On Tuesday evening, March 2 at 7pm, the Church Council will hold a short Charge Conference session for the purpose of electing some additional nominees to positions on a few church committees where there was a need or transition. If you have questions or would like to know more, please contact Rev. David Deans

[September 21 ] Building Use Update

[July 2 Update] Please see links below for Outdoor Worship beginning July 12 (weather permitting)

Announcement: Outdoor Worship at 9:30am July 12 (weather permitting)

Outdoor Worship Attendee Guide July 12

Please Click Here to Sign Up to Help

[June 10 Update] Information about volunteering to assist with outdoor worship may be found here: Volunteers Needed for Outdoor Worship

[June 5 Update] Information about in-person worship services may be found here: In-Person Worship Preparation

[Original Post May 12]  Glenelg UMC Phased Reopening Plan Summary

Your leadership team has been hard at work developing a reopening plan to be prepared for when the State of Maryland moves to Phase 1 and beyond. The graphic below summarizes the plan as it currently exists, with phase 0 being our current phase, phase 1-3 matching the State phases, and phase 4 being the "back to normal" phase when a vaccine becomes available. GUMC will error on the side of caution in all phases to minimize the risk to our multi-generational congregation. Considerable planning is underway for phases 1 and 2.  Phase 1 requires a considerable technology investment to provide outdoor service and live-streaming to those that are unable to attend.  Phase 2 requires an investment in very difficult to obtain sanitization supplies, which may be the gating item for starting phase 2.  Phase 3 is only a concept at this point since it is well out in time and much could change before we get there.  We are all anxious to re-unite, but it will be done thoughtfully and carefully.  More details on phase 1 will follow in the near future.

Even though we are separated physically, we can still feel together the sacrificial spirit of Lent by loving our neighbors. Many around us are suffering financially due to the pandemic we face, so the need for our Food Pantry and our Lake Elkhorn Middle School ministry is stronger than ever. To that end, we are continuing our tradition of Easter dedications that are used to support those ministries and the people they serve with gift cards. The last date for GUMC to receive the dedication form is Sunday, March 28th.

You have three options for transmitting the form and the money:

  1. Print out the form found HERE, fill in the information including those you are honoring or remembering, and mail (or drop off) the form and the check made out to "GUMC".  Each dedication (gift card) is $10. You may purchase any quantity of gift cards.
  2. Fill out the form onlineHERE.  Gale will collect those entries. Separately mail the check to Craig Lee at the address above.  This option is preferred especially if you wait to the last minute to do your dedications so we have time to get the list of those you are honoring into the Easter bulletin.
  3. Use VANCO from the Online Giving tab to pay. Enter the amount in the Food Ministries line item. Fill out the dedication form online or mail a hard copy to Craig.

Glenelg UMC Welcomes Rev. David Deans

Dear Friends,

It is my joy to share with you that Bishop LaTrelle Easterling has appointed Rev. David Deans as the new pastor of our congregation. Pastor David will begin his new responsibilities at Glenelg UMC on September 1st. Our congregation's staff parish relations committee has met Pastor David to get to know a little bit about him.

Pastor David has served as the Associate Pastor for Oakdale Emory United Methodist Church in Olney since 2010. He has a passion for following Jesus and helping the Church to make a holy impact on the world. Pastor David is married and has two children. His wife Deb is a veterinarian; their daughter Natalie attends college at NC State and their son Evan is a rising senior at Blake High School in Montgomery County. Pastor David and his family enjoy camping, canoeing, fishing, hiking, as well as other outdoor activities.

Pastor David's first Sunday with Glenelg UMC will be September 6th. See below for an opportunity to share in a planned welcome for Pastor David and his family.

We are looking forward to working with our new pastor to continue to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Peace,

Tom Thrasher, Chair of SPRC

WELCOMING PASTOR DAVID DEANS AND HIS FAMILY TO GUMC

Our newly appointed pastor, Rev. David Deans, will lead us live on the lawn, or online, Sunday, September 6, at 9:30 AM!!  We are excited, and asking that you welcome him during these Covid times with cards or personal notes which we will place in the 'Welcome Basket" that we will give him that day. Feel free to include a photo with your card. Cards may be mailed to the church, placed in the Monday 'drive and drop' boxes out back between 12:00 PM and 7:30 PM, or placed in the secure slot of the church mailbox in the front of the church circle. We need to receive your note no later than August 31. The basket will also contain a few surprises for each of the four Deans family members!!

Please join in and help us give a warm GUMC welcome to our new pastor.

Sign Up TODAY!
August 3 – August 7
9 AM – 10 AM

Cost:  good will offering (suggested: $15 per child)
Checks payable to GUMC – please note VBS in memo

Registration Ends this SUNDAY July 26th ….

Follow this link to register:  https://vbspro.events/p/events/glenelgumc

Drive Thru Pick UP PARTY for your VBS Supply Kit….  2 days to choose from:

            Wednesday, July 29th           10 am – 11 am

            Sunday, August 2      after worship (around 10:15) until 11:00 am

Please contact Denise Martin or Donna Brackins for alternate pick up options.

Invite friends to sign up… VBS is more fun with friends!!!

What does virtual VBS look like this year?

  • VIA ZOOM:
    Approx. 25 minute video including: Bible Story, lesson and music
    Approx. 20 minutes sharing, fellowship and prayer
  • Activities and crafts can be done any time that is convenient for your family.
  • Mission Projects Include:
  • Daily at home opportunities
  • Drive and Drop Mondays @ GUMC (on going outreach)
    Card making for Elders @ Encore
    Food Collection for Lake Elkhorn Middle School

       We will provide an email that will include the daily video and
       opportunities to engage your family in focusing on GOD.

Our hope is that "FOCUS" Virtual VBS is a FUN addition to your summer!  If you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out to Denise Martin @ 443-375-6463 or gumc.youth@verizon.net or Donna Brackins @ donnabrackins@gmail.com

Dear Friends,

We live in challenging times. We have all heard that obvious statement of late. Yet we know these challenging times come with Faith and hope and the promise for better days ahead. Days when we can meet face-to-face for fellowship after worship (without the use of Zoom!). Days when we can share a Summer dinner with loved-ones (even with those with whom we are not quarantining!).  It will likely be some time before we can enjoy those things we took for granted not long ago, but they will happen again.  Our sacrifices of isolation and social distancing are what we do for the greater good, to safeguard the health of older and/or vulnerable friends. Perhaps one of the best expressions of Love we can show in these challenging times.

All of GUMC's committees led by Finance are currently engaged in discussions of possible changes in budget levels should that become necessary later this year.  This is due to a drop off in offerings that could continue for some time. We commit to maintaining the church's important programs as funding permits and will keep you informed of any changes.

We once again encourage everyone who has not been financially impacted by the pandemic to give consistently at your normal levels. We continue to pay our outstanding staff who have done a fantastic job of adapting to the changing circumstances and providing meaningful ways for us to connect and worship. Committees continue to function and are finding inventive ways to serve those in need. The work of our church is needed more than ever, and we need your financial support to empower that work. Please click Online Giving for the easiest and most secure way to give.

Peace and Blessings,

Don Cornwell                                                 Bruce Benner, Jr.

Treasurer                                                        Financial Secretary

Dear Friends,

We want to update you on the financial status of our church during these challenging times.  As some of you may know, we have applied for a loan/grant through the recently passed federal Payroll Protection Program (PPP) to maintain the payroll for the church staff and preschool school teachers.  The purpose of this loan/grant is to continue the positive impact of Glenelg United Methodist Church (GUMC) for our local community and region.  We will continue to contribute toward our conference mission share, some of which will be distributed by the United Methodist Church to congregations and other causes in-need due to the coronavirus.  Under the conditions of the PPP, if the loan is used for payment of staff payroll and the church's mortgage, as is our commitment, the loan will be forgiven.

Another challenge was also recently presented to our church. Last week, there was an attempted but unsuccessful breach of the church's mailbox which rendered it unusable.  For the time being, we are having GUMC's mail forwarded, so you can still mail your contributions directly to the church by sending your check with your offering envelope to the address below:

Glenelg UMC
13900 Burntwoods Road
Glenelg, MD 21737.

 We also encourage our congregation to consider giving on-line, following the instructions below:
 To give electronically;

  1. Click here for VANCO's secure website. (VANCO is recommended by the General Conference of the United Methodist Church)
  2. Enter your contribution amount in General Operating, fill out Donation Frequency (One Time, Weekly, Monthly), and Fill Out Donation Start Date.   You do not have to create a profile unless you want to.  Hit the Continue button.
  3. Follow the prompts to enter credit card information (or bank account) and authorize.
  4. You can set up recurring weekly or monthly giving (which simplifies giving) and can be stopped at any time.
  5. This charges your credit card (or bank account), initiates a deposit directly into the church bank account, and updates your giving record.
  6. You also have the option of using your bank's billpay service, for which the bank will mail a check to the church.

The Life of the church continues as there are online prayer, bible study, and worship opportunities noted on the church's homepage.  As difficult as these times are for all of us, God is in control and as Pastor Alice has stated many times, All is Well.  God knows our concerns and abides with us to encourage and comfort us.  We pray for your health and safety and look forward to seeing you soon.

Peace and Blessings,
Don Cornwell                                                             Bruce Benner, Jr.
Treasurer                                                                   Financial Secretary

The Campbell Family in honor of:
Hospital staff, first responders and essential workers

Pastor Alice Ford in honor of:
The dedicated staff and leadership of Glenelg UMC

Betsy & Roy Ford in honor of:
Health care workers

Brian & Jenny Henderson in honor of:
Our loved ones

Jan and Craig Lee in honor of:
Alice Ford for leading GUMC through the pandemic

Jean & Win Riley in honor of:
All health care heroes and all essential workers

Kim Sullivan in honor of:
Shirley Meighan

Dick & Carol Williamson in honor of:
Our children and grandchildren

Ann and David Wood in honor of:
Our children and grandchildren
Medical personnel and first responders fighting COVID-19
Farmers, agricultural personnel and food processing operations
Truckers, grocery and pharmacy personnel

Laura and Terry Burns-Heffner in memory of:
Rev. James Burns
Tim Heffner

Brian & Cassie Felch in memory of:
Jordan Felch
Richard Felch

Betsy & Roy Ford in memory of:
Elmira Seibert
Murat Seibert
Rosella Ford
Herbert Ford

Megan and Maddie Kirkpatrick in memory of:
Grammy
Granddad
PopPop

Arnold and Vicky Lawing in memory of:
Drew Lawing,
Bill McBrayer
Gene Brannock
Bobby Williams
Ed Gladstone
Wendell Backus
Allan Bandel
Nell Lawing
Mecie Williams
Annie Ward
Hazel Williams
Marie Chadwick
Mary Ward
Ruth Gladstone
Ruby Braswell
Peggy McBrayer

Jan & Craig Lee in memory of:
Dorothy Stubig
Maynard Stubig
Joanne Stubig

Marilyn Mengel in memory of:
Robert Mengel

Chuck & Ruth Anne Niemi & Family in memory of:
Christopher Kelley
Lauren Stotlar

Jerry and Marilyn Rogers in memory of:
Our parents

Leslie and Natalie Romine in memory of:
Richard Romine
Durrell Moore

Sandy Speace in memory of:
Will Speace
Dan Speace

Rob & Carol Sturgess in memory of:
Our parents
Sue Warbutton
Ceil Eagen

Kim Sullivan in memory of:
Herbert Sullivan
Mary Jane Sullivan
Wilhelmina Oldfield

Janet, Doug, Steven & Cindy West in memory of:
Jeffrey A. West

Dick & Carol Williamson in memory of:
Joseph Obriot
Lena Obriot
Richard Williamson
Mona Williamson

Ann and David Wood in memory of:
Our parents

"Revival, Faith as Wesley Lived It," by Adam Hamilton

The next adult Bible study will begin on Sunday, 4/19, at 6:30 pm.  The study will be held on-line using Zoom.  We just completed a study using Zoom and it went very well, so please join us!  The next six-week study will be "Revival, Faith as Wesley Lived It," by Adam Hamilton.

Description below:

If you've taken a class using Adam Hamilton'sThe Journey orThe Way, you know how his DVD sessions seem part travelogue—part history lesson—a lot Bible study. InRevival, he once again uses his captivating, storytelling talent to take you on a six-week journey through England tracing the life of John Wesley. Wesley's message and his faith continue to speak to twenty-first-century Christians, calling for a revival of our hearts and souls so that our world might be changed. His story is our story. It's our heritage, it defines our faith, and it challenges us to rediscover our spiritual passion.

The study guide currently appears to be unavailable from Amazon, but is available from Cokesbury with free shipping, but don't expect one-day delivery, so order soon. If you are interested in participating, please email Craig Lee (craig_and_jan@verizon.net) so you can be added to the Zoom invitation.