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ContentsHomecoming Service onHomecoming Service on October 21October 21. 1Rev. Mark Farnell, Special SpeakerFrom Your Pastor. 2Bethesda’s annual Homecoming service will take placeOctober 21, at 10:15 a.m. Our special speaker this yearis Rev. Mark Farnell. As many will remember, Farnellwas Bethesda’s minister from 1998 to 2004. Since thenhe has been pastor at the Millington/Crumpton Charge,and is currently the pastor of Centreville United Methodist Church. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from WesleyCollege, in Dover, and a Master of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary, in Washington, D.C. He hasbeen a member of a number of conference committees, including the Board of Ordained Ministry and theConference Committee of Clergy and Lay Leadership.Weekly Income. 2Circle of Concern. 2Bethesda History Notes. 3Farewell, Karol. 4In Memoriam: Joan Evey. 4Remembering Joan Evey. 4Rev. William J. O’Neill. 5The Letters of Rev. Mark W.Palmer. 5In addition to Rev. Farnell’s presence, Bethesda will alsohave music from the choir, the bell choir, and from theAndrew Family Singers. The latter group, made up ofMrs. Donna Andrew and her daughters and granddaughters, will perform several special pieces.Volume III: Issue 8October 2012A monthly publication of:Bethesda UnitedMethodist ChurchIn keeping with recent tradition, the History and Archives Committee will also honor Bethesda’s volunteer of the year. Readers may nominate a volunteer by email until October 18.A luncheon will follow the service. All are invited to attend.ForRent155 Main StreetPreston, Maryland 21655410-673-7538EditorEric A. CheezumLayoutChristy CheezumEditorial BoardBethesda UMC History andArchives CommitteeBethesda Parsonage4 Bedrooms, 2 BathsWasher & DryerSigned submissions may bemailed to:PO Box 147Preston, Maryland 21655or emailed to:bethesdanewsletter@verizon.netGarage Not IncludedNo Smoking, No Pets 950 per month (includes water & sewer)One month security deposit.Submissions deadline is thefifteenth of each month.Shirley Pryor poses with a friend after attending a twelveinning Orioles game on September 13.Contact Jim Sanders at 410-673-2674
From Your PastorThere is such unrest in the world rightnow! Turning on the news, slaps us withthe reality of what is happening in theMiddle East. We seem so removed, yetat the same time near. We have a hardtime identifying with those who are doing these acts of violence, yet if we arehonest we understand hatred. While wemay not act on this hatred toward another, it has found a home in our heartstoo at one time or another. How is theChristian community to respond to thisturbulent time?WANTEDmountains be shaken and the hills beremoved, yet my unfailing love for youwill not be shaken nor my covenant ofpeace be removed,’ says the LORD, whohas compassion on you.” God knows theworld that we are living in. He is neitherdeaf nor uncaring. God remains the sameas when this scripture was written. God’slove for us and intention for peace is stillpresent.WANTED: Memories of BethesdaDo you have a special memory ofBethesda? Here is your opportunity toput it in print for posterity. The Bugleasks that anyone with memories ofBethesda’s past – recent, distant, orsomewhere in between – write themdown and submit them for publication. Subjects of particular interestinclude people and events of the church,3. Be a peacemaker. James 3:18 states, memories of construction or renovation“Peacemakers who sow in peace reap aprojects, etc. Old pictures of Bethesda,harvest of righteousness.” We are to sow particularly of the church interior, are1. We need to be praying. We needpeace! We may not be able to touch the especially sought after. Stories of theto pray for our leaders for wisdom inMiddle East, but we can touch the world Preston community are also welcome.navigating how best to deal with the situ- right around us. Take a few minutes toPlease help us record pieces of ouration. We need to pray for those involved evaluate if you are sowing peace in your community’s past!that God will soften hearts. Jesus adown home, neighborhood, community,dressed this when he said, “But I tell you, school, etc.love your enemies and pray for thoseIn times like these, we can feel helpless.who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). And God remains in control and is with uswe need to pray for the victims – bothalways. In times of incredible uncertaintythose harmed and those who are harmed and chaos, this is Good News!by being present in such unrest thinkof the children living in these areas.Pastor KarenM2. We need to stand on the Word ofGod. Isaiah 54:10 says, “‘though theWeekly IncomeMembers and friends have committed 915 a week in subscriptionsto Bethesda. Weekly income is reported relative to that figure, witha breakdown of subscription versus general plate income.DateSept. 2Sept. 9Sept. 16Sept. 23Sept. 30Attendance4349475144Plate 264 432 416 66.40 84.00Pledge 761 1,079 742 750 690Total 1,025 1,611 1,158 816.40 774Minimum Expected Income (5 weeks): 4575Actual Income: 5,384.40Average Attendance: 52“All things on earth pointhome in old October; sailorsto sea, travellers to walls andfences, hunters to field andhollow and the long voice ofthe hounds, the lover to thelove he has forsaken.”Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938)Imitate God, therefore,in everything you do,because you are hisdear children. Ephesians 5:1 Circle of ConcernBetty Hinnershitz2701 Choptank Main St.Preston, MD 21655410-673-7383Gloria Trice21850 Water StPreston, MD 21655410-673-7339At Nursing Homes:Bea TriceBob McConnellWilliam Hill Manor 520 Kerr Ave.Easton, MDDenton, MD 21629 Tharon HarringtonThe Pines610 Dutchmans LaneEaston, MD 21601
Bethesda History NotesMinutes of First Quarterly meeting for Federalsburg circuit, Dover district, Wilmington Annual Conference, Held at Harmony May 23,1874. Rev. Wm. J. O’Neal1 (Preacher in Charge) in the chair. After devotional exercises, on motion S.H. Melson was appointed Secretary. On motion A.R. Wright & J.W. Dean were approved as S.S. Superintendents. What members of the Quar. Conff. are present: seeRoll of members. There were No complaints, No appeals, No reports from committees. The committee appointed at last Quar. Conff.in regard to district Confference were continued. The Pastor reported as follows, Sunday Schools: There are Four Sunday Schools inoperation on the circuit, one at Harmony, one at Federalsburg, one at Preston, and one at Bethlehem; these schools are in very goodcondition. The other appointments contemplate commencing their schools immediately. There is a good degree of life at the different appointments on the circuit; the classes ar[e] well attended and the congregations are very good. There have been received into thechurch at Federalsburg three on probation & two by certificate. The society at Preston have determined on building a New Church,which, when completed, will give strength to Methodism in our circuit. Said report was adopted on motion. The Board of stewards retired to Estimate Preachers’ Salary. They reported Senior Preacher 800, Junior Preacher 150, & 75 to pay board, which was adoptedby the cofference [sic].What has been collected for the support of the Gospel & how applied:2coll[ected].applied cts Federalsburg52. 80Presiding Elder 10.Friendship30. 35Senior preach. 103.Bethlehem12. 00Junior ” 20.Preston15. 00Harmony23. 50St. Paul’s-- -Total 133.65Total 133.cts00650065NOTES1 - This is the first mention in these minutes ofRev. William J. O’Neill (1832-1887), who wouldplay a major role in the construction of the present Bethesda church in 1875. O’Neill’s name ishabitually misspelled in this and other contemporary documents. See inset for O’Neill’s obituary.2 - “Gospel” is a best guess here. The original isillegible.3 - That is, the Presiding Elder.4 - This sentence was inserted after the minuteswere written.5 - Here O’Neill and Melson are noted in their official capacities for the meeting, as presiding elderand recording steward, respectively.No change in board of Stewards, no recommendations for License to preach. TheGeneral rules have not been read this quarter. The question of camp meeting was discussed but no motion offered. The place for thenext Quarterly meeting was fixed at Federalsburg, time to be fixed by P.E.3 The minutes read & approved.4 On motion the conferenceadjourned by singing Doxology. Benediction [delivered by] Rev. J.P. Penington.S.H. Melson, sect.Wm. J. O’NealPres.S.H.M. Rec. Steward5Rev. William J. O’Neill ObituaryWilliam J. O’Neill was born at Lisburne,a small town near Belfast in Ireland,A.D., 1832.fullness and sweetness of Jesus’ love forhim.He entered Conference in 1859, and wasHis father was an officer in the constab- sent as Junior preacher, first, to Smyrnaulary police or home-guard, and fromCircuit, and afterward to Denton andfrequent removals from place to place,Talbot Circuits. In February 1862, hehe imbibed that love of change, which in was appointed Chaplain of the 118thafter years made itinerant life congenial. Pennsylvania Regiment, and served inTo his father and mother he was indebt- that capacity until the spring of 1865,ed for careful, moral, and religious train- when the army was disbanded. In thatyear he was sent as Junior preacher toing, and he early learned to study andGreensboro Circuit. In February 1866,love the bible, and constantly attendedhe was married to Miss Mary A. Chickerthe services of the Protestant Episcoing, then a teacher in St. Michaels, Talbotpal Church [That is, the Episcopal ChurchCo., Md., and was sent to Cambridge– Ed.]. At the age of sixteen, he camewith his parents to America, and settled Circuit. His successive appointmentsin Philadelphia. He could not remember were, Greensboro Circuit, Kent Island,Suddlersville [sic], Snow Hill, Federalswhen he learned to love Jesus, but in aburg, Gumboro, Rising Sun, Millington,little Methodist Chapel soon after hisand Churcharrival in this country, he experienced the Frankford, Princess Anne, Hill.He was a man who made and heldfriends by his personal magnetism, andby the sterling qualities of his character.As a preacher he was clear, strong, logical, always fervent, and often eloquent.His individuality was marked, and he wascourageously loyal to his convictions ofright.At the close of his third year at ChurchHill, he was attacked by that terribledisease, typhoid fever, and after fortyfour days of intense suffering, he sweetlyfell asleep in Jesus, on the night, March9th, 1887.He now rests in the family burial lot atLaurel Hill, Philadelphia, awaiting theresurrection morn.Wilmington Conference Journal (1887), 64.
Farewell, Karol!The ladies of the church gave Karol Bastow a going away luncheon at Suicide Bridge Restaurant on September 27. Karol ismoving to Pittsfield, Massachusetts to be near her son and daughter and to be there for the birth of her first great-grandchild.Karol has lived in Preston for over 20 years and has attended Bethesda faithfully, and we wish her much happiness. She will begreatly missed. Karol’s new address is 30 Gamwell Ave. Apt 2, Pittsfield, MA 01201.The Women of Bethesda, from left: Donna Lane, Doris Gerlach,Dot Lane, Helen Fletcher, Barbara Sanders, Shirley Pryor, JeanA special sign by Donna Lane to commemorate Karol’s Wright, Karol Bastow, Nancy Bayne, Eris Rima, Kay Fairbank,and Judy Noeldeparture.Remembering Joan EveyKay Fairbank presents Karol with a picture taken ofKarol and Arlo Guthrie when the latter visited theAvalon recently.Joan Evey was a loving and caring lady. She was devoted to family, and always readyto help. Joan was loyal to her Catholic Church and to our Methodist Church. Sheloved animals – especially her two cats. Joan also lit up a room with her smile. Shewas proud of her children’s accomplishments and was a loving grandmother.Helen Fletcher and Dotty WrightIn Memoriam: Joan EveyJoan M. Evey departed this life peaceN.Y., and Ellen Bates and her husbandfully at her home in Preston on Tuesday, Jon of Portland, Ore.; stepchildren,Aug. 21, 2012. She was 78.Kathy and Keith Christopher of FederBorn Feb. 15, 1934, she was the daughter alsburg, Tom and Cindy Evey, Janice andGreg Burt, Scott and Marilyn Evey, allof the late Jeanette and Richard Pause.She married William M. Evey of Preston of Preston, Susan and Michael Slowinskiof Colrain, Mass.; a brother-in-law, Fredin 1994.Summerton of Dunkirk, N.Y.; sevenShe attended Kenmore High School ingrandchildren, Rachel, Gracia, and DonKenmore, N.Y., and attended SalisburyNash, Miles and Adam DiMillo, MichelleState University and studied early child- and Max Bates; four step-grandchildren,hood education. She owned and operElizabeth, Andrew and Angela Slowated Tommy Tucker Nursery in Salisbury inski, and Nathan Burt; and a host offor 20 years.other family and friends she loved andMrs. Evey was an active member of Our cherished.Lady Of Good Counsel Catholic Church A Memorial Mass was celebrated Augustin Secretary; she also attended Bethesda 25th at Our Lady Of Good CounselUnited Methodist Church in PrestonCatholic Church, and a Celebration Ofwith her husband.Life Memorial will be held August 26that Bethesda United Methodist Church.In addition to her husband, she is survived by a son, Donald Nash Jr. and his Interment was private.wife Sarah of Fredonia, N.Y.; two daugh- In lieu of flowers, memorial donationsters, Brenda DiMillo of West Seneca, may be made to Our Lady Of GoodCounsel Catholic Church, P.O. Box 279,Secretary, MD 21664 or to CarolineCounty Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box362, Denton, MD 21629.
The Letters of Rev. Mark W. Palmeras they were compiled and edited by St. Paul’sThe Letters of the Reverend Mark W.Palmer to the Congregation of St. Paul’s UMC in 1999. The letters are not easy reading, but they nonetheless offer perspective onUnited Methodist Churchthe nature of human suffering, on God’s roleRecently Doug and Wanda Prothero donatedin that suffering, and on one man’s journey ofto the Barratt’s Chapel archive a collectionfaith in the face of death.of artifacts from St. Paul’s and AldersgateMethodist churches, in Wilmington, Delaware.Among that collection was a bound volumecontaining a series of letters from Rev. MarkW. Palmer to his congregation at St. Paul’s.The letters chronicle an unhappy subject:Palmer’s diagnosis of malignant cancer inDecember 1997, and his brave, but ultimatelyunsuccessful, battle against the cancer throughout 1998. Although Palmer has no directconnection with Bethesda, his story will nodoubt resonate with many in our congregationand community. Moreover, Palmer’s fight withcancer allowed him to explore his faith in waysthat he was then able to relate to his congregation through his letters.Rev. Mark William Palmer was born April13, 1947 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.He received a B.A. in History from WestVirginia Wesleyan College in 1969, and anM.Div. from Wesley Theological Seminary in1974. He married Jane Elizabeth Manifoldin 1970, and the union produced two children.Palmer worked in pastoral counseling andserved a number of churches on the WesternShore and in northern Delaware, before he wasappointed Associate Pastor at St. Paul’s, in1991. He was first diagnosed with cancer in1995.For the next year we will be reprinting (withminor style editing) Palmer’s letters, in order,Rev. Mark W. Palmer (Conference Journal, 1999)Letter OneDear Brothers and Sisters;Right now my family and I have justcome through the shock precipitated bythis report. I have been feeling so wellthat this news first seemed like somegross mistake. Then came all the feelingsof anger, sadness, and at times fear atwhat this little bit of information mightmean. Just when I was feeling moreenergy and a greater clarity of focus Ihave suddenly been thrust into an ominous whirlwind of diagnostic tests. As Iwrite this I am still in a position of notknowing. I will be undergoing a biopsyof the mass on my liver on Wednesday,December 17 [1997-Ed.], the very daythis newsletter is being mailed. The kindof waiting that is so much a part of thisseason of Advent has taken on a deeperlevel of meaning for my family and me,and what I am asking you to pray foralso relates to this season of hopefulwaiting: I ask that you pray that Godmakes himself known to us in a vividway. It is when God breaks into my lifein very personal and immediate waysthat I feel I can see most clearly whatneeds to be done, and that I experiencestrength beyond my own strength thatenables me to remain true to my bestself. Holding us in prayer in this way willbe a way you can join us in this vigil ofhope.By the time you read this I will havebeen a long way down the road of diagnosis of a new suspicious mass that hasshown up on my liver. Also, the latestCAT scan revealed an “enlargement ofmostly fluid density along the right semiGrace and Peace,nal vesicle.” There is diagnostic attentionMark Palmerbeing given to it as well, but not withthe same urgency as that being given myliver.TGITTGIT recommenced for the Fall semester on September 13. In its first three weeks we have averaged eighteen students, andwe are expecting more when sports end a little further into the season. Currently we are exploring the story of Moses, but aswe approach Christmas, we will be turning our attention toward producing a pageant. If you are interested in helping with thisundertaking, please get in touch. We will have further details closer to the event. We also plan to give out candy at Bethesda onHalloween night, so if you are interested in dressing up and scaring trick-or-treaters, let us know!
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At nursing Homes: Members and friends have committed 915 a week in subscriptions to Bethesda. Weekly income is reported relative to that figure, with a breakdown of subscription versus general plate income. Date Attendance Plate Pledge total Sept. 2 43 264 761 1,025 Sept. 9 49 432 1,079 1,611 Sept. 16 47 416 742 1,158 Sept. 23 51 66 .
