs of the community, where the congregation can match the needs of the community, or where the congregation needs to grow in order to connect with the local community.

Do you want to know where

Your church is and

is headed?

Readiness 360

Please continue to pray for the 60 Pilgrims visiting the Holy

Land. They began their voyage on November 27th and will be returning on December 6th.

They will be flying for 13 hours and recovering from a 7 hour

time difference.

We are so excited to announce that Amy Willey has

been officially selected as

Dover District Administrative Assistant

I was born and raised in Brockton, MA. I entered into the

United States Air Force at the age of twenty-two and by the grace

of God I was assigned to Dover AF Base, where I met my hus-

band of 27 years, Martin and consequently established a home

here in Delaware. Martin and I have been blessed with two won-

derful sons, Ethan (26) and Dalton (23).

I became a member of Prospect UMC in 2012. At Prospect UMC

I serve in many capacities but the one closest to my heart is being

Coordinator of Children and Youth Ministries (CCYM). God has graced me with a desire to

teach and mentor young people. I operated a home daycare for almost 19 years, which, I be-

lieve was God’s way of preparing me to serve him as CCYM and now Dover District’s Ad-

ministrative Assistant. I feel so blessed and excited to take on this new role that God has en-

trusted to me . May I always follow his will!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not

harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

The following items are needed for our Sisters and Brothers serving in 

the Congo.  Bishop Johnson will bring donated items to the  General 

Conference in St. Louis.  The Bishops from the Congo will then take 

them home to the Congo with Thanksgiving. 

 

Gently Used clergy (not choir robes) vestments 

Clergy shirts (with tabs) 

Stoles of any kind, any season 

Communion sets (the kind with the individual cup trays and chalice 

and paten) 

 

Please bring items to the Conference Office or to the District Office 

 (call first) by January 15, 2019 

 

Good News Club Three years ago, I began researching the Child Evangelism Founda on to bring more children 

into Trinity UMC in Frederica, De. The first year was presen ng the idea to our Admin council, 

and then ge ng the approval and space from Lake Forest East Elementary school board. 

While the idea took some  me to be approved by all who were involved, we finally got the 

“green light” to begin a Good News Club in a public school. 

October 2017, we held our first class, and only had 7 children who had pre‐registered for the 

club. While this was a li le disappoin ng, we embraced those seven and began to share the 

Gospel of Jesus Christ with them. What was truly amazing, as we taught the kids, they were 

teaching their classmates, and by Christmas break we had outgrown our li le classroom we 

had been assigned. Amazingly, the 2017‐2018 school year ended with 23 children coming 

each week to learn about Jesus Christ. 

Over the summer myself and the staff at Lake Forest Elementary reached the conclusion that 

we had outgrown any room they could offer us for the 2018‐2019 school year. Pre‐registra on 

had determined we would have more than 30 children a ending Good News Club this year. 

The only possible solu on was to bus the children to Trinity church from the school. So, that is 

what God made happen! Every Wednesday a ernoon 26‐29 children come to Trinity UMC to 

learn about Jesus.  

At this  me, I cannot say that our a endance for any kind of regular Sunday School has in‐

creased, but as  mes change, perhaps Sunday school is now Wednesday school.  

If you are interested in possibly star ng a Good News Club in your local area school, feel free 

to contact me and I will help you navigate the process. 

Peace, 

Pastor Robin L. Hurley 

pastorrobinh@gmail.com  

We want to know what is happening in our district and

We need your help!

We are blessed and inspired when our local churches share stories of success and joy in mission and ministry.

Please share the events and activities at your Church by emailing me your stories and photos to:

DoverDistOff@pen-del.org and add Newsletter to the

subject line.

Deadline for the January issue is December 18th

Dover District Office 30 Loockerman Plaza

Dover, DE 19901

Phone: 302-526-2629 Fax: 302-526-2473

Rev. Dr. Kyung Hee Sa

Dover District Superintendent e-mail: doverds@pen-del.org

Amy Willey

Administrative Assistant e-mail: DoverDistOff@pen-del.org

Office Hours:

Monday—Thursday 7:30 am—3:00 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