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We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

Dear Pastors and Leaders of Delaware Bay District Congregations,

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, each with our own families, we pause to give God thanks for each of you. Your ministry with each other to grow disciples, through vital congregations to bless God’s world is a gift. May you take time to savor God’s many blessings and have a wonderful thanksgiving.

Myrna Bethke & Brian Roberts
Southern Region District Superintendents
Guest Writer, Brian Roberts
Cape Atlantic District Superintendent
 
THANKSGIVING…. Gathering the nation around the table

Throughout this nation’s history, people have gathered at various times to fast or give thanks to God. The first presidential proclamation came as George Washington issued a Thanksgiving proclamation,November 26, 1789Abraham Lincoln set the precedent for Thanksgiving with his proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. ……

I remember growing up as a child in upstate New York and Thanksgiving being a very special day when it seemed to me like the entire nation would pause to gather around one table and give thanks to God.  It seemed like the entire country stopped for a day to show gratitude to God. There were no stores open and people gathered in congregations the eve before Thanksgiving to worship together and then went home to finish preparing sumptuous meals to be shared the next day. If a family member was away serving our country, or could not make it home, or there had been a death that year, then there might be an empty place setting as they were symbolically part of the gathering.

We live in busier times and much has changed over the years with Thanksgiving sales now taking place before, during and after Thanksgiving. I encourage you to try to “slow” down your thanksgiving preparation and allow celebration to be intentional and mindful. As you pull out that favorite recipe for cooking, also pull out a piece of paper and write down the things you are giving God thanks for this year.  While the pie is in the oven, let your heart be warmed by God’s presence with you. As you peel potatoes, practice focusing on God’s presences with you (click here to learn how Brother Lawrence practiced God's presence)

As you are putting in that extra leaf in the dining room table, consider those we don’t usually include in our gathering. Those gathered at Plymouth for the first thanksgiving did not all look the same, believe the same, speak the same language, yet they paused and gathered at one table. They had shared together, tasted new foods and realized the power of a wider community.

My grandmother had a gift for hospitality and never worried about extra people being added to our gathering. She lived out of an abundance model (not a scarcity model). When the mashed potatoes seemed to be running low, or the last piece of pie was out…somehow, she’d always say “don’t worry there’s plenty more in the kitchen”.

This year across the state, a growing number of congregations are inviting those who are hungry for food, craving community or seeking meaning through service to share in a thanksgiving dinner together, from our urban centers, to villages and shore towns and beautiful pastoral rural settings. Many are gathering to say thanks and share the bounty of what God has provided.

This year may we pause with intention, being fully mindful that we were created for and sustained by relationship with God, each other-even across the differences and God’s world. Let’s keep adding to our table, inviting others in to share, until we can seat our nation together at one table, giving thanks to God who created us all, redeems and sustains. “Don’t worry there’s plenty more …” We are loved by and give thanks to a gracious God!
 
Partners in faith,

Myrna Bethke and Brian Roberts
Southern Region District Superintendents

Church Opportunities and Resources
 

Church Happenings

Click here to view all the church to church happenings on the Delaware Bay District! Church events and flyers are updated on a regular basis so you will never miss out. You can also visit the Southern Regional Informational page to view events that are going on throughout the region. If you would like your church event to be posted on the district events page please email delawarebay@gnjumc.org.  
UMC #Giving Tuesday
Join thousands of United Methodists on November 29 to support the work of more than 800 Advance projects and more than 300 missionaries around the world on UMC #GivingTuesday. As a passionate disciple of Jesus Christ, your participation is vital to living out God's mission through The United Methodist Church. Click here for downloadable resources and more information about #GivingTuesday.
2017 Spring Team Vital: Registration Ends December 1
Leaders have the opportunity to create a strategic ministry plan using the five markers of vitality. Each church receives individual technical support, monthly consulting and other resourcing opportunities from the conference. Click here to see a list of churches who are already participating in Team Vital. Watch the new Team Vital promo video here and fill out an application today!

Delaware Bay District Clergy Prayer Breakfast
Date: Wednesday, December 7
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Location: Kountry Kitchen Restaurant, Rt. 40, Elmer NJ
All those serving churches and retired clergy are invited to attend. The Prayer Breakfast is held the first Wednesday of every month.

Southern Region Year-End Statistical Report Training
Date: Thursday, December 8 
Session 1: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Session 2: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. 
Location: Trinity United Methodist Church, 284 Cedar Road, Mullica Hill NJ 08062
Click here to register.
Southern Region: Bishop's Day Laity Session
Date: Wednesday, December 14
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: United Methodist Church of Mantua, 201 Mantua Blvd. Mantua, NJ 08051

Laity from throughout the Southern region will come together with Bishop John Schol to worship and learn how The United Methodist Church of Greater New Jersey is equipping spiritual leaders to make vital congregations.
2017 Bishop's Clergy Convocation
Date: January 23-25, 2017
Location: Ocean Place Resort, Long Branch NJ
Featuring plenary and small group sessions led by author, coach and consultant Susan Beaumont and a special event presented by The Music Paradigm

Click here to register!
Clergy Retreat: Revolutionizing Your Congregations Stewardship
A Clergy retreat led by Horizons Stewardship
Date: February 22-23, 2017
Time: 9:00 a.m. registration
Location: Congress Hall, Cape May NJ


Click here to register!
Save the Date: Graceful Controversies Event
Date: March 4, 2017
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location: The Mission and Resource Center, 205 Jumping Brook Road, Neptune NJ 07753
Cost: $10.00
Bishop Schol invites all laity and clergy from GNJ into a deeper conversation to develop our hopes and aspirations for the future of The United Methodist Church and send them to the Commission on the Way Forward. Click here for more information and resources.
Registration will open February 10
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Delaware Bay District

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