MORNING STAR ✳ FEBRUARY 22 - 28, 2007
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CHURCH BULLETINS Conference challenges women Independent Publisher Candy Abbott, owner of Fruitbearer Publishing, hosts her first Fruitbearer Women’s Conference on Saturday, March 24, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Georgetown Presbyterian Church, 203 North Bedford St., Georgetown. Abbott has planned a Spirit-filled day around the parable of the weeds (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43) for women who yearn to bear “fruit that will last.” The content is designed to challenge women to identify weeds that hide in their spiritual gardens and spark renewal. “The focus of the conference is to nur-
ture growth and discernment in these last days. We’ll be encouraging the ladies to plant themselves in God’s Word and see what blooms.” Abbott’s book, Fruitbearer, What Can I Do for You, Lord? is in its third edition. Mrs. Abbott is an elder at Georgetown Presbyterian Church as well as an author, speaker, wife, mother and grandmother. She is the director of Delmarva Christian Writers’ Fellowship and is a respected voice in Christian publishing circles. Bishop Catherine Camper and Linda Hostelley will be featured speakers at the conference.
OBITUARIES Continued from page 22
ber of the Delmar Alumni Association. He was also a member of All Saints Episcopal Church in Delmar. Fiercely proud of the town of Delmar, Jack served on the Delmar School Board for many years. He loved beekeeping and sold honey to local farmer's markets and family and friends. He was a collector of Pennsylvania Railroad memorabilia. Other hobbies included traveling, gardening & growing vegetables and he always had a fondness for cats. In addition to his parents, a brother, Robert Whitley, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Iona Marshall Whitley; a son, Alan Whitley and his wife Margaret of Delmar; and his beloved cat, "Sweetpea." A celebration of Mr. Whitley's life was on Saturday, Feb. 17, at Short Funeral Home, Delmar. The Rev. Custer Ruley officiated. Interment with military honors followed the service at St. Stephen's Cemetery in Delmar. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to: Delmar Public Library, 101 N. Bi-State Blvd., Delmar, DE 19940; or to Delmar High School Booster Club, c/o Delmar School District, 200 N. 8th St., Delmar, DE 19940. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.
Shirley Lewis, 61 Shirley Ross Lewis, of Baltimore, Md., died Feb. 16, 2007 at Coastal Hospice by the Lake in Salisbury, Md. She was born in Baltimore, Md. A daughter of Robert and Illine Ross, who preceded her in death. Mrs. Lewis retired as a classified sales person for the Baltimore Sun. She is survived by sons: John Lewis and his wife Ilsa of Sharptown, Md., and Robert Lewis of Baltimore, Md. Daugther Melissa Ammon and husband Larry of Sharptown, Md. A sister Colleen Hardy of Ellicott City, Md. Grandchildren: Jonathan Lewis, Rachel Lewis, Matthew Lewis and Josie Ammon, Jacob Ammon and Caleb Ammon all of Sharptown. A visitation was held at The Palm Residence, Ellicott City, Md. on Feb. 19. A funeral service was on Tuesday, Feb. 20, at Valley Presbyterian Church, Lutherville, Md. Contributions may be made in her name to: John Hopkins Kimmel Cancer
Center Patient and Family Services, One Charles Center, 100 North Charles St., Suite 234, Baltimore, Md. 21201. Internment followed at Parkwood Cemetery in Baltimore, Md. Arrangements were in the care of the Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home, 700 West St., Laurel, DE 19956.
Mildred M. Watson, 89 Mildred M. Watson of Seaford died on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2007 at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Watson was past president of Women's Missionary of Maryland. She was a Sunday school teacher, directed the choir, and played the organ and piano at the 1st Baptist Church in East New Market. She was always a very active "Pastor's wife" in all church functions. Mildred's husband, Pastor Wellington P. Watson died in 2002. She is survived by one son, Wayne Watson of Ocala, Fla., and two daughters, Elaine Watson and Diane Watson, both of Seaford. Also surviving are 4 grandchildren and 10 greatgrandchildren. Memorial Services were on Monday, Feb. 19, at Grace Baptist Church, 805 Atlanta Road, Seaford. The family suggest donations may be made to Gideon International, P O Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214. Arrangements by the Cranston Funeral Home, Seaford.
Clinton L. Palmer, 50 Clinton L. Palmer of Seaford died on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007 at his home. Born on May 10, 1957, he was the son of John Palmer Sr. and Ruby Irby Palmer, both of Seaford. He graduated Seaford High School class of 1974. He was a roofer working in the construction industry most of his life. Besides his parents, he is survived by a daughter, Frances Marie Gardner of Seaford; one sister, Carolyn McAllister of Monroe, Mich., and two brothers, John Palmer, Jr., of Toledo, Ohio, and Thackery Palmer of Seaford. A funeral service was on Tuesday, Feb. 20, at John Wesley Church, Seaford with Pastor Peggy Briggs officiating. Interment followed in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Seaford. Share memories with the family at www.framptom.com
Bishop Camper pastors the United Deliverance Bible Center, Laurel, and is a visionary on divine assignment. She holds two doctoral degrees from Logos International Bible College in Jacksonville, Fla. and is a gifted teacher, anointed preacher and dynamic seminarian. She is the author of As God Would Have It, a Fruitbearer publication. Linda Hostelley is co-founder of Iron Sharpens Iron Ministries, Millsboro, an author and international speaker, teacher, and prophetic artist. She has led deep inner healing seminars and weekend retreats worldwide. Conference cost is $25 and includes lunch. To request a schedule or to register by phone or mail, contact: Karen Gritton, Gritton Productions, 5 Violet Dr., Lincoln, DE 19960; (302) 422-0907, kgritton@grittonproductions.com. To register online, visit www.fruitbearer.com.
Calvary Baptist Spring Conference “Disciplines of a Beautiful Woman,” Ladies and Teen Girls Spring Conference will be on Saturday, March 31, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Calvary Baptist Church, Georgetown. Speaker will be Juanita Purcell of the Villages, Fla., Women’s Conference Speaker and Author. There will also be a time of worship and praise, special reading, food and fellowship. Register by March 12. Cost is $7, which includes breakfast and lunch, on site. After March 12, the cost will be $15 per person. Call 856-3773.
Chapter of the Brotherhood Plans are going forward at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church for the formation of a Chapter of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, an organization of the Episcopal Church founded in 1883. This chapter is open to all men in St. Luke’s parish and in the community and will offer the opportunity for men to gather together for prayer, study, service and fellowship. Call the church office at 629-7979 or Joe Coladonato at 629-3597.
Shiloh House Friend-Raiser Responding to the cries for hope from parents all across Delmarva, Shiloh House of Hope gears up to host its 2nd Annual Friend-Raiser. With several clients already in their non-residential program and parents participating in parenting classes, Shiloh waits for rezoning of property to build so that they can begin their residential program. At the event on Saturday, March 10 at the Sam Yoder Community Building in Greenwood, attendees will hear from former National House of Hope resident Jesse Cloud. She will share her story of hope, healing and restoration. The evening will be hosted by Joy! 102.5's Rodney Baylous with good food, musical talent and a silent auction. Tickets for the event are $50 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Maria Peachey at 302-3379330, or email her at maria@shilohhouseofhope.org.
The Answer is in the Bible Question: Why are there so many churches? A quick look at the Yellow Pages for our area revealed almost seven pages of church listings. These listings included churches representing nearly 40 different denominations. So obviously, the question asked is a very good one. In order to see what the Bible has to say about the subject, it would be good to recall the words of Jesus as He spoke to His apostles in Matthew 16. In verse 18, the Lord spoke of building “My church”. I chose to italicize the word “church” to highlight the fact that Jesus used the singular. In Acts chapter 2, we read of the day that the church of which Jesus spoke actually started. It was in the city of Jerusalem that 3,000 people, in response to the apostle Peter’s preaching of the gospel, were baptized into Christ (verse 41). In verse 47 of the same chapter, the Bible speaks of the Lord “adding to their number day by day those who were being saved”. This clearly speaks of one church being in existence then. In his letter to the church that met in the ancient city of Ephesus, the apostle Paul writes of “one body” (Ephesians 4:4). In light of what Paul wrote in chapter one, verses 22-23 of the same letter, we understand the body (of Christ) to be the church, His church. The church of which we read in the New Testament was legitimately divided only over geographical location, congregations of the same church meeting in different places within the same city or region. Over the years, unfortunately, man has corrupted this concept of “one church” into a scenario revealed by what can be found in the Yellow Pages of most any community. Churches divided not by geography or culture, but by differing creeds, doctrines, names, as well as conditions of membership is what we find as we even casually examine the religious life of any community. What is tragic is that in many cases, this division has come about in the name of convenience, a failure to get along with other Christians, or by man’s attempt to “improve” upon what God has already said in His Word. I am confident that if any group of Christians really wants to be known and identified by the name of Christ and nothing else, it is possible. Using the Bible, and only the Bible as our source, it is possible to reproduce the one church we read of in God’s Word in any community. If our desire, as children of God, is to attain to the unity for which Jesus prayed (John 17:20-21), then we will find a way to truly be one in Christ. If you have Bible questions, send to: Seaford Church of Christ 302-629-6206 or melakian1@DMV.com