A Newark Delaware United Methodist Church
Practicing Reconciling Ministries
Church Leadership
Tonya McClain
Senior Pastor
Pastor Tonya McClain is a provisional elder who is working toward ordination. For the past 13 years, she has served as pastor of churches located in the Upper and Lower Shore District of the Peninsula-Delaware Conference and, before joining us here, she was a pastor at St.Paul’s United Methodist Church and Zion United Methodist Church in Cambridge, Maryland. Pastor Tonya has special interest in community involvement and has offered and worked at outdoor community events, offered Bible study in assisted-living settings, and developed a ministry among Washington College students in Chestertown, Maryland.
Staff
The staff at Newark United Methodist Church plays a crucial role in the day-to-day administrative operation of the church, assisting the pastoral staff and allowing them to attend to pastoral ministry. Please call us at 302-368-8774 and use the following extensions or contact us via email:
Pastoral Staff
Pastor Tonya McClain, Senior Pastor, ext. 1117, e-mail: pastortonya@newark-umc.org
Rev. Ward Mesick, Campus Pastor of the Wesley Foundation Campus Ministry at the University of Delaware, ext. 1108 or 302-368-8802 (direct), e-mail: wardmesick@gmail.com
Rev. Kevin Smith, Deacon, e-mail: klsmith1920@gmail.com
Administrative Staff
Julia Logan, Office Administrator and Director of Children & Families Ministries, ext. 1116
Lisa Santare, Communications Manager 302-494-1038
Rob Cappiello, Business Administrator, ext. 1114
Pat MacKenzie, Bookkeeper, ext. 2114
Rob Kennan, Director of Music, ext. 1017 or 302-368-8034 (direct)
Mandy Manzella, Preschool Director, ext. 1110 or 302-368-1754 (direct)
Jill Hall, Preschool Administrative Assistant, ext. 2110
Simplified Board
The pilot leadership body within our congregation that plans, coordinates, and implements our church’s official programs and earmarks the resources to do so. The Board also performs various administrative duties and ultimately envisions, plans, implements, and annually evaluates the mission and ministry of Newark United Methodist Church.
The Simplified Board generally meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m.; the meetings are public and open to everyone.
- Facilitator: Peter Schmalz
- Finance: Bruce Yost
- Lay Leader: Kate Philipp
- Nurture: Carol Raynolds and OPEN
- Outreach: Lisa Chieffo and Susan Tretta
- Staff/Parish Relations: Mark Werrell
- Trustees: Peter Schmalz
- Witness: Deede Cataldi and Dwayne Dantzler
- At Large: Stephanie Givler
- Lay Members to Annual Conference: Mark Deshon, Susan Sheldon
- Youth: Jackson Logan, Joseph Logan, Gabby Severson
Ex Officio:
- Rob Cappiello, Business Manager
- Rob Kennan, Music Director
- Julia Logan, Christian Education
- Pat Mackenzie, Bookkeeper
- Lisa Santare, Communication Manager
- Mandy Manzella, Kim Turner, Newark Methodist Preschool
- Ward Mesick, Wesley Campus Minister
Lay Leaders
The office of Lay Leader is the highest non-clergy position within a local United Methodist congregation. Individuals who are Lay Leaders are seasoned Christians who can represent the congregation’s concerns to the pastoral staff and Church Council and assist the pastoral staff with a number of church rites, including baptism and reception of new members, and occasionally plan worship services.
- Mark Werrell (lead)
- Kate Philip
- Marina Espiritu Lutz
- Gabby Severson
- John Sullivan
If you’d like to get in touch with one of the Lay Leaders about any issue, please contact us and select “ATTN: Lay Leaders” as the subject of your message.
Connectional Leaders
Within our episcopal area, we are led by Bishop LaTrelle Easterling, presiding Bishop of the Philadelphia Area of The United Methodist Church, and the Rev. Joseph Archie, Superintendent of the Delaware District of the Peninsula-Delaware Conference.
About our denominational connection
Voting members who currently represent our congregation at the Annual Conference of the Peninsula-Delaware Conference are:
- Susan Sheldon (Lay Member to Annual Conference)
- Mark Deshon (Lay Member to Annual Conference)
Employment Opportunities
Ministries change, as well as the people who support them. We are always looking for talented individuals to lead and contribute to our ministries. Please periodically visit this area as we post current needs and opportunities.
The Newark United Methodist Church Facility
Our church’s meeting place is on the National Historic Register and is located at 69 East Main Street, Newark, DE 19711
Parking and the main Welcome Center entrance is off of 62 Delaware Ave. (south side of the building)
“the noisy Methodists had no right to disturb the peace and quiet of the citizens by holding their boisterous meetings on the main street.”
John Fletcher Williamson. “Recollections: The Peninsula Methodist,— —,” 1888.
NUMC’s Congregational History
From its humble beginnings as an unofficial meeting in a paper mill at White Clay Creek, our congregation has stood the test of time and overcome many challenges. Originally called Meteer’s Meeting (after local businessman Thomas Meteer who offered his home and paper mill as a meeting spot), the congregation grew over time thanks to its strategic location as a stopping point for itinerant preachers traveling between Baltimore and Philadelphia. Our location (and name) have changed a few times over the years, but our biggest challenge was the church’s relocation onto Main Street.
Background
Despite the protests from the town, the church managed to purchase a property from an out-of-town owner unaware that no one in Newark would sell the Methodists land on Main Street. The sale took place at midnight, and building began the next morning “to the utter surprise and consternation of our enemies.” Through years of war and peace, hardships and prosperity, the congregation stayed rooted on Main Street, rebuilding after a fire in 1861, and adding additions as the congregation and its needs grew. In 1999 we celebrated our 200th anniversary as a congregation here in Newark. Today, our congregation continues to make a difference in the lives of people locally, regionally, and globally.