Contents Letter from the Letter from the Bishop...... 1 Cards of Thanks...... 2 Grace and peace to you from the Lord Jesus next four years? Body work! I shared with Christ. the delegates and friends of the area who School Supplies...... 2 I am writing to tell you how happy I am that I gathered in Charleston on Friday morning Weekly Income...... 2 have been reappointed to serve as the bishop that I hope we will become more and more Circle of Concern...... 2 of the Eastern PA Conference and the Pen- like magpies and less like robins in the years Mark Your Calendars!...... 2 insula-Delaware Conference for another four to come. In the book: The Power of Positive Deviance by Pascale, Sternin and Sternin they From Your Pastor...... 3 years. This was decided the week of July 16-20 describe the characteristics of these two birds. Peach Festival...... 3 at the Northeastern Jurisdiction Conference of the that was held in Robins are territorial, live in isolation and Trinity VBS...... 3 Charleston, WV. My thanks to the area delegates vocalize in order to maintain their territory. 228 Years of in Methodist who faithfully attended this conference and rep- Magpies, on the other hand work together, Tradition...... 4 resented us well. Dr. Mary White, Rev. Jim Todd, nesting in large groups on cold nights, team- Women of Bethesda Luncheon Pho- Rev. Dr. Sandra Steiner Ball, Mr. Demetrio Beach ing up to drive out predators, assisting young tos...... 5 were the heads of the delegations for our 2012 parent birds with the nestlings and using their conference season. Rev. Michele Wright Bart- collective strength to lift garbage can lids. As low, Ms. Judy Ehninger, Rev. Derrick Porter and a result these birds are able to make consid- Mr. Kevin Goodwin represented us at the NEJ erable progress in their ability to thrive and Episcopacy Committee, where the bishop assign- grow as a species. Let’s be more like magpies ments were made. I have been blessed to serve in our conference life as we work together in Volume III: Issue 6 this area with so many great servants of God! unity with one another! August 2012 We are thrilled and joyful over the election of We as the Body of Christ can achieve great A monthly publication of: Rev. Dr. Sandra Steiner Ball to the Episcopacy things this way. The connectional system of Bethesda United and pray for her and her family as she moves to our denomination has shown us again and Methodist Church the West Virginia Annual Conference on Sep- again the power of collaboration. New people are reached for Christ, the needs of the poor 155 Main Street tember 1, 2012. Her many gifts for ministry and Preston, Maryland 21655 her leadership skills will be a wonderful asset to are met, killer diseases are alleviated, new 410-673-7538 the United Methodist Church there. churches and faith communities are devel- oped. Editor I am looking forward to serving this area for Eric A. Cheezum another four years and will strive to build on the It only works when we work as a unified body. Layout relationships and the programs that have already This is what the Apostle Paul was talking Christy Cheezum been developed. I have enjoyed getting to know about when he said: “Speak the truth in love Editorial Board you and visiting your wonderful ministries. I have and grow up in every way into him who is the Bethesda UMC History and head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, Archives Committee deep respect for the many faithful pastors and lay people who give sacrificially of their time and tal- joined and knitted together by every ligament Signed submissions may be ent and treasure to proclaim the gospel of Jesus with which it is equipped, as each part if mailed to: Christ in their communities. I am encouraged by working properly, promotes the body’s growth PO Box 147 the growth in our diversity and spirituality. in building itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:15- Preston, Maryland 21655 16) or emailed to: I am happy to receive any suggestions for im- bethesdanewsletter provements and any other ideas you have for me Finally I ask for your prayers and I covenant @verizon.net as I begin a new quadrennium with you. I see to continue to pray for you. May God bless our work together as a partnership and I value you richly in the years to come and thank you Submissions deadline is the for the awesome privilege that my husband fifteenth of each month. your input and support. My email address is [email protected] and the office number is Michael and I have to be here among you. 610-666-1442 or 800-828-0933. Bishop Peggy A. Johnson So what is my personal goal for this area for the Cards of Thanks I would like to thank everyone for their Lane and Shirley Pryor are keeping Thank you so much for your Outreach cards, calls, flower arrangements, and me up-to-date on what is going on at donation for our Vacation Bible School. visits that I have received while in the Bethesda, while Eric’s monthly newslet- We had more children this year than in hospital and after returning home. This ter is something I always look forward any for the last six years. We sincerely outpouring of care and good wishes has to receiving. appreciate your help in support of our meant more than you can know. Thank Thank you again and I miss seeing you community. you to Rev. Handy for her visit to the all. Yours In Christ, hospital while I was just beginning to recuperate. I know I have a long way Fondly, Dee Lambert to go but with your prayers I hope to Jean Wright WINGS, Treasurer be able to attend church services in the Immanuel Lutheran Church not-too-distant future. However, Donna School Supplies School is just around boxes. May your hearts be open and as the corner, and the giving as they have been in years past. Women of Bethesda Requested supplies include: paper, note- The real voyage of discovery are asking for help in books (spiral-bound and composition), supplying the children pencils (lead and colored), crayons, glue- consists not in seeking new of Preston Elementary sticks, school boxes, folders, and child landscapes but in having new with needed materials. All items should scissors. They also need paper towels, eyes. be brought to church by August 18th. Kleenex, hand sanitizers, and disinfec- Donations can be made to Barbara and tant wipes. Marcel Proust (1871-1922) Dennis Baker (410-673-2495) at any time. Many items that are picked up on Barbara Baker sale now can be used in Christmas shoe-

Weekly Income Mark Your Calendars! Members and friends have committed $915 a week in subscriptions • The church picnic will be Sunday, August 19, im- to Bethesda. Weekly income is reported relative to that figure, with mediately following worship, at Rolling Acres. The a breakdown of subscription versus general plate income. picnic will be a covered dish luncheon, with meat and drinks provided. For directions to Rolling Acres, see Date Attendance Plate Pledge Total Donna Lane or Kay Fairbank. July 1 51 $72 $861 $933 • The Administrative Council will meet on Wednes- July 8 37 $174 $616 $790 day, August 15, at 7pm. July 15 46 $647 $625 $1,272 July 22 46 $108.61 $751 $859.61 July 29 49 $297 $537 $834 Seek the Lord and his Minimum Expected Income (4 weeks): $4575 strength, seek his presence Actual Income: $4688.61 continually. Average Attendance: 53 ~1 Chronicles 16:11 NRSV~ Circle of Concern Betty Hinnershitz Gloria Trice Tharon Harrington At Nursing Homes: 2701 Choptank Main St. 21850 Water St 500 S. Dupont Blvd Bea Trice Bob McConnell Preston, MD 21655 Preston, MD 21655 Milford, DE 19963 William Hill Manor 520 Kerr Ave. 410-673-7383 410-673-7339 Easton, MD Denton, MD 21629  From Your Pastor The 2012 Summer Olympics are cur- and prepare ourselves for the race and perfect for you. rently being held in London, England. keeping our eye on the prize is through The psalmist once wrote; “Your word is a Athletes from around the globe have study. Yes, study of the scriptures does lamp to my feet and a light for my path” come together to compete. The road to more than fill our mind with the word of (Psalm 119:105). The Olympian does not the Olympics is one filled with dedica- God, but if we allow it, it will work our train without knowing where they are go- tion, hard work, and perseverance. Many spiritual muscles. ing. They keep the path to the medals in of the athletes have been training since a Not only do we have a coach in Christ clear view. The Holy Scriptures bring that young age. Some have sacrificed a great Jesus, but he has given us one another to same light, making our path clearer. deal to make sure they have time for help us train. Next month we will begin a preparing for this moment. We are athletes in many ways. We will journey together with the Disciple Bible claim a wonderful prize, an eternal prize. Reflecting on the Olympics has me study. This study is not the easiest task, As we study and prepare ourselves, we thinking about our Christian lives. How as it is a 34 week Bible study examin- then can bring honor and glory to Jesus many of us are training and preparing ing much of the Bible from beginning Christ, our eternal coach – a coach who for this race? Paul wrote in Philippians to end. However, most graduates of the has not only has taught us by word 3:14, “I press on toward the goal to win Disciple Bible study will tell you that they but by example by making the greatest the prize for which God has called me grew so much through the study and sacrifice of all in our behalf. Can we not heavenward in Christ Jesus.” weekly meetings. make a small sacrifice of our own? I look Like the Olympian, we need to exhibit In the next few months it is my hope forward to enjoying the prize with you in dedication, hard work, and perseverance. that we are able to offer a few short term eternity. We may need to pursue our prize sacrifi- studies as well. If you are unable to com- cially. One of the ways that we can train mit to a larger commitment, this may be Pastor Karen Peach Festival The Activities Committee is just about ready for the Peach Festival on Sat. Aug. 11. The time is from 9-2 at the fire house and all the craft spaces are filled. The “Old Friends” are re- turning again this year as they were a big hit last year. The soft crab sand- wiches are very popular as are the burgers and hot dogs. This year, we are going to try scrapple sandwiches. Em-ing’s bbq chicken, potato salad, scalloped apples and roll for $9.00 is a good deal, but they need to be pre-or- dered. If you would like to sell a book of tickets, please contact Donna Lane at 410-673-2161 or if you just want a George Simmons poses for the camera after his first service at Bethesda, July 1. couple of tickets, see anybody on the activities committee (Bill and Shirley Bennett, Shirley Pryor, Helen Fletcher, or Trinity VBS Kay Fairbank ). The bake table is always full of peachy baked desserts and the ice cream with pie or cobbler is a favorite. To make this all happen, we need lots of baked goods. There are recipes in back of the church if you need any. Fresh peaches are always good and even though we buy more every year, we always seem to sell out, so come early. If you can help in any way, please contact Donna or Kay (410-673-7288). It seems like the peach festival is getting to be a bigger attraction every year. People are always Bob McConnell Vacation Bible School excited when the peach signs go up. They know it is a nice 520 Kerr Ave. August 6-9, 2012, 6 to 8 p.m. at Trinity Church, East New Market social function and they can help out the church. Denton, MD 21629 For information, call: 410-943-3082  228 Years of Bishops in Methodist Tradition By the Rev. Robert J. Williams September of that year and authorized Bishop!” him to go to America to ordain Francis While in Great Britain and Asbury as a deacon, and bishop on the Methodist Protestants in America successive days. after 1830 did not use the title, it has Asbury refused the office of general remained in the Evangelical United superintendent unless the conference Brethren and Methodist traditions. elected him. Appointment by Wesley Measures to block changes to the seemed contrary, Asbury thought, to the episcopacy democratic impulses of a newly indepen- dent country. Another milestone occurred in 1808 with the adoption of the Restrictive Rule The Ordination of Bishop and Organiza- Asbury was elected by the gathered that would not allow the General Con- tion of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Dec. 27, 1784, preachers, and thus began the practice at the at Lovely Lane Chapel, ference to “do away episcopacy or to of bishops being elected by conference. Baltimore. Engraving by A. Gilchrist Campbell, 1882. destroy the plan of our itinerant general The United Brethren in Christ selected Images courtesy of the United Methodist Commission on superintendency.” That rule continues in Archives and History. Phillip William Otterbein and Martin the church’s constitution today. Boehm bishops in 1800 and the Evan- Each time The United Methodist gelical Association chose Jacob Albright Yet, in spite of that rule, changes have Church elects bishops, the church adds a as bishop in 1807. As these churches come to the episcopacy. new chapter to its history. Last week was developed, they also elected bishops in “Missionary bishops” created In 1856, no exception when U.S. jurisdictional their conferences. the Methodist Episcopal Church au- conferences met to elect 11 new bishops thorized the election of “missionary and reassign presiding bishops. In com- bishops” whose area of responsibility ing months, United Methodists will elect would be limited to the mission field to or re-elect bishops in Africa, Europe and which they were assigned. Francis Burns the Philippines. With that in mind, it’s a was elected to serve in Liberia in 1858. good time to pause for a few history les- Through the latter half of the 19th cen- sons on bishops and The United Meth- tury, the travel of bishops became more odist Church. limited, and even though each bishop Let’s start with 1784 and the Christmas presided over numerous conferences in a Conference in Baltimore. What hap- year, a bishop was assigned residency in pened there set a precedent for election a particular city. that continues today. had The Methodist Episcopal Church in granted to Thomas Coke ordaining 1912 began assigning bishops the re- power as a general superintendent in sponsibilities for particular conferences, initiating the system still in practice to-

Martin Boehm.

How was the title “bishop” selected? The use of the title bishop began three years after Asbury’s election. The confer- ence of 1787 adopted that title for the general superintendents. Wesley was horrified and in his letter to Asbury of Sept. 20, 1788, wrote, “(Oth- ers) may call me a knave or a fool, a rascal, a scoundrel, and I am content; but they shall never by my consent call me Phillip William Otterbein. Jacob Albright.  228 Years of Bishops: Cont’d. day. After traveling through the connec- elected for life prevailed. This had been but with varying practices around the tion as a whole, bishops now focused on need for bishops to be elected more their assigned conferences. Two African than once to continue in the office. Americans were elected bishops in 1920 The last quarter of the 20th century without the restrictions of “missionary was marked finally by having the roster bishops,” but the conferences to which of bishops reflect the diversity of the they were assigned were conferences of church as a whole.The first woman to churches with only African-American be elected was in 1980, and those of members. several racial/ethnic groups have been Voting switches to jurisdictional elected with one exception — Native conferences Americans. The last major change was the shift- Episcopacy in the church has changed ing of the election of bishops from the over these more than 200 years and will General Conference, which persisted continue to do so as those elected this in all the predecessor churches, to the week join those who followed Asbury, jurisdictional conferences in the United Otterbein, Albright and so many oth- States in 1939. ers. This change was instituted as part of the (An excellent history to consult is The merger bringing together the Methodist Episcopacy in American Methodism by Episcopal Church, the Methodist Epis- James E. Kirby, Nashville: Kingswood copal Church, South and the Methodist the Methodist practice, while the Evan- Books, 2000. — The Rev. Robert J. Protestants, which had to select two gelical United Brethren Church had term Williams) bishops because it had functioned with episcopacy with bishops elected again Rev. Williams is the top executive of the conference presidents and not bishops. after a four-year term. Commission on Archives and History. We When the Evangelical United Brethren In United Methodist conferences outside reprint this article by kind permission of the Church merged with the Methodist the United States, bishops are elected United Methodist News Service. Church in 1968, the practice of bishops in their respective central conferences Women of Bethesda Luncheon Photos The Women of Bethesda held their an- nual luncheon at Suicide Bridge Restau- rant on June 26, 2012, and a fun time was had by all.

Above: (pictured from left) Judy Noel, Isabel Brannock, Shirley Pryor, Donna Lane, Eris Rima, Rev. Karen Handy, Wanda Prothero, Barbara Baker, Shirley Bennett, Helen Fletcher, Joyce Cohee, and Mary Jane Cohee.

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