THE WESLEY CRIER INSIDE THIS ISSUE: The Origin of Wesley 1 The Origin of Wesley Methodist Church Methodism In Early From Churches of Delaware and other documents 2 America 240th Anniversary 3 Wesley Methodist Church (M.E.) of Dover Message from Wesley 3 was organized on Sept. 13, 1778. Free- Lay Leaders born Garrettson, the missionary, had 2017 Total Church 4/5 preached from the steps of the old Acad- Giving to Mission emy on the day before. He was subject- Happy Musical Birthday 5 ed to indignities as were so many of the Wesley UMC early Methodist preachers. Preaching UMW Officers/Women’s 6 was also held at Mr. Hilliard’s home Circles & Lollipop Sale above Dover, at Gum Swamp and at Lit- United Methodist tle Creek. Once many joined the Wesley 7 Women Society, they wanted a place of worship. The first church was built at North and Trustees Report 8 Queen Streets, Richard Bassett, after- Finance Update 8 wards Governor of Delaware, contrib- Children and Youth 9 uting one-half of the cost [$2,000] of the building. Vincent Ministries Loockerman had donated the land for that purpose to a board Search Class 9 of trustees on June 1, 1782. A 40-foot square brick building with galleries on three sides was constructed, named Wesley Church Scholarship 10 Chapel, and completed in 1784. Incorporated in 1799, the Family Life Committee 10 church started with about 20 families. Missions 11 Pecometh 12 Bishops Francis Asbury and Richard Whatcoat, pioneers of Easter Egg Hunt 13 Christmas Eve Service American Methodism, conducted services at the “rather nice 13 large brick chapel” on many occasions. Francis Asbury Times Survey preached in Wesley Chapel on Oct. 2, 1784. On May 25, VBS Workshop 14 1801, he preached in the Court House while Bishop Whatcoat La Caminante 15 preached in the chapel. Easter Giving Form 16 Birthday Calendar 17 Bishop Whatcoat died on July 5, 1806, at the home of Richard Anniversaries 17 Bassett in Dover. He was buried beneath the altar of the Church Calendar 18 church. When the old church was removed in 1855, a stone Spring Forward 18 monument was erected over Bishop Whatcoat’s grave, with Time Change the entire plot used as a cemetery. The marble slab from his Reoccurring Meetings 19 tombstone was removed and imbedded in the wall in the front hall of the present church. Wesley's Vision 20 Staff E-mail 20 Addresses E-mail: [email protected] Webpage: www.wesleyumc-dover.com Bulletin/Crier Deadline 20 Volume 2018, Issue 2 MARCH 2018 Page 1 Methodism in Early America By Lillian Postles Miller (Mrs. George R. Miller) 1963 (Mother of Dr. Mary Emily Miller) Between 1769-1774 at the call of John Wesley, eight English lay preachers came to America. Among them was Francis Asbury. The American Revolution precipitated a major break along nationalistic lines. In the year of the battles of Lexington and Concord, all of the Methodist preachers, except Francis Asbury and Thomas Rankin, left America. For during the War, a Methodist was considered a Tory until he proved himself otherwise. Wesley himself, although repudiated by the Anglican Church, kept the movement within that church and always considered himself a loyal Anglican to the end of his life. THE CHRISTMAS CONFERENCE AND ITS ACHIEVEMENTS At the close of the Revolutionary War, Wesley, who had opposed the American cause, realized that he could no longer hold his American disciples under his control; that they must be given ecclesiastical independence and a ordained ministry. These pur- poses were achieved in 1784, at what is known as the Christmas Conference [in Lovely Lane Chapel in Baltimore] where under leadership of a delegation of three preachers sent by Wesley, the Methodist Episcopal Church was founded. Dr. Thomas Coke, who headed the delegation of three appointed by Wesley, and Francis Asbury were chosen the first bishops. A prayer book, prepared by Wesley and similar to that of the Church of England was adopted; a form of discipline was drawn up; thus a full- fledged church was born. The early Methodists in America met together in the homes of devoted followers. These homes were called preaching stations. They were served by circuit, or itinerant, preachers who traveled great distances under many adverse conditions to reach all of these stations. Truly, these men must have been inspired by God to have been able to endure the many hard- ships they were called upon to meet. “The pioneer preachers were rugged individualists, char- acterized by strong convictions and noted for their beliefs.” Kent County, Delaware, protected these itinerant preachers by allowing them to take an oath of allegiance. This act gave them status as Americans. Francis Asbury is listed as a Delawarean because of this fact. The preaching stations later were to be designated as societies, that is to say, an organized unit of Methodist converts. Volume 2018, Issue 2 MARCH 2018 Page 2 Proclaiming God’s Love Through the Years 240th Anniversary of Wesley United Methodist Church By: Connie Strickland Throughout this year, Wesley Church will be celebrating its 240th birthday in a number of ways. We will celebrate with worship, concerts, drama, and fellowship. Each Sunday you may read a 240th ANNIVERSARY FUN FACT. Look for “DID YOU KNOW…” in the bulletins to learn about various events from our history. In 2018 we will celebrate the ministry which has evolved and grown from the faith and works of those who went before us. Now is the time to praise God for the efforts of the Methodists who joined the circuit-riding itinerant preacher, Freeborn Garrettson, who organized the “Wesley Society” on September 13, 1778, as well as those who have continued the ministry “Proclaiming God’s Love Through the Years” in downtown Dover, Delaware. March 11th Bishop Peggy Johnson preaches April 15th Concert and Dinner-Theater April 22nd Combined 10 a.m. Service and Ministry Fair: “Honor the Gift” November 3rd 18th Century Market Day on the Green November 4th HOMECOMING SUNDAY Message from Wesley Lay Readers By: Larry & Donna Josefowski John Wesley himself set the tone for the church when he labeled what he felt was the need to tie together accountability and communications of a far-flung church when he called us a “connectional” church. Today, that network of groups is what ties us together to each other, the community, and to the wider church. We have many opportunities to connect within and outside of our church, and we strongly urge everyone to get involved in at least one small group during this year. It is part of our heritage, of course, to be involved in both spiritual and social concerns, but it is also part of our faith. “How is it with your soul” was Wesley’s question to all, and it was meant to ensure that people held each other accountable and helped each other in their faith journey. We can answer in many ways, but how we serve the Lord, and how we serve each other are questions we should ask ourselves….and each other. We can certainly attest that sharing your faith journey in this way not only allows you to “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2)” but that journey will be joyous in the company of friends. What is holding you back? Are you able to answer that you do have the blessed assurance that it is well with your soul? Have you enriched your spirit by attending to more than Sunday wor- ship – perhaps through Bible studies, or one of our many small groups? Have you opened yourself to the service of others by helping in one of our many ministries? Our Church and our community is blessed with many opportunities, and there is something that takes your gifts and blesses them to service. There are many opportunities that are listed in the bulletin. If you don’t see a ministry that you feel is important, let us know, and maybe we can build that ministry. Likewise, we have many learning opportunities, but if your soul is seeking something else – let us know, and we can connect you with fellow seekers. Volume 2018, Issue 2 MARCH 2018 Page 3 2017 TOTAL CHURCH GIVING TO MISSIONS Source Description Amount General Fund Connectional and Healthy Church Ministries $39,299 (Apportion Payment) Clergy Support and Administrative Ministries $24,883 District Office Apportionment $3,466 Congregation Individual Giving to Specific Causes $5,794 UMCOR - Disaster Relief - $3,796, Global Migration - $60, Code Purple - $200, Chaplain's Fund - $212 Ramp, $280, Spanish Hymnals - $45, Emmaus - $1140, DIMH - $61 Congregation Angel Tree (50 Children @ $50) $2,500 Congregation Kent Ecumenical Food & Crisis Fund (KEFCF)(44 contributors) $2,415 Congregation Food donations to First Baptist Food Pantry (1st Sun/Month) $4,308 Collected/delivered 2,154 pounds @ $2.00/pound Congregation Meals for Dover Interfaith Missions Dinners $1,600 (8 nights) prepared/served 320 meals @ $5.00 (128 Volunteer hours) Search Class, Women’s Covenant Group, Bible Study Congregation Code Purple (30 nights) served 287 overnight guests - women/children & intact families. $2,272 Provided 60 breakfast & dinner meals, winter clothing, blankets, toiletries, etc. Utilities - $550 (982 volunteer hours) Congregation 2nd Saturday and Day After Thanksgiving Community Meals $1,536 Prepare/served Lunch - 470 people (502 volunteer hours) Congregation Christmas Miracle Offering - DIMH - 235, Mama Tola - $235 $470 Christian Education Mission Outreach $116 Vacation Bible School United Methodist Mission Related Projects $7,016 Women (UMW) Mission Pledge to Women's Division - $5,279, ARC - $210, Pecometh Camperships