The Monthly Newsletter of Bethesda United Methodist Church THEBETHESDABUGLE Volume IX • Issue 12 • February 2019

Pastor Linda poses with the Andrew family after the n baptism of Lainey and i Nolan on January 20. Jo e n From left: Pastor h io ! Linda, Marley, t s 19 Matt, Nolan, s 0 Lainey, and Paid i 2 Kelly. in M In Full! s le Thanks to all who ip c n contributed to is io D t retiring our boiler a g m debt! We are in r k o d a f l free and clear s r M n o going into a W 2019! r e Movie Night: Friday, February 22 T h e t h f t o r o f 1 6:30 p.m. Pray Persistently 2 Read Regularly 3 Choose Connection 4 Step up to Service Bethesda sent five of 5 our youth to this year's Give Generously rally in Ocean City! See page five for a report 6 on the event! Bring a Friend INSIDETHISISSUE NEWS PASTOR'SPAGE CELEBRATINGBLACKHISTORY HISTORYNOTES Page 1-2, 4-5, 11 Page 3 Pages 6-9 Pages 10 WS First Free NE Fifty Family Movie people Night a Fabulous came out Success! for our first Family Movie Night on January 11. The featured movie was “Small Foot.” It really was fun for all ages. We had quite a crowd of children, who made themselves at home on the floor in the Chapel, while adults occupied the chairs. The free popcorn was also a hit! At one point, it seemed there was children and popcorn everywhere! As this was an event designed to help us connect with people in the community, we were pleased that the majority of the attendees were from outside the church. Thanks to those from the congregation who came out to welcome our guests, tend the popcorn machine, and help with the clean up afterwards! We will continue to offer movies for the next couple months. Next up is “The Secret Life of Pets” on February 22 at 6:30 p.m., a hilarious look at what our pets are really doing while we are away. Help us get the word out by inviting your friends in the community to come Above, scenes from movie night. Top: the huge group preparing to leave. Bottom left: and check it out. Bethesda's new popcorn machine. Bottom right: Nikki Oakes helps with clean-up Save the date for our next movie: (Everybody learned that night just how far and wide popcorn can be spread!). March 22 at 6:30 p.m. Help us put a fresh face Pastor Linda & the congregation of Bethesda Church: Adopt on our space, room by Thank you so much for your thoughts, prayers, and kind room, by participating Card of -A- generosity since we lost our home to a fire on October 1. The gift in Adopt a Room! Thanks Room cards, donations of clothing and other necessities, and the Starting with the church monetary donations have meant so much and we appreciate it more office and the bathrooms, we than you know. We were left with only the clothes we were wearing and for the are sprucing up the downstairs wing. help we have received we will always be grateful. To our friends at Bethesda, Sign up on Sundays to be part of a team forever we will be grateful for your help! Thank you again! to tackle one of these projects, or make a donation for supplies. The Tarbutton Family Everyone can help. Grab some William, Lisa, Victoria, Will, and Kayla friends, choose a room, and get to Shrove Tuesday falls on March 5, this year, and Bethesda will host work! Contact its annual Pancake Supper from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The menu Wanda Prothero includes pancakes, sausage, scrapple, scrambled eggs, and or Doris Gerlach scalloped apples, with beverages of coffee, milk, and orange for information juice. As usual, entry is by donation. If you can help, or if you would like to make on how to get a donation of cash or food items, let Donna Lane know. If you haven't worked at started. the supper before, it is a fun opportunity to get to know your friends at church! 2 What Is Love? movie. Midler also PA starred in the film along with STO What is love? This question has Barbara Hershey. R'S intrigued human beings for, I believe, as The film is bittersweet and has a sad ending. PA long as we have been able to On the surface it is about filial (or in this case GE communicate with one another. Love is a sisterly) love, yet I believe the film represents far word we tend to use a lot in our daily more. Here are the lyrics of the first verse of “The speech. “I love that song, that restaurant, that Rose”: dress," etc. These things that we “love” may seem trivial, but Some say, "Love. It is a river people who hear the word know what the person saying it That drowns the tender reed." means. We use the word “love” to tell another person how Some say, "Love. It is a razor much we care for them. We use love to say we love a brother, That leaves your soul to bleed." sister, friend, and spouse. The word “love” has a universal Some say, "Love. It is a hunger, and interchangeable quality to it. This February the theme An endless aching need." for the four Sunday morning messages is love: brotherly (or I say, "Love. It is a flower, filial) love, family love, romantic love, and agape love or love And you its only seed." of God. And the last verse: There is a film that came out in 1979 entitled Beaches. It is When the night has been too lonely the story of two girls who met in Atlantic City as youth and And the road has been too long. have maintained their friendship throughout their adult And you think that love is only lives. The central song of the movie is “The Rose,” written by Amanda McBroom and performed by Bette Midler in the Continued on Page 11 REGULARMINISTRIESATBETHESDA

Leap-Froggers' Club Sunday Morning Schedule The Leap Froggers Club meets on 9:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship Service Sundays at 9:00 a.m. Children age 3 to Sunday School fifth grade are invited to attend. Mrs. Nancy Seaman, along with a team of dedicated helpers, leads the club. Kids 10:15 a.m. Traditional Worship Service learn about Jesus and God’s love for us. Parents, bring your kids for Leap Pastor Linda's Office Hours Froggers and join us in the Chapel for Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. an uplifting time of contemporary Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. worship. These hours are subject to change at short notice. Seniors' Lunch-N-Linger The last Sunday of each month single seniors age 50 and over get together for Church Office Hours some fellowship. A light lunch will be Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. enjoyed in the church kitchen right Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. after the 10:15 a.m. worship service. Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Pastor Linda [email protected] FEBRUARY 410-673-7538 Birthdays! 2/19 Charlotte Nickerson Church Office [email protected] Did we miss your birthday? Get in touch, and help us update our records! 410-673-7538 3 The UMC b i s h o p s / n e w s _ a n d _ s t a t e m e n t s / d o c u m e n t s / will hold a special General Way_Forward_Report_-_Final_-_ENGLISH.pdf. For a WS General Conference Conference Will shorter (although still long) summary of the four plans, go to NE February 23-26, in St. Meet February https://um-forward.org/resources. Louis, to decide two 23-26 to Decide questions that are currently Human Sexuality “The Traditional Plan” confronting the church: the Questions • Maintains the current Book of Discipline language and ban ordination of openly gay clergy, and on homosexual ordination and same gender marriage, and whether or not to allow same-sex marriages in our steps up enforcement of violations churches. Currently, our Book of Discipline (the church’s • Establishes accountabilities for: Bishops, Pastors, and rule book) maintains that homosexuality is “incompatible Boards of Ordained Ministry with Christian teaching” and has prohibited people who are • Encourages those who believe otherwise to seek a self- “self-avowed” homosexuals from being ordained as pastors. governing church option Pastors are also prohibited from officiating same sex • Churches that wish to leave the denomination can keep weddings. These rules have been inconsistently enforced in their building and property recent years. Many in our denomination have held fast to the position “The One Church Plan” expressed in the Book of Discipline, while others have • Removes all language in the Book of Discipline that bans pushed for changes that would fully include the LGBT homosexual ordination and same gender marriage. community with the same rights and privileges • No church or clergy is ever forced to act out of their heterosexuals enjoy. It is important to understand conscience. and affirm that there are committed, prayerful, • The Central Conferences (outside of United faithful disciples of Jesus Christ on both sides of States) can keep the current Book of Discipline these issues. • Exiting churches must follow the trust clause The discussion around these issues became (meaning they cannot take their building or so divisive at the last General Conference property) and pay for unfunded pensions that the Bishops called for this special • Jurisdictions pay for their own bishops General Conference to consider only these questions. The Bishops set forth “The Connectional Church three plans for the General Plan” Conference to consider: The • Replaces the 5 U.S. jurisdictions Traditional Plan, The One- with 3 Connectional Church Plan, and The Conferences: Traditional, Connectional Church Plan. Unity, and Progressive Other plans have also been submitted and will be • Central Conferences can form a 4th considered, including The Simple Plan. The Bishops are on • Each will have its own Book of Discipline, bishops, and record as supporting The One-Church Plan. administration Delegates from UM Conferences around the world will • Each jurisdiction decides which conference to join vote on these and other plans which meet specific criteria for • Conferences and churches are allowed to switch to another consideration. The delegates are half clergy and half lay people. Our Conference (Peninsula-) is sending 4 “The Simple Plan” delegates: Rev. Derrick Porter ([email protected]), Rev. • Removes all language regarding sexual orientation from Megan Shitama Weston ([email protected]), and lay the Book of Discipline persons Kevin Goodwin ([email protected]) • Allows for the full inclusion of homosexual clergy including and Bill Westbrook ([email protected].) They are ordination. the only ones who will be able to vote on our behalf, and they • Clergy determine what weddings they will officiate. will be representing everyone in our Conference. You may • Local congregations who choose not to affirm the LBGT contact any or all of them to express your position on the community will undergo no changes. issues at hand. The plan for this special General Conference is for the 864 What to do in the meantime: delegates to spend the first day in prayer, the second day • Pray: the Bishops are asking us to pray daily from 2:23 p.m. choosing which plan to perfect, the third day in a legislative to 2:26 p.m. committee refining the plan, and the last day on final voting. • Study the scriptures The plans are very complicated. The final report is ninety- • Inform yourself three pages long, and can be read at http:// • Do the work of the church: continue making disciples for s3.amazonaws.com/Website_Properties/council-of- the transformation of the world. 4 A packed Ocean City convention center on Jan. 4-6 was the setting again for this year’s annual Pen-Del Conference youth rally — N "Protector" Protector— based on EW 2019 Youth the scripture Isaiah S Rally 43:2. One could feel the energy and At left: excitement in that place as Bethesda's Stars Go Dim led worship; other well- party poses known music artists Tauren Wells and for a group Blanca sang and gave testimonies; photo. From left, Pastor Jim and Karen Abercrombie (who played Cheryl Michael, prayer warrior Miss Clara in the movie Maddie Salisbury, War Room), gave inspiring messages; Ryleigh Toomey, speed painter Lance Brown created Jenn Elmore, Kelly Christian artwork on stage, and Tom Brown, Kai Coverly (comedian/illusionist/ McMahan, and speaker) gave a powerful testimony Cameron McMahan and invited youth to make a commitment to Christ on Saturday night. Thank you Bethesda UMC for sending five youth (Maddie Salisbury,Ryleigh Toomey, Kelly Brown, Cameron and Kai McMahon) and three adult chaperones (Jenn Elmore, Cheryl and Jim Michael) to the rally, which as evidenced in their comments below, had an impact on their lives. “. . . God sent his son to die for us, and that lets me know that no matter what I do, God accepts me with open arms. I Left: photo montage of events during am perfect to God no the weekend. Below: a rally selfie! matter what.” “. . . This has and will impact my life forever. Without the youth rally I don’t know if I would have ever grown this much closer to Jesus.” “. . . Something that truly inspired me this weekend was seeing so many young people commit their lives to Jesus for the first time. It was so inspiring and revitalized my own relationship with Jesus.” “The most important thing is when Tom made so many strong messages. He was great. He was so powerful with his messages.” “The best part of the weekend was when the illusionist was talking about how Jesus loves us all. . . . I loved when we prayed, because now that I let Jesus in my heart I feel that no matter what sinful things I might have done in the past that Jesus looks at what I could be and what an amazing human he created. . . .” We heard “people describing situations in which God was able to turn circumstances around for them, or at least give people the strength to get Continued on Page 11 5 ING IN AT RY BLACK AND WHITE EBR TO CEL HIS and CK A TIMELINE BLA Early American 1758 baptizes two “Negro slaves,” at least one woman, thus Methodism setting the pattern for receiving people of color into the societies and the church. These two return to Antigua to start the Methodist society in the “new world.”

1760s Anne Schweitzer, a black woman, becomes a founding member of the first Methodist society in . Two years later, another black woman, known to us only as Bettye, is one of five persons to attend the Methodist services inaugurated by Philip Embury in . When the John Street Church is built in 1768, the names of several black subscribers appear on its roster.

1784 The in founds the Methodist Episcopal Church. Among those riding out to issue the call for the conference is “Black Harry” Hosier. Born a slave about 1750, Hosier receives a license to preach in 1785 and becomes one of the best preachers and most effective early By Rev. Joseph F. DiPaolo circuit riders.

1790 African Americans were part of the “a number of black women, who meet Drawn by the Methodist Episcopal Methodist movement in America from together every week; many of whom are Church’s anti-slavery stand, blacks its very beginning. All three of the happy in the love of God.” (slave and free) make up 20 percent earliest enduring Methodist societies In , Pilmore reported of the 57,631 American Methodists. had black members. By 1764, the blacks responding to the gospel in large Maryland society founded by Robert numbers. In November 1769, just 1791 Strawbridge included a slave named weeks after arrival, Pilmore recorded, John Wesley dies. His last letter is one Anne Sweitzer (who may have been a “The Lord is making bare his arm in the written to anti-slavery crusader charter member), and also Jacob sight of the heathen, and many of the William Wilberforce, urging him to Toogood, an early black licensed poor Africans are obedient to the faith.” “Go on, in the name of God and in the preacher. In New York’s John Street Early missionaries Richard Boardman power of his might, till even American society, there was an African and Thomas Rankin also report slavery (the vilest that ever saw the bondswoman named “Bettye,” and in conversions among backs, and times sun) shall vanish away before it.” 1770 there was apparently a black class; when large crowds of African Joseph Pilmore wrote John Wesley of Americans came to Methodist 6 preaching. There were also integrated class CE 1794 B LEB Increasing segregation within meetings and love feasts, as well as segregated. LA RA It is impossible to be specific regarding hard numbers, since CK TI churches causes to form HI NG most of the earliest records are lacking, and the Methodist STO the Bethel African Methodist RY Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. In Episcopal Church (MEC) only began compiling statistics by color in 1796, blacks walk out of John Street 1786. But by 1800 some 20% of the overall membership in the MEC was Church in New York and eventually black. It is important to build the Zion Chapel. Similar note that, before the movements occur in other Methodists and Baptists, communities. there was little effective outreach among Africans in 1805 America by older, established The African Union Church is formed. denominationsItwasnotuntil the Revolutionary and post– 1816 war period that large numbers The African Methodist Episcopal of African-Americans began to church is formed in Philadelphia. come into Christian churches. Richard Allen becomes its first . Why was Methodism so successful among blacks? One 1819 reason had to do with social John Stewart is named as the first forces within the African missionary to the Wyandot Indians. A American community. Slave black man converted in 1814, he was imports declined rapidly after engaged in this ministry for several 1740, and African-American years before obtaining a license to community life became more preach in 1819. settled. The second and third generations were more 1821 removed from their African The African Methodist Episcopal Zion cultural and religious Church is formed in New York. James backgrounds, and more open Varick is elected as first general to the gospel. superintendent. There was the appeal of Methodism itself. Preachers 1844 and leaders within Methodism Rising tensions over slavery come to a were closer in social station to head in the General Conference of blacks than the more polished the Methodist Episcopal Church when and highly educated clergy of Bishop James O. Andrew of Georgia established denominations. is told to desist from the exercise of his Methodist preachers spoke in office until he frees slaves passed the vernacular; Richard Allen down from his wife’s estate. once said that the Methodists were first to speak to them in 1845 words they understood. In a break along regional lines, the Methodist practices laid Methodist Episcopal Church, South, is emphasis on leveling formed in Louisville, Ky. elements, things like dreams, visions, and a present 1858 experience of grace that was The Liberia Conference elects Francis “no respecter of persons.” Its Burns as bishop. The first missionary emotive, exuberant and bishop of the Methodist Episcopal participatory styles of worship Church, he had served as a appealed to inherited African missionary to Liberia for 24 years. Facing page: a statue of Richard Allen, in front of Philadelphia’s Mother Bethel AME Church, dedicated in 2016, as part of the bicentennial of the AMEC. Above top: painting of Richard Allen (Bethel AME). Above bottom: painting of Harry Hosier (St. George’s). 7 religious impulses. And black ING Continued 1866 AT Y leaders were raised up quite early into From BR TOR A group of black Methodists within ELE IS leadership roles as class leaders and lay preachers, who Page the Methodist Episcopal Church, C KH worked with white and black alike. 7 LAC South, petition the General B There was also Methodism’s anti-slavery message. The early Conference for their orderly dismissal Methodistswereknowntobehostiletoslavery,andinitsearliestdayshad from that church. strong, official anti-slavery statements and rules. Leaders of an abortive slave rebellion in Richmond in 1800 planned to kill all whites, but to spare 1870 Quakers, Frenchmen, poor women who did not own slaves – and Methodists, Those former members of the who were considered “friendly to liberty.” Though Methodism would become Methodist Episcopal Church, South, increasingly tolerant of slavery in the early 19th century, that reputation lingered found the Colored Methodist for some time. Episcopal Church in Jackson, Tenn. Among the most prominent black personalities in early Methodism was Richard Allen (1760-1831). Allen was a key leader of African Americans in 1902 general and among Methodists in particular. He rose to leadership within Susan Collins goes as a missionary to Philadelphia’s St. George’s society by 1786, and was the first black ordained Angola where she is welcomed as deacon in America (by Asbury in 1799). As Methodism in the city grew and “one of us” and serves 29 years. became more “respectable,” segregated practices were reintroduced into the life of the church. By 1792, Allen led a walkout from St. George’s, protesting 1920 discrimination, to found Bethel Church. In 1816, Allen led a convention which The Methodist Episcopal Church formallycreatedthefirstofthegreatblackMethodistdenominations,theAfrican elects Robert E. Jones and Matthew Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC). W. Clair Sr. as bishops. Another great early preacher was “Black Harry” Hosier (c. 1750-1806). Hosier was illiterate, yet became a powerful and eloquent preacher. He accompanied on 1939 their preaching tours such early pioneers as , , The Methodist Episcopal Church; the Ezekiel Cooper, William Colbert and Freeborn Garretson. Famous Philadelphia Methodist Episcopal Church, South; physician called Hosier the greatest orator in America. Bishop and the Methodist Protestant Church Coke said of Hosier, “I really believe that he is one of the best preachers in the unite to form The Methodist Church. world; there is such an amazing power that attends his preaching, though he Blacks are segregated into a separate cannot read.” Harry was buried in Philadelphia. Central Jurisdiction.

Most of us learned our American History in broad sweeps of 1956 Methodism – historical movements: Colonial Period, the Revolution, Civil The General Conference, meeting in A Counter Warandsoforth.Weareveryawareoftheroleslaveryplayed Minneapolis, Minn., adopts Narrative in in the development of the , and how its stain is Amendment IX, allowing transfers of Eastern Shore still with us. We do not learn much about the counter-forces churches and conferences out of the History to these broad forces. It is here where we learn of an early Central Jurisdiction into geographical Methodism that is contrary to how most of us were taught to jurisdictions. understand relationships between blacks and whites. By telling the storyofourMethodistChurchfromthelensofsegregation,wearedeprivedofthe 1968 powerful spiritual and counter social narrative of early Methodism. The Methodist Church and the When Methodism came to life on the Eastern Shore, it came through the Evangelical United Brethren Church Methodist preacher – a breed of men who truly believed that all people were unite to form The United Methodist worthy of becoming Christians. Itinerating across the peninsula on horseback, Church. As part of the plan of union, these preachers did not carry in their saddlebags an organizational plan to build the Central Jurisdiction is abolished Methodist congregations. Rather, they sought to save souls: to bring the and formal segregation ended. transformative Wesleyan experience to all people who have the expectation of being "made perfect in love in this life." Roy C. Nichols becomes the first This was a system of discipleship built upon small groups for spiritual growth. African American to be elected The preachers met people in homes and barns and under trees – and not in bishop by a regional jurisdictional sanctuaries. The manner of preaching and the way Methodists sang hymns was conference in the new United emotive and expressive in a way that turned off church people in the existing Methodist Church. Black Methodists Episcopal, Quaker, and Presbyterian congregations of the day. But it caught on, for Church Renewal is organized. The and where it caught on people were organized into classes with lay leaders. These General Commission on Religion and classes would meet quarterly for more spiritual edification by the preacher, and Race is formed, with Woodie White 8 to approve or dismiss leaders of the classes and CE as the first African-American to head B LEB a United Methodist general agency. local lay preachers. Early American Methodism was LA RA popular in every sense of the word: in its structure and make- CK TI HI NG up, in its attraction, and in its ability to spread. STO 1976 RY Mai Gray becomes the first African- Now, here is the shock to how most of us who were taught American American president of the Women’s history–EarlyMethodismwasnotwhiteMethodismfirstandthencame Division, General Board of Global black Methodism. Early Methodism was black and white! In spite slavery Ministries. and prejudice blacks and whites worked together and lived close to each other - How else were the crops going to be harvested? Those first Methodists 1977 heard the Wesleyan gospel preached at the same time. And both Trudie Kibbe Preciphs becomes the enthusiastically responded at the same time. It is only as time passed and first African-American member of the hardened racial attitudes in American society that Methodism let its counter secretariat of the General cultural patterns of ministry be altered. Commission on the Status and Role of Before 1864 black and whites were under the same Quarterly Conference that Women. approved or disciplined its leaders and members. Signs of this unity and later separatenessisseentoday.Nexttime youare driving aroundourarea,take notice 1984 onhowcloseblackandwhitechurchesaretoeachother.YoucangotoDorchester Leontine T.C. Kelly becomes the first County and find black cemeteries at white Methodist churches. African-American woman to be The profound, social and religious alteration with the arrival of Methodism was elected bishop. staggering. After being in America for over century, and despite many attempts by established church to evangelize the ‘Africans’, black people did not respond 1990 until the Methodist preacher came into our midst. No wonder the invested power Charlotte Ann Nichols (Peninsula- structures jailed the preachers and attempted to kill them. Delaware Conference) and Joethel Blacks and whites became dedicated members of the Methodist Church. In Jeannette Cooper Dicks (West Ohio) January 1840, a black man appears before the Talbot County Circuit’s Quarterly become the first African-American Conference meeting in St. Michaels. The Minutes call attention to the fact that he women district superintendents [see possesses a certificate of good standing signed by the Presiding Elder (District inset below]. Superintendent) and was requesting the privilege of ministering to the black people in that area. His name was Solomon Jackson from Cambridge, Maryland. 2000 It was granted. General Conference delegates In what other organization, controlled by white people, could a black man from participate in a service of repentance another county come before it with a certificate signed by a white preacher and for racism within the denomination. be granted the privilege of preaching about Jesus? Because he was a Methodist, he had status regardless of race or where he was from. Did you learn this at 2004 school? General Conference delegates Rev. Gary Moore celebrate the African-American witness and presence within The Hometown Methodist Makes History United Methodist Church and recognize “those who stayed” in spite In 1990, Rev. Charlotte A. Nichols made history when she became one of the of racism. two first African-American women appointed as district superintendents in the United Methodist Church. Nichols grew up in 2008 Hurlock, Maryland, and attended Mount Calvary 16.6 percent of the U.S. delegation to UMC here in Preston. Before she became D.S., the 2008 General Conference are Nichols graduated from Salisbury University with African-American. a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She received Master's degrees in Divinity and 2009 Religious Education from Wesley Theological African-American United Methodists Seminary. She was the first African-American speak at the inauguration of the first woman to become an Elder in the Peninsula- African-American U.S. president. Delaware Conference, and one of the first in the nation. Her D.S. appointment in 1990 was to the Easton District. She was later appointed This timeline first appeared in New World Outlook, May-June 1992. Adapted by permission and D.S., in 2006, in the Salisbury District. updated by United Methodist Communications. 9 S OTE YN TOR One of HIS the great tragedies of PReacher_Feature Bethesda's history is its lack, until recently, of a photographic file, or an archive devoted Revs. Julius C. Dodd and Edward H. Nelson specifically to artifacts and pictures Rev. Julius C. Dodd (1858–1933) relating to the long procession of Served Bethesda: 1879-1880 ministers who have occupied our pulpit since the 1780s. A few years ago Julius C. Dodd was born January 7, 1858 in Georgetown, I made it my goal to locate reference Delaware, the elder of two sons of David (1830-1896), a imagesofeveryBethesdapastor(ifatall merchant and local pastor in the Methodist Episcopal possible), and to pair those images with Church, and Prudence Jones Dodd (1830-1899). Dodd a short biography of the subject. Since attended local schools, and graduated from Dickinson then, with a great deal of research, quite College. In 1879 he joined the Wilmington Conference on a bit of help from other researchers and trial as an assistant pastor, and the Federalsburg Circuit the descendants and families of (including Bethesda) was his first appointment. Full connection followed in 1881, ministers, and an awful lot of luck, I and election to elder in 1883. Dodd worked in the Wilmington Conference until have managed to fill in many of the 1891, during which time he was appointed to churches mainly in Delaware; in gaps. When I first began the project, I 1889 and 1890, he served as the conference statistician. Dodd transferred to the was hopeful, but not very confident, New York Conference in 1891, pastoring a church in Garrison, New York, before that every minister would be returning to the Wilmington Conference in 1892. Dodd married Ellen Agnes represented in our archives. Now I feel Burns (1871–1935) on May 11, 1892, and the couple adopted a daughter, Helen. pretty certain that – with the possible In 1895, Dodd began a four-year tenure in Newport, Delaware, during which time exception of some of Bethesda's earliest he began studying medicine at the Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia. pastors, or those who did not stay in the A move to Chestertown in 1899 presumably interrupted these studies, so in 1900 ministry for very long – that goal will be Dodd requested a transfer to the New Jersey Conference in 1900. He pastored a met. church in Camden, New Jersey for a year, resuming medical school in the process, The two biographies at right, like but in 1901 he left the church completely. In 1904, Dodd graduated from many of the "Preacher Feature" Hahnemann, and embarked on a new career as a physician in Athens, segments, are the product of some of . In 1915, he returned to Delaware, opening a private practice in New these research efforts. Although it is not Castle. He died April 16, 1933. readily apparent, they are an exercise in the contrasting availability of records Rev. E.H. Nelson (1846–1908) for local history. Nelson's picture and Served Bethesda: 1881–1884 obituary are both printed in Methodist Edwin Henry Nelson was born in Snow Hill, Maryland, on publications held at the Barratt's August 26, 1846. Educated in the public schools, he trained Chapel archive. Dodd, on the other to be a printer and eventually became an editor. After his hand, died after he left the church, and conversion by Rev. J.E. Bryan he quickly joined the ministry, so did not have an obituary published entering the Wilmington Conference in 1870, and serving by the church. Fortunately, he did have until his death in 1908. He also served as assistant secretary a picture taken and published by the of the Conference and journal secretary, the latter from 1881 church. Assembling a biography through 1889. On October 15, 1872 he married Evelyn Jones, therefore took a great deal of research also of Snow Hill, and they had two children: Harry, who died and legwork, especially in newspapers. attheageoffourteen,andPauline.Accordingtohisobituary,Nelson“movedwith The sad truth is that, despite leaving a dignity and devotion among his people; he was held in his esteem not only by his rather large historical footprint own, but by members of other communions; he was greatly loved by the children compared to most people of their day, in the towns where he served. He was a man who could be trusted with difficult we still only have a paragraph of work, and often brought order out of chaos.” After ailing for a year, Nelson died information about each man. October 27, 1908. Eric Cheezum

10 Continued through. Jesus’ love perseveres through all Continued For the From our actions.” From lucky and the strong. N Page “Tom’s message about persevering and hanging Page Just remember in the winter EW 5 in spoke to me. It told me not to quit and keep 3 Far beneath the bitter snows S trying and serving God. . . .” Lies the seed that with the sun's love “The powerful testimonies and strong messages of how In the spring becomes the rose. much Jesus loves us (no matter what) and how he will I believe that this song is applicable to all varieties of always be there for us had an impact on me. . . . I feel love. Jesus tells us that we are to love God above all, and renewed, refreshed, and inspired.” to love others as yourself. Love transcends all human Next year’s “Inseparable” 2020 rally, based on Romans emotions and rises above any selfish act or thought. It is 8:38-39, will be January 10-12, 2020. what is central to make all persons human. In light of all the Cheryl Michael meanness and hate in the world, love conquers all. As the Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13: 13, “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” Blessings to all of you, Pastor Jim

The church made its yearly donation of gloves, hats and socks to Preston Elementary School. Thanks to those that Three generations of Bethesda organists pose with the Allen placed items on the wooden Christmas tree. We collected organ after the hymn sing January 20: Donna Andrew, Kari fourteen hats, twenty pairs of gloves, one scarf and twenty- Farnell, and Andrew Whaples. Andrew served as accompanist one pairs of socks! during the hymn sing, in what we assume was his public debut!

WEEKLY INCOME: JANUARY 2019 Upcoming Events Attendance Plate Envelope Date Total 9:00 10:15 Total* Total* February 22 Free Movie Night 1/6 17 29 n/a n/a $2,178.00 6:30 p.m. 1/13 snow n/a n/a n/a February 24 Seniors' 1/20 10 35 n/a n/a $1,337.00 Lunch-n-Linger 1/27 21 31 n/a n/a $1,874.00 March 5 Shrove Tuesday Statistics Pancake Supper •Required Income According to •Average Attendance: 5:00–7:00 p.m. Budget: 4 weeks @ $2,300 per 9:00: 16 week = $9,200.00 10:15: 32 March 6 Ash Wednesday Service •Actual Income: $5,389.00 •Average Per Capita Income: $28.10 Time TBA •Average Weekly Income: $1,347.25 *indicates total from both services 11 BETHESDAUNITEDMETHODISTCHURCH P.O. Box 147 • Preston, Maryland 21655

The Bethesda Bugle is a Monthly Publication of

Editor: Eric A. Cheezum Editorial Board: Bethesda UMC Outreach Team

Mail signed submissions to: PO Box 147, Preston, Maryland 21655 Or via email: [email protected] Submissions deadline is the fifteenth of each month.

© 2019 Bethesda UMC, All Rights Reserved. No part of this newsletter may be reproduced without the prior written consent of the relevant Free Family Movie author, or, if no author is available, the editor. Friday, February 22, 6:30 p.m. Bethesda's Chapel